Page 109 of Dragon Rule (Age of Fire 5)

“I’m telling you what I saw and heard. You’ll have to sort out what it means.”

“You know what this room is?”

“Some sort of theater or debating hall—that’s what I was told as we passed it the first time I came here.”

“I killed the Dragonblade here, in a fair fight.”

AuRon had heard something of it, but he still warmed toward his brother. “You have my thanks. Our world’s a better place for it.”

“If you’re plotting against me or mine, I’ll kill you. Here. Under the gaze of your offspring.”

AuRon’s firebladder pulsed. “I said I’ve told you the truth. I don’t know what it means. I can’t say what sort of dragon NiVom is, except that he’s quite intelligent—maybe the most intelligent creature I’ve ever met. But for all his acuteness, I think his mate’s the more dangerous.”

The Copper’s scale resettled itself. His good eye looked away, into a middle distance.

“What did you come all this way to tell me face-to-face?”

AuRon glanced around the arena. Strange how the habits of a conspirator and an informer were identical. “Your Protectors in Ghioz, Imfamnia and NiVom. I’m sure they’re plotting against you. They’re breeding—creatures. You’ve seen some of them in their attack on Uldam, but I think there are others. Strange bats or gargoyles. I’ve heard them speak of a change, a new Tyr being put in.”

The Copper put a sit to a recent wound in his neck.

“I’m curious about this move of yours, AuRon.”

“Move? You speak as though my actions are part of a strategy. I am not directing forces for a battle. Your ‘Protectors’ in Ghioz are your enemies. It’s not just the greater glory of your Empire or Grand Alliance or whatever it’s called, but they’re plotting something.”

“You take your responsibilities as a Protector of the Grand Alliance seriously.”

AuRon felt better, having unburdened himself. He owed his brother nothing, but it was still the right thing to do. “I take the fate of dragons seriously. There are few enough dragons left in the world. I’m not interested in there being even fewer, which is what will happen if there’s a war between us.”

There was the noise of dragon voices outside. NoSohoth said in a booming voice, “The Tyr is in private audience. He must not be—”

An aged female’s voice: “Oh, none of your delays, you old puff-toad. I will speak to the Tyr. His Queen is guilty of murder and he must answer for the murder of my daughter!”

How had NiVom and Imfamnia moved so quickly? No one could have outflown him.

A group of dragons entered. AuRon didn’t know the Copper’s retinue well enough to say who was who, but it was led by an aging, but still formidable, female.

“What’s all this, Ibidio?” the Copper asked.

“It’s about your mate, my Tyr. We believe she is guilty of murder.”

Chapter 13

The Tyr ordered everyone up to the Audience Chamber. Anyone might wander into the old dueling pit, and he did not want old bloodstains revealed to just anyone.

The procession of dragons trooped all the way back up in anxious silence. The Copper was grateful for the delay. It gave him time to think. His first instinct, to declare Ibidio a mad dragon, would not go over well in the Lavadome. Ibidio had many friends, both open and in secret.

The Copper faced a formidable assembly. Ibidio might be described as the head of the “First Line” of the Lavadome, the principal root of the Imperial Line. Her experience dated back to the glory days of the establishment of the first Tyr, Fe-Hazathant, after the civil wars were over. With her were his descendants, the twins SiHazathant and Regalia, who shared an egg and a yolk sac before hatching.

LaDibar stood a little behind and in between. The seriousness of the occasion forced him to keep his tailtip from exploring various orifices for once. A few other dragons of the Imperial Line stood safely at the rear of the party.

Only NoSohoth stood a little apart, as if declaring his neutrality and waiting to see his Tyr’s reaction.

“Yes, we believe Queen Nilrasha had her murdered,” Ibidio said. “If you loved Halaflora, as I’m sure you did, you would want to see justice done.”

He had loved Halaflora. Despite her weak constitution, she’d devoted herself to being a proper mate when they lived and worked as upholders in Anaea. After the initial embarrassment of a shared life and even having a mate had faded, he’d found himself looking forward to the time they spent together, and missing her if his duties called him away for more than a day. Beyond that, he was deeply grateful to her. She’d been the first of his kind ever to be, well, proud of him and eager for his company.

Murder!

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