Page 145 of Dragon Rule (Age of Fire 5)

“We can’t do this again,” an elderly Wyrr leader behind NiVom said. “Civil war. I lived through one, just in my youth. Smashed eggs, bodies strewn across the hills, starvation. It’s horrible. Spare us that, RuGaard. You’ll be remembered as one of the great Tyrs who knew when to step aside.”

NiVom stepped forward. “It’s up to you, RuGaard.”

“Why are you pressing for this, NiVom? I thought you wanted to be Tyr.”

“We’ve worked out a new structure for the Dragon Empire. The Tyr is to remain in the Lavadome, the heart of the Empire. I’ll take charge of the Protectors in the Upper World. Right now the Protectors are badly coordinated, each is acting for his own interests and those of his lands, rather than for the Empire as a whole. That’s going to stop. I say again, what will it be? Civil war? You’ll have the weaker side.”

“I’ll have the Firemaids,” the Copper said. “Ayafeeia warned me of this plot.”

“The Aerial Host will side with the twins,” BaMelphistran said.

“Then there’s an alternative?”

“I’ll give you the same one you gave me, all those years ago. Flight. Leave the limits of the Dragon Empire and never return, or you’ll forfeit your life.”

“Then try to kill me and be done with it,” the Copper said. “I’m not leaving my dragons. I know there are some still loyal to me.”

“Not only will your life be forfeited, but so will your mate’s.”

“Nilrasha! She’s not a threat to anyone. She plays a part in no faction”

“Save your dwindling one.”

“I’ll stand by him.”

AuRon could never say why he spoke up thus. Years later, when asked, he simply replied that the words were out before he knew he had said them.

SiHazathant and Regalia entered the Audience Chamber from the Tyr’s door. A more perfectly matched set of dragons would be hard to imagine—their red and green became deeper and more brilliant the closer they stood.

“All hail, Tyr SiHazathant and Queen Regalia,” NoSohoth said.

NiVom’s faction roared, the Copper’s stayed silent and still.

“I’m glad to see you here, RuGaard,” SiHazathant said.

“We’ve no wish to be enemies,” Regalia added. “You’ve done great things for dragonkind. But your hearts and mind are only half in the Lavadome. Your care for your mate does you honor, but a Tyr must devote himself to all dragons, not just one.”

“Will you recognize me as your Tyr, RuGaard?” SiHazathant said, getting to the point in the manner of old FeHazathant.

“I will not fight you,” the Copper said, tiredly. “Just let me return to Nilrasha. She deserves better than this. She sacrificed her wings for our cause.”

“So it is to be exile,” Regalia said. “Very well, go in peace. Who goes with you?”

“And I,” said AuRon.

“But your mate—” SiHazathant said, looking at NiVom in doubt.

“Natasatch is one of the Protectors backing you,” NiVom said. “She wishes to remain in her position as Protector.”

“It will be a bitter exile for both of you, AuRon,” NoSohoth said.

“Natasatch is perfectly capable of acting as Protector of Dairuss. Perhaps better, for she’s an armored dragon. One well-placed Ironrider arrow would slay me.”

“We’ll allow her to visit you on your island now and again,” NiVom said. “But if you insist on not recognizing SiHazathant as Tyr, you must not be allowed to return to the Empire.”

“My Tyr must have his bodyguard,” Shadowcatch said, heavily. But then he did everything heavily. “I shall follow Tyr RuGaard wherever he goes.”

“I will go with Tyr RuGaard as well,” Wistala said.

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