Page 148 of Dragon Rule (Age of Fire 5)

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.

For the first time, NiVom looked doubtful. “You’re leaving as well, Wistala?”

“I’m his Queen-Consort.”

“That’s an informal tradition. There’s no need for you to leave.”

“Other than the duty I owe my brother. I abandoned him to his fate once. I won’t do it again.”

“Very well. The banishment applies to you, as well, then.”

“I am a Hypatian citizen by position,” Wistala said. “I’m not sure you can banish me from Hypatia. But I take it I am free of my oaths to the Firemaids?” Wistala asked.

“That is for you to resolve with your conscience.”

“I’ll not wait here,” the Copper said. “I hope you enjoy a quieter reign than I did, SiHazathant.”

“Thank you, RuGaard. BaMelphistran, see to it that he leaves in safety and security, and is supplied with whatever he wants that will aid him on his journey. Do this if you value your position as head of the Aerial Host.”

The Copper took one last look at the Audience Chamber, full of banners won in victories. He’d been at many of those battles. He’d miss the clucks and squawks of griffaran over him.

“Why did you join me?” he asked AuRon as they returned to the plaza atop the Imperial Rock to take off.

AuRon blinked. “It’s one way out of your crossbreeding of human and dragon society. I now have an excellent excuse never to return.”

“What about your mate?”

AuRon shifted his feet, as though trying to decide what to say. “She has a tooth for this sort of life. It’s not for me. She thinks of the Alliance as her home, not my island.”

“It looks like your island will have to do for me. And Nilrasha, though she’ll have to make the journey on foot. If you’ll have us, that is.”

“You may find it quiet, after the Lavadome.”

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