~A/N: The second of the two bonus chapters so far! I have plans for more, so I hope you'll continue to enjoy the story!

***

"I don't know much about the railroad thingie or the telemographier, I'm afraid," explains a youthful teen reigning supreme over the apparent most powerful empire on the continent. "I am quite inexperienced, but magical power is my specialty, so I leave the technology to my more experienced..."

"And intelligent..." whispers the young archoneldwyn woman with her.

Hekate scowls at her as she continues her own thought, "...friends and family."

The caramel-skinned pseudo-elf explains brightly, "Naturally, it will represent a great step forward in the technology of the Fievegal, and, according to my most Beloved, they will vastly improve trade. But, because they will require implementation through a lot of untamed territory, it will be the most time-consuming project of the Fievegal to date."

"What of the princes and princesses?" asks Viscount Korinsk of the Empire. "Will the celebration of their births and the anniversary of their highnesses Jieka and Tekten be open affairs, or will they be restricted due with the small size of the Fievegal?"

Hekate and Doephluev share a glance, and Geirahoel speaks up this time. "We have been focused on stabilizing and reinforcing the Fievegal to ensure the children will have a safe home to grow up in. With exception of Mukori's goblin children, who are able to speak at birth, it's unlikely any of the children will miss their first birthdays. It's not particularly customary for dragons, anyways." She cups her own cheek, saying with her 'salty' tone, but with a rosy hue visible behind her hand, "Mukori insists on making the children feel special, and he even wants to start celebrating our birthdays. I'm not even sure if I remember when my birthday is." She wiggles back and forth a little, obviously excited about the notion as Hekate flattens her ears in irritation. She's not envious of the notion of Geirahoel getting a birthday, of course. She's simply instinctively driven to feel jealous anytime it becomes obvious romantic thoughts about Daniel are taking place.

I was nervous and scared when I almost got away with it, Daniel. But, next time, I swear, I'll catch up! The feldrok teen almost shakes her fist in her idle vow to claim Daniel at the earliest opportunity, but she stops herself. It would be a little embarrassing.

Of course, Daniel did say he's not worried about it, and the bar is shifting lower and lower.

This time, it's the orange dragon Empress.

"Onii-chan! Onii-chan, get over here right now! What are you doing!? Stop looking stupid and get over here!"

Neith, who is caught off guard, flinches at being summoned so suddenly. He got an earful from his younger sister when she snapped at him for fearlessly risking his own life to shield her from the tanju pistol, even though it likely wouldn't have harmed any of the dragons even in their human forms. Neith suffered little more than a slightly dramatically-bloody scrape, his uniform suffering the most damage. Once Geirahoel continues her verbal assault from across the room, he simply sighs with a resigned smile, excusing himself from the Stalvaltan Guards he was conversing with.

More peculiar is Rikuto, however. Upon hearing Geirahoel call out to Neith, he spits up his drink, looking in their direction in shock. Daniel, 'Yuna', and Wenlianna are with him for the moment, though they look like their conversation is much less cordial than the one Hekate has been having.

Neith arrives, saluting in the military fashion Daniel has inadvertently spread, though he does approve because it's far more efficient and, in his own words, far less overly deferential than bowing or kneeling. "Your Greatness, your Graces. How may I serve?"

Geirahoel pokes his chest a little disrespectfully, which is awkward for the Imperial and Kingdom nobles observing. However, the fact that she doesn't use any hateful language is distinct improvement. "Onii-chan, prove yourself useful and tell me when I was born. I know it was a long time ago, but if you've forgotten..."

"Your birthday is fifty-one days before Hekate's," replies the grey dragon knight, interrupting the fiery redhead. She halts, still pressing her index finger to his chest, staring into his eyes with a sheepish blush. "Forgive me, your Grace. I didn't want to delay the answer to such an important question. And, of course, your egg was laid several months before that. Since it has been only a short time since her Greatness Hekate's birthday, I will ensure to remind the his Grace the Emperor when the planning should begin."

Geirahoel's finger-point shifts into a full grip on Neith's rather crisp uniform coat, and she clings to him for a solid moment without saying or doing anything else. Her expression softens, and she says, "There. As you can see, I am the Fourth Empress of the Fievegal, but I will ensure invitations are sent out as appropriate when the time for celebrations is plentiful. You all would honor me by attending."

The nobles share an awkward laugh, and one of the shenwulves says, "We would be honored, and look forward to such a joyous day, your Grace. If I may... Is... Lord Neith's birthday..."

Geirahoel's confident and proud expression drains, and she glances at her elder brother. It's only recently that they openly acknowledged their relationship, and Geirahoel has some level of hostility towards him because he couldn't protect her against Morthybargaron and his allies. That said, she knows she's in a privileged position, even in the Fievegal, to have a sibling who has demonstrated that he will readily risk his own safety for her and the people she loves.

"I'm afraid my birthday may truly be lost to the ages," replies Neith gently. "I am much older, and though I do remember the news of her Grace hatching, I only remember that my own hatching occurred during a time of turmoil and war worse than the recent continental divide we're only barely coming out of." He gives it sincere thought, adding, "I recall being told there was snow at the time. But, given where Shialvolgarro's Hoard is located, I must not have hatched there if that's the case." He smiles and shrugs. "Fortunately, I don't have a formal noble rank as of yet, as we're still sorting out how to lay out the territories of the Fievegal and assign nobility. I have the privilege of being the Fourth Empress's brother and accepted by the Emperor as his own brother separately, but I would not presume to worry about rank when my highest priority is ensuring that both of my siblings, as well as all of their loved ones, live long and happy lives."

"That's very fascinating. My own territory is a bit remote, especially with the loss of Fort Twilight," adds the shenwulf. "But, if circumstances in the future ever allow, I would lend my support." He leans close, whispering, "Frankly, I wholly welcome the rise of the Fievegal. You seem to have shattered the Demon Covenant entirely."

Hekate puffs out her chest, impressive only because of its stupefyingly wealthy adornments and nothing else. "Hmm-hmm! Yes, we are pretty great. And, if it's up to us, there will never be another war again."

This gets a friendly laugh out of the other nobles, who toast, "Hear, hear!"

Another asks, "If you don't mind me questioning the future of the Fievegal a little further, has the Fievegal established formal borders yet?"

Hekate starts to say, "Of course!", but she quickly pauses just as she finishes saying it, realizing she actually has no idea.

Doephluev answers, "Officially, the Fievegal has control and sovereignty of the region extending east of the Citadel to Fort Twilight, north to Fort Peony, and south to about half way between Fort Twilight and Fort Reeffjord. Many of the settlements west of the Citadel have already been eradicated by a major foe that we have already dealt with now, though it is quite a massive stretch of land. I would be lying if I said we have sovereignty over it, but we do lay claim to all territories that used to belong to the Demon Covenant or Demon Hegemony. As one would have to pass through formal Fievegal territory to reach those areas, I would not count on being able to establish any firmer sovereignty than us any time soon."

"That's reasonable," answers one of the noblewomen chatting with them. "But, why only half-way to Reeffjord?"

"Because, Sundenelle immediately started sending re-colonization efforts through Reeffjord to claim the territory under the banner of the Empire," replies Geirahoel. "Ryuogriar negotiated no contest to the given land because Sundenelle made concessions regarding it, including limited military support in the future... or something."

Neith whispers, "That's correct, your Grace."

"I know it's correct! I just don't know if it's ALL of the correct information. Dumb Onii-chan."

"Yes, yes, your Grace. I love you, too," replies the male dragon fearlessly and with a hint of dryness.

She sparks her pilot flame and grips his jacket more aggressively this time with both hands. Just seeing the flames spark to light in her mouth startles the other nobles back, and Hekate says, "Hey! Geira, stop that! You're scaring everyone! If you light everyone on fire, then this peace conference would be a humongous waste of time!"

"I won't be attacking anyone else," retorts the dragon with an embarrassed and angry expression on her face. "I will just be disciplining my stupid..."

"Pardon me," cuts in a nervous male voice. This one is Rikuto, and he approaches with Heralesse on his arm. He signals the Mornistae guards back, which is quickly rewarded with the dragon snuffing out her pilot flame. She clears her throat, expelling smoke when she says, "Your..." She flinches when she sees the smoke and waves it away with her hand. "Your Majesty. I was merely disciplining my unruly Onii-chan. Pay it no mind. He would have been fine."

Neith chuckles uneasily.

"That actually raised some curiosity for me," replies the Japanese man. Hekate notices Daniel, mainly keeping Wenlianna and Senn in her Yuna disguise company as the two go back and forth about something that Daniel managed to get Wenlianna excited to talk about.

Which means it's obviously some kind of technology.

However, Hekate's one true love is giving nervous hand signals, though the feldrok girl can only cock her head and flop her ears to the side curiously. Daniel sighs and palms his face, while Rikuto continues his thought. "I noticed you call Neith your 'Onii-chan'."

This time, Neith turns pale, and his expression drains, which Geirahoel only fails to notice because she's looking at Rikuto now.

"That's correct. Mukori said it's the appropriate title for someone like this oaf."

"Mukori is... Daniel, correct?" asks Rikuto.

"Yes," replies Heralesse, having learned the answer herself. "It's the dragon's equivalent to calling someone 'darling', or along those lines."

Geirahoel nods in agreement.

"And, Sir Neith is your brother?" clarifies Rikuto, looking at Geirahoel again.

This time, Neith is making hand signals from behind Geirahoel, while the orange dragon replies confidently, "Yes. We share a father. Both of my parents were dragons, while Onii-chan's mother was one of the acolytes, though I don't know what race."

"If I may..."

Neith looks truly desperate to stop the conversation, which can only mean one thing when in conjunction with Daniel being fearful as well.

Ah. I see. Onii-chan is a prank on Geirahoel, then. Heh heh heh! This is perfect, Daniel! I'll use this to blackmail both of you! Mwahahahaha!

Hekate cuts in just as Rikuto starts to say, "Do you know...?"

"King Rikuto, Wagyu steak comes from your homeland doesn't it?"

"What?" asks the human, surprised.

"We're working on making Wagyu meat, which will be a Fievegal specialty," states Hekate.

"Wa... gyu?" repeats Rikuto, surprised.

"Mm-hmm! Daniel said it's a luxury beef on Earth. It's made in a country called Japan, right?"

Rikuto scoffs, nodding. "Y-Yeah, it is."

"That's the country's name," replies Heralesse. "Like Mornistae or the Fievegal here on Zenkon."

"Oh... I thought it was an island," replies Hekate.

"It is," replies the Japanese man softly.

There's a moment of quiet, and Viscount Korinsk breaks the ice. "If you don't mind, tell me us more about this Wag-yu. Is it a livestock native to the western part of the continent?"

"W-Well, not exactly," replies Hekate. "It won't be exact, since we don't have the same kinds of cow things that Earth has. But, our goal is to emulate everything else with buckrokhs, and if necessary, any other livestock."

"We haven't had it yet, as you can guess," adds Doephluev. "But, we hope to have the first batch ready for the Princess's next birthday."

"My chest is swelling with excitement," replies Hekate warmly as she puffs her chest up as much as she can.

"If not physically..." retorts Doephluev sarcastically.

"What was that?" growls Hekate.

"Hmm? Oh, nothing important. I just meant that, if we needed to, we could have you lay down. Then, we would have the perfect foundation for a building."

If Hekate could glare any more feistily at the archoneldwyn Empress, she would be firing off actual dragon fire from her eyes.

Hekate's tail twitches, and then twitches again. The more she twitches it, the more conscious she becomes of the ribbons that are braided into her fur. Her skirt flutters with her tail's movements. This dress shows more of her tail by providing a specific 'hole' formed by a buttoned section of her waistband to let her tail hang free. Of course, the ribbons have been bothering her continuously.

"Grrah! That's it!" She starts itching her tail vigorously, pacing in a circle as she all but literally chases her own fluffy appendage.

Rikuto can't help but watch in stunned silence, along with the awkwardness lingering over everyone else.

This is a clown show. They're all idiots. How have I been backed into a corner by these people? thinks the human king to himself.

Doephluev immediately jokes, "Behold! Our beloved anvilic barbarian Empress!"

"Oh, I'll show you anvilic bar-... wait a second." Hekate's hail puffs up, and her ears fold back, jingling the jeweled chains that curl around her ears from her crown. "That's the last straw, Doephluev! Prepare to meet your destiny!" She deepens her voice and says dramatically as she rears back her fist, "Fow-kone...!"

"Hekate!" interrupts Daniel with a sharp whisper, halting the feldrok Empress as flames ignite around her hand.

Daniel growls in a whisper that few other than Hekate can hear, even from his distance away, "If you finish that thought and summon the eldritch horror it will bring forth,..." He cups his own fist in his left hand, finishing in the same tone, "I will chain you and Doephluev together at the wrists until your thirtieth birthday."

Hekate turns pale and her ears briefly flatten. Doephluev heard Daniel call out to the feldrok teen, but she didn't hear the warning. Still, she can't help but snicker, until Daniel's eyes narrow in on her. The archoneldwyn bashfully tenses and averts her gaze awkwardly, knowing Daniel sees through plenty.

When Hekate tries to defend herself, she whines, "Daniel! Doephluev was teasing me about my chest and these ribbons being itchy and she was just generally being a butt!"

Daniel sighs and approaches them, leaving Wenlianna with Yuna for the moment.

Hekate adds bashfully as she fidgets with her hands and swishes her tail sheepishly back and forth, "My chest is still growing! I'm gonna be even more un-flat than Ryuo!"

Daniel stops in front of her, and he places his hand on her shoulder, conscious of the fact that pretty much everyone has stopped to watch. He says calmly, "As they say on Earth, Sweetpea..." Daniel finishes in English, "Skill issue, comrade."

She cocks her head, flopping her big expressive ears to the side, and everyone else shares a glance, not understanding the phrase.

All but one, at least.

"Pfft! Haha... Hahahahaha! Ahahahahaha!" Rikuto can't help but burst into laughter, earning himself a great deal of stares while Daniel chuckles.

"Explain immediately," orders Geirahoel.

"Sorry, sorry, please forgive-haha this display," replies the otherworlder king. "I simply understood that reference."

Daniel smiles and nods. "It was a common acknowledgement of... uh... superiority on Earth."

Hekate scowls at him, since the way he used it implies the exact opposite. She knows some words of English, though her innate magic translation ability rarely clarifies properly, since it's not a language of Zenkon. She's making an effort to learn on her own, along with many of the others, including Wenlianna, but colloquial phrases will take even more time to get right.

"You're lying," accuses Hekate. This time, Daniel twitches. He glances at Neith, and the grey dragon averts his gaze.

"I knew it!" exclaims the feldrok teen. "You are mocking me!"

"Calm down, Sweetpea!"

Hekate declares loudly, "I came here to make peace and chew faces off, and I already have this here sheet of paper that says we have peace!" She points at the framed twin documents representing the full agreement between Mornistae and the Fievegal, each signed by all relevant parties and on display for the rest of the conference until they part.

Hekate finishes her threat with her deepest, most growly voice, "Now, whose face am I chewing first?"

Doephluev, who never even went on guard when Hekate was apparently about to punch her, reassures everyone else, "Don't mind her. So long as my Beloved Daniel still has his face, I think the rest of us are safe."

Hekate twitches noticeably, thanks to her big fluffy tail and ears moving in sync in one big, jerking motion.

The truth is, Daniel has probably directly received over half of her threats to chew someone's face off, particularly when he's teasing her.

Rikuto can't help but laugh again, and this starts a chain reaction of warm laughter between everyone present. Heralesse giggles, and Geirahoel snickers behind her sleeves.

Hekate looks around with an impressive pout and rosy cheeks, and Daniel pulls her close like an Empress instead of patting her head this time. "Now now, Sweetpea, your threats are charming, but you should be mindful. If you make threats you don't intend to keep, particularly in the presence of outsiders, your threats will lose meaning." He leans down and whispers loudly enough that most of the people immediately present can still hear him, "Personally, though, I'm fine with you allowing others to not take your threats seriously. But please, don't take your mischief with Doephluev too far. You know she's just pushing your buttons."

Hekate pouts, but all of her irritation dissolves when Daniel kisses her temple. She immediately looks at him as he's standing back up.

"I'm sure everyone here can forgive our rough edges. In your terms, most of us are nouveau riche, or I suppose even more accurately, uh... 'nouveau sovereign'. The Stalvaltans and Honeydips are working overtime, but as you can see, they're working with nearly their polar opposite..." Hekate's ears start to droop as Daniel is saying this, but he finishes with a soft smile, "in me. I am the weakest link of the Fievegal, and I set the bar pretty low. Regrettably, I'm not the best student."

Everyone is quiet, especially the Empresses for a moment.

This time, Rikuto breaks the ice. "Please allow me to ask if I may... I can't help but notice the various subtle references to Japan in some of the things you do, D-, uh, Your Grace. Particularly Empress Geirahoel's dress. It has many of the design elements of a yukata."

Daniel simply smiles. "Isn't it obvious? Once upon a time, my home country was the definitive melting pot of our world. Why wouldn't I welcome the good things from every part of our world when making the Fievegal cozier for myself and my family?" Daniel adds as he takes Geirahoel's hand, kissing it briefly to get a blush out of the prickly dragon, "For the record, though, I don't force anyone to wear anything or comply with my wants."

"I-I-I didn't choose this for you!" whines Geirahoel. "I just... happen to agree... that it's a beautiful style. And comfortable. And fitting." She hides her cheeks with her sleeves, adding with her eyes looking away from Daniel, "But, if you like it, Mukori, I won't stop you from admiring it."

It quickly becomes a competition with the three Empresses already present, and Daniel laugh as they start bickering.

It's hopeless. No one's going to take us seriously after all of this...

He smiles, though, admitting nothing while the three query the others present about whose dress looks better. All four dresses have soft color tones to present an angelic beauty, while still providing a contrast to the pearls and other jewels.

Whatever. We just have to make sure we win on our battlefields, both in combat and trade. What people think isn't nearly as important as being happy.

The mechanic reminisces briefly on Earth as it was before he was transported to Zenkon. The rise of the internet and social media revealed public figures for what they are, rather than the carefully cultivated images they often worked a lifetime to create. To be blunt, politics and celebrities were full of morons demonstrating to the whole world how reckless they could be with their words in desperate efforts to virtue signal.

Daniel's own herd of cats are simply mischievous and honest, for the most part. He can't help looking at Doephluev for a brief moment, and she smiles in her subtly devious way. The only one among his allies who possibly competes in deception would be Senn, who didn't bat an eye at disguising herself on major political stage in order to toy with Rikuto and distract him. It almost seems like he let his guard down further than simply being outclassed, as if to avoid disappointing someone he has become somewhat obsessed with learning more about.

Regardless, the conversation continues to be pleasant, as Hekate brags about her goals for the Fievegal, which Doephluev adds to with teases or confirmations.

The archoneldwyn is still hiding a great many things, though she's less focused on accomplishing anything to do with those hidden feelings and more focused on her ultimate goal of becoming the true sovereign empress of the Fievegal.

I wonder if ever the day will come that your words match your actions, Doephluev, and that you'll act out of love instead of ambition. If not for me, then someone you hold dear in any sense of the word.

Daniel excuses himself to go check on Reignleif and Gwenesphia, who seem to be entertaining a group of younger noblewomen in some capacity, along with Sundenelle, Peiburi, and Erue. If he stays too close to his most energetic trio, the antics will likely only escalate, rather than deescalate.

***

"Absolutely disgusting," grumbles Greydald. His gaze is of course on Daniel, who is arguably the true center of the collective attention of the peace conference and the resultant banquet to try to relax tensions even more. He is the most ostentatious maverick on the global stage, routinely allowing his harem to behave as miscreants, while he makes a routine mockery of aristocracy and royalty.

Count Lunthoros agrees quietly without facing the Empresses or Emperor in question. "I couldn't agree more, your Majesty. Having multiple mistresses is nothing new, but to so brazenly flaunt his rampant lechery is quite distasteful."

"The boy king seems to be a bit out of his depth as well," remarks Marquis Walved, who is cousin to the Queen Mother Orphelexia. "He did well standing up against this nation of upstarts, but he is showing his true colors with this weakness and envy for the rogue."

"Indeed... Letting the Grand Duchy defect was shameful," grumbles Greydald. "He should have marched on the Stalvaltan House and crushed them the moment they captured Heralesse."

"Forgive me, your Majesty," counters Lunthoros softly. "But, our scouts made several more incursions into the Stalvaltan region, but the truth was worse than we feared. Given the numbers of bodies,... I'm afraid our forces were completely outmatched."

"The Stalvaltan Guard are formidable, but they're not invincible," retorts Greydald.

"I'm afraid that's not it... They somehow had ways of getting through our barrier mages' defenses in an instant, and, according to the few survivors... There appear to be some sort of iron carriages, though they didn't get a look at them."

"Rikuto has mentioned something about tanks..." murmurs Greydald. "But, surely, a mere iron shell on a carriage would make it too heavy and slow."

"You've seen the carriages the Fievegal arrived in, your Majesty. I fear, if the rumors are to be believed, they combined those self-driving carriages with the firearms they use."

Walved adds quietly, "It's no secret the Fievegal's weapons still outclass his Majesty's tanju guns. And, until they can spread further, we will need to remain careful."

Greydald sighs. "Your point is taken. And, I am no longer the King." He looks at Erimaya, who is watching from afar as her friend, Hekate, has fun being a fool.

Look deeper, Eri. They're monsters wearing disguises. They're not human. They will use and destroy you in order to take what is rightfully belongs to our family. Do not let generations of the Mornistae family be erased for your childish whims.

"Do we know how the Fievegal made contact with Mattarglos?" asks Greydald quietly, looking at Kalegrynten, who is holding the Crown Princess of the Fievegal herself as if it's his own grandchild.

"We're looking into it, but the most information we have so far is that it was the daughter of the Honeydip Family, as well as a merchant's daughter among his... harem, the two gatonines Gwenesphia and Treia." He adjusts his gloves, taking a sip of his fruit milk, which is one of the primary luxury drinks of the eastern territories for its sweetness and bold flavor. "They seem to have used their family connections, who reside in Mattarglos, to make contact with the Grand Premier. Daniel faced Kalegrynten in a duel, and though he lost, he seems to have earned the respect of many of the citizens of Mattarglos, high ranking or otherwise."

Greydald sucks his teeth. It's frustrating that Daniel has been able to move so freely and loosely, even after being banished from Mornistae. While Greydald can't deny that alleviating the concerns of the aristocrats was an immediate priority, banishing Daniel was clearly a mistake. Had he known, he might have used the incident to rip the otherworlder away from the Stalvaltan family using his indignity against Erimaya as a shackle.

Then, removing him from the equation would have been far easier to manage.

All three of them look when Hekate, the impertinent fool, dashes across the room to where Daniel was approached by a couple of noble families who have their daughters of various ages with them.

"What cowards," grumbles Lunthoros. "Trying to sell their daughters to that creature-loving wretch."

"You have to admire the audacity, if nothing else," replies Walved quietly. They watch as Hekate pounces on Daniel's back, all but literally hissing like a cat at them. Daniel manages to get her to settle down, though she remains indignantly clinging to his shoulders on his back, scowling at virtually any women who approach. Kera'tai is one of the few who can get close, holding his arm affectionately. Hekate looks at her with irritation, but she doesn't chase off the Chi'rinnis.

"Is it possible Daniel has been a puppet of the demons?" asks Greydald. "The Chi'rinnis are capable mages, are they not?"

"I would agree with you, your Majesty," replies Lunthoros. "However, I would urge you to observe the dragon Ryuogriar more closely. She's the only whose... uh... chest is visible enough to reveal the truth."

Greydald is skeptical, and he looks towards the snowy blonde-haired dragon, who is cradling Tekten and feeding her with a bottle. The goblins aren't particularly fussy, but they have drawn plenty of attention by their very existence. It's certainly a game to the Fievegal, naming a goblin as the Crown Princess.

As for Ryuogriar, her own rather scandalous dress reveals glimpses of her unnaturally deep cleavage between her distinctly large chest, only faintly veiled by the pearl and jewel decorated shawl.

"It's difficult to see at the moment, but she has a mark on her left breast," whispers the Count. "She has a magic mark that has Daniel's name written on it."

"What!?" asks Greydald with a sharp whisper. He looks again. This time, the dragon notices him, and he flinches. She gives an almost wicked smirk, as if she can read his mind, and she swirls her fingers on her chest over where her heart would be, acting coy like she's not explicitly taunting the retired king of Mornistae.

"A contract?" whispers the aging man. "He contracted dragons? How?"

"It's unclear, your Majesty. But,... If we could convince them to change sides..."

"The only thing powerful enough in the Kingdom to break a magic contract would be the artifact," whispers Korinsk. "The only other option would be to try to apply a stronger contract."

"Has anyone tried to speak to her?" asks the count.

"Not in the capacity we're speaking of now, if that's your meaning."

Count Lunthoros smirks. "Well, then. If we can get even one of the dragons to change sides, we may be able to shift this uneven balance of power."

"Be careful," whispers Greydald. "I can't avow an overt attempt, so you must be cautious not to become too aggressive. If you put them on guard, he could use their contracts to further reinforce the Fievegal. You must prey on their desire for freedom from a weak human as their master."

"Leave it to me," replies Korinsk softly as he adjusts his cravat. "My territory hosted a dragon long in the past. We might as well be their descendants."

Greydald nods silently. He can only hope their plan succeeds.

***