Pledged in Blood: Chapter Fifty (Patreon)

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Chapter Fifty

Accord

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I lapsed into silence, watching Nesh stride across the plaza towards the grand table. As he neared it, there was a whirlwind of activity. One group of people moved out of his way, while another pushed aside charts, writing utensils, ink, paperweights, scrolls and more. They directed him towards the document I was meant to sign, and brought him a chair. As he settled into it, Ayrah joined him. Nesh read through the document, tracing a finger across the parchment, lips twitching. Ayrah read it over his shoulder, as well.

When Nesh reached the end of it, he conversed with Ayrah. She gestured at her workers, and they swiftly fetched a matching manuscript from the other end of the table. The two articles were placed next to one another so that Nesh could compare them. I wondered if that was common, or if Nesh was simply being extra cautious on my behalf. Whatever the case, he seemed pleased with the results. Ayrah’s half was returned to the far end of the table, and weighted down to await her signature.

Next, Ayrah’s workers laid out a map in front of Nesh. They used their fingers to point out locations, and draw invisible lines across nearby territory. Though I was too far away to make out the details, it was clear they were showing him exactly what part of the Valley the accord gave them access to it. Though I was happy Nesh took that into consideration, I would need to see that map myself before I gave my final agreement.

Nesh returned to us when he was finished with his duties. I was a little surprised Ayrah did not accompany him, but she looked to have further tasks to attend. Nesh hurried across the plaza, and the guards moved aside to let him enter the barricaded area where we awaited. He dusted off his sleeves as he approached me, an easy smile upon his face.

“Well, Ella,” Nesh said. “While I’ll forewarn you I’m quite far from a legal scholar, I did not see anything objectionable in the accord. It all seems quite fair, and if anything, it’s weighted in your favor. It even says that Tivos won’t start building most of its projects inside dragon lands for at least a year. Ideally, to give you time to formalize parts of your empire, and its borders, as well as find a few more residents.”

“If it seems fair to you, Nesh, then that is good enough for me.” I gazed towards the table, wondering how much longer it would take for them to bring me over. “However, I would like you to show me the maps, and take me through everything in the accord before I sign it.”

Nesh reached up and gently rubbed my muzzle. “Certainly, Ella. Ayrah said they’re just about ready. She’ll bring you over, and let you see things, and then give her speech.”

“They’d better be.” I nuzzled his hand, swallowing back my sharp retort. “I do not like being kept waiting.”

So far, I had kept my anxiety to a minimum. But the idea of speaking in front of so many people, of signing something so consequential to my people? The more time I had to consider it, the nervous it made me. I took a deep breath, trying to quell my words. My instincts told me to take to the skies to clear my head, or pace back and forth to expend some of my anxious energy. But people were watching me, and I refused to display anything but strength and confidence. So I took a deep breath, let it out slow, and lifted my head. With my neck arched, I gazed impassively across the plaza, awaiting Ayrah’s call.

At long last, we were beckoned to approach. I rose to my paws, and the guards moved aside the barricades. The gryphons returned to their escort positions on either side of me. Nesh went to my shoulder, and Lir swiftly scrambled up my back to maintain watch on the short journey across the plaza. Though I did not expect any potential enemies to try and harm me while so many of the city’s eyes were upon us, I certainly did not mind the additional protection. More importantly, Lir’s presence upon my back added to the formal appearance we presented.

I glanced down at Blue Jay, then Sparrow. “Walk with me. I shall proceed slowly, like this.” I took three slow steps forward, letting the gryphons observe. Then I paused long enough to allow them to catch up. “Ready?”

The birds both nodded, and I advanced forward. This time, both of them matched my pace, walking nearly in lockstep. Only the differences in the length of our limbs kept us from marching in perfect time. Though the distance from the waiting area to the grand table was not far, I made a point to drag it out. I wished for this entire city to see me as a Queen, and a Queen would not be hurried. As far as our audience was concerned, I wanted them to believe I was not waiting for Ayrah, but rather Ayrah was waiting for me.

As I crossed the grassy expanse, I gazed around at the crowd surrounding much of the plaza. My movement had quelled many of their buzzing voices. Whether or not they knew why I was here, it was clear to them that something important was happening. With hundreds, perhaps even thousands of eyes upon me, I forced myself to project onlycold confidence. In my head, I reassured myself. There is no inner turmoil. There is no fear. I am powerful.

I am Queen.

Aides and ministers scurried away when we reached the grand table. By then, most of the scattered documents and charts were long since whisked away. Only a few papers and maps occupied the tabletop at each end. Inkwells carved from stark white alabaster in the shapes of elegant roses sat at Ayrah’s end, with quills crafted from the plumes of gryphon flight feathers. At my end of the table was a bowl of red marble, sculpted to look like a dragon’s cupped paw. Ink filled it halfway. The documents I was to sign looked to be printed upon a far thicker, sturdier parchment than Ayrah’s. They rested upon a soft mat, rather than a firmer writing block where Ayrah’s waited. Silver figurines of fanciful beasts weighted down the corners of every paper and chart.

Ayrah herself quickly approached, with several nervous looking aides trailing in her wake. “I hope Nesh was able to put your worries to ease?”

I bowed my head to her. “I never doubted your sincerity, Ayrah.” With my head still lowered, I spared my ambassador a glance. “But yes. His explanations were quite helpful. Thank you for allowing me that.”

“Certainly.” Ayrah smiled, and offered me a bow in return, lowering her voice. “I’d scratch your jaws and get you purring, but people watching, so we’d better keep you acting Queenly.”

I snorted, just enough to buffet her hair around her. “Agreed. I should like to see the area in question upon your maps, if you’re willing.”

“Absolutely.” Ayrah straightened up. “I wanted to walk you through it myself, anyway.” She turned away, and walked towards the end of the table. “This way, your Majesty.”

Blue Jay brushed a wing tip against my scales for my attention. I glanced down at him, and he spoke in a soft whisper. “I’ve kept watch on her people, just to make sure no one tried to swap in a different document that Nesh hadn’t read, with or without Ayrah’s knowledge.”

“And?” I tilted my head.

“Thankfully, I saw no such effort.” Blue Jay clicked his beak once. “But it wouldn’t hurt for Nesh to re-verify while you look it over.”

Nesh nodded. “I’ll do so. While I sincerely doubt Ayrah would try anything like that, we don’t know her people. Or who may be influencing them.”

“Thank you for your help. Now, if you’re ready?” I snapped my wings out, pointing each wing tip to a nearby spot to direct the gryphons. “Keep watch, if you please.”

If Sparrow and Blue Jay objected to being bossed around in public, they did not complain about it. I suspected it was only because they were conscientious enough of the image I sought to purvey. They were both welcome to voice their grievances in private, when time allowed. For now, each gave me a formal bow, with wings spread and beaks breathing the well-trod grass. Then they trotted away, taking up the positions I’d instructed.

I glanced back at Lir, intent on asking her if she wished to remain at her station upon my back. But she was already clambering down my body. In no time at all she’d descended me, and hurried over an especially towering statue of some important human. She climbed it just as easily as she did me, and then perched atop the statue’s head, her pistol resting across her forearm as usual.

Ayrah awaited me where the accord was prepared to be signed. I strode towards her, and Nesh kept pace at my shoulder. When I reached Ayrah, I settled onto my haunches, curling my tail around my paws. Then I bowed my neck again, offering my respects to my host. This time, all of Ayrah’s ministers and aides bowed back to me. Only when I lifted my head did the humans do the same.

“Thank you for joining me here, your Majesty.” Ayrah’s voice was louder now, and she spoke more formally, if not quite as much so as the day before, when she addressed the crowd. Now she spoke not as a friend, but as the mayor of an increasingly important city. “As you can see here, I’ve prepared the trade accord for your inspection, as we discussed. I hope you don’t mind, but we’ve used the general human name for your valley. Melakar and I took to referring to it as The Valley of Dragons, for ease of us in official transcriptions.”

I shook my head. “I do not mind at all, no.”

“Good, I’m glad to hear it.” Ayrah smiled, and patted my shoulder. “In that case, if it pleases you, I’d be honored to walk you through it.”

“I would appreciate that greatly, yes.” I stared down at the documents. There were several leafs of thick parchment, each covered in multiple paragraphs worth of evenly spaced lettering. The language was the commonly spoken tongue of Nesh’s people, but it had an odd look to it. It more closely resembled the uniform text in some of Melakar’s books than it did the scribing I usually saw in documents scribbled out by humans. Official seals and stamps embossed each page in several areas. The final such page had a large area left blank, awaiting my signature.

Beneath it, in the human tongue, were my name and title:

Ellamyriss, Queen of The Valley of Dragons.

I shivered, my scales clicking. Though this agreement was but a tiny thing in function, it symbolized something far greater, something far more meaningful. Never before had any of the modern human nations ever recognized that the dragons had a queen. Or a society. Or a homeland of their own. I realized then what this was truly all about. It wasn’t about trade, or letting humans set foot into dragon territory. It was about something far bigger than that. And I realized as well that Melakar have already been working at this with Ayrah, because his hallmarks were all over it.

This accord was human recognition of our validity, and of our right to exist in peace. To sign this meant Ayrah officially acknowledged, as an official of the nation of Diandrios, that dragons were not beasts, nor demons, but a people. Such recognition was unfathomably more vital to my burgeoning empire than trivialities like trade clauses, or what sliver of our lands I was ceding to human advancement. It might also prove far more dangerous to Ayrah, once word spread of the way she her city had formally recognized us.

But these were the ideals, the hopes, and the dreams that Melakar died for. Ayrah was ready to face, and I damn sure was too.

Just as Ayrah started speaking, I dipped the pad of a single finger in the ink bowl. I lifted it then shook my paw to flick away the excess droplets. Ayrah trailed off, furrowing her brows. I ignored her confusion, and carefully signed my name to the document in four elegant draconic runes, just as Melakar had once carved them into the stone. As nearly forgotten traditions dictated, I spoke each rune aloud as I scribed my name.

“Ehl La Meer Iss.” I lifted my paw, and wiped the remaining ink on the grass beneath me. An odd sense of pride swelled within my chest, as though my heart itself were blossoming. My first true act as Queen, and I had brought my people of our validity from an age-old enemy. I smiled, arching my neck. “It is done.”

Ayrah stared at my name, wide-eyed. “It certainly is.” A playful smile slowly stretched across her lips. “So much for walking you through it.”

“I trust you, Ayrah.” I brushed a forepaw across Nesh’s back. “And I trust him.”

Nesh grinned up at me. “As pleased as I am by that, in the future, Your Majesty, given a chance to read something yourself, please do so before signing it.”

Ayrah chuckled. “Your trust honors me, your Majesty.” Ayrah gave me a stiff, formal bow, but mischief danced in her eyes. “Even if you’ve just thrown my event schedule into disarray. The actual signing was supposed to be at the end.”

I scrunched my muzzle. “I apologize, but…” I lifted my eyes from her, gazing at my own name on the documents. Servants scurried off to sprinkle a bit of drying sands upon the ink. “When I realized what this was, what this truly was, I could not wait. I had to sign it now.”

“Ah.” The sudden warmth in Ayrah’s smile told me she knew exactly what it was. “I don’t blame you. I’d rather hoped to explain that to you tonight, over custard, but you can probably guess it’s something he’d been working for.”

“I thought as much, yes.” I flicked my tail tip. “And…I would be honored to discuss that with you, over…” I smirked. “Custard.”

Nesh scratched his chin. “I’m sorry, what am I missing, exactly?”

“Recognition, Nesh.” I gestured to the document. “This is something Melakar was working towards, while he was here. It isn’t about trade, or land, that is only the pretext. Because merely by signing it, Ayrah legally recognizes that the fact that dragons havea homeland. That we are not just beasts to be slain, but people to be negotiated with. That makes Tivos the first human habitation in modern history to do so.”

“Oh…” Nesh’s eyes widened as understanding dawned on him. “That’s big, Ella. That’s very big.”

“That it is,” Ayrah said, still beaming. “And I’d intended to give it its historic due, as a bit of a…” She swirled her hand in the air. “A momentous surprise, as Melakar would have intended for Ella.” Some of the joy faded from her smile, and wistful ghosts drifting behind her eyes. “One day, he would have brought you that mantle, told you of alliances forged, and recognition earned for your people, and your empire. And then he would have asked you to be his Queen.” She sighed, shaking her head just a little. “I’d hoped to at least provide a bit of that surprise but…” She turned away, gazing across all the gathered crowd surrounding this section of the park. “I don’t think I’m that good at keeping things a surprise.”

I cocked my head, reaching out to gently brush my paw across her back. “I thought you were just looking to help me make a quick trade agreement. It only just dawned on me that this really means…” I considered my words carefully. “Legitimacy, for what I am about to create. So in that way, you still surprised me. Thank you, Ayrah.” I bowed my head to her.

Ayrah turned back around, rubbing my nose. “You’re more welcome than you’ll ever know, Ella. It’s the least I could do, and I promise you, there’s more to come.” Then she backed away, rubbing her hands. “Alright. Since we’ve thrown the schedule out the window, time to do my part. I’m going to address my people, tell them what they’re about to witness. Then we’ll sign it…” She smirked. “Well, I’ll sign it. You can fake it for the cameras. Then if you want to speak to the people, you’re more than welcome.”

Nesh approached her, then put a hand on her shoulder. “Do you think it might be better for Ella to speak before the signing?”

Ayrah shrugged. “She can if she wants. I’ll leave that up to her.”

“I shall consider it, while I listen to you speak.” I lifted my head, staring out across the ocean of people milling around the plaza. “Say your words, Ayrah. Tell them what they witness.”

Ayrah turned away and strode purposefully towards an elevated wooden platform set up near the edge of the crowd. Burly looking guards surrounded it, keeping everyone back. A black podium edged in silver rested at the center of the platform. Ayrah ascended the stairs and went to the podium. Some of the guards called out for silence, and people in the crowd jostled each other. Those further away tried to push in closer, waiting to hear what she would say.

She leaned against the podium, lifting her hand in silent echo of her soldier’s plea for quiet. Gradually, the last of the conversation died away. Silence filled the air with a strangely smothering weight. I’d grown accustomed to the buzzing of so many voices, and their sudden loss was disorienting. As I waited for Ayrah to spoke, I sat in the most regal pose I could think of. I unfurled my wings, and left them half open as if to display their great, red-edged majesty. I lifted my head, arching my neck.

“Good people of Tivos!” Ayrah called out to her subjects, her voice louder and more booming than I’d ever imagined even her capable of. The sound carried across the park and the streets that surrounded it, bounced off the grand stone buildings enclosing the square, and echoed back to us. Sure, everyone gathered could hear her speak. “I bid you welcome! And I thank you for gathering here on this frigid day, to witness this most historic of moments!”

On cue, Ayrah’s ministers began to cheer. They shouted, whistled, and applauded. Their enthusiasm proved contagious. It spread to the guards and soldiers, and soon those in the audience nearest us were cheering, as well. Gradually, the cheer swept through the entire gathered crowd. I had a sneaking suspicion that none of them knew what they were actually cheering for, but perhaps that was the point. Applause and joyful outbursts seemed important to gathered humans, so maybe Ayrah’s people simply wished to drive up the levels of excitement before she explained to them all exactly what they were doing here.

Once the sound died away again, Ayrah went on. “Many of you have already had the pleasure of meeting our esteemed guest! For those who have not, allow me to introduce you!” She swept her hand towards me in a grandiose gesture. “May I present to you, Queen Ellamyriss, of the Valley! Monarch among dragons!”

Ayrah turned on the podium, and dropped to a knee, bowing her head. Her ministers and guards did the same, and soon so did Nesh. Blue Jay and Sparrow followed suit, bowing their heads to the ground and mantling their wings. Beyond the barricades, some of the crowd also knelt, or bowed. Others remained standing, either defiant, or confused, or some measure of both. For my part, I did as I had the day before. I returned Ayrah’s respect by lowering myself to the earth, and pressing my muzzle to the grass.

When I was shortly thereafter, I was unsure if I was meant to reply to her introduction as I had the previous day. I decided to do so just in case. “Thank you, Mayor Ayrah, for your kindness. And thank you, people of Tivos, for your hospitality. It has warmed my pained heart to know that my beloved Melakar came to call you all friend. And I am honored to call you the same, now and forevermore.”

Ayrah stood back up as more scattered cheers and applause rolled through all the gathered people. She turned back to the crowd, speaking up again when the sound levels allowed. “As you’ve heard, her Majesty Ellamyriss was mate to Melakar, and the mother of his child. Many of you knew Melakar! Even though who did not, surely knew of the great contributions he brought to our city! Melakar was so touched by your offer of friendship he sought to make himself our great city’s benefactor! He helped pay for so many of our improvements, from our beautiful Cathedrals, to our locomotive depots, road constructions, and so much more. And all he ever asked for in return, was peace and friendship.” Ayrah paused, letting that hang over everyone. “A simple desire he carried with him until his dying day, when our people, when Diandrios tragically and erroneously shot him from the sky!”

Ayrah trailed off. Murmurs rolled through the crowd. We had made it very clear to those came to see me the day before, that it was their own soldiers who murdered Melakar. Word had spread quickly, but I was sure there were still plenty out there who had not yet heard what happened. For my part, I let Ayrah control the conversation.

“Yes, my friends, yes.” Ayrah hung her head, and somehow, continued to project her voice across the crowd. “If you have not heard, our renowned dragon visitor Melakar is dead! Slain in the pursuit of his great ideals! You see, just as he found friendship here in Tivos, so to did he seek it in other cities, in other countries. He visited great clans of gryphons, he sought audiences with kings and emperors, he met armies and diplomats, all in the name of peace. All in the pursuit of something his people are so rarely granted, by ours. Friendship.”

As Ayrah paused again, I considered her words. I had sincere doubts that even Melakar ever met with any true kings, or emperors. But I understood why Ayrah was stretching the truth, however for. The more legitimate Melakar’s diplomacy seemed to Ayrah’s people, then the legitimate my efforts to follow in his wing beats would seem. If word spread that Melakar had earned an audience with people of great important, than perhaps others would seek to audience with his predecessor. With me.

“But alas, good people, there was only so much Melakar could do.” Ayrah leaned forward, even as she gestured back at me. “For he was still a dragon! A creature so many of us once saw only as a monster, or a demon. So for all his efforts, all his travels, and all his good deeds, so many people, so many governments, still stubbornly refused to saw him as anything more. Only here, in Tivos, did his efforts truly yield fruit. Our friendship was to be a great stepping stone on a long, arduous journey, for bothour people! For too long, have we battled each other, stolen from each other. Slain each other. Melakar was ever so proud of what he achieved here. His friendship with our city proved to him that he was he was doing the right thing. For all his failures, for all the emperors and kings who refused to speak with a beast, or ordered their armies to chase him away? Every time he returned to us in Tivos, we proved to him once more that our peoples cancoexist. And so, Melakar redoubled his efforts. Visiting more cities, more nations, offering alliances to more armies, promising that if they would be extend a hand to a dragon, then that kindness would be rewarded tenfold, with loyalty everlasting.”

I noticed Ayrah was careful not to mention Shevar by name. Nor did she even hint at the fact that it seemed Melakar had found friendship there, too. As bitter as the blood between their nations was, I did not blame her for her deceit. It was likely some of her people would have lost would fragile trust they might have had for Melakar, and by extension me, if they knew he was also forging ties with their hated adversaries. If they were to grow to trust me, to believe what Ayrah and I were to create, then for now, it was best if they thought themselves unique in that.

Truthfully, I was certain they were. While Melakar seemed to have made friends in Shevar, I sincerely doubted they had offered our species, our valley, any official recognition. Tivos was soon to be unique, in that. But it could still be the stepping stone Melakar hoped for. If one city could recognize us, then others could as well. And if many cities could recognize us, then so too could a nation.

Her hesitation to mention Shevar did leave me wondering, however, if being recognized by Tivos was all it would take for their foes to declare us their enemy. I certainly hoped not, but even I had to admit that some things were just out of my paws. I had to seize this opportunity while I had the chance. If doing so earned me a new enemy, then so be it. I would either placate them, or face them down in the future.

“Thanks to your enormous generosity and open hearts,” Ayrah said, sweeping her hand across the gathered crowd. “Melakar had an important success to build upon. He could point to us here, in Tivos, and tell all who would listen about the friendships he forged here! To prove to our people, to humans, that dragons could be trusted! Just as he could gather the other dragons, and do the same! To tell them they were welcome here! That they were safe, here. And together, we worked to begin just such a process. Together, we worked in secret on a framework for a trade agreement. Not between a city and a dragon, but a city, and a nation of dragons. All the while, Melakar continued to travel, forging ties with gryphons, and friendly relations with any city, any people, willing to welcome him. Everything was prepared for him to finally take the next step, to seek true recognition of his species, and of his homeland. And then it all very nearly unraveled in one terrible instant.”

Ayrah sighed, lapsing into mournful silence. The same sorrow-filled emptiness settled across the entire crowd. Again, I wondered just where Ayrah was stretching or contorting the truth of things. The broad terms in which she spoke did little to fill in the many gaps in my knowledge, and yet I knew that was intentional. Given that our enemies may well have been in the crowd, listening in, it was likely for the best. If Melakar truly had been slain by enemies to the Empress, then it was important not to grant them any information on Melakar’s activities or Ayrah’s involvement that they would not already have. Hopefully, tonight Ayrah would finally be able to offer me such information in private.

“My friends,” Ayrah said, lifting her face. “As many of you now know, wewere the ones who slew Melakar! Not we here in Tivos, but we of Diandrios! We did not do this on purpose, and we do not blame those who fired upon him for the tragic mistakes they made. We all understand that this was nothing more than a horrible misunderstanding. They did not know Melakar. They saw only a monster, and so they sought to see that monster slain.” She wiped her eyes, sniffing. I soon had to do the same, as each little mention of his death was another tiny claw in my heart. Ayrah continued on. “All citizens of Diandrios bare some of measure of the burden of his death. For until we came to know Melakar, did we not all see dragons as just that? Monsters to be slain? Yet here, in Tivos, we came to know differently. And so, a greater burden still settles upon our shoulders. It falls to us, those who called a dragon friend, to prove that very friendship to the rest of our people.”

Ayrah’s voice rose now, stronger and more fiery with every word. “Melakar is dead, but his legacy remains! His friends remain! His mate remains! It is our duty…” She paused, and shook her head. “No, our honor to carry Melakar’s legacy onward! And that is exactly what I plan to do! To honor Melakar, by building upon his great legacy, upon the idea that dragons and humans can know peace.” Ayrah cast a hand to the sky, sounding now like a goddess ready to call down the wrath of the stars themselves. “For I refuseto let a senseless tragedy like this happen again! And so I take a stand, and I ask you here and now! Extend your hand in friendship, not to one dragon, but to all dragons! To an Empire of dragons! For Tivos, for Melakar, for a better future for all of us.”

People seemed uncertain. Some of them cheered, others glanced at each other in confusion. Ayrah did not relent. “Today we take the first step towards that shared future! One city alone cannot change the beliefs of an entire nation, but we can damn sure try. Here, in Tivos, we can begin to make a difference! We can set in motion a greater and more prosperous destiny for all of us!” She jabbed a finger towards the table. “I have here an accord of truly historic proportions.”

Ayrah whirled back towards the crowd. “The very accord that Melakar had been negotiating with my ministers and I, during each and every visit! It is but a simple thing at heart, the same kind of trade agreement we’ve signed with dozens of unaffiliated villages, and tribes. But it bears a symbolic weight, a thousandfold heavier! For this accord recognizes the Valley of Dragons as a sovereign land! It acknowledges the dragons who call it home are its rightful inhabitants, and Queen Ellamyriss as their sole ruler!” She gripped the podium tightly, leaning forward. “It says, in the plainest speak, that the dragons are a people, with a homeland of their own! And that we in Tivos will evermore call them friend!”

Again, confusion washed across the crowd. Some of them cheered even before Ayrah’s officials and aides all did so. Others soon followed suit, as if they’d been waiting for confirmation that this a good thing. Meanwhile, some of their neighbors glared at them, or whispered amongst themselves. Nesh, standing near me, raised his own voice into a cry of approval. The guards did the same. I hoped that their approval was genuine, and not simply because their ruler demanded it.

Once there was room in the air for her words to carry again, Ayrah went on. “I understand that many of you will remain dubious! Some of you will be angry. Others may ask if I even have the authority to issue such recognition!” She held a hand up, as if to calm the angrier of the lingering murmurs. “I assure you, I understand your concerns. As to my authority, I can only assure you that I do not presume to much. This accord, for now, applies only to the city of Tivos, and the province in which it is located. I cannot speak for Empire as a whole, nor would I presume to! However, as mayor of the largest town on a frontier province, I also serve as provincial governor for all purposes regulatory, and military. And as a person with a conscience and a beating heart, I tell you here and now, that dragons are not demons.” Ayrah turned, sweeping a hand towards section of the crowd standing near her. “Even members of our Church have begun to recognize them for what they are. People!”

I followed her gesture, and saw Father Patravus standing near the front of the crowd, along with several priests in robes indicating high rank. Lesser officials stood around him. When Ayrah indicated him, he looked around. Many eyes were suddenly upon him. I was not sure he appreciated being singled out, let alone for something like this. A few silent moments passed, and then the Father simply nodded once. In the seconds that followed, there were gasps, whistles, cheers, and boos. I took that to mean Patravus was affirming what Ayrah said. I met his gaze, and bowed my head to him. A little smile crossed his face just before he returned the gesture.

“My friends!” Ayrah’s words rang out louder than ever, quieting both cheers and boos. “I know there are those among you who may be angry right, perhaps even offended! I want you to know, that I hear your cries! I cannot force you to change what’s in your hearts, nor will I try! However, I encourage you to keep an open mind, and listen to those of you who had a chance to get to know Melakar. He found many friends here in this city, and I am sure that Queen Ellamyriss will as well! But this is neither the time, nor the place for a discussion of such beliefs. So, to those of you who remain dubious, allow me to speak to you of the head of our military.”

I glanced over at Ayrah, flattening back my frills. I was pleased with her speech so far, but I was not sure where she was going with it now. If she saw me looking at her, she refused to meet my gaze. Blue Jay and Sparrow gave each other confused glances, as well. I trusted Ayrah enough that I did not believe she was trying to rope me into anything I had not agreed too, at least.

“Shevar is at our doorstep!” A darker undercurrent trickled into Ayrah’s voice as she changed course. “Their soldiers, their artillery, their airships, they are massing at our nation’s gates! None of us want war, and yet we have all seen the signs. Our enemies are trying to intimidate us! They wish to frighten us into surrendering our lands, our crops, our resources, our very homes! But my friends, we will notbe intimidated!” Ayrah paused a single beat before waving a hand at the crowd. “Will be?”

“No!” The crowd, almost as one, roared back at her with a defiant fury.

Nearby, Nesh snorted and crossed his arms. “That’s one way to get everyone back on her side. She’s good, I’ll give her that.”

“No!” Ayrah slapped the podium. “That’s right! We will not be intimidated by Shevar’s posturing! We will not be intimidated by their soldiers, by their cannons, or even by their goddamn sky-crawlers! Good people, we refuse to be pushed around by bullies and tyrants! We are prepared!” She jabbed a finger at one of the anti-air batteries atop a building. “Prepared to down their gunships!” Ayrah pivoted, pointing to some of her personal soldiers. “Prepared to turn back their invaders!” The soldier gave a theatrical snarl, and Ayrah spun back to the crowd. “Prepared to drive their whole gods-damned army back into the river if they so much as dare to cross it!”

This time, the raucous cheers were far more spontaneously then before. They built into a crescendo, a wave rolling through the crowd and crashing against the stone structures all around the park. Chants followed the cheers, scattershot at first but gradually coalescing into something about inflicting death upon their enemies, and protecting their homes. Nesh sighed, and rolled his eyes, muttering that the people of Shevar had homes, too.

I lowered my head to whisper to him. “Is it common for human rulers to whip their subjects into a frenzy, in order to earn their approval for something unrelated?”

Nesh chuckled, adjusting his coat sleeves. “Unfortunately.”

Ayrah eventually coaxed her people back to something resembling silence with a few calming gestures, making her look as if she trying to quiet settle down a rambunctious hatchling. “I know, my friends, I know.” She held up a single finger. “And now let me tell you something that you probably did not know. Shevar?” Ayrah swept a hand towards me. “Is at their doorstep, too. Just as they encroach upon our lands, moving troops and ships to our borders? So too do our adversaries press up against the boundaries of dragon lands! In fact, Shevar looks to stealthe dragon’s rightful home out from under them! They look to steal Melakar’srightful home! And they do so under cover of deceit! For you see, Shevar even sought to negotiate with Melakar, under pretense of crafting a treaty, whilst in reality they moved more and more forces into the edges of dragon lands! They do to the dragons, just as they do to us! They smile in our faces, whisper platitudes in our ears, and all the while, they cock their pistols behind their backs!”

Again, more boos and angry cries washed across the gathered crowd. Ayrah nodded, an exaggerated motion no doubt meant to convince as many people as possibly that she shared their outrage. I watched her, careful to keep my own expressions and body language as impassive as possible. Nesh was right, Ayrah was good at this. She’d always possessed a silver tongue, and a flair for theatrics, but this was something else entirely. She was manipulating these people, whether they knew it or not. Her destination was clear to me now, but I doubted many of them even realized they were being led along on Ayrah’s leash.

I whispered again to Nesh. “Much as I hate to admit, there were dragons who ruled territories amidst human lands in times long past, who would have greatly approved of her methods.”

Nesh arched a brow, smirking. “Oh? And here I thought the sort of dragons we told stories about were only a myth.”

“There may have been one or two dragons like that, who actually existed.” I curled my tail around my paws, snorting.

“How do you think Melakar would have felt about…” Nesh tilted his head towards Ayrah. “All that?”

I shifted my weight, uncertain. “He was never one for deceit, but I believe the diplomat in his heart would have to admit, sometimes there is a place for manipulation.”

Ayrah waited until the boisterous anger in the crowd simmered down before continuing. “Whatever your feelings for dragons are?” Ayrah flourished a hand. “Surely, you can see that we have a common foe! Shevar is enemy to Diandrious, and the dragons alike! Even those among you who still fear dragons, who still errantly believe them demons despite all the good Melakar did for our city? Even you must admit, we would be better off with an empire of dragons as our allies, rather than our enemies.”

She let that hang in the air a moment, then followed up, a note of derision now coloring her words. “Or would you rather see your petty, personal distaste for them, drive them straight into Shevar’s arms? Do you not think, if we gave them an opening, that Shevar would not seek to forge an alliance in our stead? We have a choice, good people! We can do the right thing, and recognize the dragons as the rightful rulers of their own homeland! We can make them our lifelong friends and allies!” She smiled back at me, then turned towards the people, her smile twisting into a snarl. “Or we can cling to our outdated, misguided beliefs. We can spit at their feet, call them demons, and watch as Shevar invites them in, and turns them against us.” She shook her head, sneering at the thought. “I, for one, would rather see Melakar’s people as our allies!”

“Hear, hear!” Nesh called out, in a loud, booming voice nearly as loud Ayrah’s.

She glanced back at him, grinning. Her ministers echoed the call, and then so did her soldiers. Soon, many in the crowd followed suit. Ayrah nodded with them, soaking in their agreement. This time, no one dared boo or raise any other disagreements. Perhaps they feared to be branded an enemy, or a sympathizer of Shevar. It was not an alien concept. Even amidst a group of dragons, it was unlikely anyone would speak up in favor of anything that might benefit an enemy in front of their clan mates.

Truthfully, I felt a bit as if Ayrah was using me as a prop. She spoke to her people as if they had to forge an alliance with me, simply to prevent their enemies from doing the same. I did not appreciate the idea that I might be forced to follow only a single path. As far as I was concerned, building ties with one nation did not preclude me from doing the same with their enemies. Ideally, I hoped to remain neutral in any potential conflict, especially now that I knew my son lived somewhere within Shevar.

Realistically, even I knew that might not be possible.

It wasn’t as if I did not understand Ayrah’s methods. She was doing what she had to in order to win over a majority of her people. It was clear now that far more people than I ever expected were already willing to call dragons, friends. But it was also clear many yet considered us to be little more than monsters. By tying my alliance, and my empire, into the narrative they’d woven around their standoff with Shevar, Ayrah could win more of them over. The idea of dragons freely walking their streets someday would be easier to swallow if they believed those dragons would help them battle their adversaries.

I peered down at Nesh while I had a moment. “I thought you did not like her methods?”

Nesh shrugged. “I don’t agree with whipping one group of people into a frenzy against another, no. Even Shevar. Their people are not at fault for our conflict. Nor do I agree with using you, and your potential alliance as a political prop. But neither can I deny that it’s working, so…” He smiled, looking quite satisfied with himself. “If that’s the tact Ayrah wants to take, to ensure this accord is well received? I thought I might as well do my part to help.”

“Now, dear friends,” Ayrah said, her tone shifting again. Some of the anger and fire ebbed away, and she sounded akin to a mother speaking to a mischievous but beloved hatchling. “Let me also assure you, that regardless of your feelings for dragons, or fears for war, that this treaty will prove beneficial to us in many ways! You see, Melakar was a shrewd negotiator. And his mate, Queen Ellamyriss, is shrewder still.”

I had to force myself not to laugh at that false compliment. Melakar would have negotiated circles around me in his sleep, had we ever been forced to match diplomatic wits. My lost love could have talked the very tail off my body. Hell, Melakar could tricked me into trading my claws for sticks. But I was happy to let Ayrah’s people imagine me some cunning dealmaker if it helped settle their fears.

“Her Majesty understands, as Melakar did, that the idea of official diplomatic recognition for dragons is a difficult one to swallow, for some. Never before has such a thing been granted, not by Tivos, Diandrios, or anyone else.” Ayrah leaned over the podium, lowering her voice just a tick, as if sharing some conspiratorial secret with the crowd. “And that is why one of Melakar’s original goals was to help bring prosperity to Tivos. He approached the crafting of this accord the same way he approached his friendship with the city itself, and all its residents. With a willingness to share all they can with those they call friends! Wealth, resources, land, whatever could be shared, if we would but recognize their valley for what it truly is. The homeland of the dragons. And though our dear Melakar is gone, her Majesty, Queen Ellamyriss has taken his place in our negotiations. And friends, I assure you, she has only sweetened the deal.”

I lowered my head and smiled, trying to look as if I was grateful just for the opportunity to negotiate with her.  “I am only doing what I believe fair.”

“Only doing what she believes fair!” Ayrah flourished her head at me, grinning. “Why, good friends, we’re practically taking advantage of them! Queen Ellamyriss has generous offered us full and complete trading rights not with one dragon, but with all the residents of her Empire, current and future! All the dragons, all the gryphons, and all the many tribes and villages dotting its land. More importantly?” Ayrah held up a single finger, continuing before anyone could pause to question her on just how many dragons actually called that valley home. “For the very first time in history, Queen Ellamyriss is opening her lands to Diandriosan mining, drilling, and other energy interests!” She thumped her fist against her podium. “That’s right, dear friends! In no time at all, the good people of Tivos will have access to all the myriad resources just waiting to be discovered inside the dragon’s valley!” She gestured across the sky, as if indicating an invisible banner. “You’ve all seen the old maps, the ones that cover that entire mountain range with a warning that reads, Here Be Dragons! Well, friends?”

Ayrah dropped her hand back down, grinning. “Here be oil, too! Here be gold! Here be lifting gasses!” With each new exclamation, she slapped her lectern again, then finally pointed into the distance, towards our lands. “And here be only the people of Tivos, harvesting them! No one else will be allowed access, only us! And when the capital gets word that our little frontier province has permission to drill and mine inside the lands of dragons? Guess who they’ll have to hire, and buy from, if they want our oil! Our Gas, our coal, our gold, our iron…” She straightened up, tilting her head back. “Our coffers will be overflowing!” She pointed at the crowd, sweeping her finger across them like she was drawing a dagger through the air. “Your coffers will be overflowing! That is what Queen Ellamyriss envisions for you, for us! That is what this little agreement means.” Ayrah waved back at the table. “Recognition, for the dragons, and an ally here, in Tivos! And for us? A great ocean of natural resources, waiting to be seized! And best of all?” She tossed her hair over her shoulder. “Why do you think Shevar’s really trying to seize the frontier out from under us?” She scoffed, stomping a booted foot. “Because they want the dragons resources for themselves! This accord ensures that will never happen.”

More exuberant cries rang out, along with several boisterous, and exceeding crude insults directed towards Shevar. Ayrah basked in their cheers, and in the anger directed towards their foes. She nodded along with them, encouraging it without another word. I gazed towards the table, wondering just how much of what she promised was actually accomplished by our agreement. Was there really that much value in the land my signature gave them access too?

Though I had not yet taken time to see exactly where it was located, I trusted Nesh’s assessment of the location’s size. It did not sound very large, especially by dragon standards. Then again, our domain was vast, and our wings allowed us to traverse it in swift measure. If they were to mine gold from there, as some of their ancestors had done, they could indeed become quite wealthy. And truthfully, I had no way of knowing the value of fuels and commodities like the oils and gases Ayrah mentioned. For all I knew, those might be worth more than metals these days.

Ayrah straightened herself up, her smile fading. “To those of you displeased by the idea of allowing dragons free access to our city, I tell you first that you are increasingly in the minority!” She slowly shook her head, copper-brown hair swishing. “But I know my words alone cannot change your mind. Neither can her Majesty’s. So I ask you only to keep an open mind, and judge the dragons the dragons not by old stories, and legends, and not by outdated religious sentiments even the Church now disavows! No, judge them by their deeds! Consider what Melakar did for this city! Consider as well the fact that, for all the years he visited us, not once did he so much as even speak ill of someone, much less bring anyone harm. Melakar was a gentle soul, at heart, and if you could not see past his scales to see the goodness in his heart, then I very much doubt there is anything else I can do for you.”

Ayrah grit her teeth, her jaw clenched. “But if that is the case for some of you? Then secondly, I shall ask you instead to think only of the good things this accord brings us! New trade deals! Mining rights, drilling rights! New rail lines! A great expansion of Tivos’s reach, influence, and importance! More success, more prosperity, more jobs, and more money for its people! If that doesn’t strike you as a good thing, than I don’t know what would! I’d have to assume you must wish ill on the city, and then I’d really wonder where your allegiance lies!”

Someone in the crowd booed. Another yelled something about Shevarrian spies. Ayrah let them jeer these imaginary foes for a few moments before she held up a hand. Gradually, the crowd quieted down once more, and she continued. “I know, I know. And trust me, good people, I do understand that some of you have legitimate concerns about dragons. Others may believe, in your hearts, that they’re not to be trusted. All I can ask you to do is give them a chance to prove themselves, just as Melakar did. And to swallow back your beliefs, just a little, for the good of the city, and of your neighbor. As for the rest of you, good people…What say you?” Ayrah paced the platform, calling out to a seemingly random audience member. “Shall we give the dragons a chance?” She walked back the way she came, shouting to another person in the crowd. “Shall we call them friend, as we called Melakar friend?” Ayrah kept pacing, addressing each new question to someone else. “Shall we call them ally, before Shevar tricks them into turning against us? Should we finally open up trade with our neighbors? Should we share in their great wealth of resources?” Finally, she spun towards the table and spread her arms wide. “Should we sign this accord?”

After each rapid-fire question, another of Ayrah’s ministers cried out a ‘hear hear’. A few citizens echoed the call at first, but each new query was met by an even more rousing response. By the time Ayrah finished, the crowd was roaring for her. No one offered an opposing reply, but I doubted anyone would dare to voice opposition now. While it surely lingered in some circles, I hopeful that at least most of the enthusiasm was genuine. All the support the humans showed me the day before, and all of the many in-roads Melakar made her gave me reason to feel optimistic.

“Well, your Majesty?” Ayrah turned towards me, a sly grin upon her face as she descended the steps of the speaking platform. “I’d say that’s a resounding yes, wouldn’t you?”

“It certainly sounds it.” I swallowed, my ears pinned back against the cascade of noise. “I see you’ve gotten even better at spinning your words into gold, in the years since I last saw you.”

“I find it’s an even more important skill as a ruler, than it was as a thief.” Ayrah strode across the platform towards us, flicking her fingers towards the crowd. “Would you like to speak to them?”

I snorted at her, lashing my tail. “Of course not.” I licked my nose. “But I probably should, should I not?”

Ayrah nodded. “It would be a good idea. But it’s up to you.”

I shook myself, lifting my frills. “I fear I have little left to say, for I already spoke my heart yesterday. But shall I endeavor-”

Ayrah thrust her finger towards the crowd, cutting me off. “To them, Ayrah. Say it to them. Show them who you are.”

I grimaced, glancing at the ocean of people milling around a short distance beyond us. Slowly, I rose to all fours, and stepped towards them. Ayrah moved aside, and her various men-at-arms and assistance went with her. I strode past them, forgoing the platform Ayrah used. Hastily constructed as it was, I feared it would not hold my weight. Hell, it could have been sturdily constructed over a week-long period, and I still doubt it would have done anything but crumble beneath me. So instead, I approached the barricades directly, maintaining just enough distance for my own comfort, and prevent the soldiers’ horses from spooking. Most of the gathered people fell silent as I neared them.

“Greetings, citizens of Tivos!” I called out, wanting all to hear me. My voice shattered the silence more violently than intended. It tolled across the plaza, like a great bass bell struck by a hammer, then bounced off the towering stone buildings and returned to me again. People near me clapped their hands over their ears. So I softened it, just a little. “As your ruler has spoken, my name is Queen Ellamyriss. I am Queen of the Valley of Gods’ Blood and Earth Flame! As you call it, The Valley of Dragons.”

I curled my neck, gazing back at Ayrah. She offered a formal bow for show, but twirled her fingers in the air, I gesture which I assumed was meant to encourage me to keep speaking. I grunted, gazing again across the crowd. Though there were even more people here than the day before, at least I was not literally walking through them. The previous day’s discomfort and constant anxiety still lingered around so many people, but at least the burden was lighter now. Perhaps I was simply growing used to it.

“I wish that I had a great speech in me, like your good leader has just delivered.” I lifted my head, forcing myself to keep my voice even. “But as I was just telling her, I fear I have little left to say. I had the pleasure, and the great honor of meeting some of you yesterday, and perhaps you were there to hear me speak my heart. I have already poured from it all that it held, and time has not filled it anew.” I swallowed, digging unsheathed claws into the grassy earth. “So let me say this simply. I understand that many of you do not like dragons. Many of you fear us, hate us, think us evil.” I snorted, tossing my head. “I understand that feeling, because that is exactly how so many of us felt about human society, before we had a chance to truly experience it. Not about humans, persay, we understand that are individuals. I have had human friends before. I consider your mayor a close friend. My ambassador, Nesh, is among my dearest companions.” I stretched a wing to gesture at him. Nesh gave a little wave to the crowd before I continued. “But as a whole? Dragons fearedhumanity. For all our shared existences, you have sought ever more effective ways to kill us. Now you have ships that fly, with cannons that can blast us from the skies? Why should we not fear you?”

I snorted at my own question, but the answer hit me like a slap across the muzzle. “Because fear creates enemies.” I slowly shook my head. “And I do not want any more enemies. Melakar chose to trust you, not because he was not afraid! No, Melakar knew all too well what might befall him, and tragically, it did.” I swallowed, struggling not to think about Melakar’s death. Tears would not avail me now. “But Melakar chose trust, not fear! Friends, not enemies! Fear is easy, hate is easy. But trust, and friendship are so much more difficult. It takes true courage to trust someone you have long considered an enemy. And Melakar was the most courageous dragon I have ever known. Melakar chose to risk his life, and trust you, in the hopes of creating a brighter future for both of our peoples.”

I turned, making a point to look at Lir, atop the statue’s head, then the gryphons, standing guard over my blind spots. “For all our people.” I turned my gaze back to the humans. “And so I choose to do the same! I choose to trust you, each and every one of you. Even those who despise me for what I am. I trustyou, just as Melakar trusted you. I ask only that you do the same. Trust in me, for I offer friendship to any who are open to receiving it. My Empire…” I placed upon my chest. “Offers friendship.”

I fixed my gaze upon Father Patravus, trying to focus on individuals as Ayrah had done. “To you.” I looked to a woman, near him. “And you.” Then I looked an urd’thin, and a gnoll, and another human, and so on. “And you, and you, and you.” Finally, I lifted my head. “I offer the same to your city, to Tivos! And to your nation of Diandrious, if they would but accept my outstretched hand.” Glancing at my paw, I chuckled to myself. “So, to speak.” I set my paw down, stretching a wing towards the grand table where Ayrah now waited. “And to prove that I wish only peace between us, I offer you trade, resources, access to our sacred lands, and all that your ruler has promised. And all I want in return?” I took a slow breath, my plated chest expanding. “Is your trust and your friendship. Thank you for hearing me out.”

When I was done talking, I bowed to the crowd, as deeply and respectfully as I could. I splayed out my forelegs, pressing my chest to the ground. I lowered my muzzle to the grass as well, my wings draped out at my sides. Nesh, standing nearby, started a cheer. It did not take long for it to spread throughout my audience like a wildfire. By the time I rose from my display of respect, the humans’ collective roar left my ears buzzing. I could not be sure if they were cheering as loudly for me as they were for Ayrah, but it certainly sounded that way.

“And now, your Majesty?” Ayrah’s voice knifed through the din. “If you’d like to join me for the signing?”

I turned back towards her, cocking my head. “Have I not already signed it? Or is there more I must do?”

“I’ve still got to sign my half.” Ayrah strode to the table, unbuttoning her fur-lined coat. “When I do so, if you could sit across from me, and pretend to do the same, that would be perfect.”

Ayrah spoke quietly to another woman, who hurried over to the reporters sitting in the nearby stands and behind cameras. All of them were furiously scribbling in notebooks, but paused to listen to the mayor’s aide. Soon, they were turning their odd, lensed boxes towards me. They hurried around them, adjusting things, and making preparations. I flattened my ears when I realized they were intended to do document this historic moment with their silvergraphs. In my excitement, I had signed my name to the accord before anyone was ready to take their photos.

“Very well, Ayrah.” I settled down at the table, where the documents, and ink pot remained. “Just tell me what I need to do.”

“Just hold your finger over your signature, so the photos will make it look as if we’re signing them together.” Ayrah removed her coat, and passed it to another assistant. She adjusted her golden blouse, smoothing down a few wrinkles. “If you watch me, I’ll give you a little nod when its time. Just keep your paw in place and stay still until the photo plates have time to develop. It takes a few moments for the light exposures to properly settle in, so to speak. So if you move too early, it won’t turn out properly. I’ll give you another nod when its time to set your paw down. Clear?”

“Not entirely.” I shrugged my wings, grunting. “But I will do as you ask.”

One of Ayrah’s minsters pulled out a padded chair across from me. Ayrah sank into it, and scooted forward. Everyone quickly backed away from her. I wondered if Ayrah did not wish them to appear in the official photographs of the event, or if they were afraid to be pictured, making an alliance with a dragon. Whatever the case, it made me realize there was someone else who deserved to be in this photo.

I glanced back at Nesh. “You should stand alongside me.”

Nesh held his hands up, shaking his head. “No, Ella, I’d better not. Besides, this is your moment.”

I curled my tail tip around his ankle. “Nesh, you’re as responsible for this as anyone. If I had not met you…” I trailed off, looking around.

My gaze drifted across the birds. Even if I hadn’t met Nesh, they’d probably have been sent after me eventually. Without his intervention, I’d have killed them. Hell, it was bigger than that. It was so much bigger. Without his steadying influence, without his friendship, without his simple kindness, I’d never have even left that valley. I’d have spent myself in an unwinnable war against his people, against the army that slaughtered Melakar. Without Nesh, I would not have wanted to be better. I would not have wanted to follow in Melakar’s wake, or pursued his great dream.

Without Nesh, none of this would have happened.

“Nesh, you deserve to be witnessed here, in this moment.” I lifted a forepaw, holding it out to him. “History should remember you as the man who made this happen. Without you, I’d have lost myself to revenge. I’d already be dead, downed in that same damn valley, by the same damn army. If this accord heralds the future, if my empire succeeds? Then it’s thanks to you, Nesh.” I beckoned him forward. “Please, don’t give up the opportunity for history to remember your part in this.”

Sparrow approached him, gently bumping Nesh forward with her beak. “She’s not wrong, Nesh. If this works out, they’ll be many more photos.” She nudged him again, forcing him to take a step forward. “But there will never again be another moment where her empire becomes a reality.”

“Go on, Nesh.” Blue Jay swept him a wing forward. “Turn away from the cameras if you fear court martial or think you must. Just be in it.”

“Oh, very well.” Nesh took a few steps towards me, glancing back at the gryphons. “You two are part of this as well, you know.”

Sparrow clacked her beak. “We only brought you here. This moment is just for you two.”

Nesh approached me, and I encircled him with my foreleg. I pulled him against my body, hugging him tight. I lowered my head, my neck curled, to whisper into his ear. “Thank you for helping me become a better person, Nesh. For…” I paused, unsure how best to encapsulate everything he’d become to me in the simplest way. I nuzzled his head, and chose the obvious. “Thank you for being my friend.”

“It’s been absolute honor, Ellamyriss.” Nesh hugged my muzzle to his chest, a hint of a quaver in his voice. He sniffled as he held me tight. When he finally released me, he wiped a tear from his eye. “Here’s to many more years of friendship,” he said, a mischievous smile on his face. “Before you inevitably toss me away in favor of a more qualified ambassador.”

I laughed at his jest, nuzzling his head fur again. “Oh, worry not, my dear human. Long after your ambassadorial duties are completed, your duties as Chief Concubine shall remain?”

Nesh rolled his eyes, playfully shoving my muzzle away. “Chief, now? At least I’ve finally earned a promotion.”

Ayrah spoke up from across the table. “Ready when you two are. Nesh, if you want to keep your face hidden from the cameras, you’ll need to turn towards Ella.”

Nesh’s face twisted up as he considered it. He looked up at me, then the gryphons and soldiers, and finally at the photographers. Finally he sighed, and turned the opposite direction Ayrah suggested, so that he would be fully visible. “I suppose there’s no point in appearing in a historic photograph if no one can tell who you were.” He shook a finger at me, grinning. “But if they attempt to arrest me for treason, I may have flee to your empire and apply for permanent political asylum.”

I snorted, thumping my tail. “I should like to see them try. They’d have to make it through me to arrest you in the first place.”

“Everyone ready?” Ayrah plucked a gryphon feather quill, waggling it.

“Yes,” I said, flicking an clawtip towards her writing utensil. “Do you not require ink for that?”

Ayrah chuckled. “We’ll pose for the photo, first. They won’t be able to see its not yet signed, anyway. I’ll sign it as soon as we’re finished, I just don’t want ink running onto the parchment while I’m waiting.”

I cocked my head. “Is there much waiting required?”

“Only a little.” Ayrah spun the quick around her fingers. “Just try to remain still while they take the photos. There will be some, smoke and noise, but that’s all normal.”

“Very well.” I pretended to dip my finger in the ink again, if only for show. “Let us proceed.”

I moved my paw back over the document, with a single finger outstretched just above my own signature. I arched my neck and opened my wings, posing as regally as I could. I stared at the document, my gaze intent and unblinking. Nesh posed next to me, fingers tucked in between the buttons of his medic’s coat. Across from us, Ayrah pressed her quill against the parchment, and then paused. Without lifting her eyes from the document, she slowly nodded, signaling me to remain still.

It occurred to me that I had no idea just how still I was meant to be. Did I even have to hold my breath? I considered glancing down at Nesh, but quickly realized doing so might ruin the pictures of my timing was not exactly right. Given that I had no idea how long the process took, I decided it had to be alright to breathe. Other than that, I kept my body as motionless as possible. I tried to keep my breathing even, and relatively shallow.

Bright flashes lit the air alongside loud pops and sizzles. It was all I could do to resist the urge to look towards the noises and lights. I fought to keep my ears from swiveling towards the sounds. Out of the corner of my eye, I glimpsed puffs of smoke drifting from elongated flattened pans held aloft on handles, or attached to the camera boxes. A few more of them fired up, bringing more flashes of brilliant light and strange popping sounds.

Ayrah and Nesh remained still a few more heartbeats, and so I did the same. My foreleg ached from being held out at an awkward angle, but I ignored the discomfort. Finally, Ayrah gave me a nod. Nesh relaxed, and I let out a relieved sigh, shaking out my front limb. Ayrah dipped her quill into her inkwell, and then scribed her name across the parchment. She used large, fanciful looking lettering, with flowing accent marks and dots. Her signature seemed as theatrical as her speeches. When she was finished, she deposited the quill back into the inkwell, and pushed herself up. As she moved out of the way, assistants rushed in to sprinkle drying sands across the fresh signature.

“And just like that, your Majesty,” Ayrah said as she strode around the table towards me. “Your Empire, and your rulership over it, are officially recognized. Welcome to the modern age.”