Passage for Two
Eight Day of the Twelfth Month 293 AC
With a slight inclination of the head, careful not to let any of your surprise show, you reply: "Fairly said, I would not wish to betray the confidence of even my own hostages." Though you value your word above pride also, and somehow you doubt the ancient dragon feels much sympathy for his hostages as you had for Stannis Baratheon. "I will see to it that the emir knows your mind on this matter."
"My thanks," he rumbles, the words more than a formality. "Hopefully having the news carried by a neutral party will give him pause to consider more than anger and spite." To listen to him one might think the wyrm Galzerai the most peaceful of being in all the Boundless Sea, concerned only with making his foe understand the virtues of a swift resolution. His second meaning does not escape you however, a third party would already know of his daughter's impending use of wishcraft. How many more might soon learn likewise?
Once more you dip your head slightly as you had on greeting him, without taking your gaze from his for a moment: "Elder Cousin, this discussion has proven not only productive, but insightful. I would not wish to tarry more than necessary, but should you wish to engage in further dialogue, be it with fruitful exchanges in mind or merely slaking one's curiosity, know I too hold you in high esteem for the courtesy shown, and would in similar regard grant you passage to my realm at a time of your choosing. Further, I offer you the opportunity to open an embassy in Sorcerer's Deep."
It is only once you are back within the white walls of Pragnat that Lya turns to you and asks. "Do you think it's well... entirely wise to invite so many dragons? I still recall how much you worried about Relath, I know we are all more skilled than we were a year or two ago, but these dragons are not Relath."
You consider the matter a long moment.
Am I being too cavalier about the danger of draconic pride or greed causing more harm than good in a realm still so young in magic? In the end you shake your head. "I do not think they would be inclined to make trouble, as Galzerai reminded me they are more likely to think in terms of decades and centuries than months and years, and a few centuries from now I think even so mighty a wyrm as that would be wise to tread lightly under the sun."
Satisfied with the answer Lya nods and begins looking around for a convenience to travel onward to Kelasi.
***
Ninth Day of the Twelfth Month 293 AC
What you find in the end has the look of something that might have come from an ambitious bulabar's sketchbook, the ungainly offspring of a galley and a windmill that somehow propels itself forward considerably faster than you could swim, if not half as swift as you are in flight. So the two of you embark, just two more faces in the crowd, a not unfamiliar feeling for you, who have put on so many masks fleeting and enduring, but Lya had little reason to partake in such subterfuge of late.
"This is nice," she says leaning her head on your shoulder as the bench you are sitting on sways with the movement in the ship. "One of the best things about having another body working is that I do not have to feel guilty about taking some time to just sit and let my thoughts fly like those silverfish out there. "
"So what you're saying is that I
should feel guilty since I don't have another body working?" you ask teasingly.
She rolls her eyes. "I'm not sure the world could handle two of you."
"Which part of me would make the cup run over do you think? My kingliness, my arcane power or maybe my striking good looks?" you continue with a smile.
"Your
unique sense of humor," she replies dryly, then gives lie to your words by starting to giggle, drawing odd looks from a pair of elderly maridar coral prospectors.
The journey passes so swiftly you are almost surprised to hear the voice of the captain from the ship's speaking-horn above. You had arrived in Kelasi. Now you must decide how to introduce yourself to the emir in the best possible light, especially considering you bear news of his enemy.
How do you present yourself?
[] As a Dragon King from the Garden of the Elements
[] As a signatory of the Concordant of Stone and Sky
[] As a merchant prince looking for new opportunities
[] Write in
OOC: Another slow journey update to keep you guys from being bombarded with new locals, alongside some of Viserys and Lya just talking.
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