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"I et the men away for a few hours," the Copper said "When the time comes"

"The sooner the time comes, the better," Rethothanna said "A h the ons to volunteer to be ridden, pro With food stocks falling the way they are and dragons going withoutto look forward to but the saddle and a trough at the end of the day"

Chapter 28

Rethothanna got her wish Less than a score of days later, the Imperial line and the leaders of the hill selected the hour for the battle Of course, not everything could be readied on ti, and every day the Copper wasa trip to the river to explain to them what to do But each day’s delay increased their risk, for ons found theer meet except in twos or threes for a few brief words

The Copper had spies of his own The bats, out of hunger or curiosity, went so far as to do practice runs, trickling into Black Rock in search of nourishe in the Ions had arrived, carrying several people each on them and more possessions Some of the mates and babes of the Andam had arrived

So the Copper stood, flanked by Rethothanna and NeStirrath, listening to SiMevolant speak He was explaining to the high-ranking dragons that soon each of them would have a human "assistant" to help allocate food and cave space, ore rations, and exercise flights Even groo standards would be discussed, if there were health-threatening habits that needed to be broken

The Dragonblade lounged on a golden chair, brought up and fixed on the Tyr’s shelf A rich fur lay before it, and another hung off the back He also wore a fur cloak closed with dragonscale

I a case of luxuries brought in on dragonback

"I do not say you must follow the advice of the human assistant," SiMevolant said "But they are wise, and I feel h," a Skotl called

"I say too much!" a Wyrr added

The Copper braced hi his wings to ju to a bit of wood and leather and steel pin "I say we have no Tyr Just a dog too well trained to need a collar"

"That’s a poor sort of insult, RuGaard" SiMevolant yawned "I hope you didn’t labor hard over it You wasted your tie of treason against the Ie a Tyr," SiMevolant said "The rank is too exalted"

"I htful Tyr Tyr FeHazathant named me as his successor after NiVom fled and before he died"

"I witnessed it!" Ibidio called

"I was told in secret as well," said NeStirrath Which was a lie, but a lie he gladly offered to tell

"He told me the same," Rethothanna said "There is even a secret testament in the archives" Another lie, but one she had ed scale-seal

"That’s three," NoSohoth said quietly

"So, yes, I do challenge you," RuGaard said "If you refuse, all will know you to be a coward"

"Yes, yes, yes, heroes taste death but once and all that But the coward gets a long time to enjoy all those deaths, bitter as the cupStill, you annoy me, RuGaard I think I should like to kill you I accept your challenge and naonblade asHe reached for his sword hilt

"You get to kill a three-legged dragon," SiMevolant said

"When I ca as an adviser," the Dragonblade said "I’ve had enough fights in my life I’m old, er would find this blasted rock unco between the Andaain," SiMevolant hissed

"So be it I’ll kill the beast for you What’s one ret ht, then," the Copper said "When the new day rings"

Black Rock’s dueling pit lay on its lowest level An a out beneath a point of rock, and there was rooot closed-in and stuffy when it was that full