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The Ironriders simply touched their foreheads to the hem of her dress

Then they spoke The Red Queen seeth When quarrels broke out she silenced theht food and drink around

Finally she waved hions out of the north," she said "We think he ons of the Lavadoless drake, I believe, ether in the traveling towers I know hilance at AuRon "He did the dwarves great service in battle He is loyal to his friends, very loyal"

"Ghioz looks everywhere for friendship," the Red Queen said

The Ironriders said sonized the Parl word for dragons

"Yes, yes, everyone oal That is the difficulty There are so few, at least ill act with intelligence Remember the stupidity of the ones used to human direction, how easily they died when left to their own devices in conquering the Chush, and that will have to do

"So, ill it be, AuRon? I offer you a title, if you will take it You’ll find the duties light and our friendship worth thrice the pittance we ask in return"

"It is a poor island, Great Queen It offers little except fish and seal-ent, powerful, and winged, are the most useful of allies"

"Join? I cannot make upothers My hatchlings, however, need coin, and need it soon if they are to grow up strong"

"Then you will find us a generous coo to your kind in the Lavadoh blunder and ht at the Sloai horsedowns and in Bant We were considering sending another as e prejudice against our intent You, as a fresh face, could be fairly heard"

"What would your es Only that there be a dialogue betorlds, upper and lower, so that we ht settle disputes without bloodshed"

"Your ter as an ambassador to my court, and the appointment of an ambassador from Ghioz to the Lavadome, and the establishment of communications each ill present to you a ransohts and ht of a full-grown male bull"

"That is a substantial sum indeed"

"Then the terms are satisfactory?"

"The mission may fail I would like to be compensated in that eventuality"

"One-quarter shall be yours, then"

"I do not know your custoain?"

"There are seals and such that can be set upon paper, but they are only as good as one’s word, and you already have ours"

AuRon decided that if nothing else, contact with other dragons would be beneficial He hoped there weren’t re in this Lavadoht about their master’s fall "Then you have ree?" AuRon asked

Theside turned back again AuRon judged it a warning to get to the point "We have other business this day, but you have our attention"

"The friend I lost--DharSii spoke of her How long had she been in the service of Ghioz? What were her aion?"

"Yes"