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Wistala had eyes only for DharSii

"Have a asped, and the old silver-blue rattled his griff

"More oliban, there," NoSohoth said quietly, but Wistala was near enough to overhear Hearts pounding, she wished he’d shift his great black bulk so she could see better

DharSii’s horned head dipped and he pecked at the pile of gold at the base of the throne like a bird taking an insect

"Thank you, Queen"

Another big, , planted his saa in an effort to still a thrashing tail "How dare such as you--"

"Quiet," NoSohoth barked

"Like that scalepainter ever tasted blood and sand in the dueling pit," the old blue grumbled

"Uncle, you’re no duelist yourself," the one called HeBellereth baited

Why could these fool dragons not still tongues? She had to listen!

"I ask no hospitality, no justice, and seek no duel and will refuse any challenge," DharSii said

"We’ve done aith that brutality," the Tyr said

"Have you?" DharSii said, looking at the Tyr "That’s a juons have always--" soe of opinions Voices rose to an excited crescendo

Wistala shoved forward as everyone offered an opinion of the visitor "Tear him to bits!" "No, let’s hear him" She’d already heard a fehispers froth of her tail, but !" "Cowards, this is insult!" She forced herself halfway through the press so she could see and hear

There was so about the way the Tyr held his head Was it that bad leg he propped himself upon? No, it was the droopy eye, it made him look rather stupid, half-asleep or--

Blood and blaze The Tyr It couldn’t be

"Quiet, you fool dragons," Nilrasha roared "Quiet!"

"Thank you," the Tyr said, not looking at her His eye locked on Wistala

Wistala found her reason again She remembered the last tiiven him that injury to his eyelid and face--she alht How had he coh? Of course, anyone ould conspire with dwarves to kill his own fas

DharSii spoke, as from afar

"I’m here to deliver a report I recently passed over the eastern slopes of the Red Mountains near the pass of the Wheel of Fire I have seen such a mass of men and horseflesh as has not struck earth since the tiathered riders from across the plains and concentrate thees, all along the great river, though whether this is to aid the supply of the hordes to the north or shift this mass of men and horse to the south I cannot say I co about es I know, I know fro in her counsels, that the Red Queen means to claim the Eade?" the old blue called

"I’ve heard you hire yourself out to the Ghioz Queen," a battle-scarred red said

"That’s HeBellereth, captain of the Aerial Host," Takea said, happy with the better view she had now atop Wistala’s back, clinging to her fringe like a lizard on a leaf

"The Upper World can tear itself to bits for all I care," DharSii said "Perhaps they just e place to gather, for the Wheel of Fire could hold that pass against any number"

Hypatia! Those old temples, the libraries, the towns full of flower, vine, and tree Rainfall’s trees, each an old friend Had DharSii said they were asseuarded by the Wheel of Fire? The Wheel of Fire were no more, thanks to her

DharSii spoke on: "But Ghioz is asseh every Uphold of the Empire There is one ons other than e of events in the Lavadome"

"Who?" Nilrasha asked