"No," Angevin allowed. "Rather than frighten the populace, the threat was kept quiet. A small task force was assembled to deal with the challenge, prepared to do battle but a peaceful settlement was considered preferable. We lacked the draconic lore to know whether the corpse of an undead dragon would poison the grand where it lay, temporarily or permanently."
He looked from Reiner to Seværys, grave.
"I am confident that intelligence could be shared with you, especially if you are willing to make an exchange of it. The self-styled Prince of Dragons stepped aside in favor of Karam Senue, but remains heir apparent. We may have more dragons to rebuff in future." Of course, he hoped none of them were of the platinum dragonflight.
Perhaps there were some dragons who loved humankind, who chose human shapes when they wanted to walk on two feet and speak to mere mortals. There were circumstances under which even he might welcome their collaboration. In the new Zaichaier, after all, times, they were a-changing.
For the briefest moment, he even considered being the Admiral of the Fleet, directing it from the back of a dragon rather than Searing Victory. But that was the sort of dream best left in the past, as when he and Brenner were boys and the future seemed an oyster to be shucked, sucked, and devoured.
"In any case, it was the undead nature of the dragon that was the larger concern. We recognize the value of the necromantic arts with respect to healing, but we have dealt with enough Mistspawn and other such creatures. The dead ought to remain dead."
"While I am not at liberty to negotiate on behalf of the Regent of the Luxium," Octavian interjected quietly, "I am happy to meet in future to offer what insights I may, and then bring proposals before the Princeps Consul and opine on its strengths. By the grace of our Gods, we ought soon to have a sovereign once more instead of our esteemed regent, and Solunarium's voice might once more be twofold."
"I would appreciate your time and insights, dominus."
Angevin considered the question.
"It is early days yet," he said, chuckling, "and I do not wish to speak prematurely when we are laying the foundations of a renewed dialogue between our nations. Sharing trade, sharing intelligence, and sharing hospitality are all goals of mine. When I return, I would like to bring a trade agreement that will require minimal or no change to bring before the First Minister. I would like to discuss the possibility of more permanent embassies." He wanted to ask about riding wyverns, but he had forgotten to ask Reiner his thoughts on that and didn't want to put him on the spot here before various luminaries when he had put some effort into talking him up as a war hero. There would be time enough for that request, even if he might phrase it as a boyish wish of the younger airman.
He laughed.
"Most of all, I would like to absorb as much as I can while I am here, the better to support future understandings. If I leave with new friends, well, all the better. Our Grand Marshall is nigh as old as the Crownwyrm, but the First Minister and I are both admittedly young for the weight of our responsibilities. Knowing the up-and-coming players in Solunarium," he acknowledged them with a raising of his cup, "will better prepare us to adapt to the present and prepare for the future."
