B.T.V. -- Session 03 Epilogue: Dragons' Hall

Amberites investigate And Dragons debate

While Julian, Osric, Finndo and Asher were off running down several braces of hares for supper, King-to-be Gerard gestured for Selador, Corwin and Random to join him on a stroll, seemingly casual but an invitation delivered in an abrupt tone. The others of the Amberites watch as they depart, marking who was being taken into Gerard’s confidence.


“Do you know what this is all about?” Random asked Selador, who shrugged.


“One has just been called,” the Law Lord replied.


Corwin, meanwhile, was speaking to Gerard about the wisdom of the impromptu conference.


“It really isn’t a good idea,” the former king told the pending king. He warned the others would suspect them of scheming amongst themselves.


Gerard replies he had wanted witnesses in what he had to say to his son Selador, and Corwin brought with him his wisdom as a former “Arbiter” of the Spires of Colour, and his greater experience in this new realm of existence.


“Simply a way of hiding in plain sight,” Corwin explained his role in the Array.


“You were hardly hiding.”


Corwin observed, “Colour seems to be weakening in the advent as such as we,” referring to the survivors of the previous realm who had escaped to the current one. “I support that’s a good thing, from our point of view,” Gerard suggested.


Corwin seemed uncertain. The Array, he explained, had been a way to bring those diametrically opposed to each other together “in a broader spectrum.”


His position as arbiter had been to play the peacemaker when diverging viewpoints came into conflict, and if he could not prevent violence, then at least control the damage from it.


“Why are we here?” he demanded abruptly.


Gerard repeated that Corwin and Random would serve as witnesses to his discussions with his son.


Selador offered, “While one does not know the text of the coming conversation, one might assume in any discussion with a king, the outcome must be political. Hence, witnesses would be reasonable.”


Corwin replies that one witness would serve as well as two, and departs.


“He’s always so uncooperative,” Gerard lamented. “If he didn’t stand out so on individualistic issues, it wouldn’t always be assumed he’s seeking the crown.”


On that, the future king turns on his bootheel and strides away, leaving Random and Selador to catch up. Random uses the opportunity to thank Selador for his new walking stick, which he has taken to, and his new coat. The accoutrements were on Random as he walked out of the Lesser Sea of Chaos, now the Barimen Sea, along with the rest of his family, saving Finndo, who was already there, and Selador, who did the summoning.


“More suitable for my coming career,” said Random, who was to be Amber’s diplomat.


Selador spoke of his desire for Adrilankha’s Lost City to be populated by humans, including an embassy for Random, a professional house for Drifters clearing the area of its population of ghosts, and an office for Selador himself, as he assisted Elric with the drafting of new laws for the Empire after the Melnibonean took the Draegeran throne.


“I see the sense in what you say,” Random allowed. He seemed certain the salvaging of the Lost City could be managed.


Gerard found a log to his liking, and sat upon it. Random stood to one side as father addressed son.


“Feel free to interject, Random. You know what it is to be a ruler, and a father.”


“What are we going to call you, Gerard?” Random asked.


“I haven’t actually been crowned.”


“Without the jewel, it won’t be official, of course,” Random replied, drawing a rueful look from his uncle.


“We do have an artifact,” Selador interrupts, drawing forth the unicorn pendant he wears below his jacket.


Gerard, after a moment of consideration, said “Well, this belongs to you as the Sorcerer of Amber.”


Random asked, “Is it still Amber?” and Gerard confirmed it was.


“My son, Selador…,” Gerard began, but the Law Lord interrupted.


“There is another thing. There is another shard that has within it the family.”


He had used the shard to rescue Finndo from Calcitrant's prison, he related.


“Perhaps these things might be transformative,” he suggested, adapting those who were summoned to the new existence and their new roles.


Gerard, after a moment’s consideration, said that some within the family of Amber had already suggested that Selador’s magic might exceed any other’s, and that he should be Sorcerer of Amber.


“I do not know how to help you with these things of yours,” Gerard admitted. “I am no great sorcerer. It’s a pity that Brand, greatest of our generation, is not with us, though rightfully so.”


Experiments, he continued, of other generations always seemed to benefit the kingdom eventually.


“I cannot command you how you use your mind.”





“Now, Selador, let us speak of things important to you. Your mother. My wife. My Majiid.” He added that Majiid had wanted their marriage to be accomplished legally, and he had not been an unwilling participant.


Selador observed, “What is most concerning to one is the description of one set between Chaos and Law, as one’s brother was set between Light and Darkness.”


“You were born between your mother’s lineage and my own,” Gerard admitted. “You seem to have benefitted in a remarkable way.”


“And then there is Vaxxus.”


“You are aware Vaxxus served the Mule. He is responsible for what happened to your mother.”


“How can you blame a child?”


“I was not responsible for his upbringing. Well, I was.” Gerard seemed uncharacteristically at a loss for word. Then he explained that the Mule had created Syphonic Engines, and used those to create Syphons, copies of the living but malign in their intentions.


“Yes,” Random recalled. “The creation of a homunculus to create confusion.”


Gerard continued, “We of Amber could not be copied by his Engines, though he certainly tried., of course. But you mother was not of Amber.”


“So she is a Syphonic copy?” Selador asked of Vaxxus’s mother.


“She was indeed the victim of his creation, and it was the copy.”


“I see.”


“Ah hah,” Random interjected. “So you lay with someone who was a Syphon?”


Gerard confessed he had, though he had no reason to suspect that at the time. The Mule “placed her in my way.”


“I assumed she was who I had always known.” But, Gerard allowed, Selador’s mother had not agreed that his was a reasonable mistake.


“Your mother went mad,” killing the Syphon but losing her sanity in the process, Gerard lamented. “But then there was the child.”


Selador suggested a child born between Light and Darkness might as equally choose the former as the latter.


“I’d had hopes the child would be like you,” Gerard agreed. “But due to the circumstances of his creation, and the hand of the Mule upon him, he could not fight his nature.”


Gerard said Selador might have as reasonably shunned his father. “I am heartened you have not. The events of the past inform us. It will not so easily with Vaxxus, and it is unlikely he will make it easy for us.”


“This is always how it seems to go for us.”


He had tried to persuade Vaxxus he had a place in Amber, but without success. “He could not see the chance to have the light within him, and have a place with us. His way is to be opposed, not allied. He cannot be made over. I suggest you do not try.”


“This is for Selador to decide,” Random observed. Even a king could not dictate the relationships between brothers.


Gerard relented, but warned Selador, “Always have a ward between you. He has no love for me, as he has no love for you.”


“One senses a great deal of hurt borne by my brother,” Selador stated, adding that a core deep within Vaxxus might still respond to the Light, “Though his wisdom is different from ours.”


“His mother was an abomination,” Gerard insisted. “He might be a parody of you. Even now he is upon the world, intent on his ‘mission of mercy’.”


“We need to keep him on our minds at all times,” Random agreed.


“He will be creating enemies for us that we do not even know,” Gerard confirmed. “It is his gift. He is as the Mule.”


The future king then inquired as to the state of the new Amber, whether it was furnished, or but a bare shell waiting to be filled.


“One cannot say with any certainty. It is transformed Chaos.”


The son then agreed with Random that a coronation or some other event was needed to mark Gerard’s formal ascension to the throne.


“One does not rush to be coronated,” Gerard replied, “But when it is a useful tool for others. It should be witnessed by more than the family.”


Selador observed, “What Amber is now, this stage set forward by the Dragons, will have a great impact when we are all brought forward to the greater stage.”


He suggested that understandings had to be reached with the realms of man within Axildusk as to the pre-eminence of Amber. “They will have to be taught what it is to be a man.”


“Well,” Random mentioned, “they do have their own royal lines and so forth. They are somewhat puppet states, but these things were created so long ago. Even Draegerans recognized those royal lines had rights and privileges to be observed.”


“It depends on how much of a revolution you intend to create here.”


Selador countered, “It is not so much a revolution as an understanding of actuality.”


Gerard said the existing kings and princes would have to be given due consideration. “We cannot reject the idea of princes, as we are to be princes ourselves.”






Then, the discussion turned toward the Amberites’ role as “principal family” of humanity, and their counterparts in other races. Random pointed to the Marilion family of the Veer, since the Draegerans were descendants of that race, as well as the Amethyst and the Cerullean, noting that Asher had innocently mentioned, somehow making a link he shouldn’t have, that the Vast of the realm outside Axildusk might be the Leviathans of the seas, given the relationship of the giants to water.


“What of the Amethyst?”


Random said Asher had mentioned the Shahassans, a tribe of the Empire with the heads of giant predatory felines.


“And the Fit?”


“We do not know there is a principal family for them,” Random admitted, who also mentioned the “Solitaires,” the first members of each race, including Herculean for the Ceruleans and the six of the Outremere, including Gerard’s friend Renaissance. “Yes,” Gerard said of the last. “there is still a reckoning to be had there.” His friend had been given the choice of going to Axildusk, and declined.




Meanwhile, Asher, returned from the hunt, and at the urgings of the other brought his hares to one of the women, since the men claimed not to be cooks. He knew he was being set up, but felt he had no choice, so at random he chose Fiona. Her answer came in the form of decanting that incinerated the hares held by all the men. Asher could but think of his hungry days as a child, and the wasting of perfectly good food, but he allowed no trace of criticism in his expression.


“That was uncalled for, Fi,” Julian protested. “We spent hours hunting these animals.”


“And what of it?” Fiona demanded.


“But what are we to eat?” Finndo asked.


“I will summon a feast for us,” and she did so, a long table full of a vast array of foods.

“Help yourself, men!”


Julian refrained from the feast, claiming he did not find decanted food satisfying.


Caine however indulged himself, as Gerard, Selador and Random returned.


As the dining progressed, Gerard toasted Selador “… of Amber and of Law. Not only has he brought us forth, and into this providential land, but henceforth he is to be known as Amber’s High Sorcerer.”


Fiona’s eyes tightened at this announcement, and she eyed Selador.


“Perhaps, cousin, we can work on something together.”


Selador readily accepted the invitation.


Asher stayed well back from the others. He was trying to decide if these new overlords of humanity would be preferable or not to the Draegerans. They encouraged him to be familiar with them, but carried an air of arrogance and disdain as well. Perhaps the inevitable product of immortality, he supposed. And while he had questioned if anyone immortal could truly be human, the tensions and bickering that flared up from time to time between them eased that worry. They had to be human.


Selador said, “If one might continue the toasting, one would give one’s thanks to and raise a glass to family.”


Asher did not drink to either of the toasts. He felt an outsider here yet and wasn’t sure that would ever change.


Florimel lamented the lack of music and dancing, and Caine assured her she would have her party later.


She seemed simplistic compared to her siblings. Asher, of course, assumed a longstanding ruse so they would underestimate her. It’s what he might have done.


Gerard then set out his plan to have the Amberites form into smaller groups and explore Axildusk, and particularly the human kingdoms within it. He expected Amber would have to support and strengthen their weak reigns for the time being. After a time, all would return to Amber to relay their news.


All seem to agree, and Selador then approaches Lewella, perched daintily nearby on a rock.


“One would seek you advice,” the Law Lord confides. “one house found oneself in a curious situation.”


He then describes his intention to wed the Dzur Lyra, to Lewella’s astonishment. He added he had not considered that, as a prince, his wedding was more likely to be arranged by the king than him.


Lewella, saying she would have to meet Lyra, was invited by Selador to visit Adhrilanka and do so.


He then sought out Corwin on the same subject, who had a warning for him. “There are as many dangers within are family as there are benefits. Ours is the most emotional family, though not everyone chooses to show it. Harbouring a grudge is something of a specialty among some.”


As for him, Corwin planned to travel and investigate the human kingdoms, of which he understood eight existed.


Selador asked of the potential for future success, and Corwin suggested that, given progress, they might even reach the point where they could speak to the Dragon of Time and, rather than undoing their confinement within Axildusk, “We would not become unstuck.”


And, he added, the Noble Thoughts might not be allowed the decision.







Finndo, nearby, suggested to Asher they return to the airship awaiting them. Random informs them he will not be going back to Adhrilanka as of yet.


Selador meanwhile, brings news that Lewella would accompany them. “To aid in my courting. That are political ramifications I was not made aware of.”


He makes psychic contact with Lewella, who had beaten them to the punch.


“Yes. The captain is quite agreeable,” she states, and Selador realizes she is already within the ship.


“She must have left early,” Finndo speculates. “But Lewella often escapes notice. I’m halfway expecting Caine to be the captain, at this point.


But the captain was still the same, an Orca who had given his own cabin, with a lock on the door, to Lewella. Leaving the three men in rooms without. Asher slept soundly, with Bamboo to keep watch, but the others did not.


They arrived in Adhrilanka 10 flying hours later, and take a carriage, ironically, back to the Carriage Crashed Inn. After arriving and starting to eat, Lewella reveals she is considered something of a mystic and fortune teller, with an affinity for dealing with spirit. This comes after he warns her of the danger ghosts pose in the capital city. Then Asher senses someone trying to reach his psychically, and Bamboo helpfully informs him it’s the prince.


“Which prince?” Asher asked. “I know several of a sudden.”


But then he opens his mind to contact, and is unsurprised it comes from Elric, who wishes Finndo, Selador and Asher to serve as his retinue in the conclave of Dragon royalty at Whitecrown, in the palace. They go upstairs to Asher’s room, where Elric appears, then teleports them to the plaza outside the palace, then escorts them inside, where they are greeted by the Lady Klack.


They are the first to arrive, and others trickle in as they wait. Asher waits with his head bowed, peering through separations in the front of his helmet at the newcomers. Eight royal groups eventually enter, followed by Lord Morrolan, who while not a royal himself is the moderator for the gathering. He instructed that Lady Klack controls the “scales,” walls of force that separate the delegations and keep them from hearing each other. Asher suspects further that the scales even distort perception to prevent lipreading.







Elric had informed the Easterners of the identities of those attending as they arrived.


The Dragon Royal Houses were: e’Marish’Chala of Diaborough; rel’Avernus of Stiketto; e’Lanya of Aegelsnakt; e’Terrics of Aegelsnakt; e’Tenith of Tentacle; e’Barrit of Tentacle; e’Mondarr of Skaduan; and finally e’N’varr of Banners.

The e’Marish’Chala delegation was led by High Governor igh’Olann, who was not a Dragon but an Issola representing the ruler of Diaborough; and then Terhesse e'Marish-Chala, the 241-year-old Duchess; Marquis Dellyn rel’Koanna, the Marquis of “Legendary,” the southern Diaborough region; and the absent Viscount Ouk sen’Doavah, Viscount of “Strife,” the northern Diaborough region.


Next, from Stikketo, came House rel’Avernus, led by Othran rel’Avernus, then Seely rel’Avernus, Eise rel’Avernus and Beinne rel’Avernus.


Aegelsnakt was famous for having not one, but two Houses within the city. House e’Lanya was led by Duke Nevermore e’Lanya, and the Duchess Eskanth e’Lanya, followed by Lady Anthay e’Lanya, Baron Moreover e’Lanya, Baron Forever e’Lanya who Asher and Selador had met at the entrance to the Dragon Library in the palace, and Lady Fanjsha e’Lanya.


House e’Terrics was led by Duke Eraxmyx, his two wives Duchess Feyjsha and Duchess Haushun, and Prince Senatse.


The Tentacle Dragons of House e’Tenith were led by Prince Dolis, who sported a black dragon wing behind and above his right shoulder, Princess Kija, Baron Mosa, Baron Nodalys and Baron Olijah.


And the Tentacle Dragons of House e’Barrit were led by Prince Zadotai, Princess Gial, Baron Fuo, Baroness Oithermien, Baron Verre and Baroness Wayyon.


House e’Mondar of Skaduan was led by Prince Bovisar, followed by Princess Phaffys, Countess Shoisha, Count Beynar and Count Daffiar.


The Banners Dragons of House e’N’varr, all seemingly unrelated, was made up of Kalothanne, Aliebien, Oslnaw, Peloi, Wasserkan, Yevien and Kweneroish.





The High Governor stated for the record that the Viscount Ouk had gone missing.


“Do you wish to accuse someone of foul play?” Morrolan asked.


The High Governor said he only wanted the absence noted. Then he put the Duchess on the marriage auction block, or so it seemed. “The Duchess’s hand is available,” the Issola said rather indelicately for one of his House.


Wasserkan of Banners admitted, “I am most intrigued by the possibility.”


“A most interesting proposition,” the High Governor replied, without seeking an opinion from Duchess Terhesse.


Wasserkan said he would defer his proposal, until he saw if a better suitor came along. Discreet Civrien, seemingly a human with a full beard on his face, said “The House rel’Avernus would like to offer Othran as High Dragon King,” and sang his praises. In addition, Othran offered challenge to mortal combat to anyone who opposed him. Morrolan said such an offer seemed premature, so early in the gathering.


“Nevertheless, the challenge stands.”


Wasserkan seemed eager to be first in line. “I would happily accept the challenge at any time.”


Ailbien of Banners interjected, stating he found the suggestion of mortal combat to be both presumptuous and spurious, “for one known as a peacekeeper.”


Othranel responded himself. “I just want it known I’m not here to play games.”


Ailbien said several of the House e’N’varr delegation also sought to be the new Emperor.


Prince Dolis e’Tenith announced, “I am here to be Emperor. Long overtime for an Emperor from Tentacle.”


Prince Zadotai, who holds a Great Weapon that seems to be an arrow, suggested House e’Barrit would rule together and benevolently with a Dragon assembly.


Peloi of Banners turned the subject to the Easterners present in the assembly, while noting he, too, and his fleet were in the hunt to become Emperor.


“The unworthy humans stand between us. It is time to sort out between Draegerans and humans. I call them as I see them. I despise them all.”


Baron Oloijah of House E’Tenith in Tentacle replied, “Peloi is a pirate and a thief. I challenge him in any manner her wishes.”


Then, finally, Elric makes his presence felt.


“I am Prince Elric of Melnibone, an ancient, worthy house.”


He was quick to go to the defence of humans, a hazardous but calculated political move. The city of Adhrilanka itself had its foundations in a human settlement, he contended.


“There are great gifts that the humans have that we have neglected far too long,” he continued, while some of the watching Dragons snickered or exchanged cutting remarks with the sanctity of their own sectors within the scale.


That neglect, he claimed, was why the Jenoine could strike when and where they willed. The Draegerans had weakened themselves through the use of human slaves, but with humans at their side instead of below their feet, they could deal with the Jenoine.


“Some humans have begun to trace their finery upon the world,” he advised. Then he admits to human friends, sending one of the listeners to his feet in outrage, and others overtly shocked.


If some objected to his words, “My scabbard is bare for a reason,” he concluded.


Morrolan was more than a polite host. “I have no horse in this race, but I find in your words much to be commended. It is indeed a new way of speaking.”


Then he called a short recess, to allow discussion by and between the delegations.


Several family groups quietly conferred with themselves and each other.


Prince Dolis of House e’Tenith came over to pay his compliments to Elric.


“I have admired your family for many years,” the newcomer stated, the dragon wing jutting up from behind his right shoulder potential evidence of this. “I have fashioned myself after the Melniboneans as best I can.”


Elric admitted Dolis reminded him of his cousin, who he left unnamed. “I particularly like the skulls.”


Dolis allowed he was honoured to be compared to Elric’s most bitter rival, then asked about the empty scabbard.


“If I saw a weapon worthy of me, I would wield it,” the Melnibonean countered. Such a weapon would be capable of defeating the enemy of the Draegerans.


“I see you are one who inspires in others the giving of pledges,” Dolis uttered drily. “I am not one to give pledges.”


Next to brace Elric was the formidable, at least in appearance, Oloijah e’Tenith. “Can I have a word with you? My house has heard what you said and we are interested. When the Jenoine were defeated, then would come a future of triumph, the baron said, but his master believed that future would be shortlived.”


Elric hoped for a better outcome, and Oloijah nodded. “You admit there is danger, then. I am not willing to sacrifice our world to defeat our enemy.”


After this e’Tenith had departed, Elric turned to his human companions, inviting them to address the gathering, if they wished.


Asher expressed a desire to do so, to Elric’s satisfaction, citing a matter of dragons he believed should be raised by his human companion. Selador, too, sought a time to speak.


Then they are interrupted by Wasserkan of Banners.


“Prince Elric, I am pleased to meet you in the flesh. I am something of an Alchemancer,” and he wondered as to the Melnibonean’s need for such.


Elric thanked him, “… but my interest is in your place in the world, not what you offer.”


Wasserkan allowed he had also heard reports of Finndo, “Who walks as a man.”


Finndo replies, “I am forced to walk as a man.”


“A dangerous thing in Adhrilanka, and especially so beyond this city. Where does this confidence come from?”


“I was born a human,” Finndo replied, as if that was answer enough. “I must abide your opinion of us, until we change your mind.”


“I am one who accepts humans for their differences,” Wasserkan claimed. “Elric, these humans of yours, are they pledged to you?”


“We have an understanding. I am allied with them.”


“You have allied with them?” Wasserkan, the tolerant Draegeran, exclaims in dismay.


But an exchange with Finndo seemed to settle the e’Tenith, and even delight him.


Wasserkan returns to Elric. “Your words to the gathering are meant to be taken seriously?”


“You will find humanity has much to commend it.”


“You’re a Draegeran with a difference,” Wasserkan observes.


Elric said Wasserkan must be aware of his familiarity with a dragons, and an ability to call upon a score of them. “It is time these Dragons hear it.”


As Wasserkan leaves, the recess has gone well beyond its time limit, seemingly with Morrolan’s connivance. He called the gathering back into session, and Asher took his turn to speak.


“My name is Asher. I am a human, I am an Easterner, and I am a citizen of the Draegeran Empire. I have two things to share with you, but you will only go so far. I do not think most of you will believe me, and I leave it to your own investigations to prove what I say is honest.


The first is this. I am certain you are all aware of the Lesser Sea of Chaos. What you might not know is that it is this no more. By the hand of a man, the Amorphia has been cleansed from its water, and now it is merely a sea. If this is not a sign of the emergence of a new state of humanity, I do not know what is.


The second is that I have recently encountered the Dragon Ghilong, who spoke to me, and named me anew as Asher Zi. What this might mean I do not know, save they Ghilong stated he was afraid for what I must become. I take this as another sign, though one I myself am surprised to receive. I do not know my future role yet, but by Ghilong I know there must be one.”


He bowed to the audience in conclusion.


“Most interesting words that you have spoken,” Morrolan noted. “you speak honestly and without seeking advantage? Then I accept you at face value. “The name of Ghilong is known to us. It is a redoubtable name.”


Then came another human’s turn.


“One is Selador, High Sorcerer of Amber.”


What he had to say was not about himself, though, but a poem he had memorized in Sinardin, which he had translated into the common tongue, in tribute to Empress Zerika the Fourth, who still ruled in the Draegeran Empire.







I Gair Vedui (The Last Ship)



When stars faded, Fíriel looked out: The gray night was going. The dawn-singer, reddish-gold bird, from afar Crowed its cry clear and shrill. The trees were dark, the dawn pale, The yellowhammers were singing. A wind passed, which cool and frail Across the dim leaves strayed. 


Ir geil thinner Fíriel tirn-ed: I fuin thind gwannol. I orlinn, aew goll, palan- Nallant gaun lim a maeg. Gelaidh dhuir, minuial ’ael In emlin gliriel. Gwaew athrant, i ring a lain Trî laiss dhyll reniant.


At the window she watched the gleam growing Until the long light [was] glimmering On land and leaf; on the grass there The gray dew [was] glittering. Over the floorboards her white feet crossed And down the staircase twinkled, They sailed leaping through all the grass Which was holding drops of dew.


Na chenneth tirn i ’lîn ’alol Al lû calad and ’ael Bo talf a lass; bo thâr ennas I vîdh vith hilivren. Or phain tail thín fain athranner A dad bendrath tinner, Revianner cabel trî thâr Bân i garel ’wing mîdh.


The edge of her garment held jewels; She ran down to the river. Holding the stem of a willow as a prop She watched the glinting water. A kingfisher dropped down like a stone Falling in a blue flash...


Taeg hammad thín gâr viriath; Norn e dad i hîr, Be dulu garel delch dathren E tirn i nen thinnol. Heledir dannant dad be harn Vi aglar thlûn dannol...

“We thank you for this,” Morrolan graciously offered, when the poem had concluded.


Duke Eraxmys of House e’Terrics of Aegelsnakt observed, “A most intriguing ballad, if I might speak. You have the gift of tongues about you.”


“One has studied it throughout the ages. One is immortal, and a Lord of Law.”


This surprised the High Governor Kozik igh’Olann. “If you are an immortal and an Easterner, how was this achieved? You, a proclaimed human, a Lord of Law? How is this so?”


The Lords of Law were beyond even Draegerans, he added, and one certainly could not be a human.


“My mother was of Law, and my father of Amber,” Selador replied, adding the House of Amber had been re-established upon Axildusk.


“This is most uncalled for, most strange,” the High Governor all but sneered, and he questioned why the gathering should be forced to listen to such.


Morrolan pointed out Lady Klack controlled the Scales, and was responsible for what participants heard, in her wisdom as the chief diplomatic of the Dragons.


“I do not need to be lectured by a Dragon on propriety,” the Issola sneered.


“Perhaps you would like a Dragon to lecture you on the use of the blade?” an icy Morrolan answered, and the Issola backed down.


“I simply wished my objections to be heard,” he claimed.


Prince Zadotai of House e’Barrit, having heard enough, changed the subject.


“I would like to propose my son Baron Fuo as an ideal match for the Duchess when she comes of age.”


“Now that is a match I would consider,” the High Governor enthused.


Duke Eraxmys came over to speak to Elric.


“I find these gatherings rather distasteful,” he told the Melnibonean. “I am not one for posturing or acrimony. Your humans are interesting.”


Eraxmys believed that Draegerans might have become known by that name because of Elric.


Elric replied that his kind had been gifted with pacts with dragons. He could call on them now, and little would be left of the city, he asserted.


“Are you sure it would work?”


“I would be successful, but I am not certain what would come.”


“But you can only call on one, certainly.”


Elric answered that Draegerans could only call upon one dragon.


“I am not a Draegeran. I am a kindred spirit. I am your forefather. I can summon all the dragons, should I choose.”


“How many is that?” Elric only smiles. “Is that a threat to the city?”


“Yes, and you must decide if I am a suitable choice to be an emperor.”


“I think I will support you, but why not announce this?”


“I can only prove it by doing it, and you would reap what is sewn. I do not make a threat. This is below a prince.”


“There is more that you can say, about your people and our destiny.”


“There is no escaping one’s fate. I will be judges as one of you by Time and Shadow.”


“Most will listen to me, should I speak. There are men of sense here.”


“If you follow the wrong way, you will lead us into the ways of the Jenoine,” Elric mourned.


“This fate is ordained?”


“Those who understand the fates of races have told me. There are known as the Doctors.”


“I have seen mention of them in ancient texts. Are they not servants of the Gods?”


“They are not Gods, but they are not servants. I understand the workings of Time and Shadow. I was the Dragon Emperor once before.”


“I must have more, if I am to sway the Dragons to you.”


“If another Dragon Lord should become Emperor, they will turn humans into an army of the Undead, because you have such little regard for them. Much is worthy of the Empire, as Asher says, but there is this flaw in its heart.


“I will redeem its soul.”


He would not allow the bringing forth of the Cadavivva, Elric vowed.


“If we deny you, as is our right, then this is our fate?”


“Then I will have lost. I have an understanding with dragons, but I do not rule them.”


“You take a great risk, but you seem sure of yourself, in any case.”


If chosen, Elric replied, he would lead the Draegerans. “If not, you will receive what you deserve.”


“Choosing an Emperor pales beside what you say is confronting you, but not all will believe a simple Enlyvening will cause this fate,” Eraxmys cautioned.


“The Jenoine must be destroyed, and then we will be set on a new course. The Leviathans you hunt are another race.”


“That makes sense,” Eraxmys replied, then vowed his support to Elric.


As the gathering resumed, Duke Nevermore said he had heard much said about the Duchess Terhesse by the High Governor.


“I am uninterested in frivolities, and the posturing of Peloi and his fleet,” the Duke proclaimed. “My interest is in this newcomer Elric of Melnibone. How is it he is brought to this gathering at all?”


Eraxmys answered disdainfully, “Your dislike of book learning is well known. This one is truly a mighty prince of our people. He is as he claims to be and is rightly prince of el’Nibone. He is the rightful heir to Elde.”


“Elde? Elde?” Nevermore questioned incredulously. “I don’t have any problem with that. I remove my objections.”


A voice offered, “This is the island of Melnibone, as it was known. A place of revolution and irrascible Dragons.”


Eraxmys announced, “I will stand beside Elric in pledge to take the place of our Empress. He has outlined for me the paths before our people. One would result in doom beyond what we could conceive of. Only a few miserable survivors would be left, if we are remembered at all, or I can follow this prince into a more enlightened era. As for Easterners, we know what they are. Perhaps we should learn what they are not.”


Morrolan declared, “It seems this cycle is more important than ever.”


He graciously excluded the humans and the one Issola from further discussions that night, telling them they could return at dawn.


Once they were gone, he added, challenges would be accepted.

Transcribed by R.Perry