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had achieved such status, you would still be the lowest ranked here. Furthermore, the ‘race traitor’ to whom you refer is a great dragon and has been since the Fourth World. You will show her your respect, even if she is not present, and even if she is currently at odds with the rest of us. Failure to do so would be unwise.”

Aladyas, appearing as a Caucasian woman in her early twenties with a radiant blue-hair and multiple piercings in her ears and eyebrows, froze for a second before bowing her head deep. “My apologies, my Loremaster. My apologies, most revered Lung. I allowed my passions on this matter to get the better of me.”

“You must learn restraint quickly, young one, or your place in our ranks will be short lived,” said Lofwyr. “And to answer your insinuation in that ill-conceived remark, the reason I have not taken a more immediate visceral action against Hestaby is because two of our members, Rhonabwy and Masaru, are strongly allied with her. She recently opened up a dialogue with the Rain Queen, and those talks, despite my vigorous attempts to disrupt them, appear to be making some progress. Th e four of them are formidable group, one not easily overcome by raw strength alone. A frontal assault against them would do more harm than good. I admit Hestaby’s betrayal of our traditions and our trust must not go unpunished, yet taking direct, violent action against her will result in unacceptable bloodshed amongst our kind. To allow such a loss to our society, which remains in such a fragile stage since the end of the Fift h World, would only entice our metahuman enemies to keep coming aft er us and our interests. And a signifi cant loss in our population would likely result in power vacuums and in-fi ghting amongst our ranks the likes of which we have not seen in millennia. No, openly attacking Hestaby would risk us losing the culture and the civilization that we are fi ghting to preserve here today. As Loremaster, I must seek to ensure bloodshed amongst our kind is kept to a minimum. Th is matter must be handled with a delicacy and a precision that you have yet to master. At this moment, I am not inclined to take steps to have her killed, but merely severely punished. I desire your input on how best to punish Hestaby and to make sure that punishment happens quickly in metahuman terms, and that it becomes very visible for the world to take note.”

“If we’re talking about loss amongst our kind, in my humble opinion our culture has already lost too much from our ranks when Nachtmeister fell, honorable Loremaster,” Aden said, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

Lung spoke in a mild tone before Lofwyr’s anger could erupt. “Please, indulge me, Loremaster, but let us return our attention to the matter of Hestaby before we become sidetracked by our own personal squabbles. If I may be so bold, would it not be wise to consider calling upon the full council to consider even harsher punishments for her? Perhaps going beyond the boundaries you have previously set? We have been steadily attacking her fi nancial interests; we have successfully agitated strife in the Northern Crescent region where she has prided herself on establishing a lasting peace between its inhabitants and the Tír government. We have exploited and manipulated information released from Horizon implying that she had a much larger role getting Horizon established in the Tír than she actually had. Her popularity in the court of public opinion has fallen signifi cantly because of our eff orts, and she has lost several of her trusted metahuman contacts in the region. It is my judgment, however, that she appears to be weathering the storm better than expected. She has suff ered approximately one billion nuyen in losses in her revenue streams, but to her that is minor.

suff er any ill consequences. In my opinion, ostracizing her entirely from our culture or even the bringing up the possibility of imprisonment are punishments worth considering. As you are undoubtedly aware, Loremaster, these options can only be pursued by the full assembly. At the very least, we should put her on trial for her misconduct, similar to the way she would have the metahumans try Sirrurg in their courts for the crimes they say he committed.”

“Your counsel carries a certain wisdom, Lung. But I am not entirely certain calling for the full council is the appropriate move for the current circumstances. From what I have been hearing, many of our kind have decided that this is the right moment to settle old grudges. Th ree members of our ranks have been slain since last year by those among us seeking vengeance for past transgressions. I have heard of four other dragons fending off similar assassination attempts from those of our own blood. Others have had their hordes raided by their brethren. If we call an offi cial council together, those looking to settle scores could turn a formal function into a bloodbath.

“With previous councils, I would have had no trouble trusting our members to uphold our customs of respect and civility while at a council meeting. Now, though, the old loyalties that originally bound us together appear to be crumbling. I feel that caution is warranted. Some measure of stability in our ranks needs to be achieved before a council meeting would be possible. Besides, Hestaby has been around for quite a while. A lot of great dragons on the council younger than her owe her a signifi cant number favors. Th e infl uence she can amass and wield can delay any verdict by the assembly by decades, if not longer. I’m afraid this is a problem that must be dealt with in the present, by those who are here. We may have to consider stepping up our attacks not only against Hestaby and her interests, but also Rhonabwy, Mujaji, and Masaru. We need to convince our misguided brethren that supporting the Lady Hestaby during this time of unrest is not in their best long-term interests. I know this may not be the popular thing to do, as many of you here have a fondness for both Rhonabwy and Masaru. But this situation calls for it. Th ey have made their choice, and they must live with it.

“I also must point out that Hestaby isn’t the only problem we are forced to deal with here tonight. Th ere is the growing and alarming problem of Alamais and his ilk in GeMiTo.”

Lofwyr’s face visibly contorted, revealing a flicker of disdain and searing anger before the golden western dragon quickly regained control of his emotions and returned his features to a neutral expression. “Not only has Alamais refused formal requests to talk with me about his activities in GeMiTo, but his followers are refl ecting his disobedience and defi ance toward our traditions. Th ey also have spurned an invitation for an audience with me to discuss matters. I have asked that he and his followers cease the unabashed feeding frenzy they have so blatantly displayed within GeMiTo, where they have put on a public display for the world to witness and resent. I have asked that his group return the items taken from GeMiTo and then disband. He and his follower have not complied with any of these demands, and the outrage from metahumanity is only growing louder. Yesterday along my offi ces in Essen received another hundred calls from local business leaders and government offi cials calling for swift action to stop the violence that is being perpetrated on those metahuman citizens in GeMiTo. Alamais has nearly a dozen young adult dragons following him now. My intelligence assets that are monitoring this situation on a global level inform me that three more may his ranks soon. We must

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cause, who possess no desire to hold onto our traditions, and who would foolishly risk war within our own kind as well as full out war with metahumanity. While I do not support the killing of Hestaby at this point, I must put forth the notion to this assembled group that Alamais must face our collective wraith for his sedition. He and his followers must be put to death.”

Immediately, Arleesh spoke up. “I respectfully disagree, Loremaster. I fail to see how the deaths of at least thirteen of our kind would be any less harmful and destructive to our future than the deaths of Hestaby and her allies. Th ere has to be another way to enforce our laws without such a drastic action. Many of those dragons that foolishly follow Alamais now are still early on in their lives and are continuing to develop. Th e loss of their potential would be a disheartening waste.”

Another adult dragon spoke up as well. “With respect to my elders and betters, I too would object the slaughter of the esteemed Alamais and his followers, If we are to punish both Hestaby and Alamais for their crimes, their punishments should be the same. Hestaby came aft er your holdings, honored Loremaster, and destroyed your complex in Dubai. Th is challenge to the sitting Loremaster has to be held at the same level of contempt as Alamais’ defi ance. So if Alamais is executed, the same must be done to Hestaby. If Hestaby is spare, so much Alamais and his followers.”

“Th at incident you refer to, young one, had nothing to do with me as Loremaster. Th at was … personal, an act based on very complicated set of circumstances, including our rather complicated relationship. It is a fi ne distinction that you must learn to make when dealing with our politics. And I understand your concerns, Talidyr. Namely that your potential mate is currently among those following Alamais.”

“She is, my lord,” replied the male dragon, whose metahuman form resembled a young elf.

“To address your concern that Alamais and Hestaby must be dealt with in equal terms, you must understand that the circumstances in which they fi nd themselves are in no way equal. Th eir punishments, therefore, must be treated in diff erent measures. Hestaby has proven over the years to be an exceptionally skilled spellcaster. She has a talent rarely seen in our culture, and she likely knows secrets and techniques that many of us still have not discovered. Her loss of wisdom and experience would be a true tragedy for our kind. Alamais has shown no similar talent that could make a substantial contribution to our race. “We must also take into consideration the fact that Hestaby is still of an age where she is capable of providing viable eggs. Our numbers are such that losing someone with that capability would be a burden for our race. Alamais, however, does not enjoy that same protection. And those he leads are far from being great dragons. Th ey have made no signifi cant contributions to our race. Th ey have gained no important wisdom or knowledge that they can impart upon the rest of us. At this moment, I fi nd more value in their deaths than I do in their continued existence.”

“Not to be disrespectful, my liege,” Talidyr said, “but I dispute the fact that the young dragons that are following Alamais have yet to make contributions. I feel I must correct the record and state that Larnala and I have mated. I have learned just a few days ago that our union was successful, and it produced four fertilized eggs.”

“And if I’ll assume those eggs have been turned over to Alamais, correct?”

“Unfortunately, Loremaster, it is. From what I have learned from Larnala, he may even be in possession of eggs from another one

Lofwyr did not shift in his chair, and expression did not change in any aspect but one—he blinked. Th at was enough to send a brief current of psychic murmrus up and down the table.

“Th is concerns me greatly,” he fi nally said. “Th ose eggs are not worth much to us so long as Alamais controls them. He will poison the minds of the young before they even hatch. I am glad you called this to my attention, Talidyr. Th is only provides further justifi cation that Alamais and the discord he is sowing must end now.”

Talidyr spoke again, this time with a note of urgency that made others glance at Lofwyr nervously, waiting for him to cut the younger dragon off . “It is my belief,” Talidyr said, “that those eggs as well as the dragons that follow Alamais are not completely lost to us. Eff orts must be made to help our allies see reason. I believe I can help Larnala shake off whatever chains are holding her back and free herself from Alamais’ infl uence. Since we are of one race, I feel that we owe it to them to try. Once that happens, I believe she will remove the eggs from Alamais’ care.” He paused. “If I succeed, might I indulge the Loremaster in showing leniency to her for her transgressions?”

“You do not know Alamais like I do, child,” Lofwyr raised his voice in ire at the adult dragon. “if there are any attempts to leave his side, Alamais will see them as a sign of weakness. He will kill her, along with any others who try to leave. And he will retain all the eggs that were put under his care. You need to accept this fact: One way or another, all of those dragons will end up dying.”

Lofwyr scanned the faces of all the young dragons present in the conference room, and immediately he became concerned. Th e young dragons were shift ing in their seats and looking away from him. Th ey did not have the look of resolve they would need. Th e resolve he needed them to have on his behalf.

He sighed, though only to himself. He knew what they were thinking. Th ey were considering their options, thinking, even if only briefl y, about the other side and what it might have to off er them. Th inking about a side that had no right to exist. A side that was going to push him to something he hated perhaps more than anything else in the world: a concession.

“Perhaps, though, their lives can be prolonged for a time. Your argument is not without merit. If you, or any of your young kind can reach these dragons and convince them to abandon Alamais and his cause, they will be shown a degree of mercy. Th ey will have to agree to have an audience with me, where I will instill in them draconic law and customs. Th ey can then assume a probationary existence.

“I will stay my hand for sixty days. You or anyone present will have that long to convince your associates to do the right thing. Once those sixty days are over, we will act in accordance to our laws. Th ose who succeed in removing our young subjects from the clutch of Alamais will enjoy the favor of the Loremaster. Th ose that participate in the inevitable altercation to end Alamais’ treason will also have my favor.”

“Th is bears mentioning. Loremaster, because I am certain others will ask” Aden said. “You have been at odds with Alamais for thousands of years. What kind of assurance can you give us that you are not manipulating us into taking care of an old rivalry that up to this point you have not taken care of for yourself, either by choice or by inability? Engaging in this proposed violence is, of course, warranted and proper when the outcome is in the best interests of our civilization. But if you are using your authority in a self-serving way, it can be argued that you would be abusing the authority of your position. Why not take out

Urgent Message... “And to what end, Aden? How does that serve to unify our kind

and preserve our culture? If I act alone in this matter—and make no mistake, I am more than able to take on that job if I choose to— others who are already taking their vengeance out on their individual enemies will continue to do so with impunity. Th ey won’t look to me or anyone else for leadership or unity. Th e assembly, when called upon, will be looked upon with scorn and derision. Our revered position of Loremaster would no longer hold any sway. And our kind will act more and more like individuals, to the benefi t of no one. We need to stand together on this, or we risk falling into anarchy.”

“I would like, for a moment, to return to the matter of Hestaby, Loremaster,” Lung said. “I must take exception to your logic in holding back against Hestaby because of her ability to produce off spring. She has shown no desire in this new age to take on a mate or reproduce. It could be decades before she moves in that direction. As Talidyr has mentioned, there are other female dragons willing to reproduce at this time, and they are doing so. If Hestaby is unwilling to utilize that choice, there is no reason to show her deference simply based on potential.”

Arleesh replied with force. “Lung, you know as well as I do that the assembly has never before set rules on my gender on when we must reproduce and how frequently. I have also not chosen to mate in this era. Do you plan to hold that against me as well? Just because Hestaby has yet to make that choice, that doesn’t mean we should not take into consideration her possible future off spring and the long-term benefi ts they could bring to our race. I believe the Loremaster is wise to anticipate future events and new participants in those events.”

“Th ere are defi nitely issues that should be addressed by a new assembly,” Lung admitted. “Procreation certainly is one of them, especially if we are placing such a special value on those among us who can produce viable, fertilized eggs. It has been far too long since an assembly was called. I continue to assert that we need one soon, Loremaster. Much of this dissention has arisen because we have not gathered to work out our existing problems. One has to wonder how much of this confl ict could have been avoided had Lady Hestaby sought