“The Velli are…” I paused, thoughts pacing through old wounds. “Persistent and restless. It took too long to push them into a treaty. They never made it far into Radaan, but I never crossed the Craggs either. Perhaps I should’ve. Still, after years of war, I want something that keeps my people safe. A show of force.”
“Then I’ll send five bulls,” Nereus said. “The largest I’ve got. That’ll ease our tithe as well as provide you protection—but are you prepared to feed them? I won’t have complaints about them snatching livestock.”
“There’s plenty of game in the mountains.” Nienna shot me a look, smirking.
I cleared my throat, swallowing a laugh. “They’ll be fed,” I said. “Their protection’s worth the cost.”
“And the riders answer only to my daughter. If there’s fault or crime, she handles it—or they go home.”
“Understood.” The words tasted like iron. I’d need a full list of which dragons returned with us—and everything Nienna knew about their riders. Strangers who believed themselves above the law had no place in my kingdom.
“Speaking of crime,” Nyxaria mused, turning my way. “Have you heard of your man, Ludwig?”
I drew a breath, steadying it, and Nienna perked up, intrigued.
“I have been informed about an incident in K’lan, though I’ve yet to speak with him.”
“Anincident!” Ronan laughed. “He tore a tavern apart with his bare hands.”
“I should’ve known you were there,” I groaned.
“He’s a beast of a man.” Nereus shook his head. “Haldor claims he took down five of my men before they knocked him out. All over some married woman.”
“Captain Jensen’s respected,” I said, lips tight. “Fallione picked him for speed, trust, and precision. I wouldn’t have boarded just any ship to cross the sea. The captain earned my confidence—and that extends to his crew. I’ll speak to Ludwig myself before passing judgment.”
“You’ll remain here for a while yet,” Nyxaria said. “Perhaps we can find work for your men. Let them earn something to take back to their families.”
“Send them to the Wild Shores,” Ronan offered with a shrug.
His mother tilted her head in thought.
Nienna’s frown deepened. “To do what?” she asked.
“Log, build, forage. Keep them away from the cities if tensions rise.” Nyxaria lifted a shoulder. “It’s a sound prospect.”
“You’d send my men to the island your dragons refuse to stay on overnight?” I gave her a tight smile. “I won’t ask of them what I’m not willing to do myself.”
An idea spawned in my mind.
“If you insist on sending them, I’ll go as well,” I added. “For a few days.”
Nienna sat upright, eyes narrowed to slits. Her face screamed she was guessing at my plans and I almost chuckled at the way she wore her feelings on her sleeve in private. In the dining hall, she would have remained composed, and no one would have been able to decipher what she was thinking.
“It’ll take time to get there and back,” Nereus murmured, more to himself than to us. “I’d have to leave Argos or use the Dragon Ship.”
“It’s still under maintenance,” Nyxaria reminded him. “Preparing for the voyage to Radaan.”
“I admit, I’m intrigued by these shores,” I said. “Another continent? This chance won’t come again.”
Fallione wouldn’t be pleased—not when alliances and trade deals waited to be forged with the Draconis populace. But he could manage those.
Nyxaria’s gaze slid to her husband. “I’ll stay with Ronan. No one knows the Wild Shores like you, Nereus. You could show Nienna before she returns to Radaan.”
Nienna’s head whipped toward her father, braid swinging. She’d never been there, but judging by how the Awakening and its lights affected her, she wanted to. Her mother must’ve sensed my plan, and supported it.
“Round trip takes a week by ship,” Nereus said, sniffing. “We drop off your men, keep them out of trouble, and send for them when you’re ready to return.”
That would give them close to three weeks of work.
