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“If the peace is questionable, what of the alternative?” the Copper asked. “Is the threat credible?”
“Ghioz has raided our coasts,” HeBellereth said. “Stolen our property. They’ve fortified their piece of Bant. And then there are those cursed birds. They’re like griffaran, faster-flying and quicker-turning than dragon, and our fire is almost useless. They simply rise out of the way, they can climb faster than a dragon.”
“They carried off thralls from my cousin’s estate in Komod,” one of the Wyrr leaders said.
At this the Copper wished Sreeksrack present. He’d enjoy his reaction to the idea that another headhunter might carry off thralls to which he was entitled.
“I have more recent reports from Anaea,” the Copper said. “Great birds, which must have come from Ghioz, have been seen over the kern fields in the mists and dark. They do not fly all the way there to take the scenery, I think.”
At this there was more grumbling.
“I was not aware of this,” LaDibar said. “Did the Upholder send a new report?”
“I have sources of my own there.”
“Can you trust the observation of one of those bats?” LaDibar asked, making the logical leap.
“I’m convinced that Ghioz put a blight on our precious kern,” the Copper said, feeling his firebladder pulse at LaDibar’s tone. “I think we can all guess who advised them as to the importance of the kern trade. Those of you whose hills lost hatchlings to the blight have my promise to avenge those deaths.”
He let that sink in a moment, then continued.
“Ghioz has invited its own destruction. If we cannot have kern, we cannot long exist in the Lower World. Perhaps we can get a trickle from the southern provinces, but will that be enough to keep the Lavadome healthy?
“I offer an alternative. We only need kern because we do not see sunlight from year to year, unless our duties call us to the surface. I propose a return to the sunlight.”
At that all gasped.
“The hominids will unite to destroy us,” LaDibar said.
“Yes, they fight among themselves now, but let them know of our existence . . .” an elderly Firemaid agreed.
“I did not say this would be easy, or without danger. Wistala, you’re familiar with hominids. I’ve been told you spent years in Hypatia. Tell us your judgment.”
His sister stared up at him, wondering for a moment. “One dragon is a curiosity. How they would react to a score of scores, I cannot say. But Hypatia, with a thousand or more years of culture dating back to Anklamere’s time or before, has need of friends if she is to resist the Red Queen. We may find more welcome and gratitude if we but speak to them.”
An excited murmur broke out.
“As equals,” Wistala said.
And the excitement turned to growling. Equals? Hominids? Stupid, short-lived, shortsighted . . .
“Hear her,” the Copper called. “Hear her, now.”
He read new feelings in her expression, he thought. The pity and perhaps contempt had been replaced by something else. He thought it might be respect, but wondered if he flattered himself.
“Certainly, an individual hominid can’t compare to a dragon,” LaDibar said. “But together, they accomplish great things. They’re like ants—they have a form of collective intelligence.”
Wistala raised her head. “Tyr, if we must fight the Ghioz, we would do better to have allies.”
“We would.”
“Hypatia has warriors, men and elves and dwarves and the ships and roads to move them. If they were aided by your—our—dragons, it could mean a new beginning for hominids and dragons.”
“I’m more concerned about an ending,” the Copper said. “An ending to dragons hiding underground. Will you speak for us to Hypatia?” the Copper asked.
“What may I promise them in assistance?”
“At the very least a few of your Firemaids. Much will depend on the Red Queen’s moves.”
