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For the first time, NiVom looked doubtful. “You’re leaving as well, Wistala?”
“I’m his Queen-Consort.”
“That’s an informal tradition. There’s no need for you to leave.”
“Other than the duty I owe my brother. I abandoned him to his fate once. I won’t do it again.”
“Very well. The banishment applies to you, as well, then.”
“I am a Hypatian citizen by position,” Wistala said. “I’m not sure you can banish me from Hypatia. But I take it I am free of my oaths to the Firemaids?” Wistala asked.
“That is for you to resolve with your conscience.”
“I’ll not wait here,” the Copper said. “I hope you enjoy a quieter reign than I did, SiHazathant.”
“Thank you, RuGaard. BaMelphistran, see to it that he leaves in safety and security, and is supplied with whatever he wants that will aid him on his journey. Do this if you value your position as head of the Aerial Host.”
The Copper took one last look at the Audience Chamber, full of banners won in victories. He’d been at many of those battles. He’d miss the clucks and squawks of griffaran over him.
“Why did you join me?” he asked AuRon as they returned to the plaza atop the Imperial Rock to take off.
AuRon blinked. “It’s one way out of your crossbreeding of human and dragon society. I now have an excellent excuse never to return.”
“What about your mate?”
AuRon shifted his feet, as though trying to decide what to say. “She has a tooth for this sort of life. It’s not for me. She thinks of the Alliance as her home, not my island.”
“It looks like your island will have to do for me. And Nilrasha, though she’ll have to make the journey on foot. If you’ll have us, that is.”
“You may find it quiet, after the Lavadome.”
“I should very much like a little quiet. Let’s get a mouthful before we take off. I want to get to my mate’s cave before the news of this reaches her.”
Chapter 18
To the Copper, AuRon was entirely too cheerful about leaving the Lavadome.
NiVom, with his gargoyle escort, relished watching him fly into ignominity, flapping along with the artificial joint doing its job—just.
They took the swiftest exit they could, the south door, even if it meant a longer flight north to Nilrasha’s eyrie.>“I represent an alliance of my own,” NiVom said. “There are some dozen of us, Protectors all, who believe your rule has grown rather—erratic of late. There’s a rumor going around that you mean to groom AuRon’s daughter Istach to take your place. We won’t have it. Many of the dragons left in the Lavadome agree.”
“We’ll see. Call the Aerial Host,” the Copper ordered.
BaMelphistran stood still.
“You just lost your leadership and your good name, NoSohoth! Send for AuSurath.”
No messenger moved. The Griffaran Guard stood still, without an actual attack on the Tyr’s life requiring action, they had no reason to become a part of the conflict.
The Copper felt a brief dizziness, as though the polished stone beneath his feet had suddenly fallen away and he was suspended in space. He lashed his tail to keep from fainting.
“It’s already too late,” NiVom said.
“Meaning?” the Copper asked.
“We’ve just recognized a new Tyr.”
Behind him, the Copper heard Shadowcatch’s teeth grinding louder than ever.
