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“Guests imply I invited them,” AuRon said. “I didn’t.”
Natasatch sighed. “The Tyr will go where he will in the lands of his Alliance. I just wish he hadn’t decided to come so soon. We’ve hardly settled in.”
“He said something about bringing the Aerial Host,” Istach added.
“Aerial Host. More like Aerial Appetites. Dairuss isn’t a rich land. If half the Lavadome descends on me, they’ll eat these hills dry.”
“Perhaps if you serve him a poor meal, they won’t visit again,” Istach said.
Natasatch glared at her.
“Perhaps Naf could be convinced to offer a bounty on scrawny old crows. I’d like to set a platter of beaks and feathers in front of my brother. The arrogance.”
“Your son will be with them, I expect. We wouldn’t want to shame AuSurath among his new comrades in the Host.”
“It is an honor to host the Tyr,” Istach said. “You should make an effort.”
“Is that why you keep our daughter around?” AuRon asked. “To gang up on me like a wolf pack?”
“Very well. Istach, do you have any strength left in your wings?” Natasatch asked.
“A little mutton would help.”
“After you’ve eaten, fly down to Ghioz and tell Imfamnia that we must entertain the Tyr. She’s experienced with this sort of thing. I’d like to hear her advice.”
“When did you meet Imfamnia?” AuRon asked.
“She flew by when you were out on one of your surveying the countryside flights with our good king. Her mate wasn’t feeling well and she needed to get out. It was just a social call. She offered her advice in our role as Protector.”
AuRon didn’t know why that troubled him, but it did. “You could have told me.”
She clacked her griff in reply.
“Well, if we’re going to ask for advice, let’s at least fly down to her rather than bring her here. I don’t like her poking around Dairuss.”
AuRon recognized the Ghioz Protector’s resort. NiVom and Istach had settled in to the old carving on the mountainside. The face had scaffolding over it and works were being carried out on an enormous scale.
“A feast?” Imfamnia said, upon their arrival the next day. “Why didn’t you say so as soon as you landed?”
She shared a quick prrum with Natasatch, who said: “I’m still getting used to all the traditions between Protectors. Istach said something about asking permission to land, making sure I didn’t alight above you…”
“Oh—we’re equals and friends, Dearflame. Don’t trouble yourself about protocol. We’re neighbors. What’s more, we’re few dragons in a land of many men. We must learn to rely on each other.”
Imfamnia guided them inside. Some of the doors and passageways had been enlarged to accommodate dragons. The floors shone brighter than they had even under the Red Queen.
“Mind your claws, please,” Imfamnia said.
“I’m to host an Imperial Feast,” AuRon said. “The Tyr is coming, along with some of the court and members of the Aerial Host.”
Imfamnia’s scale raised and resettled as she thought. “An Imperial Feast, no less. I’m only too happy to be of service to my neighbor. I must call my mate. NiVom!” She sent a human servant scurrying with a nip, his head tucked in between his shoulders like a turtle.
“I’m worried about having enough for them to eat,” Natasatch said. “Dairuss isn’t crawling with cattle. From what I understand lambing season is coming up and the herds can’t be disturbed.”
“When is it to be?”
“Sixteen days’ time.”
“Oh, food’s no trouble at all, then,” Imfamnia said. “We’ll load a few barges with cattle, and we’ll have them at the door of your King Naf’s dome in three days’ time, with a day to spare in case of mischance. Just don’t hold it up in the mountains, or anything. Somewhere easy to drive cattle from the riverbank.”
