![]() When we most needed her help, she was there for us. She kept the Chalcedean ships from the mouth of the Rain Wild River. Without her actions during our war with Chalced, Bingtown itself might have perished. But her voice firmed as she went on, “But I do know that many Bingtown Traders gave their word to her that they would do all they could to help her offspring in return for her aid. She could simply be far afield, or some terrible accident may have befallen her. And I have not heard Tintaglia nor felt her touch in months. “My brother is traveling, and all know how irregular the mails are from abroad. “Have you heard from either your brother or the dragon Tintaglia?” Trader Polsk ignored her words and pushed her advantage. ![]() Do any of you see fit to be honest with me?” The lights around her dimmed, very slightly. “I see that there is something here I do not know, something that propels the urgency of this expedition. “I see nothing of the kind,” Malta retorted in a low voice, but there was a tattered edge of defeat to it. You would better use your time to help us plan the best way to aid them in their evacuation. Now is not the time to flaunt your powers to make us cower. Look how many of them have already died, and those who remain are in poor condition. But there is the possibility that if we send them upriver, they may find a better location for themselves. “Tintaglia has vanished and left us with a horde of hungry dragons to care for! What would you have us do? Keep them here on the very doorstep of Cassarick? It is not good for them or for us! Keeping them here will solve nothing. “Has she?” Trader Polsk hissed back at the Elderling. The light from them glittered and ran over her scaled face and gleaming arms. ![]() Have you considered arranging to keep your word to the dragon Tintaglia? As per the signed contract we made?” The floating orbs ringed her now, leaving most of the rest of the room in dimness. “Impartial? A Council representative who is ‘impartial’? Perhaps a representative for the dragons should be assigned also, to see that the dragons are fairly treated and that our contract is observed. So we have arranged for someone to accompany the dragons and provide an impartial evaluation.” “The dragons may not realize when we have reached a point where we have done all we can for them. One Council member gave a brief huff of uneasiness, but the others kept stony faces of indifference. Whatever had anchored them before gave way as the balls of light began to slowly but purposefully drift toward Malta. The shimmering gold orbs that lit the room slowly began to shift their positions. The set of her mouth proclaimed her anger, but there were other signs of it as well. “And the Council representative? Why is one necessary? Will not the dragons know when they are ‘appropriately settled’ and release their keepers from ser vice?”Ī strange light had come into the Elderling woman’s eyes.
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