Remtani woke to a strange sound. Then he heard voices. He lit a candle with a spell and looked around. He saw nothing, but could still hear the voices. “What is it?” Jaidu asked. “Shh.” He tried to make out what was said. It almost sounded like Ertonian, but he didn’t speak much of that. He looked at Jaidu. “Can you understand them?” Jaidu shook her head. “Is that the charm from the Tamerians?” Remtani groaned. He needed coffee. It was way too early. He dressed and found the charm. “How do you say, ‘wait’ in Ertonian?” Jaidu told him as she started dressing. He activated the charm and repeated the phrase, hoping they understood. Someone repeated it back. Then there was a question asked. He glanced at Jaidu. “Ann is on her way. I think he’s asking if you’re Ertonian.” She took the charm spoken into it. Remtani only understood the words Ertonian and Princess Annlonna. “I told Ann to meet us,” Jaidu said. She led him to a meeting room. They sent a page for Emeton. He looked as bleary-eyed as Remtani felt. He handed his son a cup of coffee. Ann followed, looking a bit like she’d just gotten up too. She took the charm from Jaidu and started speaking. Jaidu excused herself. “I explained it was night here and we weren’t together. I’m going to cast a translation spell so we can communicate,” Ann told the others. “Couldn’t you have put that into the charm?” Emeton asked. “I could, but you don’t like me going into a trance, which is what would’ve happened.” She was irritable. She must’ve been asleep too. Even though he knew she shouldn’t have it, Remtani offered her his coffee. She took a sip and gave it back. “Thanks.” And with that small gesture, she relaxed. In all his years of watching Ann to avoid hurting her, Remtani had found simple gestures to show she was appreciated went a long way to make her happy. He sent a page for a mug of hot cocoa for her. “If this is that difficult, would it be better to talk face to face,” the man was asking. Ann glanced at Emeton and Remtani. “On Tameria or Torthoc?” Remtani asked. “We were thinking of a neutral world. Earth is close enough for you to get to.” “Does the spell translate Baj-tisk?” Remtani whispered as softly as he could. Ann’s hearing was similar to that of any other dragon and better than humans. If the charm picked it up, they Tamerians wouldn’t hear it. She shook her head. “There’s too much copper there. We’ll be at a disadvantage,” he said in dragon. “Any mages will have to be those who could cast there. They’ll draw attention with their weapons,” Ann pointed out. The page came with the cocoa and Ann smiled. Emeton shook his head. “I don’t want to put an unexpected world at risk. They come here.” “Even after what happened the last time?” Remtani asked. “Limited people gated in, constant supervision, and restricted movement. It’s what we offer all our potential allies.” Remtani nodded and made the counter offer. “How many can come?” Torin asked. “Your law bureau and two guards per member. Do you need servants?” “While we usually have aides when we work, we won’t need to bring them. After what happened the last time, we know how much trust you’re putting in us.” “We’ll have scribes and pages available as you need them,” Emeton promised. “Thank you.” “When would you like to come?” Remtani asked. “We can be ready in a day, but you may need more time.” “We can be ready at that time,” Emeton assured them. “Very well. We’ll talk face-to-face then. We realize your time is different, so we’ll wait for your gate.” “We’ll see you then,” Emeton said. He nodded to Ann to end the spell. “Will the charm continue to record what they say?” He asked. “It was for three days, but I’ll end it when they get here,” Ann said. “Any servants or guards will need translation charms.” “I’ve been working on them,” Ann assured him. “Have the others help. Save some of your strength.” “We’ll need you to lead the mages if there’s a fight,” Remtani added before Ann could think Emeton didn’t trust her magic. “If you’re not at full strength, Morina may take over. Her solution the last time was to destroy a city.” Ann nodded. “Now, get back to sleep. You drank my coffee. You obviously need more rest.” Ann nodded and left. “Thanks,” Emeton said. “I think I’m getting too old.” “You’re only in your fifties. You’re hardly old. There’s just a lot going on. Bacna will help handle the nobles with Irkali’s help. Janta will hold audience for you.” “And who is supervising the guards? Not Andy. He needs to help Ann.” “No. Crito is.” Emeton nodded. “It’s too bad he’s not a prince. He could take over as general.” “Does the general have to be a prince? It’s not a treaty law. Is it a law or just a tradition?” Emeton frowned. “I’m not sure. I’ll look into it.” “You’ve got enough to do. Ask someone else.” “The last time I did that, Kith was killed.” “What?” “I asked Pt’this to look into the law to see if a princess could marry a non-citizen and he missed where it said they had to be from a friendly kingdom. We didn’t find out until she was of age. Because I was upset, I made a ruling I shouldn’t have and Kith died.” “Kith didn’t die because he was trying to get citizenship. And he still would’ve gone up there if he were married. Don’t blame yourself. And don’t ask Pt’this to look up things. Talk to a librarian, Ann, Ti, or Janta. This time, ask Janta, but tell him to wait until after the Tamerians leave. There’s no rush. You have another fifty years on you, if not more.” “There’s always accidents or murder.” “I can do both for a short time if needed. But I’m not worried. Go get some rest.” Emeton nodded. “You too.” *** Remtani brought half the honor guard he’d sent to other cities back to Sen-gan. He wasn’t ready to ask them to sacrifice themselves for the kingdom like the first honor guards had, but he knew they would protect it. “This won’t create a pinhole, will it?” Emeton asked for the seventh time. “No,” Chapado assured him. “To make a pinhole, you need to leave the gate open for four days.” “You’re sure?” “Yes. I’ve run tests.” She glanced at Kritalla. “With permission.” Emeton sighed. “Okay, Ann, open the gate.” Ann cast the spell, watching closely to make sure they weren’t planning to try to push an army through. She didn’t detect any trickery but for the most part, she’d only spoken to Torin. The others could be plotting something without him knowing. She counted eighteen people. It looked like they were abiding by that stipulation. She switched to heat vision and no one else showed up. The gate was only large enough for them to walk single file, and she closed it right after the last one. She then cat a translation spell. Emeton stepped forward with a smile. “Welcome to Menthanla. I’m King Emeton. This is my son, General Remtani and my daughter Ambassador Annlonna. Pt’this and Mishtali are the ambassadors for the dragons. Chapado and Kritalla are Ertonians ambassadors. The elves in Erilu asked to be involved, but we don’t want to overwhelm you. If you want, they can send a representative, otherwise Ann can speak for them.” “I am Chief Torin. These are Agents Mizzda, Lomna, Dosas, Berif, and Venit. Thank you for your hospitality. We don’t want to overwhelm you with hosting so many,” Torin said. “Most of these live here,” Emeton assured him. “But you don’t have to decide now. Get settled. We can talk at dinner. The last time your people were here, they preferred a pressed food bar. Is that still the case?” “It is, but I doubt you have anything like them.” “No, we don’t. But we’ll talk to the chef about making things that will sit well with you,” Emeton promised. “You don’t have to go to any trouble,” Lomna assured him. “All races have different needs. It’s no trouble for one extra.” He made a gesture. Jev came from where he’d stood near Merton and Miklin and began passing out the translation charms. Remtani had asked him to pretend to be a servant to give him someone there he could trust that they would underestimate. “This is Jev. He’s in charge of the servants who will be at your disposal. Most are used to helping dignitaries, but if there’s a problem, talk with him. He only speaks a few words of Tamerian.” Emeton paused. “Food, eat, healer, yes, no, privy, help,” Jev listed. “But these translation charms he’s passing out will help. As long as you hold it, or if it’s in a pocket, you’ll be able to communicate.” “Thank you.” “Jev will take you to your rooms. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask.” “Thank you. We will.” Jev led them away with the two guards following. As soon as they were out of sight, Emeton relaxed. “Five minutes down, thousands to go. Ann, send a page to talk to the cook.” “It’s already done. Tercala was near the kitchen so I had him relayed the message.” “Thanks.” “We have dragons throughout the palace,” Pt’this reminded him. “We’ll be able to communicate quickly.” Emeton nodded. “And Morina made a few charms with that spell that allows communication over distance,” Ann added. “They won’t last long, only a few uses each, but the captains in each area half them and we spread out some scrying charms.” Emeton frowned. “You were supposed to be conserving your strength.” “Ann didn’t make these,” Remtani said. “The elves that escort the merchants through the valley did. They have limited chances to cast while in Yarba so they make charms. They sell them cheap. This batch they gave to us for free because of the Tamerians.” Emeton nodded. “Make sure they get some thanks for their effort.” “I tried. They said that keeping the merchants in line is thanks enough. The soldiers in Resdelk are keeping a close eye on everything.” “Good.” “Now, you go take it easy until dinner.” Emeton raised an eyebrow. “You look worn out. Go rest. “I’m fine.” “Dad, you’ve forgotten how many things tonight? Either you need a rest or you need to be checked. You don’t want to have more problems.” “Raylee has the kids in my rooms playing hunt and hide,” Pt’this said. “Let’s see how the game’s going.” “I don’t need Ray checking me,” Emeton insisted. Pt’this patted his shoulder as he led him away. “Of course not. But what dragon doesn’t feel better after some time with kids, brother?” “Grandpa Thailyn’s taking the kids for the night,” Mishtali said once they were out of earshot. “He’ll bump into Emeton when he gets there.” Remtani nodded. “Thanks. Will Thailyn and Pisha be able to handle all the kids so soon after his ordeal?” Mishtali nodded. “He’s doing well. He’ll be fine and Fists offered to help.” “Fists did? He hates kids,” Chapado claimed. “No, he loves them,” Kritalla insisted. “Raising twelve brothers and sisters took a toll on him. He doesn’t want that kind of responsibility anymore. But helping keep an eye on the kids’ slumber party is a different story.” “I believe Uncle Rejenn is helping too,” Ann said. “That’s all set,” Remtani decided. “Now, we all have jobs to do. See you at dinner.”