"That's . . . workable," Rughoi mused. "You have done very well for your empire, Rama. Excuse me while I consult my other advisors." He then turned to Merat. "We can't have this," he whispered.

"Then allow me," Merat said, nodding as he laid out details of a possible way to get them out of it. Rughoi's eyes lit up at the plan. He turned back to Rama.

"General Merat has made an ingenious suggestion. We shall have the elite ranks of our new dracon allies march shoulder to shoulder with our own kobold guard. We shall also assign a regiment to guard each of our new warchiefs, and to serve under their command. This, I believe, shall prove our loyalty as well as our desire for cultural unity," Rughoi said, trying very hard not to smile. Secretly, he knew that Merat was commanding the kobold guard to immediately capture the dracon warchiefs and kill the elites the moment the city is secure. Hopefully, surprise and discipline shall save Xigyll their treasury.