"Certainly!" Ardasa exclaimed, standing from her kneeling position. There was always something about prayer and ritual that she loved. It always made her feel calm, the affirmation that there was always someone greater looking out for her in her greatest moments of fear. "Shall we? I'd love to see the city a bit more!"

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"What about her?" whispered Rughoi, eyeing the new match. She nervously smiled back when she realized he was looking at her.

"I see nothing wrong with her. Then again, I saw nothing wrong with the one before her. And the one before that," Kutur whispered back, looking wistful. "Don't pass up this opportunity, Your Might. The Earthen Bear clan is one of the largest clans we've encountered since the Red Shadows." Rughoi nodded, and asked for a private audience with Chief Qorod. He quickly spoke to his daughter, who beamed back at him and quietly exited the throne room.

"Chief Qorod. I'd like to welcome you to the fold," began Rughoi, standing up from the dracon throne and descending the steps leading up to it. "It is not often we are graced with the presence of a chiefdom as grand as yours."

"The hard work of my ancestors," Qorod responded, chuckling. "I suppose you find my daughter . . . satisfactory? She is, after all, second in line to the chiefdom, behind her older sister." Kutur said nothing, but nudged his emperor's shoulder at Qorod's response.

"Well, I suppose I'd have to think abou-" said Rughoi, before he was interrupted by Kutur.

"We accept!" shouted Kutur. "Welcom to the Empire, Your Wisdom by law!" Rughoi gave a withering look to his advisor, but decided against it. This decision is as good as any. He kneeled before Qorod, waiting for the traditional response.

"I will accept you if you would accept me, Chief Qorod. Or should I say . . . father," he said. Qorod laughed and practically jogged over to put his hand on Rughoi's head.

"My son! My son! Of course! What's yours is mine!" he cried. "Quickly, guards! Find my daughter! Inform her of the good news!"