Disorder spread among the kobold soldiers. When they had left the city to track down the glowing light, they had been firmly under the command of Merat. Unfortunately, without the knowledge of almost a third of his troop, he had broken and fled back to the city walls along with roughly two thirds of his men. They had been fine, knowing for sure where the enemy was and how to feather them with pointy arrows, but when it came time to parley, none were qualified to do so.

"Now what do we do?" asked one soldier, peeking out from behind his cover.

"I'm not sure. Should we take him to Rughoi? Perhaps not. Take the survivors and head back to the city. I'll try to . . . speak with him, I suppose," responded another. He stepped out from behind the rock as his compatriot ran for the walls. "Hail, foe!" he shouted, diverting the attention of the dracon. "Erm . . . return to your home, I guess." When the dracon didn't leave, but instead looked at him with a weird expression, the soldier began to feel a little desperate. "Shoo! . . . Bad dracon?" he tried. It always worked with his house lizard when he was a child.
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"Ardasa! Ardasa!" shouted Qorod's right guard, running up to her and what looked like her spiritual advisor. He stopped in front of her and kneeled. "Your esteemed father has finished negotiations with the emperor. It seems you are now Empress of All Kobold, Daughter of the Dragons."

Ardasa was shocked, to say the least. She could only stammer and say nothing, giving up after her tongue betrayed her for a solid ten seconds. Instead, she cracked a nervous smile at Kali, hoping that the other woman had confidence to spare for her.