Rughoi was not blind. He knew well enough that without Merat coordinating his forces, the horrors he brought with him were no more than wild beasts, to be quickly put down by the superior discipline of the combined armies. But now his enemies have him surrounded, thrown out of his center of protection to face their wrath. For wrath, they are keeping it well hidden. Dracons, proud and arrogant, even now.

"What I did I did for the kobold people. Had you been where I was, you would do the same at least, if not more. Now, I am accepting the premise of your demand. What could you possibly want more than that? Fine, you want to keep the gold? I ask for no gold. Bread, wood, and stone are what my citizens need more. Something to eat, something to build with. Surely, the dracon nobles in their jeweled spires can spare that," he hissed.