"I think I understand," Ardasa said, looking down at the map on the table. "So, you want to give us plans and materials for an embassy and bathhouse, but we provide the labor?" Such an offer was . . . odd. She could appreciate the sentiment behind it. Obviously, an embassy would go towards dissipating the hate that the Xigylli keep for nearly all dracons. So too would a bathhouse, a luxury that the nascent empire might not be able to afford. However, what would the nobility think? What would the public think? Neither are eager, after so much war, to work under the supervision of dracons.

"Counterproposal," Ardasa began, drawing a shaky breath. "Hekaga may freely move merchandise and military through the Talon Pass, but not past . . . this river," she said, pointing to the one she was indicating. It still made her nervous to use its common name among the peasantry, the River Ardasa. "You give us the plans to the embassy and bathhouse, and we build them ourselves. With our own gold. You may be assured in the ability of our crafts, and need not worry about imperfection. A kobold's hands are as good as their mind, after all."