Dark stood behind his parents as they addressed a seaside village. A crowd of elves and humans gathered in a meadow to pay tribute to them.
“It is our hope that we can come to an amicable arrangement,” Smirnagond said.
She stalked through the crowd as she spoke. She towered over their heads. As she passed, elves and humans ducked away from her.
What a relief to see elves living in huts with thatched roofs instead concrete fortresses. What a relief to see them subservient, afraid, respectful!
“Our problem is not with you,” Smirnagond said. She was unsmiling, unafraid, even as hundreds surrounded her. “Be industrious, pay us dragons our tribute when we ask for it, and you will find that we Darks can be your allies. More than Karagarn. But whether we are allies or enemies depends entirely
