Almere couldn"t leave her dragon apparently lifeless in the sand at the Marlbrex cliffs. The battle over, she plotted how to remove the precious form. Moonraker was the obvious choice to transport such a cargo back to his home in the Imperial Palace where he could be given proper care or perhaps (dared she think it?), a proper burial. The Queen seemed particularly interested. Not knowing the story of her deceitful son who had forged the King"s seal, she lamented over Almere"s tale of her downed dragon and its courageous journey to the northwest on the day of their final battle.
“Take me with you, Almere,” urged the Queen. “I know some herbs and where to find some fine strong pieces of wood for a splint. We can"t be sure Fire-Smasher is really dead. I know far more of such matters than you
