Free B00B15Z1P2 EBOK by Larry Kollar Page B

Or her?”
    “I come not on my own behalf, but for all of Westmarch. I now summon the sorcerer Zharcon the White to provide details,” said the Ambassador. A woman, wearing the white sash of Air magic, stood and approached the dais. Turning to face her fellows, Mik thought her expression both resigned and annoyed.
    “As some of you may know, over the winter, Prince Nalfur of Westmarch invaded the western reaches of the Stolevan Matriarchy,” she said. Chileane started at the baldness of the description, but let her continue. “There was little resistance throughout the Two Rivers district, but the Matriarchy was able to halt the advance at the Laughing River.”
    Mik gasped and nearly stood, but Bailar put a calm hand on his shoulder. “Not yet,” he whispered. “The accuser must be allowed to state his grievance.” Sura’s grip on Mik’s hand became almost painful. They looked at each other, in shock and surprise.
    “A blizzard came up, only on the west side of the river, where Westmarch was encamped,” Zharcon continued. “It was difficult to see, but eyewitnesses affirm that an ice dragon brought the storm. Soldiers and officers alike heard its repeated demands to retreat. Since Elemental Dragons are awakened only by magic, the surmise is that it was summoned to fight against Westmarch.” She glanced upward and took a deep breath. “If true, then such an act is evidence of a breach of The Treaty. Our forces retreated, and the hostile weather ceased the moment our last soldier crossed the Weeping River back into Westmarch. This is seen as further evidence that a sorcerer has taken part in a conflict of folk.” She nodded to the First Protector and returned to her seat, with barely a glance at the Ambassador.
    “Assuming this accusation is true, Ambassador,” said the First Protector, “then what do you request as reparations?”
    The Ambassador looked offended. “Assuming? And do you not have your own laws concerning this?”
    “Perhaps we may, but such an accusation has not been brought before the Conclave in living memory. If it is as you say, that a sorcerer has violated The Treaty, then we shall have to consult the text of The Treaty itself. I do not happen to have a copy here.” A few chuckles rippled through the assembly, and the Ambassador flushed.
    “Are there any who have knowledge of this matter?” the First Protector asked. Bailar stood and nudged Mik and Sura to their feet. Together, they approached the dais. “Now comes Bailar the Blue, Sorcerer of Exidy,” said the First Protector. “All hearken to his words.”
    “You are the man?” the Ambassador growled. “Your children will not protect you from justice!”
    Bailar ignored him, and turned to face the assembly, Mik and Sura at either side. “To be clear,” he began, “I am not he who awakened an ice dragon. My reading suggests that awakening any Elemental Dragon is usually a spectacular method of committing suicide. The last recorded attempt was four hundred fifty years ago, by Amon the Red, who awakened a Firedrake during a war between Ak’koyr and the Northern Reach. The ensuing havoc, wreaked on both forces, led to the signing of The Treaty.
    “And yet, I can shed some light upon this matter. Over the winter, a young boy came to me—on the back of an ice dragon—asking me how to dispel such a beast—”
    “Preposterous!” the Ambassador bellowed.
    The First Protector struck the floor with his staff, three times. “Ambassador, the Conclave heard out your accusation in silence and respect. Courtesy for courtesy.” The Ambassador glared, but crossed his arms and remained mute. “Do continue, Bailar.”
    “Thank you, notable.” Bailar bowed to the First Protector, then continued. “As I said, a young boy came to me, from the town of Lacota, along the Laughing River, riding an ice dragon. He had learned the spell from a children’s rhyme, of all things, and awakened it to drive away the invaders who threatened his