The tension was palpable as Empress Amber and I sat at the peace table opposite each other. We had decided to sit on the long way section of the table so we could sit closer despite my misgivings on that notion. The others were sitting a fair distance away so we could get some privacy. The two of us reached out and placed our hands on the table. I had learned from Miora that there was a pledge that had to be said before any negotiations could begin, and she had taught it to me. We both inhaled and said, "I promise that these proceedings will focus on the goal of peace to our nations and understand that if no resolution can be reached, then we will part from eyesight so as not to stain this site with blood or harsh actions."

The center of the table seemed to shimmer the moment we spoke and it vanished, revealing a glowing blue spherical gem which rose and settled on a pedestal. It flashed, and crystal sconces on the pillars, which hadn't been there before, suddenly appeared and shone warm white. A blue shield surrounded the arched roof and all sound from the outside vanished. Both of us removed our hand/claw from the table. "And with that, let our negotiations begin," Amber said in a sweet tone and smile. A smile that didn't reach her eyes.

I nodded, then folded my hands on the table and leaned forward. "Why don't we start with this: what is the current agreement between your empire and the former Dragon Lord? Or I suppose I should say what was the agreement?"

Amber nodded. "We would pay any Dragon who wanted the bits for certain minerals that only exist in the Dragon Lands," she explained. "We, in turn, craft weapons and other objects using those materials and sell them around the world. The Caribou are our chief customers in that regard."

I nodded at that. "And what currency do you use?" I asked, "because going forward, bits might not be used as Aelyssian currency."

"Some Dragons do ask for bits," Amber said, "but many just ask for gems that only we can find in the Empire."

I nodded in understanding. They probably use it as a snack, I thought. "Okay, well what rates are these gems normally sold for?"

"800 bits for each gem," she said.

"And what's the average price for objects sold using these materials you buy?" I asked, having quickly done the math and realizing that the Earth equivalent was 100 USD.

"Anywhere from…8000 to 16000 bits per item," she said, "and before you say anything, that includes the work involved, the other materials we use, and the hours."

One to two thousand USD, I said, but then I mentally had to smack myself. This wasn't Earth, not the one I knew where inflation had yet hit. Still, selling for that cheap just felt wrong. "Your artificers must be good if you can turn that big of a profit," I said.

"Good? Good?" She looked a bit insulted, but then calmed down. "The very first artificers were trained by the last of the Dvergr themselves before they vanished. They were the true craft masters."

"Dvergr, huh?" I muttered. I resisted the temptation to pull out my phone and Google that word. Instead, I wrote the word down on the paper in front of me. "So, your artificers are some of the best, you would say?"

"If you don't believe me, I have a sample of their work with me," she said.

"From what little I have been told of them, I do believe you," I said, "but I would like to look at the examples regardless. You've piqued my interest."

She chuckled dryly, then reached into the bag slung onto the back of the chair. She grabbed a small leather pouch and pushed it across the table. "There aren't any weapons in here," she said, "but there are a few articles of jewelry and clothing."

The latter caught my attention more than the former, so I opened the pouch and gently tipped it over. A few rings, bracelets, a large necklace, and a couple short sleeve shirts fell out. I put on a pair of gloves so as not to damage them and looked at the rings, first. They were made of gold with gems of different hues encrusted onto it. The bracelets were similar, although I could feel magic flowing from them. The necklace was made of interlinking chains that were extremely small and there was a single red teardrop gem hanging from it.

It was the clothes, however, that caught my attention. They shimmered as if made of metal, but when I took off one glove to feel it, they felt like the softest shirts I had ever worn. I held them to my ears and heard a slight metallic clinking, and upon closer inspection with a small magnifying spell I had learned, the shirt wasn't made with any sort of fabric, but instead lines of metal that acted as fabric.

Amber noticed my attention to the shirts and smiled. "Those are not only comfortable to wear, but they also can stop most bladed attacks as well as arrows and magic," she explained, sounding rather proud. "Most of the Imperial Guard wear these shirts underneath their armor as another layer of protection, but some of the nobility wear them as what you might consider a fashion statement." She gestured to the shirt I was currently holding. "These are simpler, but there are others who want their shirts embroidered with gems, gold, or emblems to make them stand out. They take years to craft, and only a claw full of artificers know the secret art. There are three known examples of these shirts which were made by the Dvergr, and those are able to stop any weapon."

Don't call it a mythril shirt, I cautioned myself as I nodded before folding the shirt back up and placing it, along with the others, inside the pouch and handing it back to her. "How much would a simple shirt like that cost?" I asked.

"Caught your attention, have I?" She chuckled. "You'd have to talk with the artificers about that, but I know that the crown pays a discount price for them. A 4000 bit equivalent in our own currency, but I have seen them sold for hundreds of thousands of bits to others."

Note to self, find a Dragon who can help with setting up an economy and how much our Dragon currency is worth, I said as I wrote that down. "Duly noted," I said as I put my pen down again. "So, as for our current negotiations, what is it that you would want from the Empire now? Because as of last year, we have returned, so there's a new player your artificers will need to negotiate with."

She nodded in agreement. "The gems and minerals that your continent provides are well known to be unique to that land itself," she said, "but there are also other things from your land that we might want to purchase. Certain animals that roam the deserts there like the roc bird, the jackalope, the sandworm, and the tripodero just to name a few."

"Meat products, I see," I nodded, once more jotting down the animals she had mentioned. "And what are you willing to provide in return for these foodstuffs?"

"We have our own foodstuffs we can provide in exchange," she explained. "Chupacabras, smoke wolves, or even a direwolf or two if we can catch those slippery beasts."

I didn't react to the thought of Lycans eating wolves of any kind, but I did note down the names she had mentioned. "Okay, and what else do you want from Aelyssia?"

"At the moment, nothing aside from that," she said.

She's being reasonable, it seems, I thought. What is she up to? I cleared my throat and nodded. "Then I believe that it's my turn to list what we would like."

She nodded. "By all means, please do."

"First," I began, "a nonaggression pact between our two nations. In the future we can have embassies built in the nations of the other that can help in future peaceful cooperation between our empires."

It was her turn to write, only she had a scroll, ink bottle and feather pen. "And what else?" she asked.

"Respect of our autonomy and our borders," I added. "We are not just some backwater, anymore. We are an empire. We may be across the ocean, but we still will demand respect and if that respect is given by you, it will be given by us in return."

"Noted," she said as she wrote that down. She was writing in the blocky rune-like letters of Lycan, and I had to admit that her handwriting was quite neat and beautiful. If only her insides were as beautiful as her handwriting and her physical appearance, though…

"And one more thing, and this is a bit more personal, and one that can be accomplished now," I added, deciding to stop beating around the bush.

I saw her tense slightly, but other than that she kept her composure. "What would that be?" she asked.

"An apology from you and your daughter for how I was treated when I did nothing wrong and you had no proof," I said.

Her tail stiffened slightly, but then it relaxed. "Our actions against you were…extreme, to say the least," she said, although it felt like she was doing so through clenched teeth, "and for that, I am sorry. Clearly, the gods favored you in your trial and I have scolded my daughter." Somehow, I sensed that was a lie, but didn't say anything. "I will speak with her after this meeting is over and have her apologize."

I nodded, knowing better than to push. Part of me wanted to humiliate her in a more public setting, but I knew we were at a severe disadvantage when it came to the military. The Lycan Empire clearly was much more organized than Aelyssia was at the moment, so I had to both tread lightly but also not show weakness. "Good," I said. "Going back to the negotiation, the next thing…"

"If I know the Empress, she has to be plotting something," Gemini muttered a few hours later after she and I stopped for a break.

"Agreed," I said as I took a bite of the greenwood bread that the Deerfolk had given to us upon our departure. The naan lookalike bread was still plenty warm and still had the freshly baked feeling and taste to it. "Still, I'm surprised that Princess Amethyst actually apologized." Which she had, but I could tell she was grumpy about it.

"There's not a chance in hell she meant it," Scarlet said with a dangerous glint in her eyes as she tore into her own greenwood bread.

"Agreed," Mica said.

"I don't expect them to be truly sorry, but I know better than to push them on anything like that," I said. Miora gave me a curious look, but I ignored it as I continued. "The fact that the Empress was actually willing to entertain the idea was more than I was expecting. Where I expect there to be some pushback, though, is in how I plan to make a deal with her in regards to the Lycan male rebellion."

That caught the attention of everyone, and Miora's eyes narrowed slightly, but once more she said nothing. Silica spoke up first. "Your Grace," she said, "is it wise to interfere in that?"

"I'm not going to be a fool about it," I said. "I have a plan."

Gemini suddenly stood, walked over to me, hoisted me up by my arm, making me drop the leaf wrapping which held my bread. "You. Me. Private. Now."

Surprised by her sudden vigor, I reached out to grab my water bottle with my magic. "Hey, at least give me time to swallow my breaaaad!"

She pulled me away before I could take a sip to wash my mouth out. I took a small sip, tossed the water bottle back, and swirled the water around in my mouth before we were soon standing in the small grove. She grabbed my jacket and pushed me none too gently against the nearest tree. "You'd better not be doing something extremely stupid," she said through clenched teeth.

I wrapped my hands around her wrists, once more marveling at how soft and silky her fur was. "Relax," I said, "I don't intend to say anything that will jeopardize these talks."

She pressed closer until her nose was touching mine. "Then what do you intend to say to her?" she asked.

"I don't intend to say anything to her specifically," I said as I reached out with one hand and put it on top of her head, running it through her beautiful hair. Oh God, am I…? I let that thought trail off. "Aelyssia is simply going to become not just a nation of Dragons, but for any race. Remember when I told you about my former homeland America?"

She frowned deeper, but nodded. "Keep going," she said.

"I want Aelyssia to become a nation like that," I replied. "I intend to bring the notion up with the others back in Virynth Atheos. Aelyssia was once home to five races, albeit draconian in nature. I believe variety is the spice of life. You Lycans are experts when it comes to mining. If that secret cell of Lycan rebels near Ponyville is any indication, there have to be more, and I would be willing to offer them a place to live away from the Empire where they don't have to hide."

"You think that'll make her happy?" Gemini said, pulling my hand away from her head, but not letting go. "You think she is rational at this point?"

"Obviously not," I said, "but I don't intend to make it that obvious. I will be issuing an imperial proclamation in the near future. One that will invite anyone who wants to live in our Empire to come and do so at any time. 'Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses' as the saying goes."

She clenched her hands tighter briefly before she relaxed, but not by much. "You believe that she won't see what you're planning?" Gemini asked.

"That woman isn't a fool," I acknowledged, "and I don't plan on talking to her about it here. Not in so many words and not when negotiations seem to be going as well as they are. I am, however, waiting for the other shoe to drop." I looked over through the trees at the horses in the distance. "She made a deliberate choice to come here on horseback, that I can tell."

Gemini looked where I was looking, then slowly released me. "She never does much without hidden reasons," she said.

I grabbed Gemini's hands before she fully let go. She looked back at me with confusion. "You know," I said with an amused grin, "most other rulers would have had you taken to the dungeons or at best stripped of your rank for how you just manhandled an Emperor." I saw her eyes narrowing at this, but my grin turned into a genuine smile. "However, you are the biggest exception to this. I trust your judgment and highly expect you to call me out if you think I'm doing something stupid that can hurt my imperial ass."

She looked deep into my eyes, then her own mouth curled into a wolfish grin. "I won't let your naïvety be your downfall, Your Grace," she said.

My grin returned and I pulled her closer. "Good," I said in a whisper, just as I leaned in and gave her a kiss.

Our kiss was…interesting, to say the least. It lasted only a few seconds, and was a bit awkward, but when it broke and I saw the darkening around Gemini's cheeks, I knew then that I had made her happy. A few seconds later, we broke apart. "D-Don't think that this means I still won't go easy on you during future training sessions," she stammered.

I groaned. "We're still doing that, aren't we…?"

She pointed at me. "That was your idea," she chastised me, "and an Emperor who can't fight is just stupid!"

"Relax, relax, I don't intend on slacking," I replied. "You can bash me around when we get back to Ponyville later."

She walked up swiftly to me again. "I intend to do more than that," she said before she gave my neck, the same part of my neck she had bitten earlier, a nip. "Remember, I have claimed you, but only in part." She stepped back. "However, time to get back." And with that, she turned and began walking out of the grove, but I wasn't blind enough not to notice the extra sway in her hips.

Welp, I'd better be prepared for another heartfelt conversation with my wife and marefriend later, I thought as I followed her back to the others.

When we reached the others, I saw Mica sniffing the air a few times, but he mercifully said nothing. I grabbed my bread and took another bite before I sat on the grass again next to Scarlet, who immediately scooted closer. "Everything okay?" she whispered.

"Oh, everything's fine," I reassured her. "Just had a brief conversation with Captain Gemini about something."

"What about?" Scarlet pressed.

"I'll tell you later," I promised before taking a bite of jerky next.

"Oh, you'd better," she warned before she took a sip of the broth the Deerfolk had provided for us. "Fuuu…still nice and warm," she said, letting loose a long satisfied breath, which created a larger cloud of her hot breath. Something I'd noted about Ponies, and Zebras for that matter, was that their internal temperatures were a degree or two higher than humans. I was cool to them and they were warm to me. And as for Lycans? They were even hotter.

"I beg pardon, Your Grace," a male voice said from behind us.

I turned and saw a rather poorly dressed he-wolf Lycan stood behind me. He wore a pair of slightly ragged brown pant, a thick black coat with some tears in them, and a cap over his head. "Yes?" I said, standing to face the he-wolf.

"Beg Your Grace's pardon for disturbing you," he said, "but I was sent by My Empress to give you this." He held out the same small leather bag that she had showed me earlier.

I raised an eyebrow before I reached out and took it, looking inside carefully. The contents remained the same, and I slowly closed it again. "Well, then, please tell your Empress-"

"Hold on," Gemini said, interrupting me before she turned to the he-wolf. "Stay here for a bit."

"Y-yes, Captain," he said nervously.

She pulled me aside once more, a much more serious look on her face. When we were out of earshot, she lowered her voice. "Mica and I forgot to tell you, but an exchange of gifts is traditional for any sort of meeting between us and other races."

"Even Deerfolk?" I asked.

She nodded slowly. "Even Deerfolk. And it would be considered rude not to respond in kind."

"It would have been nice to know that beforehand," I grumbled before reaching down and touching my necklace. "As it happens, though, I think I have ancient Lycan artifacts in here."

Gemini shook her head. "No, that sort of gift will be seen as an insult," she said. "It would be like the human custom of regifting."

"Oooh," I nodded in understanding. "And Lycans don't like that?"

"It shows that you wouldn't care enough to give something new," she explained. "Does that make sense?"

"I think so," I said as I touched my necklace again. "Okay, so something new…hmm…"

I closed my eyes, focusing on the necklace. In a way, it acted like an Item Box from those damned isekai anime. The same type of life I was living, now. After a while, I opened my eyes and a very small chest appeared in one hand. Opening it, I was greeted by the sight of a number of ancient earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and rings, all made of different materials. I had plenty of other chests like it, and these were likely worn by whatever Aelyssian aristocracy existed. I looked at Gemini. "Will she like these instead?"

Gemini looked in, eyes widening, then she looked back up at me. "That…should be sufficient," she said.

Nodding, I put a hand on her shoulder. "Thank you," I said, then turned back and walked up to the Lycan he-wolf who was still standing patiently near our group. I held out the chest. "This is a gift for Her Majesty with my good wishes," I said. "Make sure she gets it."

The he-wolf took it reverently. "I will, Your Grace."

"Thank you," I said.

The he-wolf's eyes widened at that, reminding me briefly of the first time I had thanked a Lycan he-wolf. The same he-wolf who was in my employ as a bodyguard. "Y-You're welcome, Your Grace," he said, bowing before he turned and headed back the way he had come.

"Do males really not receive any gratitude?" Scoria asked between bites of meat.

Gemini sat next to me and shook her head. "Males are seen as second class in the Empire," she said. "It wasn't always like that. Back when the Guardian was with us, he insisted on equal rights for all, but somehow it seems like we're going back to a matriarchy, and not in a good way."

"And that is why I want to open Aelyssia up to not just Dragons, but to all races," I said.

Silica and Scoria looked a bit shocked by this revelation. Silica spoke first. "Um…Your Grace, are you sure that's a good idea?" she asked.

I turned to the two Dragons. "You don't think it is?"

"I mean, there are reasons why races are separated by kingdoms and nations," Scoria said.

I crossed my arms and gave them a thoughtful look. "What reasons?" I made it clear in my tone that I was curious only and not that I was sounding accusatory.

The two young Dragon women looked at each other, then turned back to me. "Your Grace," Silica said, "Dragons are a race of warriors."

"Not to mention that we eat meat, something that half the world doesn't do," Scoria added.

"We're also territorial," Silica added.

"Okay, I see," I nodded in understanding. "Let me ask, though, how many races lived in Old Aelyssia?"

The two paused to ponder my question, but then Scoria responded. "Five," she said.

"But Your Grace, those were all Dragons," Silica said.

"And one of those races is hated by everydragon else," Scoria concluded. "The Wyverns betrayed-"

I held up a hand to silence them. "The Wyverns, as far as I know, are almost all extinct except for Sir Spike, a Wyvern who I knighted, I may remind you. And he is still young and innocent. Would you judge him for what members of his race did in the past?"

"Well, of course we wouldn't, Your Grace," Scoria said, "but others might."

"I understand that," I agreed, "but Sir Spike is under my protection. If anyone brings harm to him, they will be severely punished. But back to the point." I cleared my throat. "The land that once belonged to Old Aelyssia is empty, right? There are many places where anyone who wants to make a fresh start can do so. Let me ask, how many Dragons know how to till a field? How many know construction? How many can lay down phone lines and power lines? How many can mine? How many can cook?"

"Do we need all of that, Your Grace?" Silica asked. "Despite everything, Dragons have done just fine, more or less."

"I want to make Aelyssia into a nation that isn't just powerful," I said, "but one that is prosperous in many ways. One where everyone has access to good food, clean water, good jobs, and more. I want a strong economy, too. If we open our borders to other races, ones with gifts and talents that Dragons might not have, that will only make our nation stronger. There is strength in diversity." I stood up straighter. "Back in my old world, the nation I came from started out like that. It was a nation for the people. They welcomed humans from different nationalities. Oh, there were major problems in the beginning, and there still are, but I want a nation that welcomes all of the races of Narda. One where anyone can help build our collective strength but one where they can live peacefully among other races."

I looked at the two Dragons with utter sincerity. "I understand that will be a challenge for some races, like the Zebras and Ponies. I'm not that naïve. Still, I want to work towards a future where Aelyssia isn't just a place for Dragons to have a refuge, but where others can find safe haven. However, I understand that Aelyssia is a nation founded by Dragons. If you think that because I started living in a Pony town that I will favor them or other races above Dragons, let me assure you that I won't. No matter what the differences are between the races, I want to try and help bridge some gaps. Some may never be bridged, but if these," and here I gestured to my wings, "mean anything, they mean that I'm either very long lived or immortal. I have time to help things work. That doesn't mean I won't listen to you or other Dragons. My desire for this nation might not be the desire of others, and I will always take those into account whenever I make my decisions. A leader should always work for the betterment of the people he rules over, as contrary as that sounds. And with that, my rambling is over."

There was silence around the circle of creatures. The two Dragons exchanged looks, then back at me. They placed their fists over their breastplates and bowed. "Mu hon ahrk thaar, hin vahlin," they said simultaneously. "Yein faal Do'vah Ulokuun."

I frowned in confusion until I heard Scarlet clapping giddily. "Yay! You said it!" she exclaimed happily.

"Do'vah…?" I turned and faced her with confusion which quickly turned to realization. "Thuum? Really?" I gave her an eye roll.

Scarlet shrugged innocently. "What? It's a Dragon language. They're Dragons. I asked them to say it."

"What does it mean?" I asked.

"Well…roughly translated, it means 'We hear and obey' and. 'All hail the Dragon Emperor'," she explained.

I facepalmed, but then I heard something I never could have expected. Gemini was snickering. I looked up and saw her trying to cover her mouth, but the twinkle in her eyes gave away her amusement. Miora also had an amused expression on her face. Mica was holding back his own amusement, the two Dragons were still standing there stoically and Scarlet was giving me an impish grin. I shook my head. "If you tell them that my name in Thuum is Alduin, I will punish you."

She grinned and leaned in, putting her lips to my ears before she whispered, "I still haven't used that gift card you got me. I can buy some chains and a whip you can use on this slutty sow."

I felt my cheeks go hot as I opened my mouth. "Oh my God, how horny are you!?"

"I think you mean 'Naal rah, vir pogaas ko praag los hi?'" Scarlet replied with a giggle.

I threw up my hands. "You're a lost cause," I said.

She giggled. "Uloz zey, in," she whispered in a pleading tone. "That means 'Wreck me, Master.'"

"Dear God, you're hopeless," I groaned.

The two Dragon sisters both chuckled softly at that. "You two seem to have a healthy relationship, if you don't mind me saying so, Your Grace," Silica said.

"She's a great partner," I said. "If only she knew the time and place."

Now it was Scarlet's turn to blush. "Sorry," she said sincerely. She ran a hand through her hair. "I guess I'm still coping with this new form I have."

I put a hand on her shoulder. "Someone will figure it out, I promise."

She gave me a smile, then pressed her shoulder against mine and leaned onto it. "Thanks," she whispered sincerely.

We all went back to eating and drinking in silence for a bit, then Mica looked at the small pouch Amber had given me. "Hey, may I see what's in there?" he asked.

I looked at the pouch, then back at him. "Sure, why not?" I replied, grabbing it and tossing it in his direction.

That's when I heard a crack from a distance. Something came whizzing past us, hitting the pouch and causing it to explode. Everyone quickly dove to the ground and I turned to face the direction where the loud crack had come. Because it sounded suspiciously to me like a firearm.