text: Rankotherium: "How can it be that the terms of my oath are still satisfied?"
  
  Me: "Ythac is king of Hove; I am queen. We've also got two prince-consorts." I was forgetting about poor Kuro, who was trying to hide among the bachelors. Probably just as well to leave him out of the discussion.
  
  Rankotherium: "Does any important draconic law or custom stand unchallenged and undistorted at all, on Hove?"
  
  Me: "I think we've been pretty good about killing small people attacking dragons."
  
  Rankotherium: "I daresay you will have plenty of need of that, if you continue on as you have begun."
  
  Me: "Perhaps so. Though outside of a few large countries, hovens regard us as worthwhile monsters."
  
  Rankotherium: "Yet your world is improperly conquered."
  
  Me: "Not conquered at all, in most places, yet we have more tribute and authority than we know what to do with. Have you congratulated your son and his new husband yet?"
  
  Rankotherium: "Don't be ridiculous."
  
  Me: "Don't you be ridiculous. He is the greatest and most influential of the drakes of a new dragon-world; he will be a major historical figure, who may exceed even your own glories. He will bring you more honor than dishonor."
  
  Rankotherium: "Plenty of both, though."
  
  Me: "I imagine you can blame the dishonor on Dessvaria."
  
  Rankotherium: [laughing] "I will congratulate him. You know what you must do to win my forgiveness, though."
  
  Me: "Nrararn and I will work on it diligently."
  
  Off to one side, Dessvaria was quietly chatting with Ythac and Llredh about whether she and her adulterous lover could and should emigrate to Hove. In case we need another draconic law or custom or major dragon of Mhel to offend, I suppose.