text: Afterwards, of course, there was a big reception in the huge public square in front of the cathedral. Everyone at the ritual had to attend the reception too, of course. Only a handful of Merrarovians came, and they mostly didn't eat very much and didn't look very happy.
  
  But Ythac and Llredh did pick up a gaggle of hovens, eager to chatter with them, to flatter them, to offer their services. I only recognized the chief of gendarmes. So I asked Tarcuna, "Who are those people?"
  
  "I don't know many of them. The one with the red stripes and the red cape is named Uborst. His picture's in the paper sometimes, he does a lot with politics. The one next to him is Larella Spargee. She's very rich, she gave a great deal to Archconsul Shuvanne. I don't know the others... oh, that one with the green and pink globes is Reverend Dreyrey.. He's in some strange sect or other, he's on television a lot. We always changed the channel when he started talking."
  
  "Well, I'm glad that some important people look like they want to cooperate with Ythac and Llredh. They're going to have an awful time trying to govern a huge nation by force, just the two of them," I said.
  
  "People who attach themselves to the dragons aren't going to be people you'd want to rely on. Anyone with any principles or moral integrity is going to oppose you. Even if you cut their arms off," said Tarcuna. She flopped her useless arm.
  
  "I'm sure Ythac can get them to behave decently," I said. "They can't really keep secrets from Ythac, and people like that are surely going to be particularly cowardly and susceptable to threats of violence."
  
  "Have I been paraded around in public enough yet? I'm the only Trestean citizen lucky enough not to be surrendering to Llredh and Ythac today. Even if that's because you already got me."
  
  Well, since I do have her, I have to take care of her. "You can go home if you want. I'm going to stay here 'til the end of the reception though."