text: My forces didn't make a brilliant accounting of themselves. All five of Chevethna's dragons were mighty. We had Tultamaan, Osoth, Kuro, and Ressal, who, together, accounted for two hits. The first three of them were the first three to be driven from the mêlée, though Ressal was still flying at the end. Nlirei and Nrararn each accounted for three more. Of course, they took time and attention from Chevethna's mighty five. And the remaining seven on our side were about as good as Chevethna's five.
  
  As Mshai floundered in the air, with Csirnis and Hyxy and Arilash and Boruu snapping at his wings and Vuuthon, her last ally, trying futilely to distract at least one of the four, Chevethna flew over to me. "I should never have let you get away with beating me."
  
  "You would not be the first pretender to the throne to regret such an act of mercy," I said.
  
  "Now, it seems that the forces of adultery and luxury combine to defeat me," she complained.
  
  "Well, this is Hove. The forces of adultery seem to be overwhelming... Which is to say, I am going to owe Arilash a great deal as queenmaker," I said. "Oh, Vuuthon is out."
  
  "He took Llredh with him, at least," Chevethna said. Llredh thundered through the air to Ythac, bleeding considerably.
  
  "Poor Mshai, all alone with half a dozen enemies," I said. I curled my tail with my rival's, and we watched Mshai's beautiful dexterity and litheness, sufficient to save her for another half a minute, and four seconds more.
  
  After which, it was time for healing all around.
  
  And a bit of thinking. Nobody was really expecting this turn of events.