<em>"I will tell you this now. You are unlikely to find us easy to get along with, not because we are discourteous or innately difficult, but merely because we have learned what works best. To keep to ourselves unless infiltrating a society. Past alliances have always led to war with our neighbours. It has never worked so far, so we instead refrain from meddling with others. Still, see what the great leader says."</em><br/><br/>The group head down into a small valley, where there is a town hidden beneath the treetops. They have also built lenses similar to the lizardfolk, though theirs are more magical, bringing sunlight in when it does not get through the trees. Sitting within a bowl-shaped "nest" made of gold, atop a podium, there is an enormous serpent, coiled up with only her upper seven feet raised. She has deep mauve scales, very pale on the underside, two humanoid arms with claws, and six serpent heads. She is also clearly human, much like the cobra that led Ancalagon to see her.<br/><br/><em>"Empress, this is the outsider who wishes to speak to you about peace. Ancalagon, this is our Empress, Sima Xiaou."</em><br/><br/>(Pronounced "Soo-ma (oo like in book) Shi-ya-oh")<br/><br/><strong>"Ancalaon... I do not know of you. Tell me of yourself while we have tea."</strong><br/><br/>Two humans approach, wearing white robes, and carrying platinum trays with several china cups and a pot of hot liquid.