The Secret Treaty of White River

Seventeen Gliders had met in secret at the meeting hall. Like all the other buildings in White River, it was functional, solidly built sandstone. The meeting was not held in the large assembly hall, but rather in a nondescript room with a long, large table. Selimeni opened the meeting, describing Minestus' offer, and made a motion to accept the offer. It was understood that the motion was made in order to begin the debate, and it was understood that this was not an endorsement by Selimeni.

Letinel was recognized. "I would like to reject the motion. Treating with the dragon would be a disgrace to those who died in the wars. I could not look my fellow citizens and our charges in the eye and defend this. I think that everyone in this room lost a loved one in that war."

Cronici raised a finger, and was recognized. "I agree with Lentiel's feeling. I am not sure what the best solution is, but the problem is more complicated. It appears that there is going to be a war with the prey, whether we want one or not. And this time, it appears that there will be more of them. I have neither love nor trust for the dragon. However, I would rather have him with us than against us. At least he is gliderim. White River is just now recovering from the destruction of thirty years ago. If we choose wrongly, then we may be condemning them to a life as harsh as the one that we have lived."

Cronici sat down, and the oldest Glider, Sfeneli, was recognized. "Are we all in agreement that we cannot trust the dragon?" Sixteen heads nodded. "Are we also in agreement that the thinking prey are capable of what he says?" Sixteen heads nodded again. "I was a captain in those wars, and know what it is like to go against him. Minestus does not appear to be quite the same dragon. He may be more dangerous for all that, but we have to go on what is most likely. He is not asking to become king. He is asking us not to interfere while he burns out dangerous prey. I suggest that we allow him to do that, while realizing that he is not a friend. As long as he does not attack Gliders, or involve us in his affairs, I say that his offer is acceptable."

Selimeni spoke, expressing the dilemma of every Glider in the room. "For my father's sake, I cannot treat with the dragon. For my son's sake, I must. The burden must not be spread to the citizens; if we accept, the decision must never be known. We will accept his offer, and inform the patrols that they are not to attack unless the dragon crosses the boundries. The Grand House will have to ratify this, of course.

A vote was taken, and the Burgesses passed the treaty unanimously, each Glider despising himself for his vote.

It was explained to Minestus that the parties that were organized to 'slay the dragon' would still be sent out, so that the people would not know about the deal, and that no treaty of alliance had been drawn up. Minestus was quite happy with this. He did not want to subject the Gliders to the attack that would happen if they formally allied themselves with him, and he was too lazy to defend them in any case. It was the provision that he be allowed to address, in secret session, the Great House of Burgesses for all the RDL that was the key. Through that, he could subtly influence the RDL. This treaty would leave him free to visit the Red Dolomite League, but spend most of the time in his beloved lair in the Shreken. The lands of Allaria and Aqalaria, and the adjacent kingdoms, were much richer in wealth, knowledge, and magic.

For six generations, Minestus waxed in power. He would assume the form of the mage, now called Belboz, when he wanted to manipulate the spells and tools of men, but most of the time he contentedly remained in dragon form. The original underground city decayed under his supervision, but he did not care. The lands around the Shreken suffered, becoming depopulated by Minestus and his cronies. The periodic visits of Minestus to the RDL were required to make sure that the Gliders were not going to attack him or that the adjacent tribes were not threatening the Gliders. Burn some grass and trees, reduce a village to rubble, toy with the House of Burgesses, and go home. It was a long business trip, but it only had to be made one every four or five years.

1. Eight years before Fred first enters the Shreken, in the little village of Electric Pass ....

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