Tryasche looked at his elders from his desk. The three other Elders had never participated in politics with the humans, and he worried about them. He stood up, his back to them as they kneeled behind him. He stared at the moon, twirling a glass of wine as his silver eyes focused on the nightscape. "As loathe as I am to admit it, we must coexist with the humans. This is not one thousand years ago when we were the overseers of the world. We shall unite our powers with mankind. You will set aside your superiority like many of the younger generation have done so. Like I have done."

"Sire, you have long since taught us that humans are to worship us. Ever since I was a hatchling, you taught us lessons about the duties we have as Dragons. One such duty was to protect the weak. Are you telling me now that those lessons were mere fables?" Dragon Elder Vale said as he looked up at Tryasche.

Tryasche sneered back at Vale, his eyes glowing with mana as he turned around. He then caught himself, his mana dissipating as quickly as it appeared. "Vale, think. Can you take out a Brios by yourself?"

Vale looked down, realizing what his king was saying. "I apologize, your majesty. I understand what you are saying."

Tryasche walked over to Vale, placing his hand on the elder’s shoulder. "I know it will be difficult, but the times have changed my friend. We must adapt to the changing tides lest we be swallowed by them."

Vale nodded. "As you wish, sire."

Tryasche then looked over at Thema. "And what say you, Thema?"

Thema looked up, meeting the gaze of his king. "Sire, I have already begun to see humans as companions. I grew fond of that young soldier, Master Sergeant Dryer. After watching him care for his soldiers I began to realize that power is worth nothing if you do not have those around you supporting you."

Tryasche smiled as he placed his other hand on Thema. "You have come a long way from the warmongering youngster I remember five hundred years ago. I am sure Suria and Lebai are smiling down from the heavens."

Thema looked up. "Thank you, my liege."

President Nieto skimmed through some of the reports his cabinet had prepared for him. His eyes narrowed as he paused on the third page.

The Secretary of War looked up. "Sir?"

"Gentlemen, this is larger than us, and larger than the United States." He said while tracing a finger along the proposed Phase Lines by 6-8. "The American people deserve to know this is bigger than the United States. This war will take the lives of soldiers for years to come. This is not a war for sovereignty. This is a war for freedom and survival."

"Sir, after this summit I suggest holding another conference. 6-8 has informed us that not every fracture has appeared in Riemskin territory. Some fractures have occurred inside Cartharic borders. We must prepare now for the eventuality that some of our land will appear in Cartharic."

Nieto sighed. "I believe you are right, Mcvaine. But rest assured..." He looked at Mcvaine with a focused glare.

"We will never leave the American people behind. If such a fracture happens, we will rescue the civilians with no delay."

Mcvaine nodded as he handed the president another report. His eyes were laced with worry as he looked out the window. "A week ago, the war with Iraq was our biggest concern. Now, we worry about beating a God on his own land." He sighed as he turned back to the president. "That document contains the accords 6-8 signed with Riemskin when they first arrived. I think that we can improve the conditions for both parties and work out land acquisition boundaries."

Nieto read through the document, scanning each page thoroughly.

"We will keep the same level of cooperation with the royals of Riemskin. We will not discuss land acquisition. This land was their land. This is a chance for an alliance with a country that has the potential to rival us in the future. I will not ruin the chance for future alliances by asking them to purchase their land. Riemskin has been holding off invasion for five hundred years. Coming at them as if we are a corporation will set the wrong tone. From what has been reported, companies in Austin and Vegas have been working in conjunction with merchants from Riemskin on combining mana and technology. We cannot betray the trust already built by our predecessors. Instead of gaining the upper hand, the partnership will be equal."

Mcvaine sighed. "Congress will not like that, sir."

"They have no choice. This is do or die."

The Vice President then spoke up.

"Gentlemen, you are forgetting something else as well. The civilians of Riemskin themselves. These are war-torn and weary people. They may see us as no better than Cartharic. This first summit must appease not only the royals and the nobles, but their populace. Here, we are not a powerful country seeking legitimacy on the world stage. We are the rowdy neighbors barging into their backyard unannounced."

The convoy stopped, and the doors to Cadillac one opened. "Mr. President, we have arrived."

"Very well. Let’s go."

Eric stood behind the President as he looked around the room. The Royal family sat at the head of the table. The Dragons sat to their left, while the US cabinet members sat on the right.

After a brief exchange of greetings, the room went silent. Nieto looked down at his reports, his finger traced idly along the lines that held the agreement between 6-8 and Riemskin. Eric glared at Vale as the Elder dragon whispered into Tryasche’s ear.

The Dragon king was the first to speak. "Forgive my etiquette, King Remory, but my advisor just brought a point that requires immediate attention to me."

Remory feigned a smile, his eyes narrowed as he gestured for the Dragon King to continue.

"Before we get to business, I ask why the soldiers of 6-8 remain standing, while these men in suits sit? My soldiers have been trained by the soldiers of 6-8, not their country leadership. I ask that those who are standing to sit, while those that are seated stand."

Eric narrowed his eyes at Vale. "A test."

It was Eric who answered. "Permission to speak?"

Remory nodded, suppressing a smile.

"Dragon King Tryasche, thank you for your kindness and continued alliance with 6-8. I understand your concern; however, I am a foot soldier. The man you see standing in front of me is the most powerful man in my world. He is the highest commander in the United States. I would gladly give my life to protect him."

Tryasche nodded to Eric, then looked at Nieto. "Such loyalty is a testament to the resolve that the United States soldiers bring to the battlefield. I have seen that in full display. Very well. If Master Sergeant Dryer places his faith in you, then we Dragons will do so as well."

Nieto smiled, feeling the weight of the Dragon King’s words in the sweat trickling down his neck. His leg twitched under the table as he nodded to Tryasche. "Thank you, Dragon King. We will not betray your trust."

Remory looked from the Dragon King to Nieto before nodding to Liron. The envoy stepped forward.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, the Kingdom of Riemskin welcomes you to its territory. In the face of extinction for us all, we have each decided to set aside our differences to stand alongside one another. We at Riemskin wish to sign accords with each faction here so that we all may help each other in the coming dire times. The accords will now be provided, feel free to look over them. We will discuss the accords as long as necessary to ensure each of us will assist the other should it be deemed necessary."

The room seemed to pause in time as the documents were handed to each of the leaders. Murmurs began echoing around the chambers as each party scanned the sections on the papers.

Nieto scrutinized every line, with Eric standing at parade rest behind him. He looked over his shoulder. "Dryer, what do you think?"

Eric sighed, breaking his stance to look at the section the president had been discussing with his cabinet members. His eyes narrowed with a glint of frustration before he looked out of the corner of his eye at King Remory. The King was looking everywhere but Eric.

"Damn geezer."

Eric sighed and shook his head. "Cross that section out, sir. Enemy dragon scales are as valuable as enriched plutonium back in our world. We can’t just hand them over. Also, we already share technology with Riemskin. That clause where we share aircraft in future fractures can also be crossed out."

Nieto nodded as he did as Eric said. "Why do you think that would be included in these accords?" 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

"It was most likely the nobles. They always try to get the best deal they can. As far as I am aware, including things likely to be crossed out is part of negotiations."