"Our translation magic works on anything that can speak. Cassiel tried talking to the dragon that set the fire, and it replied."

He speaks slowly. "I find it difficult to believe you. Perhaps a flaw in all men, that. It is easy to smile and nod when you speak of magic and plenty, and to deny the rest. And yet. Chaos is the great enemy, and dragons the very emblem of it! They are- They're against civilization itself."

"I understand that they cause problems - we saw them doing that today, setting fires is really bad! But this does mean that we have to treat it as arson, not as an environmental hazard."

"Problems. They cause problems. Yes, this is indeed a problem. Shall I go tell my guard that we are to capture the dragon and sentence it to hard labor? I'll lose my head."

"It does seem like that might be difficult for your law enforcement infrastructure. We're happy to help as long as we're here with fires and any other dragon intrusions. If a dragon attacks your city bent on eating people I'm prepared to personally teleport it off this planet and not let it back until and unless satisfied it will stop killing people. The thing I need to get across here is that the dragons, also, are people, and we can't privilege you over them by fiat. If your people try to kill dragons..."

There are hunting parties out right now, searching for this damned thing's nest. He doesn't say that.

"What business is it of yours what we do with trespassers in the realm?"

-That's not much better. You're talking to someone extremely powerful here.

"Well," says Nelen, "right now, none at all. But now that we know dragons are people, teams like mine are going to go talk to them, and they will get the same offer you have. And if you do want to join Vanda Nossëo, for the defensive support that extends beyond me teleporting dragons out of the way as long as I'm posted here, for the universal basic income guarantee... in Vanda Nossëo, killing people is illegal."

"I think, that I need to take a step back from this and consider for a time. I also think- You will find this stance on dragons to have quite the effect on every civilized human you meet here. Preparing this world for the star travelers' return is our reason for existence."

Pause. "You say 'people', and use it to mean 'beings that can speak'?"

"Yes, more or less. Is there an alternate translation that would work better? I'm using translation magic and don't control translations of individual words."

"I suppose I don't deny that dragons can be clever and have memories. They steal valuables and hold grudges. I- Stars." King Delen sighs. "It would be best if you do not mention any of this to the priests or the public just yet. Perhaps I am being vain but I think they would react... Worse."

"...I'll take that under advisement, but it's not going to be practical to keep it under wraps indefinitely. I'd appreciate your counsel on how to break the information gently if we have the luxury to control the timing."

"...Yes, dragons murdering people is very bad. We won't let them do that. You should not try to kill them, that would be very dangerous. Everything is going to be fine. We don't think dragons need to be hunted to extinction, because they are not a threat to us."

"All right. That's true as far as it goes. Thank you, your wisdom."

"May the term of address be true. I think of my job as being the one to have common sense. Thank you for bringing this to me alone first."

"Of course," says Nelen. And that would seem to be all; out they go from the back room to the main shop, which continues to do brisk business.

The king smiles quite convincingly and tells his guards that there's nothing to worry about, let the feast go on!

Cassiel distributes food as long as people want! She makes it out of this glowing cloud-looking stuff that she makes from rocks!

Amazing! Nobody happens to pick up on the idea that she could make other things, especially.

Meanwhile, the terrified dragon quickly retreats to her den. Yes, she's lingered far too long. She smells the hunters getting closer every day, and now flying humans! It's time to go. At night, when they can't see very well.

There appears, in front of her den: a person who looks like an unusually tall human, with long braids and fancy clothes covered in Shiny Things.

Pardon me, says the person, telepathically.

!

!

!

They are not pardoned! They snuck up on her without even smelling like anything! Her mom was right, she got too curious and now she's going to die.

She will be very very scared and very very still and quiet and hope they go away.

I don't wish to alarm you, but I think it will benefit you to speak to me, says the person. If you object to me in particular, someone else can swap in for me.

A wash of sensation, osanwe-like but not in words at all,

That's a lot of shiny things. Very impressive and intimidating. She is extremely scared but will not give up without a fight! But also she will just leave now if they want to let her do that! (So she can grow big and strong and come get revenge later because they CHOP DOWN FORESTS and ENSLAVE ANIMALS and KILLED HER MOM.)

Oh no, I'm so sorry to hear about your mother.

Would you have a better time with this conversation if I gave you one of my shiny things?

She projects a sunny burst of PRIDE and a trilling, happy tune like birdsong. Yes, that is an excellent deal, she will answer many questions in exchange for a shiny thing. If they promise to let her go after.

She will for sure let her go, she's not keeping her prisoner. Here is one of her rings!

My name is Aiununceon, she says. What's yours?