“Hey!” Herzer interjected. “Nothing wrong with wyverns!” The nonsentient two-legged flying beasts made up the bulk of the dragon corps. There were three types of wyverns: Powells, which were the primary strike force; Silverdrakes, which were small, fast and highly colorful air-to-air fighters; and Torejos, which were heavier beasts that were rarely used in direct combat but could be used for aerial resupply or the rare airmobile mission.

“Of course not,” Edmund replied, soothingly. Herzer had been in three major battles on wyvern back, despite his official status as an infantry officer. For that matter, he was a fair bowman. “But what I wouldn’t give for the same number of greater dragons.”

“If wishes were fishes,” Herzer pointed out.

“Well, if we want that tenth legion, we’d best get out and circulate,” Edmund said, shaking his head.

“Perhaps and perhaps not,” General Galbreath said, laying a hand on his arm. “Have you been watching Countess Travante?”

“No,” Edmund said. “I’m not a dirty old man.”

“It’s… enlightening if you know the political scene,” Galbreath said, quietly. “Just watch.”

Chapter Two

“Lost,” Megan said quietly as a portly blond man approached with a significantly younger brunette female in tow.

“Duke Anatiev and Mrs. Lydia Pina,” Meredith whispered rapidly. “Kanaka. He dotes on his dog Puddles. Wants more money to flow through Kanaka. Leather and beef for legions. Kanaka Beef Corp.”

“Anatiev!” Megan said, smiling broadly as she took the man’s pudgy hand. “And Lydia! Lovely to see you this evening. No Puddles? Where is the little scamp?”

“Oh, Puddles can’t handle the excitement, Countess,” Anatiev said, beaming. “Just barks herself into a frenzy. You really should join us at the Dog Club one afternoon, all the best sorts are there.”

“Please call me Megan,” the councilwoman said with a smile. “I don’t currently have a pet. I’ve only just got my feet on the ground.”