Cormyr_ a novel - Ed Greenwood [15]
"We recognize no sovereignty of yours," said the elf, "but at my command, I can empty this region of elves. We can abandon this place and set our borders at the northern range."
"For your people's sakes, I hope you do," said Thauglor, a small reptilian smile tugging the corner of his jaw. "Though they do make tasty treats."
"I said 'can,' old wyrm." Iliphar kept his face solemn, not rising to the dragon's baiting tone. "Not will. Not unless you can convince me."
"Convince?" replied the dragon, suddenly sterner. "How may I convince you of anything, if you are not wise enough to see that your people court their own deaths by opposing us? Your kind are not welcome here. Not welcome to hunt, not welcome to farm, not welcome to stay. Use your authority over your fellow creatures and leave us to our land."
"You say you represent all of your people," said Iliphar, drawing himself up to his full height. "If you tell them to leave us in peace, will they do so?"
The dragon's eyes narrowed to mere slits. "What are you proposing?"
"I propose a Feint of Honor," said Iliphar.
The dragon made a harsh, barking noise that might have been a laugh. "A Feint of Honor with a mammal? How droll. Feints are between dragons, to settle their differences without killing one or both parties."
"A battle until one is subdued and surrenders to the other," the elf went on, nodding. "You represent your people, and I represent mine. The winner takes the forest country." Iliphar stopped there, holding his tongue and waiting to see if the dragon would take the bait.
A silence descended on the forest, broken only by the rustle of leaves in the autumn breeze. The red wyrmling was still skittish and kept craning her neck around, looking for attackers. Her blue cousin seemed deep in thought.
Thauglor rumbled, "When I win, you will pull your people back beyond the northern passes."
"Should you win," said the elf lord. "And should I triumph, you agree to leave the forests of this land to my people?"
The dragon's eyes narrowed, then opened wide again, showing milky violet orbs beneath a curtain of black scales. "Why should I agree?"
Iliphar motioned with his golden staff, and his retainers poured out of the horn tower. There were twenty elves in all, carrying five great reptilian skulls. The skulls were set with amethysts along their brows. One had as few as three stones, one as many as twenty. The skulls had massive fangs in their upper jaws, but no horns. They were the remains of green dragons.
Stone-faced and impassive, the bearers laid their prizes on the steps behind Iliphar and retreated silently back into the tower. One remained in the doorway, the elven witness to the proposed duel.
Iliphar kept his eyes on the dragons throughout the proceedings. Thauglor remained motionless, but the muscles bunched beneath his jaws. Two sacs inflated along his neck, just behind the head, where, the elf lord knew, the black acidic bile of the dragon was stored. The blue tried to mime his master's determination, but his eyes were wide. The red looked as if she were ready to bolt, and only fear and respect was keeping her in her place. To both the younger dragons, the message was clear: Their skulls could be added to this collection.
Iliphar spoke flatly, seeking to draw out the dragon but not to goad him immediately into battle. "These greens were slain within the past month. The gems on their foreheads represent the elves who lost their lives fighting the creatures, one for each elf."
Thauglor's lips tightened in a snarl, but only for a moment, and the dragon's response was as flat and mannered as the elf's. "It would seem your people got the short end of the bargain."
"Aye," the elf replied, "but there are more of us. And if it costs a hundred elves to take down a creature of your power, there would be a hundred elves afterward who would remember their deed and honor their memory. Can you say the same for your people? How many dragons are there in the forested land?
Thauglor was silent a long time, considering. "Feint of Honor?" he said