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Baron Crestwell interlaced his fingers, leaning his forearms on the edge of the table as he looked up at the enormous bronze dragon before him. "Lord Dominic was very concerned, to say the least." He said, speaking of my taking control of the tiny village of Devonshire. "Especially the manner in which you have chosen to handle the situation... It is quite unusual for a dragon is it not?"

I rumbled deeply in my chest and I allowed more smoke to wisp from my nostrils, exhaust from my sulfurous twin fire-bladders at the base of my throat. I spoke casually from my throat, my voice breathy and soft and gave an underhand gesture with my paw. "Perhaps it only seems unusual because your knowledge of dragons is limited. We do tend to be quite... reclusive, when it comes to other races."

Baron Crestwell smirked as though I'd told a joke. "I am not sure I would describe it as such... but I do understand what you mean."

I raised an eyeridge, "And what did Lord Dominic think of my apparent discrepancy in behavior?"

The heavyset man looked up at me, meeting my large amber eyes while he gripped the table. "He thought that by choosing to make contact with us and..." he gestured to the proclamation of secession spread out on the table, "presenting a document which is legal enough to keep the courts locked in session for months debating it, you have single handedly created a very difficult and potentially embarrassing situation for him."

I honestly didn't care about what was difficult or would harm the political career of a man I had yet to meet in person. I had what was mine and all that mattered was this this little discussion to avoid the inconvenience of having to flambe human warriors as they tried to march in over the mountain pass. "Forgive me if I fail to see how the loss of one tiny village on the edge of dragon country would seriously harm a man as important as Lord Dominic." I rumbled softly in response.

The Baron hesitated, but Sir Henry spoke up to fill the silence. "Several hundred people suddenly being removed from our lord's domain can hardly be considered insignificant, whatever the circumstances. Also, while Devonshire may be a small, frontier village it still produces a notable amount of wealth, which, if your proclamation were to be considered valid would be lost to Lord Dominic and the nation of Lyrond as a whole."

On that thread, Baron Crestwell found his voice. "Lord Ladonius, every part of the Duke's realm is considered important, especially the population centers such as the villages and towns. If you were to consider the possibility that a rival nation had invaded and taken control of this town instead of yourself. We could certainly not ignore such an act of aggression. It would be as serious as a declaration of war."

"Your analogy makes sense regarding the seriousness of the situation." I admitted generously, "However, it has two vital flaws. I am an individual, not a rival country. Also, I have no intention of further conquest. The valley is rich and will sustain me indefinitely. I have no desire to expand my territory."

Baron Crestwell raised a finger, "If you will allow me, Lord Ladonius. You may have no desire to expand your realm presently, but can you honestly say that this will always be the case? Dragons are known to live an age and a half as is well known. What if, in a hundred years, this valley alone no longer satisfies you?"

I clicked softly in the back of my throat, suddenly more eager for the roasted pig to make its appearance. "In a hundred years you and Lord Dominic will be long dead, I think, so I don't see the need to discuss the matter."

Baron Crestwell folded his hands. "Forgive me, I was merely speaking hypothetically." Rubbing the red whiskers which helped conceal, but not completely, the man's enlarged double chin, he diverted, "But what is a matter of importance is that we handle this messy situation with all due caution and discretion."

I could not stop myself from growling a bit as I said, "Baron, you speak in circles. You keep saying that this matter is 'messy' and 'difficult.' I do not see it as such. I have claimed this area as my own and there is nothing more to the matter. The other humans living here are even faring better than they had been under Sir Ronald. I think I have proven that I can manage Devonshire as well as that so-called Knight ever did."

Sitting up straight, the baron's ample middle pressed against the table's edge, but his eyes were bright with concentration. "Lord Ladonius. I think I may make the safe assumption that you have not had a lot of experience in human politics?"

I sat in silence, though my tail slithered across the stone floor a few feet.

"If Lord Dominic were to allow Devonshire to secede from Lyrond, it would make him appear weak and unwilling, or perhaps unable to defend the outlying territories. Worse, it would set a precedent for other smaller villages which may be unhappy for one reason or another. It might even provoke open revolt. A village becoming independent of its parent country is just not something that happens, even if a dragon is involved."

I squared my shoulders, sitting up straighter. "Well, it has happened, and a dragon_is_ involved."

The Baron sat back against his chair, hands placed on top of his belly, "That it has... that it has..."

Though the human had relaxed his posture, I remained straight, looking down at the trio. I wondered desperately how much was not being said as the silence lengthened.

When the Baron spoke again, he was brisk and businesslike. "We need not get into the details tonight. We are all weary from travel and we have the long winter ahead to think about things. You should know that Lord Dominic has vested in me absolute power in his place in regards to this situation and has given me until Spring to return with a resolution. At any rate, he wishes you to know that he is willing to settle the situation with you without resorting to bloodshed or taking the matter to other, outside parties." the Baron clapped his hands and waved to the waiters standing off to the side at the edge of the amphitheater. "Let us have some dinner before resuming the discussion!"