Dragon was blunt, but he was also shrewd. He listened to the snake--he watched her coil, slither, flare her hood. Imp was half-listening a few yards away, attention somewhat distracted by a marsh fly he was snapping at, but Dragon ignored him, for the time being.

He was young; he could be taught, in time.

The others, though--this might be his only chance.

He knew the truth--that if the others did not listen, he planned to wreak utter havoc upon them--death, chaos, ruin--until they did. But he was not sure how the snake would feel about that, and he felt she might be useful to him. To all of them. And so he tilted his boatlike head, and eyed Egahi closely.

"To ignore this wisdom--this truth--is to court disaster for all. Tell me, Bound to Bone, Egahi, what would you do? What do you suggest, what do you imagine, must be done if the others... disregard? If they continue to fritter their time--all our time--away...?"

Dark eyes stared at her, Dragon holding his breath as he awaited her response.

Will she think as I do? Or will she--as my son Bog wished--find some alternative I have not yet thought of? Is she a kindred spirit, or a new perspective...?