Good call. You should’ve bet me on that one. 

Shoot. Do you want to bet now? she asked.  

That’s not how it works and you know it.  

“You two are doing it again,” Kirsten said, rolling her eyes.  

“Sorry,” Anders said.  

Just then Reginald called to their attention for the last time. Max, Britt, Ophelia and Agatha, the Aquinian representative, entered the room. In a matter of minutes Hannah called them to attention and led them to the table to begin their discussion.  

Everything went as Anders expected. All representatives agreed to continue the peace among their varying cultures, though Anders knew that historically peace ebbed and flowed in Kartania. Trade agreements were struck with the dwarfs, elves and humans. When it came to discussing what they all really wanted to talk about, Anders set the precedent. Using the ideals of the ancient order of dragonriders taught to him by Tarron, in combination with Zorna’s design, Anders laid the groundwork for all cultures and groups among them to have inhabitance crystals evenly distributed among them.  

“How can we be sure that people will only use them for economic and utilitarian purposes?” Remli asked.  

“That is the purpose of the dragonrider order we are working to create. The bonded dragonriders will police the use of the crystals to make sure no nation or people use them for war.” 

“And how will we know that the dragonriders will not take the position of power into their own hands the way Merglan did?” Britt asked. 

“With this new law and the underlying code of riders, no bonded dragonrider, regardless of birth or origin, can be seated in a position to rule. Non-bonded riders are an exception, as their bonds have ended and their powers will have waned.”  

“That goes against what you are doing now,” Agatha, the Aquinian, said. “You are the King of humankind and you are a dragonrider.”  

“Which is why I am abdicating the throne to Hannah, the next in line for our throne,” Anders announced to the room.  

“If any of the other humans have an issue, please say so now.” 

“The Rollo people support Hannah as our Queen,” Britt said.  

“Westland has no problem with that,” Ophelia said, looking to Kirsten and Thomas. They shook their heads, indicating they agreed.  

“Former dragonriders are allowed to rule then?” Agatha asked. 

“When a dragonrider’s bond is cut by the death of her dragon, she loses the ability to use magic. Once the magic is gone from her system, she can take charge as ruler,” Anders said. “This would be true for a male dragonrider as well.”

Agatha nodded, “That is fair.”  

“So, by signing this new doctrine that outlines what we have discussed, the leaders of Kartania agree to join together to create a working relationship with each nation. You are also agreeing that oversight of the safe use of the crystals’ powers will fall into the hands of the Order of Dragonriders. I suggest you all read the document carefully before signing. Once we’ve all signed, I will abdicate to Hannah and, henceforth, act solely as a founding member of Kartania’s Order of Dragonriders.”  

Each of the leaders around the table nodded. They broke into the groups they’d arrived with to read the declaration that had been created.  

Nadir and Natalia were the first to sign. Afterward they came alongside Anders and Maija.  

“If you become bonded that means you’ll lose your seat as King,” Anders said to Nadir.  

“I’m grooming someone else to take my position,” Nadir said. “I think you met him when we were here in Southland last.”  

Anders raised his eyebrow, “Bronson?”

Nadir nodded, “He has a good head on his shoulders and a good reputation among our people. He has experience leading and harbors no personal grudges against the dwarfs or the Rolloans. I think he’ll serve the elves well.” 

“So, you’ll be spending more time with Natalia at the training grounds,” Anders said.  

Nadir nodded, “We have been spending a lot of time together.”  

Anders eyed Nadir, not sure if he meant what Anders thought he did.  

“I think you’re going to like your new brother-in-law,” Nadir added when Anders didn’t question him further.  

“You’re serious? You and Nat?” Anders whispered.  

Nadir nodded.  

Anders leaned over and poked Maija. She looked at him and he said, “Did you know about them?” pointing his thumb at Natalia and Nadir. 

Maija shook her head, “What about them?” 

Anders looked at Natalia with wide eyes. She rolled her eyes at him and grabbed Maija by the arm, “Come here. I need to explain it away from, ‘the boys’.”  

When all of the leaders and participants in the room had signed the document, the time had arrived for Anders to formally abdicate, ceding the throne to Hannah. She brought out the papers and the crown, setting them on the table. Anders leafed through and signed the form transferring his rule to his grandniece. When he was finished, he took the crown and offered it to Hannah, saying, “I know you will wear it better than I ever could. You make our family proud.”  A round of applause sounded when Hannah accepted the crown and placed it on her head.  

After the day’s events, Hannah and Inama hosted the leaders and their traveling companions to a feast. Anders and Maija got to see the blend of cultures in a joyful gathering. When the feasting drew to a close, they spent time mingling and reminiscing about their adventures together and those they had treasured and lost along the way.  

The following day, the different parties packed up and started leaving to return home to begin the new governance that Anders helped set in place. Watching the elves and dwarfs board their ships, Anders felt a hand pat him on the shoulder. He turned to see his friend Max.  

“Don’t wait too long to come and visit us on the Islands,” Max said, shaking Anders’ hand.  

“Same goes for you two,” Anders said as Britt joined Max.  

“Yeah, you have to see what we did to Theodor’s place,” Maija said.  

“I’m sure we’ll be seeing more of each other now that you’re sending some warriors to train with us,” Anders said.  

“And we’ll see you at the wedding,” Max said.  

“That’s right,” Anders replied. “Can’t get hitched without my best man.”  

“Well, we better hit the waves while the tide’s still favorable,” Britt said.  

Anders and Maija hugged their friends and watched them board their ships. Within the hour, the dwarfs, elves, Rollo Islanders and Westland ships had set sail for their homes.  

Anders and Maija met their dragons and climbed into their saddles. Anders looked overhead to see Kirsten and Thomas flying north with the two dragonriders-in-training. He smiled at Maija, “Where to?”  

“Home,” she replied.  

“Highborn Bay it is,” Anders answered with a grin.  

While Zahara and Raffa took to the skies, they waved goodbye to the new Queen in Southland. They set their sights on Grandwood as they flew north through the clear blue sky. They had a lot of work to do to get their Order of Dragonriders going and to distribute the inhabitance crystals among the various nations, but at the moment, Anders, Zahara, Maija and Raffa looked forward to spending a few days with each other and Anders’ family back at Highborn Bay.