Inferno (Talon #5)(100)
“But regardless,” Ember continued, taking a short breath to compose herself. “We’re here. And we can’t cling to the past. So, unless anyone has any questions, we should get started.”
“Actually, I do have one question, Firebrand,” Riley said, making the old Eastern dragon blink at him, perhaps startled by his nonchalance in addressing the new leader of Talon. “I was going to ask you later, but what the hell, we’re all friends here. I’ll bring it up now. Are you sure you want this? Being the new CEO? Taking over the Elder Wyrm’s job?”
“Yes,” Ember said seriously. “I’m sure. The executives have accepted my position, or at least, they were forced to accept my position. As daughter of the Elder Wyrm, I am the rightful heir to Talon now that Dante is gone. And the Archivist fought for me. He’s offered to be my mentor and assistant, until I can run company affairs on my own.”
“That’s not really what I meant,” Riley said, making the Archivist frown at him. “I’ve worked for Talon. I know how they do things. Not that I doubt your abilities, Firebrand, but Talon has been unchanged for centuries, and a lot of the members are not going to want to try anything new. It’s going to be a fight every step of the way, and you’re still just a hatchling. Are you sure you want this? To give your entire life to the organization?”
“If not me,” Ember said softly, “then who?” He didn’t have an answer for that, and she nodded. “This is why I’m here, Riley. I wanted our race to be free, to not live in fear of Talon.”
“At the cost of your own freedom?” Riley asked grimly.
Ember gave a sad smile. “Dante once told me that sacrifice is necessary,” she said. “He was right. There are too many people and dragons who are counting on me to make a difference. So many things need to change. I know it’s going to be an uphill fight all the way, but I have to do it.” Her smile became wistful. “Maybe someday I can retire, but right now, this is my place.
“I hope we can make this work,” Ember went on, and paused. “No, I am committed to making this work. Talon will change, I promise to see that happen. But there’s still a lot of work to do, and we need everyone’s help to make the transition as smooth as possible.”
“That is why we are here,” the Archivist broke in, and stepped forward. “Ma’am, if I may?” he asked, looking at Ember, who nodded.
“I take it you have all reviewed the treaty?” the Archivist continued, placing the documents on the table in front of us. His pale eyes shifted to me behind his glasses. “First and most important—Talon and the Order of St. George will agree to an immediate cease-fire, and the Order will abstain from killing any members of Talon, dragon or human, without reasonable cause. Which are clearly documented on page two, paragraph 4B. Likewise, all members of Talon will follow the same procedures when dealing with the Order and its members. Does St. George have any questions or concerns, Commander Sebastian?”
“No,” I replied. I’d reviewed the treaty earlier and found no discrepancies or loopholes; with a few corner cases, it basically stated that Talon and St. George were at peace, and members of both sides were not to harm the other unless their lives were threatened. At the behest of Tristan, I did add a clause that, should any member of Talon attempt a global hostile takeover, or mean obvious harm to a human being, the Order would be free to act on their own judgment and respond accordingly. I was told that many Talon executives weren’t happy with that clause, but Ember and the Archivist had agreed to it.
The Archivist nodded. “Agent Cobalt,” he went on, looking at the former rogue. “You have agreed to head the new branch Talon plans to open. Is this still acceptable? For hatchlings who do not wish to directly serve the organization, your division will be responsible for placing them in homes where they will be safe, and monitoring their progress until they come of age.”
“Basically, what I do now,” Riley answered with a wry grin. “That’s fine with me.”
“But they would have a choice,” Ember said. “That’s the difference. They don’t have to work for Talon—they can choose what path they want for themselves. Talon will, of course, provide a full education should they decide to stay with the organization, but for the first time, that choice will be theirs alone.”
“Personally, I don’t see many of them leaving Talon, at least not permanently,” Mist broke in. She sat next to Riley with her chin resting on her laced fingers, looking thoughtful. “When you’ve been raised as part of something bigger, even if you have that choice, it’s hard to break away and try to make it alone.”
“They’ll never be alone,” Ember said, and Riley nodded. “We will always be here for any dragon, member of Talon or not. Which is why I’m very happy to be allying with the Eastern council. Mr. Lei,” she went on, turning to the old man beside Jade. “I know your people crave isolation, so thank you for agreeing to this partnership, and for allowing Jade to represent the Eastern dragons. I promise we will stay out of your affairs as much as possible.”
The old man narrowed his eyes. “It was as much for our own survival that we agreed to ally with Talon,” he said in a breathy but powerful voice, causing a shiver to run up my spine. He wasn’t as old as the Archivist, but he was an old dragon all the same. “Your organization has proven how dangerous and devious they can be, and in this, we feel we have no choice. At least with Jade keeping an eye on things, we will not be taken by surprise again.”