(2011)

In the cold, snow-swathed lands of the north, Prince Vandt speaks with his bond-mate, Priar Andalavilji, near the outskirts of the underground city he calls home.

"We can convince them, Andala. We don't need to fight each other, we can be friends!"

Priar Andalavilji shook his head. "I know you have your species' best interests at heart, little sire. I doubt it will be as simple as you think, but as we are bonded, I shall do my best to assist you."

A thud in the snow behind them caused them both to spin, alarmed. The priar growled at the strange 'gildt, who threw himself to his knee in the snow, submissive to his prince. Prince Vandt ran calming hands down his priar's long face, hoping to keep the great creature from roaring and alerting the stable.

"Little Sire! I-"

"Don't try to stop me! The queen is too full of herself! There's no reason we can't ally with the midlanders! All my life I've been told how evil they are, how they conspire with the aliens, how they have become soft - easy targets to expand our own lands. I have met them, and they are just like us! Andala will take me to speak peace with them, and should you try to stop us, Avil, we shall kill you!"

"Little Sire, I just noticed you forgot your spear."

"...Oh. Thanks."