Over the next three days, the dragons of the mountain came out in droves from that one suitable exit or fell to the death by jumping from the higher ones. They waited two more days to be sure there were none left before the large dragon entered alone, obviously the only one capable of handling anything he encounters. At least a full day passed before he returned covered in black foul-smelling soot. He first made his report to his king, " Such disgusting habits they have formed. Leaving one's feces where it lands. Thousands of the dead’s scales and bones litter the passageways. I at least give a proper burial at sea to those I slew."

The king covered his nose. " As I said feces. It still burns in the larger piles. Yet I know none who still live in there and I have gathered all the eggs I could in one cavern that used to be for the nests when those with minds lived here. I counted seventy-four. My liege I am a very happy dragon."

It clearly showed as he stood with his head held much higher than normal. He then looked behind his king. " They come."

The 'they' he referred to are the other two kings and their stewards. The dragon's king turns around as the old king says, " So what does your beast have to report."

The dragon growls lightly before saying, " Show me some respect half-sizer king. Your numbers in loss would by far greater without me. Also, the speed and certainty of this victory would have been far less as well. Now the caves are empty but I would wait a few days to let fresh air in there. There are places even I could not survive in there."

The dragon bows to his king. " If I may be excused now I wish to bathe then return to my young. It is time for me to teach them some proper manners when dealing with others of your race. Today is a perfect day to do that."

The dragon's king waves his hand and the dragon left after lightly growling toward the old king again. The steward of the young king asks, " Such a wondrously well trained and magnificent specimen you have. How did you acquire or even train him to be so obedient?"

The other steward then asked, " Yes, let us know so we can train one or two for ourselves."

The king became outraged. " How dare you even ask for the secrets of my kingdom. All kings are taught the rules of the order of magic that involve them. By mutual agreement, no war may be brought while at least one of us lives, but do not think I will not have complaints brought to the heads of your orders. You are free to meddle with the affairs of your respected kingdoms but not mine. As our agreement stated these are mine. Now let us go to our respective tents..."

Over the next three days, the dragon re-entered the cave system and brought out gold and other valuables by the ton. Always covered in the foul soot. After coming out one time he also had two large looking stones with him. " My liege I found another dozen eggs in a cavern I didn't explore before. I put them in with the others. These two unborn took the full brunt of my fire and they were destroyed while still in the egg."

He set them down. " Do what you wish with them. I have no time to worry about the dead ones now. Now I would guess it to be safe for your kind to enter in the morning but I would not send many. Just to get the dead and gold out. If they're careful to be sure to keep breathing."

The king puts a hand on one of the eggs. " Thank you for this dragon."

The dragon sounded a little humbled as he said, "It is my duty my liege'

In the morning the dragon was first in the caves to be sure that none bother with the eggs while the foreign, to him, king's armies loot the mountain. The dragon's king army stayed outside and admired what little they got and listening or telling stories to the dragonets. The one with the dead dragon's head caught the full attention of the female dragonet. " Papa has protected this kingdom sense the first king spared his life two thousand one hundred and sixty-one years ago. Since then he has done every sensible thing the kings have asked. From feeding the people to defending them from invaders."

The soldier scratches his head. " You mean he was the one that got the wagons of fish for the people during the great famine three hundred years ago?"

The little dragon rocks her head back and forth for a bit before saying, " Maybe, he said he did a lot of fishing then. I would not know because I'm only two. Say in eighty years when I am finally able to fly would you like me to take you up with me?"

The soldier starts petting the top of her head. " I'm sorry little one. I'll be surprised if my grandchildren will be alive then."

She looks at his feet. " Well, you could ask daddy to help with that if you would like. He knows many things and him maybe able to help in that. You did chop the mad one's head off by yourself. Sense Papas deal with our king made states that we are under the king and the protection of his force. So we do not have to serve any for seven generations. Yet I would like to do something for you anyways."

He pets her head some more and she lays it on his lap before going to sleep.

In the cave several weeks later after all the wealth and other treasures were removed and properly divided the three kings went to where the dragon had been guarding. The chamber with all the eggs in it. " Hello, my liege and other half-sizer kings. What can I do for you?"

The young king speaks rashly, " We want to see what is beyond your fat tail." The dragon ignores the insult but not the request. " If my liege permits it then very well... without arms."

Both kings protest until the dragon's king said, " It is either relinquish half of your spoils or your swords for a few minutes gentlemen."

Both grinned their teeth as they handed their sword belts over then walked past the dragon. After a few steps inside the two saw nothing as they expected. All they saw was a stone littered floor with walls glowing like the rest are. The young king went to one of the stones and lifted his leg to kick it but was stopped when the dragon took a hold of it. " Try it and I will be keeping your limb. These are not stones but eggs of dragons. Like the ones, my king gave you the other day. Now that you have seen them I request you leave."