"Irtysh?" Rizantona called. "Don't come! Just answer!"

"Mother?" The Western dragon prince looked up from the impressive pile of jewels in which he lolled, content.

"Yes. I want to speak to you, but I can't ask you to visit where I am, so stay where you are."

"Why not? We always visit; we can usually only speak to close relatives without visiting."

"I am your mother. That is close enough to allow free speech. This isn't my place. I am a guest myself. I ...