‘And I suppose every other dragon has as much sense?’ Wellesley said.

‘If you prefer, sir,’ Laurence said, ‘you may pay them their board and a wage above it; the form matters little. The question at hand is, whether you will agree that they have a right to pay, and to all the same rights and liberties under which any man serves.’

‘Why the devil ask me?’ Wellesley said. ‘Go speak to Dalrymple. I have no authority to make commitments on behalf of the Government.’

Laurence said, ‘Sir, you are likely to be appointed to the command; we both know that their Lordships are not likely to overrule whatever commitments you feel necessary to make in order to secure so critical a victory, nor even question them greatly, if those commitments should deliver a substantial force of dragons, which might otherwise have no inclination to remain and to serve.’

Wellesley tapped his boot again, and said nothing for a moment, looking at Laurence. ‘I give you my word it will be considered, shall we say,’ he offered, ‘and I can promise your beast the four hundred pounds per annum directly, as he is so sure he may be trusted. And we need hear nothing more of your own, difficulties.’

‘Hah,’ Minnow said, putting her head over Temeraire's shoulder. ‘Just so: they are offering you something, only for you and your captain!’

Wellesley started back. He had not noticed Minnow sitting quietly on Temeraire's back, listening in.

‘Yes, but I am not going to take it,’ Temeraire said, and lowered his head more closely, so Wellesley had to look at him directly. ‘I do not choose to wait, and rely on uncertain generosity. I know perfectly well how generous their Lordships can be. If you would like our help now, then you may say now how much it is worth to you. And if that is not as much as I think it worth, I will tell the others so, and I expect they will leave. I myself will stay for Laurence, but I will not keep the others for my sake. And it is not very handsome of you to propose anything so insulting, either,’ he added reproachfully, lifting his head back away, ‘when you know I cannot fight you over it, because you are too small.’

‘Do you know, you are the most damned peculiar pair of traitors I have ever heard of,’ Wellesley said to Laurence. ‘Are you trying to get yourself into Martyrs of the Christian Faith?’