Martina: phone reception is bad here...

Scrawled on a sheet torn from a notepad from a foreign hotel

Dearest:

I'm afraid that the reception for cellular telephones is spotty at best out here. The others don't want to be interrupted by human conveniences. As a result, I am paying through the nose to send you this note. There is no guarantee of reliable communication after this.

You might say that we'll be "roughing it". I will attempt to get away as quickly as possible, but I already foresee trouble between Soren and some of the other dragons. I have already made my stance clear to these animals: I am neutral and will try to maintain an objective stance on all things.

All things other than you and our home, of course.

This old dragon already misses you.

My fire is yours, always.

Message left on Martina's answering machine:

Dearest, I just got reception, but you must be away from your phone or busy. [Garbled] careful, please. Word through the ranks is that things are worse than the headlines are painting them. Soren is for throwing our lot in with the militants and fighting for our rights. Andres wants us to stay off the radar, the way we've always done. The others are even more divided still, but those are the two loudest roars.

I have already been forced into dragon form once, to break up a fight. [Muttered expletive] Sorry, darling. I must go. I will call again when I get a chance.