I do not in the least pretend to understand the mechanical principles by which Temeraire’s ability operates, the effects are described in literature, and so I may identify it for you: the Chinese, and the Japanese, for that matter, call it by the name divine wind. This tells you little beyond what you already know from example, I am afraid, but the true importance lies in this: it is an ability unique to one breed and one breed alone—the Celestial.”
The name hung in silence for long moments; Laurence did not immediately know what to think. Temeraire looked between them uncertainly. “Is that very different from an Imperial?” he asked. “Are they not both Chinese breeds?”
“Very different indeed,” Sir Edward answered him. “Imperial dragons are rare enough; but the Celestials are given only to the Emperors themselves, or their nearest kin. I should be surprised if there were more than a few score in all the world.”
“The Emperors themselves,” Laurence repeated, in wonder and slowly growing comprehension. “You will not have heard this, sir, but we took a French spy at the covert in Dover shortly before the battle: he revealed to us that Temeraire’s egg was meant not merely for France, but for Bonaparte himself.”
Sir Edward nodded. “I am not surprised to hear as much. The Senate voted Bonaparte the crown in May before last; the time of your encounter with the French vessel suggests the Chinese gave him the egg as soon as they learned. I cannot imagine why they should have made him such a gift; they have given no other signs of allying themselves with France, but the timing is too exact for any other explanation.”
“And if they had some notion of when to expect the hatching, that might well explain the mode of transport as well,” Laurence finished for him. “Seven months from China to France, around Cape Horn: the French could hardly have hoped to manage it except with a fast frigate, regardless of the risk.”
“Laurence,” Sir Edward said with pronounced unhappiness, “I must heartily beg your forgiveness for having so misled you. I cannot even plead the excuse of ignorance: I have read descriptions of Celestials, and seen many drawings of them. It simply never occurred to me that the ruff and tendrils might not develop save with maturity; in body and wing-shape they are identical to the Imperials.”
“I beg you not to refine upon it, sir; no forgiveness is called for, in the least,” Laurence said. “It could scarcely have made much difference to his training, and in the event, we have learned of his ability in very good time.” He smiled up at Temeraire, and stroked the sleek foreleg beside him, while Temeraire snorted in happy agreement. “So, my dear, you are a Celestial; I should not be surprised at all. No wonder Bonaparte was in such a taking to lose you.”
“I imagine he will continue angry,” Sir Edward said. “And what is worse, we may have the Chinese on our necks over it, when they learn; they are prickly to an extreme, where the Emperor’s standing may be said to be concerned, and I do not doubt they will be annoyed to see a British serving officer in possession of their treasure.”
“I do not see how it concerns either Napoleon or them in the least,” Temeraire said, bristling. “I am no longer in the shell, and I do not care if Laurence is not an emperor. We defeated Napoleon in battle and made him fly away even though he is one; I cannot see that there is anything particularly nice about the title.”
“Never fret, my dear; they have no grounds on which to make objection,” Laurence said. “We did not take you from a Chinese vessel, arguably a neutral, but from a French man-of-war; they chose to hand your egg to our enemy, and you were wholly lawful prize.”
“I am glad to hear it,” Sir Edward said, though he looked doubtful. “They may still choose to be quarrelsome about it; their regard for the laws of other nations is very small, and vanishes entirely where it conflicts with their own notions of proper behavior. Pray have you any notion of how they stand with respect to us?”
“They could make a pretty loud noise, I suppose,” Laurence said uncertainly. “I know they have no navy to speak of, but one hears a great deal of their dragons. I will bring the news to Admiral Lenton, though, and I am sure he will