[ He opens his mouth to dismiss the idea. But then closes it as he turns the suggestion over. Make peace with the dragon? He supposes it is, technically, a possibility, as the dragon has been known to 'ally' itself with the gods from time to time in order to slake its lust for carnage. Who's to say it wouldn't respond to bribery?

His thinking takes long enough that they're able to deposit the first boxes on or by the cart Marianne is using. By the time he sets his burden down, he has come to a conclusion. ]

No, I don't think that's possible, [ he says reluctantly. ] That dragon - it has lived since the dawn of the world. It has no allegiance to any man, demon, or god. It loves only gold and battle. It would never accept peace. It would wait until I am no longer a threat to it and then it would kill me.