Editing Blood of Tyrants

== Book 8 ==
[[Image:blood_of_tyrants.jpg|thumb|350px|''The front cover of the U.S. version'']]

The eighth volume of the Temeraire series by [[Naomi Novik]], released in the US August 13, 2013. 

== Story ==
=== Part I ===

Some time after the events of [[Crucible of Gold]], the [[HMS Potentate]] enounters a fierce storm near [[Japan]]. In the resulting chaos, [[Laurence]] is lost overboard, and the [[Potentate]] becomes beached on a rock formation. [[Laurence]] survives these events, but washes up on the shores of [[Japan]]'s Chizuken Province with no recollection of who he is. Confused and thirsty, he encounters a Japanese noble; [[Kaneko Hiromasa]], who promptly has him taken to his home, despite the protests of his student [[Junichiro]]. The next day, [[Laurence]] remembers his name and identity, but assumes he is still the captain of the HMS [[Reliant]]. 

Meanwhile, on the [[Potentate]], [[Temeraire]]'s attempts to go and search for [[Laurence]] are hampered by the others; not only do they secretly believe [[Laurence]] to be dead, but [[Iskierka]] reveals that she is likely to lay an egg soon, and [[Temeraire]] realises [[Laurence]] would want him to ensure the egg's safety first. After some discussion with the others about how to refloat the [[Potentate]], [[Temeraire]] comes up with a plan to fly to the distant shores of [[Japan]] - where he can also secretly scout for [[Laurence]] - retrieve large tree trunks, and have the larger dragons of their contingent use them to lever the ship off the rocks, while the smaller dragons pull on the chains on the Dragondeck.

Flying to the coast, the [[dragons]] - each with a single person as crew - eventually find suitable trees, but they are confronted by a [[Lord Jinai|Sui-Riu]], who promptly attacks them with a powerful blast of water after failing to get them to surrender the wood. However, shortly after being attacked by the [[Divine Wind]], the [[dragon]] abandons the battle. Following this, the [[dragons]] return to the [[Potentate]] and begin their attempts to free it. [[Temeraire]]'s plan ultimately works, but with an unforseen consequence; once freed by the levers, the [[Potentate]] begins falling towards him and the others, resulting in [[Temeraire]] being forced underwater. The others soon rescue him from drowning, but his injuries force the crew to make for [[Nagasaki]]; the only port open to westerners - to which [[Hammond]] had already suggested they visit, as an attempt to make amends for the attack on the strange [[dragon]]. Upon waking, [[Temeraire]] learns that [[Iskierka]] has laid their egg, but his injuries are still too severe, so he is restricted to the [[Potentate]] under the care of a Chinese doctor; [[Wen Shen]]. 

In Chikuzen Province, [[Laurence]] finds his valuable sword - at present his only possession - has been confiscated by [[Kaneko]]; as per the strict laws of the bakufu - the government of the Shogun of Japan. After some discussion into the matter - conducted in Chinese, which [[Laurence]] subconciously remembers - [[Kaneko]] concludes his actions are potentially threatening his liege; [[Lady Arikawa]], and sends word to her. Despite this, [[Laurence]] later sneaks into [[Kaneko]]'s office and retrieves his sword; shortly before the arrival of [[Lady Arikawa]] - a [[dragon]] - with [[Matsudaira]]; a magistrate. They ask [[Laurence]]'s reasons for being in [[Japan]]; but after getting no real answer out of him, they decide to travel to Hakata Bay to continue. However, before they can begin the interrogation there, the [[Sui-Riu]] [[Lord Jinai]] arrives, and reports on his attack by a group of strange dragons which included a [[Celestial]]; extinct in [[Japan]] after Kublai Khan abducted the last egg. 

Following this, [[Matsudaira]] accuses [[Laurence]] of being in league with the Chinese in a plot against [[Japan]], and reveals that a British ship - the [[Phaeton]] - recently threatened to attack the ships at Nagasaki if they weren't supplied, but was sunk as a result. [[Laurence]] is soon taken away while the others discuss what to do with him, and he is later approached by [[Kaneko]] - who is revealed to have saved him in defiance of the bakufu's law as the result of a vow he made to care for any person he saw needing assistance - who reveals the seriousness of the situation, and notes that [[Lady Arikawa]] is considering speaking on their behalf to the bakufu; which would allow [[Laurence]] to honourably commit suicide - which [[Kaneko]] even offers to join him in. With little other option, [[Laurence]] decides to try and escape in the night, only to be released by [[Junichiro]], who flees with him.

The next day, [[Laurence]] and [[Junichiro]] stop to rest at a shrine, only to encounter another [[Sui-Riu]]; [[Lady Kiyomizu]] or "[[Kiyo]]", who welcomes them as guests after identifying [[Laurence]] as a source of western poetry. During this time, [[Laurence]] talks with [[Junichiro]], and learns that he helped him escape to prevent [[Kaneko]] from either breaking the law or his vow - which he reveals was made to the God Jizo, in the hopes that he would protect his deceased wife and son in the afterlife. Since [[Junichiro]] was a ronin - a masterless samurai - the dishonour will fall on him alone. 

Later, [[Laurence]] explains to [[Kiyo]] that he must leave for Nagasaki, only for her to offer to carry them both there. Carrying them downstream, [[Kiyo]] eventually stops upon being alerted to a emergency at a village; where frost is threatening the crops. After getting [[Laurence]] and [[Junichiro]] to dismount, [[Kiyo]] swallows an immense amount of river water, heats it internally, and eventually regurgitates it into a irrigation basin to remove the frost. The village promptly brings gifts of food to [[Kiyo]], but they regard [[Laurence]] with suspicion. After learning [[Kiyo]] plans to wait until the next day before leaving, [[Laurence]] decides to set off in the night; taking one of the villager's boats - and leaving a fragment of gold from [[Laurence]]'s coat as payment. 

At [[Nagasaki]], a still-injured [[Temeraire]] notices a [[dragon]] wearing a seemingly-western harness on a Dutch ship - which he realises is keeping a distance due to technically being a lawful prize as a subject of [[France]] - and gets [[Nitidus]] to make contact - despite a brief protest by Lieutenant [[Forthing]]. The dragon soon travels to the [[Potentate]] and introduces itself as [[John Wampanoag]], and reveals that it is one of the co-owners of an American trading company; their ship is merely disguised as a Dutch vessel. [[Wampanoag]] ends up going into detail about his business and how it got started; interesting the other [[dragons]], and the next day returns with a gift for them all; a vast silver chain of glass beads that can be worn. Following this, [[Temeraire]] enquires with [[Wampanoag]] about sending a search party out for [[Laurence]], and [[Wampanoag]] offers to talk with the Dutch and the Japanese on his behalf, although he considers it unlikely that [[Laurence]] has survived. 

Not long afterwards, [[Temeraire]] witnesses the arrival of [[Lady Arikawa]], and after some talk about their present situation - and the news of the loss of the [[Phaeton]] - Captain [[Blaise]] and [[Granby]] decide to fire a salvo and get their [[dragons]] to perform aerial maneuvers; to make a show of their might. Not long afterwards, [[Wampanoag]] returns to the [[Potentate]]; having recovered a tattered shirt that belonged to [[Laurence]] from the Japanese in Nagasaki. While [[Hammond]] talks with [[Wampanoag]] about diffusing the situation with the Japanese, [[Temeraire]] learns from [[Wen Shen]] that he is at last well again. 

Meanwhile, [[Laurence]] and [[Junichiro]] continue downstream, only to encounter a lord and his party ferrying their number across the river. Their attempts to sneak past them fail, and they are forced to flee; ultimately abandoning their boat further downstream and walking for a while, before constructing a raft to cross another river. Eventually, they reach Nagasaki, only to find that [[Lady Arikawa]] and [[Kaneko]] are already in the city. As they prepare to sneak to the harbour, [[Laurence]] recognises the [[Potentate]] as a British ship, and attempts to signal it, only for [[Kaneko]] to confront them; revealing [[Laurence]] is to be made prisoner. After learning that surrendering himself wouldn't save [[Kaneko]]'s honour, [[Laurence]] duels him; only to be stopped by the arrival of [[Lady Arikawa]]. Before she can capture [[Laurence]] herself, [[Temeraire]] arrives; having witnessed the signal, and angrily retrieves [[Laurence]]; explaining the situation at the same time. However, [[Laurence]] does not recognise [[Temeraire]], and upon return to the [[Potentate]], the surgeons diagnose him with a form of "brain-fever", and note that he may not properly recover if he's overwhelmed with additional information by the others about what he's forgotten. 

As [[Laurence]] slowly tries to settle on the [[Potentate]] - in the process learning once again that [[Longwing]] dragons only take female captains - [[Wampanoag]] arrives and reports there is to be a proper farewell dinner - a matter of saving face - and adds that as a result of the recent events, the Japanese are seeking relations with the United States of America, and are requesting shipwrights. At the dinner, [[Laurence]] meets with [[Kaneko]] again, and learns that [[Lady Arikawa]] considers his honour satisfied, and has invited him to take up residence with her, although he fears he will diminish her standing. [[Laurence]] also informs him he will take [[Junichiro]] into his care, which [[Kaneko]] feigns interest about.

The next day, the [[Potentate]] sets sail for Tien-sing, and [[Laurence]] goes to sit with [[Temeraire]], who requests he read the Principia Mathematica to him.

=== Part II ===

As the [[Potentate]] nears Tien-sing harbour, [[Hammond]] begins tutoring [[Laurence]] on proper court protocol. During this time, [[Laurence]] goes over his possessions, and after finding several letters from [[Lady Allendale|his mother]] and [[Jane Roland]], comes to the conclusion that [[Emily Roland]] may be his illegitimate daughter.

Upon arrival in Tien-sing harbour, [[Laurence]] and a small group go to meet with Crown Prince [[Mianning]] in a local palace. As they enter, a man disguised in western clothing hurls an explosive at [[Mianning]], but quick action on [[Laurence]] and [[Temeraire]]'s part sees it thrown outside. In the resulting chaos, [[Mianning]] and [[Laurence]] are evacuated from the palace via a detachable dais carried by four palace dragons. [[Mianning]] states they are heading for the Summer Palace in Peking, but the dragons instead take them to the house of [[Lord Bayan]]; the noble overseeing the preparations for their meeting. [[Lord Bayan]] greets them warmly and takes them to a room inside, although both [[Mianning]] and [[Laurence]] are suspicous at his words. After noticing a large group of guards outside, [[Mianning]] starts a fire, and the two fight their way out of the house.

As they do, [[Temeraire]] - having caught the would-be assassin - reaches [[Lord Bayan]]'s estate after determining where the palace dragons took [[Laurence]]. The palace dragons promptly turn on him, but quickly surrender after he slays one with the [[Divine Wind]]. Following this - and after extinguishing the fire - [[Mianning]] tells an apologetic [[Lord Bayan]] that he will leave with [[Temeraire]]; revealing to [[Laurence]] as they depart that he is refraining from convicing [[Lord Bayan]] because he can still use him at present. As they head for the Forbidden City, [[Temeraire]] enquires why his brother [[Lung Tien Chuan]] wasn't present with [[Mianning]], and learns that he is dead; poisoned six months prior. Without a [[Celestial]] companion, [[Mianning]]'s future as Crown Prince isn't secure.

Once their entire contingent reaches the Forbidden City, [[Hammond]] approaches and suggests that [[Temeraire]] attempt to sire an egg with an [[Imperial]], in the hopes of finding a new [[Celestial]] companion for [[Mianning]]. Before anything can be arranged, [[Lung Qin Mei]] requests to see [[Temeraire]], and he invites her to join them at a dinner; an event made awkward by the undignified eating habits of the other dragons and an indignant [[Iskierka]] insulting [[Mei]] - who later reveals she has been learning English, and as such understood everything she said. In the aftermath, [[Temeraire]] and [[Mei]] are left alone, and [[Mei]] reveals that she has been approached by [[Mianning]] to try and bear a [[Celestial]] egg. After some talk with one another - where [[Mei]] expresses surprise that [[Iskierka]] managed an egg from [[Temeraire]]; when [[Celestial]]s aren't thought to be able to breed with any dragon other than an [[Imperial]] - the two mate. In the aftermath, [[Mei]] reveals her fear as to what will happen to a resulting egg. 

Later, [[Temeraire]] meets with [[Laurence]], and eventually talks with him about the possibility of remaining in [[China]] - which would allow them to protect [[Mianning]], the egg, and also restore [[Laurence]]'s lost capital. However, [[Laurence]] misunderstands the question, and implies he would return to [[Europe]] whilst [[Temeraire]] stays. [[Temeraire]] promptly flees in anger, and [[Laurence]] attempts to comfort him when he returns, only to be interrupted when [[Hammond]] arrives with a message from the [[Jiaqing Emperor]]; which prompts their immediate attendance.

[[Laurence]] promptly joins [[Mianning]] and [[Lord Bayan]] before the [[Jiaqing Emperor]]. [[Mianning]] begins explaining the necessity for improving relations with the West and allying against [[Napoleon]], only for [[Lord Bayan]] to bring up the matter of the illegal opium trade, which he reports has been linked by a [[General Fela]] - currently suppressing remnants of the failed White Lotus Rebellion - to British involvement. [[Laurence]] immediately denies this, and after some debate, [[Lord Bayan]] suggests he travel to [[General Fela]]'s aid at Xian, to either prove his country's innocence or to atone for its guilt. [[Mianning]] agrees, but gives orders for him to be accompanied by three "jalan" - regiments. The Emperor approves this, and sends General [[Lung Shao Chu]] to assist [[Laurence]].

Shortly after meeting with [[General Chu]], [[Laurence]], [[Temeraire]] and their number set off for Xian, only for them to be secretly joined by [[Mei]]; in the hopes that she and [[Temeraire]] will manage an egg which can then be secretly hidden before anyone in Peking knows. The three jalan gradually add to their number; with various armoured dragons joining them along their journey. During this time, [[Laurence]] makes a distant [[Junichiro]] work with the sociable [[Baggy]]; in the hopes that he will learn English as a result. [[Laurence]] also meets with [[Hammond]], who confirms that Britain is indeed illegally selling opium to [[China]] - due to it being the only real item that Chinese will buy from western markets - but that they certainly aren't aiding the rebels in the west; and is clueless as to how they are being supplied. [[Laurence]] leaves in anger and goes to find [[Temeraire]], but after seeing him asleep with [[Mei]], instead goes to meet with [[Mrs. Pemberton]], who is with [[Emily Roland]]. As they talk, a group of assassins attack, and [[Laurence]] and [[Emily]] - aided by [[Mrs. Pemberton]], who uses their pistols - hold them off until  aid can arrive. In the aftermath, [[Hammond]] notes that the conservative faction of the court - of which [[General Fela]] is a member - must have approved their journey in the hopes of having [[Laurence]] slain. 

Soon afterwards, their group arrives at Xian, where they rest before continuing on to [[General Fela]]'s location. While there, [[Temeraire]] notices [[Junichiro]] refusing an offer from [[Gong Su]] to become a servant of [[Mianning]]; later telling him that "[[China]] is no friend of my country". The next day, they reach [[General Fela]] at the ruins of a village, and he informs them that it was a rebel base that they followed a British dragon to, and shows them the recovered opium as proof. When they discuss this among themselves, [[Granby]] notes that although the opium is definitely of British origin, [[General Fela]] has likely made up the story about the dragon; while Chinese dragons ferry goods from place to place, British dragons don't. With this in mind, [[Hammond]] and [[Mei]] - disgruntled by the sight of the opium - write a letter to be sent to the Forbidden City. 

In the aftermath, [[Laurence]] is approached by [[Mrs. Pemberton]], who tells him she is no use as a chaperone to [[Emily]], and now wishes to learn how to fence and fire pistols so that she can prevent a repeat of the last assassination event. After she leaves, [[Temeraire]] jealously enquires about [[Laurence]]'s time with [[Mrs. Pemberton]] - roused by the speculation of the other dragons that he was secretly pursuing relations with her - but he manages to soothe him, and in the process confirm that [[Emily]] isn't his daughter. Over the course of the conversation, [[Temeraire]] lets slip that they have a home in [[New South Wales]], and ultimately reveals to [[Laurence]] the details of his treachery and exile. [[Laurence]] is shocked when he finds out, and the other aviators take him aside so he can properly process this news. 

[[Temeraire]], meanwhile, sinks into despair at his predicament, and ultimately decides to go out and search for traces of the rebels in the ruined town - also to avoid having to talk with [[Laurence]], and make him remember any more horrible things - and takes Lieutenant [[Forthing]], [[Ferris]] and [[Sipho]] with him. After flying over the village - which he notes appears to have been devoid of activity even before its destruction - [[Temeraire]] decides to explore the surrounding area, and ultimately finds a trail leading to a hidden valley, where they find an imprisoned [[Arkady]]; grounded by having iron bars thrust through his wings. After enquiring about the state of his and [[Wringe]]'s egg - [[Caesar]]; hatched in [[New South Wales]] - [[Arkady]] reveals he was sent to find [[Temeraire]], and travelled overland for Peking, only to be captured by dragons that they identify as being from the Chinese army as he passed Xian. In addition to this, [[Sipho]] finds a cache of the swords used by the would-be assassins; further incriminating [[General Fela]]. Before they can act on this, a rockslide occurs above them, and traps the dragons in the valley - with [[Forthing]], [[Ferris]] and [[Sipho]] sheltered beneath [[Temeraire]]. 

Back at camp, [[Laurence]] goes to see [[Temeraire]] after talking with [[Granby]], only to find him gone. He approaches Captain [[Little]] - who, unknown to [[Laurence]], has been avoiding him out of fear that he will remember [[Little]]'s homosexual relationship with [[Granby]] - and requests they explore the area for him. In the air, they see the signs of the rockslide, and find [[Temeraire]] and [[Arkady]] buried in the rocks; with human soldiers and a dragon moving to attack them. [[Laurence]] and [[Little]] dismount to fight the soldiers while [[Immortalis]] tries to evade the dragon, who eventually manages to get a lock on his throat. Before the dragon can kill [[Immortalis]], [[Kulingile]] arrives with [[Demane]] - searching for [[Sipho]] - [[Junichiro]] and [[Baggy]], and dispatches the dragon, before turning on the soldiers. Following this, they begin rescuing the trapped men and dragons. During this time, [[Temeraire]] tries to apologise to [[Laurence]] for his role in his treachery and the loss of his fortune, but [[Laurence]] reassures him that he doesn't care. [[Temeraire]] finally offers to let [[Laurence]] leave him, feeling he'd be happier if he'd never harnessed him, but [[Laurence]] denies this; stating he wouldn't change anything that's happened to him, even if he could. 

After they are all freed from the rockslide, they return to camp, where they remove the bars from [[Arkady]]'s wings. As they discuss what action to take against [[General Fela]] - [[Mei]] noting they need to find proof that can be shown to the Emperor - [[Arkady]] notes that [[Tharkay]] accompanied him, and had a message for them regarding [[Napoleon]]'s latest plan in [[Europe]]. The aviators conclude he is probably being tortured by [[General Fela]] to "confess" against them. [[Hammond]] realises that there are no rebels in the area; [[General Fela]] and the conservative faction fabricated the whole thing to weaken [[Mianning]]'s influence and destroy and chance at an alliance with a western nation. However, their arrival with an army of dragons has prevented him from coming up with an end to the rebellion, or from sending them on false searches for rebels. 

Following this, [[Kulingile]] gets [[Arkady]] to lead him to the site where he and [[Tharkay]] were captured, while [[Laurence]] and [[Temeraire]] get [[General Chu]] to join them without his honour guard, under the pretext of improving their search tactics. Once they reach [[Arkady]]'s location, [[Temeraire]] and [[Laurence]] reveal the truth to [[General Chu]], and tell him of their findings. [[General Chu]] is skeptical, but agrees to help them search for [[Tharkay]]; quickly finding a former White Lotus fortification that is clearly in use. As they prepare to summon others to investigate, the dragons of [[General Chu]]'s honour guard arrive and attack; only for [[Temeraire]] to defeat them with the [[Divine Wind]]. More dragons arrive, however, and they struggle to evade them, before the dragons of [[Lily]]'s formation arrive - alerted by the sudden departure of the honour guard - allowing them to gain the upper hand as [[General Chu]]'s own forces arrive. [[General Chu]] calls [[Temeraire]] and the others aside from the battle, and [[Laurence]] and the aviators dismount so they can enter the cave at retrieve [[Tharkay]]. After defeating the few soldiers inside, [[Laurence]] locates an injured [[Tharkay]] in a small room; the sight of which reminds him of his own rescue by [[Tharkay]] from a British prison, which restores many of his lost memories. 

Once back at the camp - where [[Temeraire]] deals to [[General Fela]] - [[Tharkay]] reveals [[Napoleon]] is planning an assault on [[Russia]], so that he crush his last opponent in Europe and focus all of his attention on the Iberian Peninsula, where he is currently fighting for supremacy. Meanwhile, [[General Chu]] reveals that he is a minister of the "breeding office", and as [[Temeraire]] and [[Mei]] have failed to produce an egg together, after observation of [[Iskierka]], they take her egg to Prince [[Mianning]]'s palace where it can safely hatch into the next [[Celestial]] Companion. [[Temeraire]] and [[Mei]] make their farewells, and she tells [[Temeraire]] that she will go to Guangzhou and stop the opium trade, and offers to try for an egg with him again if he returns after the wars with [[Napoleon]] end. 

Later, in Peking, [[Laurence]], [[Hammond]], [[Gong Su]], [[General Chu]] and [[Lung Shen Shi]] - another commander - begin making plans for sending forces to aid [[Russia]]. [[Hammond]] and [[Gong Su]] are sent as envoys to the Russian court with [[Lung Shen Shi]], who will arrange supplies for three hundred dragons, while Captain [[Catherine Harcourt|Harcourt]] and [[Lily]]'s formation - along with [[Granby]] and [[Iskierka]], plus a reluctant [[Demane]], [[Sipho]] and [[Kulingile]] - leave with the [[Potentate]] to join the battle on the Iberian Peninsula.

=== Part III ===

Much later, [[Laurence]], [[Temeraire]], [[General Chu]], and a fraction of their forces arrive at Moscow - St. Petersburg having fallen to [[Napoleon]]'s forces - and [[Laurence]] meets with [[Hammond]] at the house of Countess [[Andrejevna]] - who talks about the recent birth of [[Joseph Pachacuti Yupanqui|Napoleon's heir]] - only to learn that [[Hammond]] has failed to convince the Russians that aid is coming from [[China]]. They are subsequently joined by the escaped Captain [[Dyhern]] of [[Prussia]] - whose dragon [[Eroica]] remains imprisoned in an unknown location - who notes they may be suspicous considering [[Britain]] previously promised aid and sent none during [[Black Powder War|Prussia's failed campaign against Napoleon]]; albeit due to the [[Dragon Plague]]. 

The three return to the Chinese encampment, where they learn from [[General Chu]] that their forces are at least four days away and remain divided. Due to a lack of supplies, he has sent orders for them to delay their approach. After some discussion, [[Laurence]] and [[Temeraire]] get [[Dyhern]] to lead them to the nearest breeding grounds, so they can learn of the current location of the French army. However, upon arrival, they find that Russian dragons are nothing like western dragons; with heavyweights more concerned with protecting their vast hoards of treasure than anything else, while the lightweights act as their servants. Their arrival alerts Captain [[Ivan Rozhkov]], who refuses to believe their claims of bringing Chinese reinforcements, and so [[Laurence]] prepares to leave, only for an injured dragon to arrive; his captain revealing that [[Napoleon]] has just captured Smolensk.

Following this, [[Laurence]], [[Temeraire]] and their number make for Vyazma to find General [[Kutuzov]]; the commander of the Russian Army. Upon arrival, [[Tharkay]] dons [[Laurence]]'s imperial robes to pose as a Prince of China for the doubting Russians, while the rest of them act as envoys. This succeeds, and the next day, [[Kutuzov]] comes to meet with [[General Chu]], who notes that the Russian aerial forces can't hope to win without them. During this time, the dragons from the Russian covert join their number, and [[Temeraire]] ends up talking with [[Grig]]; a lightweight who usually is at the mercy of the heavyweight [[Vosyem]]. 

[[Kutuzov]] ultimately arranges a meeting with [[Napoleon]] - who they learn is travelling without [[Lien]], who is guarding his son in [[France]] - and as they await his arrival, [[Laurence]] learns from [[Hammond]] that [[Wellesley|Wellington]] has defeated one of [[Napoleon]]'s generals in [[Spain]]. Eventually, [[Napoleon]] meets with [[Czar Alexander]] and tries to arrange a peace in his favour, but Alexander rejects this, and [[Napoleon]] leaves - with a Russian courier almost causing chaos by forcing his dragon towards [[Napoleon]]'s head.

Some time later, [[General Chu]]'s forces arrive at the Russian camp; however, [[Lung Shao Ri|one of the commanders]] reports a French patrol spotted them, and reports come in that the French are falling back all across [[Russia]]. The reinforced Russian army begins pursuing them, while [[General Chu]] and [[Lung Shen Shi]] arrange for supplies for their forces. [[Grig]] and many of the lightweight Russian dragons watch this and the Chinese dragons, and reveal that there are this many dragons in the breeding grounds, but there is little for them to eat there. [[Temeraire]] begins telling them about how things are different for dragons outside of Russia, only to be interrupted by a Russian Aviator and his heavyweight. Afterwards, [[Temeraire]] wonders how they keep the lightweight dragons in the breeding grounds from leaving. 

Some time later - after a meeting with a group of American traders, who complain about problems with selling their wares - the Russian forces arrive at the French fortifications, and a battle soon ensues. During a meeting to discuss their strategies, the French forces launch an attack at their camp. Although [[Temeraire]] quickly dispatches the attackers, [[General Chu]] is grievously injured, and Colonel [[Lung Zhao Lien]] takes over from him. Not long afterwards, their group is forced to flee when their scouts report a French army preparing to attack them from behind. Later, the Russian commanders discuss their next move, and decide to retreat east - using their dragons to shift their forces - to unite their armies. This forces them to abandon Moscow, however, and as they leave, they see that the inhabitants have set it ablaze; resulting in damage to three quarters of the entire city. 

Eventually, [[Napoleon]]'s forces reach Moscow, and make no sign of going any further. As the Russian commanders plan their next move, [[Laurence]] and [[Tharkay]] sneak into the city to spy on [[Napoleon]] and his generals. At the [[Kremlin]], they witness [[Napoleon]], [[Murat]] and his dragon [[Liberte]] looking over a Russian dragon [[Murat]] rescued from the breeding grounds; a hooked chain hobbling her wings and preventing flight. [[Murat]] frees her, and tells [[Napoleon]] that all the Russian dragons are kept this way in the breeding grounds. Upon return to camp, [[Laurence]] conveys this information to [[Temeraire]], shortly before they are ordered to attack [[Murat]] and his forces. 

As they move, [[Laurence]] makes arrangements with [[Gong Su]] for the [[Jiaqing Emperor]] to allow the dragons safe haven in [[China]] once the war is over. Shortly afterwards, he is called to meet with the Russian commanders, who reveal that [[Grig]] has been spying on [[Laurence]] for their behalf, as they are well aware of his reputation. However, they actually want him to improve their dragon-handling skills - and are prepared to release all the breeding ground dragons from their restraints once they've arranged food for them - as they are aware they will not be able to defeat [[Napoleon]] otherwise. Following this, [[Junichiro]] approaches [[Laurence]], and reveals he plans to leave for [[France]], in order to try and negotiate an alliance with [[Japan]]. He explains that [[Napoleon]] will likely be defeated, and then [[China]] will be able to dominate [[Japan]] with its western allies, unless they seek aid themselves. [[Laurence]] ultimately lets him leave, after securing a promise that he won't reveal any strategic information to the French.

Shortly after [[Napoleon]] begins retreating from Moscow, the Russian forces meet his armies at Maloyaroslavets, and a vicious battle ensues for control of the town. [[Laurence]] and [[Temeraire]] aid by attacking a French artillery point, although [[Lung Zhao Yang|another dragon]] gets injured defending them from retaliatory fire. As they return to their camp, [[Grig]] arrives, and reveals that [[Murat]] has released the dragons in a nearby breeding grounds; shortly afterwards, a horde of starving lightweight dragons attack the camp; fleeing after securing their own food. Not long afterwards, the Russians retreat from the battle.

Later, after hearing news that the French have created cooking-pits for the starving dragons, [[Kutuzov]] sends [[Laurence]] and [[Temeraire]] to check on the breeding grounds at Ugra, while they retreat to Kaluga. Accompanied by a group of Chinese dragons, they head for the breeding grounds, finding a dying Cossack aviator along the way who reveals [[Murat]] is also heading for the breeding grounds. [[Laurence]] promptly arranges for the dragons to set a trap, and they quickly overpower [[Murat]] and his forces as he attempts to liberate the dragons of the breeding grounds. [[Murat]] claims to have been acting for the benefit of the dragons, but [[Laurence]] accuses him of using them to his advantage. They take [[Murat]] prisoner, and he is soon sent to Tobolsk in Siberia.

In the aftermath, [[Laurence]] talks with [[Kutuzov]] about their present situation, and learns that many Russian dragons are defecting to the French forces. Later, as snow begins to fall, [[Laurence]] learns that [[Napoleon]] is marching towards them.

== Characters ==
[[List of characters in Blood of Tyrants]]

== Trivia ==
*In one scene, [[Laurence]] repeats Mark Anthony's "Friends, Romans, Countrymen" speech from Shakespeare's ''Julius Caesar'', and mentions that "There is a dragon when he gives the speech." This is a reference to the short story [[Vici]], where [[Marcus Antonius]] inadvertently becomes the first person in the western world to harness a dragon; [[Vincitatus]].

== Deviations From History ==
Aside from the obvious additions of dragons, the events in Temeraire follow the history of our own world quite closely. However, several differences do occur throughout the series. In "Blood Of Tyrants", the following differences occur:

*The historical [[HMS Phaeton]] was not sunk (or even attacked) during the Nagasaki Harbour Incident. Everything else about the description of the incident is historical, including Japan's further clampdown on foreigners as described Blood of Tyrants.
*[[Joseph Pachacuti Yupanqui]] insteat of [[Napoleon]]'s son with the Princess of Austria.

== Reviews ==

== Maps ==

== External Links ==

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