Editing Throne of Jade

== Story ==

== Story ==

Following the events of the previous book, in which the dragon [[Temeraire]] was harnessed by [[William Laurence]], and later revealed to be a [[Celestial]]; a breed normally restricted to the Chinese royalty, [[Prince Yongxing]], brother to the [[Jiaqing Emperor]] of China, demands that Temeraire (or Lung Tien Xiang; the name he was given when his egg was laid), be returned to China immediately, as a Celestial dragon working as a common soldier is a great offence. Laurence is removed from the [[Aerial Corps]] until future notice, and forbidden to see Temeraire, something which Temeraire himself discovers with great anger. In a rage, Temeraire destroys a barracks with the [[Divine Wind]], and flees with Laurence to the [[Dover covert]], which is preparing to attack a French convoy. Temeraire and Laurence quickly join the battle with the dragons of the covert, but Laurence is injured when a [[Pecheur]] crashes on top of Temeraire.

Following the events of the previous book, in which the dragon [[Temeraire]] was harnessed by [[William Laurence]], and later revealed to be a [[Celestial]]; a breed normally restricted to the Chinese royalty, [[Prince Yongxing]], brother to the [[Jiaqing Emperor]] of China, demands that Temeraire (or Lung Tien Xiang; the name he was given when his egg was laid), be returned to China immediately, as a Celestial dragon working as a common soldier is a great offence. Laurence is removed from the [[Aerial Corps]] until future notice, and forbidden to see Temeraire, something which Temeraire himself discovers with great anger. In a rage, Temeraire destroys a barracks with the [[Divine Wind]], and flees with Laurence to the [[Dover covert]], which is preparing to attack a French convoy. Temeraire and Laurence quickly join the battle with the dragons of the covert, but Laurence is injured when a [[Pecheur]] crashes on top of Temeraire.

Relations on the ship between the crew and the Chinese guests quickly degenerates, once it is heard that they initially travelled to Britain on four ships of the East India Company, confiscated after they demanded payment for their services, which, in China, is something not normally requested of royal passengers. Since a majority of Britain’s navy men have served on these ships at some point, it is seen as a great offence towards them by the crew.

Relations on the ship between the crew and the Chinese guests quickly degenerates, once it is heard that they initially travelled to Britain on four ships of the East India Company, confiscated after they demanded payment for their services, which, in China, is something not normally requested of royal passengers. Since a majority of Britain’s navy men have served on these ships at some point, it is seen as a great offence towards them by the crew.

That evening, the Allegiance is attacked by two French ships, the [[Valerie]] and the [[Chanteuse]], and a [[Fleur-de-Nuit]], a largely nocturnal dragon. Temeraire rises to battle the Fleur-de-Nuit, and the Allegiance battles the two ships, using pepper guns, and later Chinese fireworks to weaken the nocturnal dragon. The Allegiance suffers several fatalities, until Temeraire uses the Divine Wind and capsizes the Valerie. Shortly afterwards, dragons in training from the Dover covert, alerted by the fireworks, come to the rescue, and the crew of the Chanteuse surrender, along with the Fleur-de-Nuit.

That evening, the Allegiance is attacked by two French ships, the [[Valerie]] and the [[Chanteuse]], and a [[Fleur-de-Nuit]], a largely nocturnal dragon. Temeraire rises to battle the Fleur-de-Nuit, and the Allegiance battles the two ships, using pepper guns, and later Chinese fireworks to weaken the nocturnal dragon. The Allegiance suffers several fatalities, until Temeraire uses the Divine Wind and capsizes the Valerie. Shortly afterwards, dragons in training from the Dover covert, alerted by the fireworks, come to the rescue, and the crew of the Chanteuse surrender, along with the Fleur-de-Nuit.

The next day, Laurence is summoned by Prince Yongxing to account for why he allowed Temeraire to participate in the engagement (Temeraire was wounded in the final moments, and is not to fly for two weeks). Laurence is outraged by the nature of his statements, and forbids Yongxing the use of the dragondeck, a rule quickly removed by the actions of [[Arthur Hammond]], a diplomat travelling with them attempting to restore good relations between China and Britain. The riders from the Dover covert return to Britain, and the passengers of the Allegiance settle down for the long journey.

The next day, Laurence is summoned by Prince Yongxing to account for why he allowed Temeraire to participate in the engagement (Temeraire was wounded in the final moments, and is not to fly for two weeks). Laurence is outraged by the nature of his statements, and forbids Yongxing the use of the dragondeck, a rule quickly removed by the actions of [[Arthur Hammond]], a diplomat travelling with them attempting to restore good relations between China and Britain. The riders from the Dover covert return to Britain, and the passengers of the Allegiance settle down for the long journey.

After they pass Madeira, one of the Chinese envoys, [[Liu Bao]], is revealed to be violently ill with seasickness, and unable to eat. He is later cured by eating ship’s biscuit, and Laurence invites him and the other envoy, [[Sun Kai]], to the Christmas feast in the evening. During it, Sun Kai recites an old poem about travelling written by a dragon. Temeraire, on deck, overhears it, and enquires about it. Prince Yongxing teaches him the poem, and over the next few days, teaches him how to read and write in Chinese and tells him of the conditions for dragons in China, something which comes to an end when Temeraire reacts angrily to hearing that Laurence would be sent away from him.  

After they pass Madeira, one of the Chinese envoys, [[Liu Bao]], is revealed to be violently ill with seasickness, and unable to eat. He is later cured by eating ship’s biscuit, and Laurence invites him and the other envoy, [[Sun Kai]], to the Christmas feast in the evening. During it, Sun Kai recites an old poem about travelling written by a dragon. Temeraire, on deck, overhears it, and enquires about it. Prince Yongxing teaches him the poem, and over the next few days, teaches him how to read and write in Chinese and tells him of the conditions for dragons in China, something which comes to an end when Temeraire reacts angrily to hearing that Laurence would be sent away from him.  

The final obstacle of their journey comes in the form of a [[Kiao]], a sea-serpent, which attacks the Allegiance, killing several crew members in the process. Temeraire tries to convince the serpent to leave, but ultimately is forced to kill it, an action which he sees as murder, as the creature may have been as sentient as him, but with no grasp of human language. Temeraire also expresses his opinion that humans view Dragons as little more than beasts or slaves.

The final obstacle of their journey comes in the form of a [[Kiao]], a sea-serpent, which attacks the Allegiance, killing several crew members in the process. Temeraire tries to convince the serpent to leave, but ultimately is forced to kill it, an action which he sees as murder, as the creature may have been as sentient as him, but with no grasp of human language. Temeraire also expresses his opinion that humans view Dragons as little more than beasts or slaves.

Several weeks later, the Allegiance finally reaches China, despite the majority of the crew being afflicted with Malarial Fevers. Reaching Macao, Temeraire is overwhelmed by various people who greet him, as Celestials are considered good luck. Instead of sailing with the Allegiance further into Chinese waters, Temeraire will be escorted by several dragons to the Forbidden City, along with Prince Yongxing, Laurence, Hammond & ten members of Temeraire’s crew, brought along for Laurence’s safety. Several stops are made at special “Pavilions”; large buildings made specifically for housing dragons. At one of these, Prince Yongxing is greeted by a white Celestial, [[Lung Tien Lien]]. Laurence learns from Liu Bao that as her skin colour is a “mourning colour”, she is considered unlucky. He also learns that Prince Yongxing was in line for the throne, but intentionally became Lien’s companion to prevent a Celestial from being bonded to someone outside of the royal family, and this meant he could not become Emperor.  

Several weeks later, the Allegiance finally reaches China, despite the majority of the crew being afflicted with Malarial Fevers. Reaching Macao, Temeraire is overwhelmed by various people who greet him, as Celestials are considered good luck. Instead of sailing with the Allegiance further into Chinese waters, Temeraire will be escorted by several dragons to the Forbidden City, along with Prince Yongxing, Laurence, Hammond & ten members of Temeraire’s crew, brought along for Laurence’s safety. Several stops are made at special “Pavilions”; large buildings made specifically for housing dragons. At one of these, Prince Yongxing is greeted by a white Celestial, [[Lung Tien Lien]]. Laurence learns from Liu Bao that as her skin colour is a “mourning colour”, she is considered unlucky. He also learns that Prince Yongxing was in line for the throne, but intentionally became Lien’s companion to prevent a Celestial from being bonded to someone outside of the royal family, and this meant he could not become Emperor.