After several failed attempts to convince Laurence and the Royal Aerial Corps to return Temeraire to China, the Chinese and the British agree to have Temeraire and his flight crew — including Laurence — accompany the Imperial envoys back to China. As the land routes are deemed unsafe, the Navy has a dragon transport, HMS Allegiance, captained by Laurence's former second officer Tom Riley, ferry the Celestial and his crew to China. During the voyage, attempts are made on the life of Laurence in order to remove him from Temeraire.
After several unsuccessful attempts to persuade Laurence and the Royal Aerial Corps to return Temeraire to China, the Chinese and British agree to have Temeraire and his flight crew — including Laurence — accompany the Imperial envoys back to China. As land routes are deemed unsafe, the Navy uses a dragon transport, HMS Allegiance, captained by Laurence's former second officer Tom Riley, to ferry the Celestial and his crew to China. During the journey, attempts are made on Laurence's life in an effort to eliminate him from Temeraire.