 According to Chinese law, Celestials are only allowed to accompany royalty; Temeraire was intended for Napoleon, Emperor of the French, while Laurence, a mere commoner, is deemed unworthy.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.