All events are colored by their viewers, and the slaughter of the dragon family is no different. While the copper is by no means innocent, his participation takes on a whole different meaning once seen through his eyes and colored by events unknown in the first two books. Now no longer the vile betrayer in the eyes of the reader, the copper outcast becomes, after the fact, a victim of his own desires, and is forced to try and eke out an existence with nothing but what nature gave him. And despite being a dragon, which most people would think is a pretty good starting point, the copper is crippled, still very tiny, bereft of the teachings of his parents, and beholden on the mercy of creatures that have no mercy. His scales and claws are a very poor substitute.

And despite everything, the copper is possessed with basically a decent and fair outlook on life. Perhaps he repents for what he's done. Perhaps being a runt and a cripple, he's figured out that only by cooperating can the whole thrive. Whatever the reason, the copper becomes the only dragon that others can trust not to stab them in the back. And so by not seeking power and status, he gradually has them thrust upon him, much to the displeasure of others that now see him as an obstacle to their own advancement.