[ he likes the thrumming behind her words, the potential. ]

Yes, [ he says, agreeing. ] But less 'are' and greater 'were'. Wretched things, a particular foulness given form. No children, for that would be the power of creation and they were too incapable of original thought to do as much. Violent, pestilence made flesh enough to be slain by the exceptional.

I have faced one in war. I did not come away whole.

[ contemplative: ] So what is in this taint that it makes their dragons alike in endurance to our dragons?