The silence lasted a few more seconds after Maelyra's question.
No one seemed willing to answer first.
Lord Edric finally straightened.
The exhaustion was still in his eyes, but something had changed. The uncertainty that had filled the hall earlier seemed to have vanished.
— We have discussed enough.
The sentence came out low.
But firm.
He turned to Garron.
— Captain.
— My lord.
— How many men are still alive in the field?
Garron thought for a moment.
— Some groups retreated into the forest. Others returned to the road.
— How many can still fight?
— Hard to say… — Garron replied. — Perhaps a third.
One of the advisors murmured:
— A third…
Edric nodded slowly.
— Then we will use that third.
He pointed at the map.
— Captain Garron, gather the survivors.
Garron lifted his gaze.
— All those who can still hold a sword.
— Bring them back to the city.
— Yes, my lord.
Edric continued:
— I want the gates closed before sunset.
The advisor frowned.
— My lord… closing the gates now could cause panic.
— The dragon already caused panic, — Edric replied.
His tone did not rise.
But the decision was clear.
— I prefer closed gates and living men.
He turned to another advisor.
— The reinforcements we expected from the southern road… where are they?
— They should arrive in two days.
— Then send messengers now.
— To warn them?
— To warn them of everything.
Edric placed both hands on the table.
— Marrick brought a dragon into this war.
The advisor took a slow breath.
— That will frighten our allies.
— Then it is better they know before marching straight into death.
The hall fell silent again.
Edric then looked back at Garron.
— Captain.
— Yes, my lord.
— Bring our men home.
Garron nodded.
— Yes, my lord.
He turned to leave.
But before he reached the door, Maelyra spoke.
— Captain.
Garron stopped.
He turned back toward her.
— My lady.
She hesitated for a moment.
— Rowan…
Silence returned.
— If he is still alive… — she continued — bring him back as well.
Garron studied her face for a few seconds.
Then he nodded slowly.
— If he is alive…
He did not finish the sentence.
But everyone understood.
Rowan remained still.
It was not a conscious decision. His body had simply stopped when the dragon's eye moved and found him.
This was not like looking at a horse.
Or a bear.
Or any creature he had ever seen.
It was like being watched by something far too ancient for the world of men.
The eye was enormous. The vertical pupil narrowed slowly as it studied the human standing before it. The dark surface reflected Rowan entirely — small, motionless, lost before the colossal creature.
The air that left the dragon's nostrils came hot.
Almost like the breath of a distant furnace.
Only then did Rowan realize he had been holding his breath.
Behind him, she watched the scene with clear amusement.
— Ah.
The word came lightly.
Almost satisfied.
— So you finally get to see him up close.
Rowan did not answer immediately.
He was too busy trying to understand how something that large could exist.
The dragon's wings were folded along its body, but even so they seemed far too large for the space they occupied. The scales were dark, almost black, yet when the pale morning light touched certain parts, deep reflections appeared — like ancient metal.
The creature's head still rested partially on the ground.
But the eye remained open.
Watching.
Rowan finally spoke.
Quietly.
Almost as if he did not want to disturb the creature.
— He knows I'm here.
She answered without hesitation.
— Of course he does.
Rowan swallowed.
— He seems… very calm for something that just burned an army.
She let out a small laugh through her nose.
— He's fed.
A short pause.
— Dragons are much more pleasant after eating.
Rowan kept staring.
The dragon blinked slowly.
A thick membrane passed over the eye for a moment before disappearing again.
The creature continued watching.
— Does he have a name? — Rowan asked.
She tilted her head slightly.
As if she had expected the question.
— He does.
The small smile returned to her face.
— Vaerith.
The name felt heavy in the air.
Ancient.
Rowan repeated it quietly, almost testing the word.
— Vaerith.
He kept looking at the dragon for a few seconds before speaking again.
— It fits.
She crossed her arms.
— Fits what?
Rowan answered without taking his eyes off the creature.
— Something that shouldn't exist.
Her smile widened slightly.
But then she said:
— You were rude.
Rowan finally looked at her.
— Was I?
— You asked the dragon's name.
She took a small step toward him.
— And you didn't ask the name of the one who owns him first.
Rowan frowned slightly.
— Owns?
She raised an eyebrow.
— Yes.
Rowan looked back at the dragon.
Then at her.
— You call that… yours?
Her expression didn't change.
— Of course.
Rowan let out a quiet breath.
— He looks far too large to belong to anyone.
She replied calmly.
— He belongs to me.
A small pause.
— And I belong to him.
The dragon released a heavy breath through its nostrils, as if it had heard the statement.
Warm air passed between them.
Rowan watched the creature for another moment before speaking.
— And you expect me to believe that thing simply… obeys?
She answered naturally.
— No.
Rowan raised an eyebrow.
— No?
— I expect you to believe that he allows me to ride him.
Silence lasted a few seconds.
Rowan looked again at the dragon's eye.
The creature was still watching.
Without hurry.
Without fear.
Without any sign that it considered Rowan a threat.
— Then why am I still alive? — Rowan asked.
She answered immediately.
— Because everyone here believes you belong to me.
Rowan slowly turned his head toward her.
— Belong?
— Yes.
Her smile returned.
Small.
Almost cruel.
— My prisoner.
She tilted her head slightly.
— My trophy.
A pause.
— My little war animal who made a dragon work harder than he should have.
Rowan remained silent for a moment.
Then he said:
— That doesn't explain why I'm still breathing.
She looked at the dragon for a moment.
Then her eyes returned to Rowan.
— It does.
A small pause.
— Because no one here kills something that belongs to me.
The dragon blinked slowly again.
And Rowan had the strange feeling that the creature understood exactly what they were talking about.