The six warriors held their positions around Max, their weapons ready while their combined pressure continued to build. It pressed against his scales from every direction, turning the air heavy enough that cracks slowly spread beneath his feet.
Ulaghchi pulled his curved blade another inch from its sheath. The silver bells attached to its handle rang again, their gentle sound carrying through the chaos with an unnatural clarity.
"Your breathing changed," he observed with a playful smile. "Are you finally beginning to understand where you stand?"
"He understands," Urus replied as he lifted his chained mace onto one shoulder. "That is why he has stopped barking."
Lucius tapped the flat of his short sword against the golden eagle engraved upon his shield.
"Perhaps we should accept his surrender," he suggested, his blue eyes filled with mockery. "Emperor Augustus may reward us if we deliver the dragon king alive and house-trained."
