The Passage of Time (2)

Seeing Ülgen lower his head respectfully in a gesture befitting dragon hierarchy, the two adult dragons turned their gaze from the retreating frost titans with expressions of pride and disdain.

"Were you able to handle the weaker frost titans?" Albiria asked, looking directly at Ülgen. Her voice carried the pride and sense of superiority that came naturally to all dragons, underpinned by the power she wielded.

"Yes," Ülgen replied with similar directness. He was keenly aware that his rapid growth had caused his mother to grow wary of the cunning schemes he might be capable of as a result, so he had begun emphasizing her superiority and invincibility more often.

"I see we didn't lose many beasts," Alarion interjected. Unlike Albiria, he had taken the path of a mage and spoke with calm analysis. "You've improved at directing them. This time, your share of the frost titan corpses will be slightly larger."