Nakhtmin nodded in agreement. Indeed. It is a short lived bull who surrounds himself with cowards that bow always to their awe of him. When a worthy opponent finally came, there would be no readiness to face them. Lacking conflict, spears grew brittle, and legs weak. Oryx sharpened one another, and the best of them did not shy from challenge.

This was what made him a suitable guardian for the Young Goddess. His wariness was in part a protective instinct.

But o the beach, the strangers had not seemed to understand his severity at their intrusion at all. A party of ill-intent might have slipped through their defenses and fast slaughtered their Emperor. The predictable consequence of arrogance. Even now, Ashait might! She did not need the venom to kill them all, only careless eyes and undisciplined guards, to place the bare pinch of her fangs into his sleeping flank and escape unnoticed, unchallenged. Their dragon turned nose up at his own peril.

The world does not bend, not even to a god. Nakhtmin scoffed. Our own young divinity knows this already better than the pretender. And was better protected, besides. She had Nakhtmin!

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