"You are thinking of fighting them alone," Johamma said, her voice thick with concern despite years of calculated distance between them.
Jolthar's eyes remained fixed on the massive dragon. "I will."
"You can't," his grandmother countered. "Just the dragon requires highly skilled warriors, and Lodawg is also present. It will be too dangerous to fight them alone."
"We don't have a choice here," Jolthar replied; all three powers stirred in him.
Johamma's expression hardened with resolve. "I will help you."
Before Jolthar could respond, Lodawg slid from the dragon's back, landing with practised grace upon the shore. His malevolent grin revealed teeth too white, too perfect—like those of a predator.
"Little Jolthar", he called, "why don't I take care of your grandmother first, then I will deal with you?" Lodawg was greatly underestimating Jolthar, treating him as though he was just a tier 8 swordsman. So did Johamma.
