"The difference," the Old One growled, "is whether or not I give you a quick, painless death." He cut through a rope with a claw. "Make your decision quick--" The dragon stopped speaking as a trumpeting roar filled the air. The people looked up in time to see an orange and red blur slam into their 'god'. The Old One bellowed in rage, a snarl curling his lips, exposing his fangs. His attacker was a younger dragon, about half the Old One's size.

"Damned whelp!" the Old One roared. "I smelled you weeks ago, invading my territory!" The younger dragon's tail flicked back and forth like a cat's, a smile on his face.

"Thst was the point, lazy old salamander," he said, and then snorted in disgust. "No... you don't even rate being called a salamander. You're just a lazy lizard, growing too fat too fly by eating girls." He swung his tail, knocking over a cluster of warriors sneaking behind him; the bladelike bone spike on his tail drew blood.

"Respect your elders, hatchling!"

"Make me," the younger dragon said, taking off into the sky. The Old One gave a furious bellow, taking off after his challenger, unaware that he was playing into his opponent's hands.