Makan shook his head. "I would have smelled them," he said. "He was alone, although incubating eggs from a deceased mate are not out of the question." Dragon eggs took a notoriously long time to hatch, although the hatchlings within were fully developed at about six months; it was an adaptation for when dragons faced lean times, so babies could hatch when plenty of food was available. "But that can be taken care of at a later time."

He watched the villagers. They had been oppressed for such a long time. Some individuals, mostly older people, were still wary of Makan. The dragon rest his head on his forepaws again, and closed his eyes.

Makan lazily opened an eye when he felt something poke his nose. A brave (or foolhardy) boy held a stick, and poked at the dragon. It was comical to Makan, but it may not have been the case to others. He made an exaggerated gesture of being stabbed. "Gods! I have been slain by the mighty warrior!" He let his head crash to the ground, feigning death. The child giggled.