The blonde turned his head to glance at Audrey quickly, obviously not wanting to take his eyes from the dragon. His voice was quiet and smooth, a well-bred accent that held a lilting cadence of Welsh. “I overhead him say she was egg-heavy. I think they come here to lay, when they can.” He fell silent, enraptured by the massive reptile before them.<br/><br/>The dragon was uncomfortable with her load, shifting her weight fretfully. A moment later she shook her head and gave a low, bone-shivering warble. The faint sounds of the stabled dragons fell silent for a heartbeat, before a reply came followed by a dozen more. Her rider ran his hand up her neck and rubbed her muzzle, his voice calming, his words nonsense.<br/><br/>“It’s so… wonderful,” the boy beside her murmured. A second later, he stiffened, as if he hadn’t realised he spoke aloud. “I mean, you can get close to other animals. Horses rarely, dogs more often, but that… between dragon and knight…” He shook his head, embarrassed by his own admiration.<br/>