At the sound of his name, the massive dragon appeared above the courtyard, wings tucked, golden eyes watching them both. A low, affectionate growl rumbled from his throat.
Ethan looked up at him, smirking. "I missed you too, buddy."
David lowered his voice. "They still think he's some ancient draconic god."
Ethan's smile deepened faintly, but he said nothing
They made jokes and shared a laugh before Ethan's expression turned thoughtful. "I'll need to address everyone. Reaffirm order. And set some long-term goals."
"Already arranged," David said. "I've gathered the patrol captains, lead workers, scouts, and forge heads for a meeting in two hours. Gives you time to rest or—"
"No," Ethan cut in with a firm shake of his head. "I'll prep now. If we want to build something real, it's going to take more than just fear. We need structure. Roles. A future."
David grinned. "You're sounding more and more like a ruler."
"I'm still getting used to the idea."
