Lina's knowledge of dragonkind went no further than Okov's daily habits, but even she knew that dragons had immensely long growth cycles and that their strength increased relatively slowly. Now, however, she discovered to her horror that her master had grown a great deal in a mere seven days, and within that deliberately compressed dragon might she sensed a power far more terrible than cold.
Adam rose and walked outside, asking as he went, "Have any strangers entered the Makalu Mountains recently?"
"No. But we've spotted furtive watchers beyond the mountains, race and identity unknown. They seem wary, and don't dare come inside. Without your order I didn't dare make a move."