Jack's response came with absolute calm, his voice cutting through the defensive chorus like it was insignificant noise; the outrage of the Herald's lieutenants was nothing more than an irritant he acknowledged out of courtesy.
"Exactly. You can't even fight your own battles, can you? You need your lieutenants to defend you. You need your empire to shield you from the reality of your own weakness. That's why you brought an army with you, Herald. That's why you hide behind thousands of dragons instead of facing something that might actually challenge you. That's why, when confronted with the possibility of fighting something that might be stronger, your entire psychological framework begins to fragment. You're a waste of a dragon. I know wryms with more pride than you."
The Herald's breathing deepened. His claws released their grip on the stone, only to dig in once more with such force that the command platform itself began to tilt, becoming unstable under the weight of his rage.
