[Outskirts of Veltharr — Open Field — 8:00 AM]
The field east of Veltharr was wide enough that no one had an excuse to run out of space.
Marcus evaluated it when they arrived.
Alex did too.
Flat terrain with minimal variation — some rocks to the north, tall grass to the south, the main road visible from the west flank. No natural advantage for either side.
Alex's team on the eastern edge.
No one from the Temple.
Marcus had kept that part.
---
Marcus took off his coat.
The armor beneath — light, for real combat, not ceremonial.
Aurum climbed down from his shoulder.
And grew.
Expanding into his true form with the same naturalness with which Grim shifted between sizes. One second he was the small dragon on Marcus's shoulder. The next he was three meters of golden dragon with wings partially extended and eyes evaluating combat situations.
Emily made a small sound.
"He's bigger than I thought."
"He's bigger than he looks on the shoulder," Raven confirmed.
