Jake's serpentine form loomed like a living mountain, his scales glistening with rain, his presence alone enough to make the guards' grips on their weapons tighten.
The older guard stepped forward. His spear was held at ready but not yet at throw, his posture of someone attempting to maintain protocol even when everything that protocol had prepared him for was proving inadequate.
"Identify yourselves!" he barked, his voice carrying over the rain.
"State your purpose, or we will consider killing you."
Jake's massive head lowered slowly, his red eyes glowing with ancient intelligence as he regarded the guards.
The Dragon Maidens remained mounted and ready, their hands on their weapons, but they did not move without his signal.
Raani sat tall on Syreth, her golden eyes scanning the guards with calm assessment.
The tension in the air was thick, the rain continuing to fall in a steady drizzle that soaked cloaks and armor alike.
