***

What act is this that man hath wrought
In fiery breath and dragon's pain
While weeping rain the dark sky mourns
 Til naught but tears and blood remain

 What act can heal the wyvern’s sting
Or tally such a battle's cost
That banishes the magic gift
The dragon’s reign is lost

What right hath king to such a reign
For even he wears mortal flesh
His reign of magic unrevealed
Until the dragon’s life is spent

— from “Ethuelin’s Battle” in The Books of Doraan