He roared, scattering flames, and banked toward her. He slammed into her, knocking the green dragon aside in the sky. "I can defeat you in a fight!"

She snorted. "Dorvin, you nearly fainted when a mouse climbed on you. I used to pummel men twice your size for a living."

"That does it." He bared his fangs, beat his wings, and raised his claws. "I'll show you who's the true warrior—right now, here in the sky. I can kill many more demons than you. I can kill you. I've slain creatures that would give you nightmares. I—" He slapped her with his tail. "Look at me when I talk to you! Mammoth Arse, what are you doing? Why are you flying away? Stars damn it, you coward, you—"

"Dorvin, you imbecile!" She blasted out fire. "In the east—go on, show me what you've got, Dung Beetle."

He frowned, turned eastward, and his eyes widened. "Well, star spit! Finally."

Three demons were flying toward them—scouts. Dorvin grinned. The creatures were reptilian and limbless, covered in long white spikes. Three forked tongues emerged from each mouth, and feathered wings grew from their backs. Dorvin flexed his claws, preparing for the fight, when Maev darted past him. The green dragon blasted out her fire, flying toward the creatures.

Dorvin growled, unwilling to let Maev beat him at the game again. He beat his wings mightily, shooting after her. The demons ahead squealed, opened their maws wide, and blasted out streams of sizzling liquid.

The two dragons banked, dodging the sprays. Droplets sizzled against Dorvin's flank and he roared; the poison began to eat through his scales, stinging the flesh beneath. He soared, then turned and swooped with the sun at his back. He roared down fire, bathing one of the creatures. The fire washed off its scales harmlessly, but the demon was momentarily blinded. Dorvin lashed his claws, ripping at the beast's wings. He landed upon its back, cutting, biting, until he tore out the creature's neck. It tumbled down toward the plains.

His mouth bloody, he raised his head to see Maev slay another demon. The third and last creature turned to flee.

Maev shot forward, banging into Dorvin and knocking him aside. "Out of my way, Dung Beetle! The last one's mine."

He roared and grabbed her tail, but she whipped it madly, freeing herself, and snorted fire his way. With a slap of her tail against his face, she flew after the fleeing demon.

"Mammoth Arse, stars damn it!" He flew after her, gritting his teeth, and grabbed her tail again—this time between his jaws. He tugged her toward him, flew above her, and slammed his claws against her back. With a kick to her head, he leaped over her and flew onward. His flames roared, roasting the demon. "I win! I slew the last one!"