A short story set in the world of RUNT.
On the planet of Sarm, when Dragons still roam the world, the Dwargath have a problem. Their society is built on rules and etiquette, but Grontun needs to break them all to save his polis and the Dwar he loves.
Draglings keep attacking, testing the defenses of the Gathic polis of Zardar'Dan. They escape after every loss, untraceable in the deep jungle. The Gath don't give it much thought, but after a series of raids, Grontun is finally able to capture a Dragling for interrogation. While the information it provides is terrifying, Grontun knows his word isn't enough to encourage the Gath to evacuate.
Unable to find another solution, Grontun and the rest of the military march out to face the onslaught. They just need to buy enough time for the Gath to leave and prove that a supposedly immortal Dragon can bleed.
