Hillard slid off the Azure Dragon's back and looked closely at the Golden-Backed Earth Dragon, a satisfied smile on his face. "Thank you, noble Karloris, and could I trouble you to take it back first?"
The azure giant dragon nodded at him, and astonishingly spoke in a human voice. "It has submitted for the sake of survival. I have promised it that it will be allowed to join the Dragon Clan in a hundred years."
Azure Dragon Karloris nodded at Hillard, let out a dragon's roar and turned its huge head towards where Nian Bing and Mao Mao were. "Little Mao Mao, listen to your daddy, or Uncle Dragon will smack your little butt."
Unfazed by the azure giant dragon, Mao Mao stepped out from behind a tree, chuckled, and said, "Uncle Dragon wouldn't dare hit me. I'll go back with Daddy. But, can I tug on your whiskers first? I heard that a whip made from a dragon's whisker can reduce rocks to dust."