"If there is," Oliver said, "it was not my will that seized it. It came about by itself. Even if you prod me, I can make no more magic happen than there already is. Indeed, you are right, there ought to be gratitude for the fact that we are still standing – though it comes at the cost of our allies. Volguard and Yorick, and over a thousand men. Magic it might be, but it has determined that there be sacrifices for its coming."
"Now the time is ripe, my Lord, you yourself sensed it. By naturalness, you gave those commands," Verdant said. "The world wills for you to present yourself. Surely we would all be in denial if we fell apart quietly."
"Look, Verdant," Oliver said, pointing at the coming Generals, and the two thousand men that came with them. "The dragon grows larger, more deadly, and you would have me speak up and challenge it?"
