Karltin's mind was truly almost totally gone. He was being replaced by Sunshower, the pampered mate of Spark. Spark, her dear mate who valued her more than anything. Why would she return to thinking like the human male that she had been, let alone his life, when she could groom herself and had no other job than being pretty all day long. Until the egg hatched, she limited her outings outside and just played the part of being a good mother. Spark loved to spoil her anyway.
Alas, one afternoon, Sunshower was woken by the roars and growls of what could only be another dragon. Spark had been napping next to her and their sexual intercourse had been as great as usual. They both rose, worried and alert.
"What is it?" Sunshower said, clutching her precious egg to herself.
A reflex worthy of a good mother, as Spark noted mentally. A good sign, surely.
"Trouble," he growled. "Another male dragon wants you as his own mate."
"What shall you do?" Sunshower gasped.
"The only thing possible. Fight," he said with determination.
He got out of the cave, raising himself to his full height and doing his best to look impressive. If that other dragon was looking for a fight, well, he was too. Sunshower followed tentatively, fearing the outcome of the fight. Yet this resulted in the other dragon glimpsing Sunshower and seeing her magnificent scales and her beauty, only made him more determined to win the fight.