Chapter 108: By Their Fruits

*Pre-modern dragon social structures and culture were based around the institution of the nest, a result of the necessity of these sites for breeding. Due to the hunter-gatherer lifestyles of the dragons, all pre-modern nests had a finite ceiling to the population they could support, which led to a lifestyle that was a hybrid of sedentary and nomadic elements, with many dragons moving from nest to nest over the course of their lives (especially in early adolescence), and yet still spending a large portion of their lifespans in one location.*

*At the center of each nest's social structure was the nest's lord, the* Thengill*, typically the oldest, largest, and most powerful dragon present. The Thengill would—ideally—protect the nest and the eggs and hatchlings inside, organize and direct the nest's members (including banishing excess members when the nest had exceeded the number the region could support) and act as a social and military leader for the members of the nest. Regardless, their word was law and their decisions final.*

*While abuses by Thengills were sadly common as a result of this unchecked power, the resource they commanded in the form of access to the nest and the breeding potential it represented was such that the vast majority of dragons would accept their terms without question. And due to their age and experience, few other dragons could challenge the Thengill—and often the second-strongest dragon in the nest was the Thengill's auxiliary, or even their chosen successor. Still, when a Thengill weakened from hunger, illness, or injury, challengers would appear.*

*—The Life Of Dragons, Ánslo Academic Publications, 1563*

## Major Events

* Spondyles and Arianites report to Sigurd on the progress of setting up the dragon tagma facilities and that the paymasters were trying to push to save fuel costs for the broodery while he was gone. One of the dragon eggs then explodes, giving Sigurd proof of the necessity of the expenses.
* Hiccup's retinue and the thralls and dragons from Iceland stop in Inbhir Niss on their way home. Hiccup gives Mac Bethad a brief summary of what happened in Iceland.
* Hiccup and Toothless arrive in Vedrarfjord with the Buffalords to give out their saliva. Hiccup tells everyone the story of Fearless.
* Fearless' mate returns to an empty nest and assumes the worst. He leaves in search of other nests.
* Markus is reunited with his daughters and learns Jyette is pregnant and going to work on Berk with her betrothed Heike.
* Kagan Berk's body is placed in a mausoleum. Elder Khursa warns Drago the other Pechenegs will begin plotting against him.
* One of Mildew's captive Monstrous Nightmares escapes to the Bewilderbeast Good-Cold's nest. Valka I frees the enthralled Monstrous Nightmare from his shackles.
* Toireasa reveals she knows where Heather is to Dagur.

## Characters

### Humans

* Basil Spondyles
* Sigurd Trondsson
* Alexios Arianites
* Mac Bethad
* Gruoch ingen Boite
* Hiccup clan Haddock
* Jacob Rodericksson
* Taskill Thaddeusson
* Fintan mac Ionatan
* Roisin
* Hákon Mortensson
* Gunvor Dugaldsdóttir
* Markus Ulversson
* Markus's wife
* Sigvatr Þórðarson
* Magnus the Good
* Ida Markussdóttir (first appearance)
* Berit Markussdóttir (first appearance)
* Jyette Markussdóttir
* Heike Eretsson
* Drago Bludvist
* Khurşӑ
* Toiréasa
* Savage
* Dagur mac Oswald
* Valka clan Haddock (first appearance)

### Dragons

* Toothless
* Fearless's mate
* Unnamed Nightmare (first appearance)
* Cloudjumper (first appearance)

## Analysis

### Epigraph Tie-In

* The epigraph mentions what an ideal Thengill is supposed to be like. The chapter mentions the Good-Cold, an example of an ideal Thengill.