“Why do they kill dragons?” he asks his mother, and she sighs and slithers about at the edge of her pool. “Because they are not dragons themselves,” she replies. “And is this why they kill trolls, as well?” “They are not trolls,” she answers. “They have neither the fiery breath nor the wings of dragons, nor have they the strength of trolls. And they are ever jealous of those things, and fearful. They destroy, Grendel. They despoil. They destroy for glory, and from jealousy and fear, to make the world safe for themselves.
