[Mithadan]

The Captain was met at the docks by an escort from the palace. They mounted horses and rode hard for hours until they reached Armenelos. There, the Captain found himself waiting in the antechamber of the quarters of Gorthaur, formerly the prisoner and currently the King's Advisor. He sat uncomfortably, fidgeting as he waited for his audience. After several minutes, a guard, clad in red, opened the door and ushered him in to stand before Gorthaur.

"I understand that you sighted the dragon, is that correct?" began Gorthaur, pleasantly enough.

"Yes, my lord," replied the Captain. "Not far from the mouths of the Siril. I sent a landing party to shore. They were assailed and their craft set afire. Then the beast approached our ship, only to turn away. Moments later it appeared again and flew over our bow, then turned west and passed over the tip of Hyarnustar. We followed and attempted to locate it to no avail and returned to port immediately."

"Very good," said Gorthaur. "It flew to the Western parts of the island." He turned to his servant and instructed that two more ships be sent out to search the western shores. Then he turned back to the Captain. "What did it look like?"

"Well," answered the Man. "It first appeared to be dark of color, lighter beneath, though that may have been some trick of the light -- shadows from the storm. When it overflew our vessel and proceeded west, it seemed to be golden in color. It was very large."

Gorthaur squinted, considering the Captain's words. Golden. That might be Smaug perhaps -- but he would not be mistaken as dark in color. Yet I recall no other flying worm which survived the downfall of the Thangorodrim that was dark above, light below. Unless the beasts have spawned others while they cower in hiding.

"Very well, Captain. You and your crew shall be rewarded. But return to sea and join the search. If the beast is found, I myself will come. And if it cannot be found in the west, expand your search towards Hyarrostar. Perhaps it will return there."