He was now a man of experience.

He had been out among the dragons, he said, and he assured himself that they were not so hideous as he had imagined them.

Also, they were inaccurate; they did not sting with precision.

A stout heart often defied, and defying, escaped.
And, furthermore, how could they kill him who was the chosen of gods and doomed to greatness?
He remembered how some of the men had run from the battle.

As he recalled their terror-struck faces he felt a scorn for them.