Not every plate needs a dragon in it to belong in this catalogue. This one is George alone — armoured, standing, the moment before the story everyone actually wants. Whatever the dragon’s doing at his feet, it isn’t the point. Just a man deciding to go and do the thing he’s about to be remembered for.
I find these quieter plates more honest than the battle scenes. Everyone is brave once the beast is already dying. Fewer are calm beforehand.
