the turkish guard-dragons slowed as they drew near , baring teeth and talons , belligerent but uncertain : they were none of them more than middling in size , not much bigger than the ferals themselves , and as they drew nearer , temeraire 's great wingspan threw a long shadow across them : they were five in number , plainly unused to any great exertions , with odd , dimpled ridges of fat collected in front of their haunches .