the chevaliers had wheeled about to come back , but they were holding off - the sizzling crisp of gentius 's acid was sharp in the air for anyone to smell if only they put out their tongue , and though it was dark , the fires leaping up from the camp glowed red against temeraire 's belly , and majestatis and requiescat and ballista , enough to make it plain that there were four heavy-weights lined up opposite .