Nothing.
Caden, you’re doing so well. Being so brave. I am so very proud of you. I will tell you this again and again when I am able, Valerius sent.
There was another jolt and Iolaire’s wings faltered. Valerius’ heart was in his throat as he clutched at the weakening claws around him. He caught sight of not forests or fields, but single family homes below them. They had entered a town or city or suburb. There was no place to safely land.
Iolaire let out a desperate cry as its wings gave out again and they started to fall like a stone. They were going to crash into the homes below. They would crush the people sleeping in those houses! Unless Caden shifted back into human form. But if he did that… Valerius and Chione would die. Caden wouldn’t be able to brace them from the impact of such a fall. Kill helpless people in their beds or kill Valerius and Chione. That was the choice right now if they didn’t find somewhere to land.
He saw Iolaire straining those wings, but it just couldn’t keep on. It was looking frantically for landing space. A wide enough road, a big enough lawn, an empty lot… but there was nothing! Iolaire let out a thin cry of anguish. Valerius opened his mouth to call out to Iolaire. He wasn’t sure what he was going to tell the White Dragon. But the thought was lost.
Because that was when he realized his teeth were no longer chattering.
He wasn’t cold at all.
And it wasn’t because fear had stolen that sense from him.
It was because…
VALERIUS! Raziel roared in delight.
RAZIEL! Valerius cried back.
There were no words--nothing could truly represent his feelings--about hearing that beloved voice and feeling that having his Spirit back brought. Such joy, such happiness, was so piercing that he was weeping and laughing and screaming all at once.
Valerius saw Raziel in his chest. Warmth and strength and immortality flowed through him to the very tips of his fingers and toes. The strength of the Black Dragon was his again! Actually, there was more strength than before though he didn’t have time to really contemplate why that was or how it could be possible. There were more important things going on right now.
Iolaire and Caden are exhausted! They are failing! Valerius sent Raziel that and all the information about Chione, the town below them and what they needed to do.
Shift! I will carry all of us to the sunlight! We will not lose our beloved Councillor! Raziel promised him and Valerius had never felt such gratitude.
Thank you, Raziel.
Thanking me?! There is no need! You are everything to me, Raziel told him.
Valerius teared up. And you are the same to me.
Bah, no more tears or thanks! Shift! I am here for you! Raziel proclaimed.
Iolaire dropped precipitously at that moment. Valerius easily crawled out of the closed fist, moving Iolaire’s claws out of the way with draconid strength. Iolaire looked down at him in confusion even as its wings flapped erratically.
We are here, Iolaire! Let us go! Raziel will carry you and Chione! Valerius said.
Valerius? Raziel? Oh, thank the gods! We’re out of--oh! We’re out of strength! Caden cried.
And they dropped like a stone, but Valerius leaped out of his hand and shifted directly underneath them. The White Dragon landed on top of Raziel’s broad back. There was only a little impact and Raziel lost about five feet of air, but the mighty Black Dragon could hold them all perfectly well.
Caden shifted then as he was able to keep a hold of Chione on Raziel’s back now. Valerius felt Caden press his body over Chione’s and dig his knees into Raziel’s spine with seeming ease.
Have you ridden on Raziel’s back before Caden? Valerius asked suspiciously.
Oh, I--
NO! NO ONE HAS EVER RIDDEN ON MY BACK! Raziel stormed, but Valerius thought he heard a smile in the Black Dragon’s voice.
You heard Raziel, Valerius, Caden chuckled. We’re not even on Raziel’s back now! There was a pause as Caden was shifting Chione and then he said in a very different voice, We’re… oh… guys, we need--we need to get to the sun. I don’t think… I don’t think…
Valerius imagined he saw Chione standing by the Nile’s edge, about to board that boat.
Raziel, get us to the sun! NOW! Valerius cried.
