Before they took off, Rokirith extended an invitation to Fia. I need to stretch my wings. Come help me practice. With her atop his head, the dragon fluttered his wings in a short test flight.

The rounded tip of his tail now extended a few inches beyond the spot where it had been severed. The additional length did not stop his tail from whipping through the air like a floundering snake. Rokirith's stiff wings maneuvered them toward the ground. The sharp angle of his descent made Fia yelp and cling to his horns.

He stuck the landing by jogging a few paces ahead. When Rokirith stopped, he gave Fia a shake between his horns. "Adorable wyrm, do not squirm so much."

"I'll be more still." Sheepishly, Fia admitted, "Sorry. I still get excited when we get to fly."

Now that they were ready to go, Viliant crept over. His tail twitched back and forth, agitated with distrust. Though the human and drakan army no longer posed an immediate threat, Fia's mission required all haste. Today's flight should prove perfectly safe; after all, Rokirith had been in much worse condition to fly yesterday. Viliant reluctantly allowed the recovering dragon to carry him away from the mountain.

Their flight was shaky, rocking with every breeze over the trees. Rokirith had yet to adjust to his new balance. He could not figure out how to compensate for his shorter tail and enter a streamlined glide. Thus, Rokirith flapped his wings more often than Diwa. The extra downbeats and his passengers' weight took a heavy toll on the larger dragon.

Ultimately, Rokirith ended up lagging behind Diwa as they faltered over the Malakow jungle. Fly ahead of me, he offered. Take a break whenever you need to. Rejoin us when we catch up.

Are you sure you'll be fine on your own? Diwa asked. Neither dragon spoke aloud, too tired to waste their labored breaths.

Yes, Rokirith insisted. I have nowhere to land… must keep flying till the river. The great dragon stretched and strained his neck to press onward. Just keep the egg safe.

I will. I promise. Diwa hastened her glide and pulled ahead of them. The sporadic flap of her wings became harder to make out. Her tail disappeared inside some distant clouds.

At the same time, Rokirith seemed to fly slower over the next hour. His breath became raspy, and the altitude of his flight gained more variance. Several, rapid wing beats brought him higher. Then, he drifted lower shortly thereafter.

Viliant, worried about them crashing, offered, That tree looks sturdy. His thoughts directed their attention to an expansive treetop which rose above the others. There has to be a tree which can hold your weight.

Well, yes, Rokirith admitted, but I don't like the trees, and they don't like me back. Nevertheless, he hovered lower to rest at the tall tree which Viliant had pointed out. The dragon precariously perched himself in the fork of a couple, sturdy branches that formed a brace for his weight.

While they rested, Fia ventured down Rokirith's back—carefully avoiding his tail—to check on Viliant. Since they were both perplexed by his earlier statement, Fia tilted her head. "Trees don't have feelings, do they?" She spoke aloud, happy to keep practicing the Malakow language whenever she knew how to express herself.

"Hush!" Rokirith hissed harshly. "I think it heard you—"

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A rustle spread through the branches, starting with a subtle vibration. Its shake intensified until the whole tree became encompassed.

What's happening? Fia kept her mouth clamped shut this time, not wanting to inadvertently bite her tongue or gums.

I thought you were kidding when you said the trees didn't like you! Viliant cried out with his thoughts in disbelief.

The pitch of Rokirith's voice bounced with the motion of the tree. "She didn't mean it! We're sorry!" The simple apology did not assuage the tree's emotions. Hang on! he projected to the dragonets. He grabbed both Fia and Viliant in his front claws.

When he tried to take off, his poor footing did not allow him to get a good jump. Rokirith's wings folded, and he fell back down the tree. The ridges along his spine cracked against a bough. The dragon bust through, curling his tail inward for protection. Both Fia and Viliant were shielded against his chest. Rokirith struck branch after branch on his way down.

Can you glide away with me? Viliant asked, his cowering face tucked tightly against Fia's cheek.

Her eyes, squeezed shut, flung open. The blur of leaves rushed by them. Her slitted pupils danced about, searching for a way out. No! I don't think so. If Fia jumped away from Rokirith, then she would only end up falling by her lonesome. The soft pad at the center of her foot clasped over the top of Viliant's. The dragonets must rely on the adult to keep them safe.

Once the canopy had thinned out, Rokirith dropped straight to the forest floor. He landed flat on his back, coughing hard.

Stunned from the fall, Fia and Viliant blinked at each other. They lay comfortably across Rokirith's chest. Nary a twig had grazed them.

You actually protected us…. Viliant observed out of his surprise.

Not you, Rokirith snapped as a thoughtless reaction. Fia. The gray dragon got up slowly and slid them off his crimson belly. As he stood over the wide-eyed, pink dragonette and the scowling, scorned one, Rokirith's eyes softened. But it was my duty to protect you too… Viliant.

The admittance seemed wholly unwarranted from Rokirith, causing the dragonet to take a step back. Thanks, I guess, Viliant mumbled, his thoughts too stunned to fully form. He added on, abashed, You didn't owe me anything.

The usual, serious aura surrounding Rokirith grew more somber. On the contrary, I owe you an apology. Rokirith crouched his body to stand even with Viliant. I've behaved like a juvenile in your presence, and I'm ashamed to have stooped to your level. I'm sorry.

I still feel insulted, Viliant snapped. His cheek turned away from Rokirith, but his wings ruffled, flustered that the sage had ever deigned to apologize. To himself, Viliant thought, Guess he needed his tail ripped off to get humbled.

The three dragons surveyed their present circumstance. The darkness of the jungle loomed around them. Fia passed her gaze between Viliant and Rokirith before swinging her neck all the way back. "How do we get back to the top? We need to fly!"

"I think it's best if we walk from here," Rokirith grumbled and tested his strength with a limping gait.

"Will Diwa find us down here?" Even if they did not see Diwa until they met up again at her treehouse, that did not matter so much as the predominant question on Fia's mind. Are we going to make it back in time? Her eyes closed momentarily so that she could assure herself of the fire swelling in her own belly. I will make it home in time. Even if the trees sought to trap her, the fire dragonette would reduce the whole forest to ash.

"Unlikely," Rokirith replied as he picked a path between the trees.

Viliant started to follow him first, though he paused underneath some low hanging vines to wait for Fia. Stay close. Stay alert. Given Rokirith's condition, I doubt he'll do much to keep monsters at bay.

If anything, the injured dragon would serve to attract savage animals which desired a rare feast. If the two dragonets did not want to become a snack along with him, then they must be prepared to fight.