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The barrier shimmered as we approached, sending brief waves of red and gold running across its surface before fading into invisibility again. The drakkons were little more than larger shadows against the soft red glow of heat coming from the sands of the hatching caves.

“Wow,” Sora murmured softly, her gaze on Kaia’s dark outline. “They are huge.”

“That they are.” I took the back end of the litter from Jax, then motioned Kele to the front end. “Sora, you and Jax will have to wait out here.”

“Why can’t we go in?” Jax asked.

“Aside from the fact the entrance is magically barred and not tuned to either of you,” Kele said, before I could answer, “we’ve spent hundreds of years decimating their numbers, and they’re a little annoyed by the whole situation. They’re likely to eat strangers, and to be honest, I can’t say I blame them.”

Jax grunted. “Shame, but at least I can see them from here.”

“You can,” I said, “but neither of you are to mention their presence here, and that is an order.”

Túxn only knew, the last thing we needed was a stream of curious onlookers scrambling through the tunnels to catch a glimpse of them.

As Kele and I went through the barrier, the magic flared to life once again, briefly slowing our steps. Its sharp needles raced across my skin, pinpricks that seemed designed to taste who we were before letting us fully go through. It wasn’t unpleasant, more uncomfortable.

A small price to pay to keep the drakkons safe.

Gria remained where we’d left her last night, curled up into an overly large ball. She didn’t move once we entered the cavern proper, but Kaia’s head snaked around. Her dark eyes held a bloody glow in the reddish light coming from the sands.Wind strong. Wings healed. Good day to fly.

It could take me a while to get used to being on your back, Kaia.

You ride runner. Won’t fall.

She obviously had more confidence in my balancing skills than I did. We removed the packs, rolled the boar off the litter close to Gria, though the drakkling didn’t wake, then Kele gave me the pack she was carrying.

“I expect a full report of what it’s like to be aloft on a drakkon,” she said. “No details to be spared.”

I laughed and gave her a hug. “And I expect a jug of mead to be ready and waiting for me when I get back, as per usual.”

She grinned. “I expect your man might have other ideas on that front.”

“Nothing gets in the way of our downtime, not even a well-endowed man.” Nothing other than the upcoming move to Zephrine, and that was at least a few days off yet. “And we have a tradition that must be followed.”

“Indeed.” She stepped back, saluted, then grabbed the rolled-up litter and retreated. I waited until the three of them had gone, then picked up the pack and walked over to Kaia.

What carry?

“Two packs are supplies I might need for the island. The third and fourth has supplies for me, and the ropes and girths I need to fashion a means of tying me onto you, so I don’t fall to my death if we suddenly part company.”

Best not part,she said.What wood on back?

“A short bow with arrows. We think it might penetrate winged ones’ armor and kill them.”

Kill birds too?

“Maybe.”

We hunt?

“No, because we haven’t enough arrows at the moment.”

Get enough.

“We’re working on it.”

Work faster.