*Katerina's POV*

I followed Brandon and Randel as they pushed their way through the trees and underbrush. The nearly straight line was almost eerie, reminding me of their ability to find the dragon they were bonded to.

Brandon held a branch to the side for me as we entered the meadow. "Sorry for the delay, Diondin. If we had jogged, it would have gained attention."

"We still have all afternoon," the blue dragon replied, although his tail swished across the grass, betraying his impatience.

"That was a long walk in the sun," Randel complained, already heading over to Andar. "I'm almost out of water. Is there a river or lake nearby?"

"We can find one on the way or land near one," Andar replied. "Let's get going."

I hastened my steps as Rakota crouched down, although he seemed preoccupied and not as annoyed as I had expected. His head turned to watch me climb up to the saddle. Normally, I would have saved my questions for a less rushed time, but I remembered Brandon's concerned request for me to find out if the shoulder straps were supposed to go under the other ones in case they came loose. The tendency for them to snag might be a hidden safety feature.

As I began securing the straps around my waist, I tentatively asked, "Uh, Rakota? Are you sure the shoulder straps have to go under the other ones?"

"Very sure."

If I hadn't known better, I would have been positive that his lip almost twitched up. To the side, Brandon shrugged and slid the shoulder strap under the other one. Randel clipped his over top like he normally did; yet, Andar didn't comment upon it.

I inclined my head in his direction. "Is he in any danger?"

This time, Rakota smirked. "Andar can catch him just as easily as I could catch you, but are you willing to take such a risk?"

At this point, I was positive it didn't matter how the shoulder straps were secured, but at the same time, we were hunting mages, and I really didn't feel like plummeting through the air if something went wrong.

As I picked up the shoulder straps, my eyes flickered to Rakota, who was watching intently, as if waiting for me to fumble like Randel had said. My hands flew as I slid the straps smoothly under the secondary ones and secured them. I tossed my hair back as I raised my chin to face the red dragon.

Rakota's jaws parted in a grin. An actual grin.

Instead of taking offense at my silent way of showing him I wasn't about to fumble a strap like he was hoping, he seemed amused by my half-hearted defiance. Even as I tried to process it, his gaze moved skyward and his muscles tensed. Knowing what was coming, I held onto the handle as he jumped skyward.

The straps were a reassuring presence that kept me firmly in the saddle as he surged higher with each wingbeat. Unlike slower takeoffs where he easily glided through the air, his wings powered his flight and added a significant amount of speed with each beat. It was actually kind of exhilarating. Almost like riding a stallion running full speed.

I squished that thought. The only reason he was flying so fast was because he wanted to catch the mages. I didn't share the same sentiment. Trees passed below, far faster than the last few flights between villages. On a road below, two distant travelers gawked at the dragons. I hoped they weren't going anywhere we'd be stopping, or the mages might be on high alert.

Rakota began descending to a clearing not far from a smaller road. I was glad to see an ankle-deep creek running along the edge since my waterskin was also close to being empty. As Rakota landed and folded his wings, I undid the straps as smoothly as I'd secured them. He didn't comment, although he seemed entertained by my actions, making me wonder if Randel had been mistaken as to the cause.

I climbed down and took out my waterskin as I walked over to the creek. I waited by the bank as Diondin landed, hoping Brandon would offer the purification ring since there wasn't time to boil the water.

Rakota tilted his head. "Are you not going to fill your waterskin? It'll be a long walk to the next village."

"Ummm. I have to boil it or borrow Brandon's purification ring. Humans can't drink water right from a creek without getting sick."

"That explains why humans are always obsessed with boiling water," he murmured. "There's an easy way to fix that."

His claws dug into the grass and peeled a handful back, exposing the dirt and rock beneath. A faint green light came from one spot as dirt and pebbles formed a tiny circle. The light brightened, then faded, leaving a braided ring of silvery metal with several pale blue stones strung on the wires.

"Not many can make clear crystals from granite, but I can," Rakota said smugly. "I also cast a purification spell on it. As long as the crystals are blue, it'll work."

I stared at the expensive trinket that any mage would charge a hefty sum for. Did- Did he really intend for me to have it?

"Is it really for me?" I quietly asked, barely daring to hope.

He snorted faintly. "I'm not going to bother carrying something that small around. Take it."

Using the tip of his claw, he picked it up and held it out to me. My footsteps were slow as I came over, still halfway certain he'd change his mind or ask for gold I'd never have. I gingerly took it off his claw and gazed at it.

"Thank you very much. I'll get a lot of use out of this." Trying to find some other way to show my appreciation, I added, "I can't believe how fast you turned soil into something like this. That was impressive, and it fits perfectly. The stones are really pretty."

Rakota seemed pleased by the compliments, although he didn't reply, turning his head to watch Andar land in the limited space beside him. I secured the ring around the spout and began filling the waterskin. The crystals gave a soft blue glow as the water flowed in. Brandon and Randel also came over to refill their waterskins.

As Brandon stood up, he asked Diondin, "Which way are we going?"

"Once you reach the road, you'll head–" He broke off with a hiss as his head swung toward me. "Rakota!"

"I sense it. Trace them. I'll block anything else they send."

My heart started hammering as all three dragons faced me, although their eyes were slightly unfocused as they used their mage senses. I took a step back, but at the same time, I knew I had to remain close to Rakota in case the mages sent another fire spell.

Rakota turned his head, and his eyes glowed faintly as fire exploded mid-air. Even though it was on the other side of the dragon, I felt the heat from where I stood. Brandon grabbed my hand and began pulling me toward Diondin. I stumbled, then ran alongside him as we took shelter under the dragon's partially extended wing. A second blast of fire appeared over Rakota's head, then a third.

"They won't get past the dragons," Brandon murmured. "Not at a distance, and not against three of them."

I shivered and seriously hoped he was correct. Silence fell. After a few seconds, the tension in the dragons' muscles eased.

"Did you trace them?" Rakota asked, half unfurling his wings as he stared intently at the blue dragon.

"Yes," Diondin hissed, baring his teeth menacingly, although it was clearly directed at the mages and not Rakota. "They're to the northeast. I also traced the ones casting the fire spells. There's at least seven of them all in one place."

Diondin folded his wing and shifted it to the side as he crouched down. Brandon immediately began climbing up.

"Get on," Rakota told me, also crouching down.

"Uh, can I stay here?" I quickly asked, truly hoping to not have to go near the upcoming battle.

"No. They'll likely send another attack in hopes of delaying us. Get on."

As much as I wanted to avoid the mages, the fire spells were a worse threat. Feeling like I was making a huge mistake, I raced over and scrambled up the harness. Even as I tightened the last strap, Rakota threw himself into the air.

I held on tightly with both hands as he powered skyward faster than he ever had before. The arch of his neck and his swift wingbeats were filled with determination. I wasn't sure where the mages were, but they wouldn't have time to flee.

In the distance, glimmers of color caught my eye as the other dragons also took flight.