"I suppose that would work better if I was flying. It would give me enough reach that I wouldn't need to expose myself to attack.""Okay, then we're all set except for one thing.""What's that?""About a dozen men left to find the kidnappers a few hours ago, and they had horses," she said."And we don't," said Seth. "Any ideas?"Ale looked at him, and then shifted her gaze to look just behind him. He looked back and saw his wing claw peeking up over his shoulder.Her face took on a mischievous smile. "I do have one.""No way." Seth shook his head."It's the only way we'll beat them there," she urged. "They have horses and a hea

A few minutes later, she started to feel calmer - they hadn't crashed and she was still firmly attached to his back. The wind was whipping all around her."You can open your eyes now," Seth said loudly so she could hear him over the wind.She didn't."Ale, try to feel my emotions through our bond. It might help you relax a little."It took a few moments for her to find him in her mind. He was elated. His heart was joyous and free and she knew it was from the flying. There was only a tiny bit of concern, and she knew it was for her.

He started on all fours, but his head was at about the level of her butt, and he found himself staring at it a little too often - although in his defense she did have a perfect bubble butt. Thereafter, he reverted to walking on two legs.Ale set a fast pace, but he was able to keep up with her without difficulty. After an hour, she slowed. Through the trees just ahead, he could see a bonfire burning. It looked like it was set on the peak of a small rise in the ground. The area around it had been cleared of trees and several tents had been set up.Seth and Ale crept closer. There was a woman pacing beside the fire, wearing a long cloak and what looked like black leather pants. Her hair was brownish red at the top, but slowly fading down to almost blond at the tips. The overall effect made her hair resemble fire and was quite striking; even beautiful.

"And the award for most delightful person of the year goes to..." Seth said. Ale laughed, and sheer relief made Seth and the blond woman join in. He took a sword from the ground and walked over to cut the ropes still hobbling the captives' feet."What's your name?" he asked the blond woman as he carefully sliced through the ropes."Elizabeth, Beth," she replied, rubbing her ankles. There was rope burn on her wrists and hands, but otherwise she seemed unharmed. "Thank you for rescuing us.""No problem. Thanks for pointing out the warhammer. You probably saved our skins."She smiled. "Well, then that makes us almost even."Seth moved to cut the ropes on the boy's feet, but the boy shrank away. The dragon crouched down to his level and looked him in the eye. "If I was going to hurt you, I wouldn't have had to fight those m

Ale groaned as she was ripped from her dream world and back into reality. She opened her eyes to see Seth's face not far above her. It wore an odd expression, so Ale checked their bond. He was feeling amusement, concern, even shock and... something else."Are you okay? You seemed upset and were talking in your sleep."