Goody reared back on his hind legs before stumping heavily to the ground, the weight of his bulk shaking the dirt like a drumbeat.
"Master is brave… come on, master, climb on!" the dragon's deep voice rumbled, half proud, half teasing.
Simma smirked faintly, though the anger in his eyes did not fade. With a quick motion, he mounted Goody's scaled neck, gripping tight. With a single massive flap of wings, Goody launched skyward, cutting through the air like a blade through silk.
The dragon tilted forward, scales glinting under the firelit sky. Air whistled past them in sharp shrieks, as he dove, coiling his body nimbly as arrows of fire streaked past them.
Another rocket screamed toward them, but Goody snapped his wings to the side and veered away with startling agility.
"Good thing I saw that one," the dragon muttered, his tone as casual as if he'd dodged a falling fruit.
"Get me lower!" Simma ordered, his voice sharp, and urgent.
