Raizen sat behind the cloaked woman, hands locked around a ridge of black scales. Wind whooshed past his ears tugging at his clothes and hair
Ukai was already gone.
When he glanced back, the great tree city was just a shape on the horizon - a dark crown rising over the canopy, ringed with faint lantern light.
The dragon's four wings beat in a low, steady rhythm. Not loud - more of a hum that he could feel through the scales under his palms.
They started to descend.
The air grew heavier, more humid. The smell of wet leaves and stone pushed away the high, cold wind.
Far ahead, a cliff face rose out of the forest.
Bright grey stone, streaked with mineral lines. Water poured from a break near the top in one huge waterfall - a solid white curtain that covered the entire gap.
The dragon flew straight at it.
Raizen's fingers tightened on the ridge.
For a beat, instinct screamed.
Jump. Roll. Do something.
There was nowhere to go.
