A Home That Far

Chapter 12 Here There Be Dragons

When Kale arrived at the camp, she found Doc. McCoy entertaining a group of five Avion visitors, one of which was Stratos. "Ah...here they are," Hank began, handing out cups of coffee. "Oh. Kale? Where's Duncan? Lord Stratos was looking for him."

"He's talking with Logan."

"Oh. Well I guess we can wait. Ah, Kale, will I need to locate the first aid kit?"

"No. I asked Logan to talk to him."

"Ok."

"What brings you here Stratos?" she asked, sitting down across the fire.

"Believe it or not, a sick dragon."

"A what?" she asked, rather skeptically. "Dragons don't exist. They're myths."

"Kale, they are myth on Earth, but apparently real here."

"You're kidding!"

"No," Stratos answered. "I, myself, am a great admirer of Dragons. They are my passion, a kind of hobby."

"Like bird watching?" she asked.

"Yes, only bigger. They've supposed to have all migrated south for the winder, but one has stayed behind. Reports I have are that it's sick, possibly even injured. I was hoping that Duncan could help me tomorrow. I need his soldiers to help keep the beast contained long enough to treat it."

"I can help."

Stratos chuckled as he sipped his coffee. "I doubt that."

"Really? What would you rather have? A bunch of soldiers, stressing out an already stressed animal, or would you rather a dragon working with you, that can both understand you, and the dragon."

"You can do that?"

"All it takes is a touch." She waved her hand, exposing her sampling cells.

"That, and the animal has to be female."

"Not has to be, just preferred."

"Why would that make a difference?"

"Well, how would you feel?" Kale asked. "You're a man, a shape shifter. Would you want the unmentionable parts of your anatomy to disappear, to become a female animal?" All five Avion males shifted their footing, as though to make sure that their own unmentionable parts were still there. "I didn't think so."

"Kale...really."

"Well its true. Just the reverse for me."

"What it really is, gentlemen, her system is estragon dominated. If she sampled the DNA of a male creature, it would be rather...unsettling."

"Be blunt McCoy," Kale scoffed. "Its down right painful. Look. You want the dragon, I'd like to flex my morphagenic organs. In the process you can get up close and personal to an animal I'm sure would rather eat you."

"Are you sure you're up to this? The last time I saw you, you said that Hank turned you into a pretzel. Whatever that is."

"Hank?" she asked.

"T'near & I have been working together to help her. Physically she's fine. Though she should be careful when she changes."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, what he said. So are we going or not?"

"Alright. We'll get you close, but you do what we say, understood?"

"Of course. Thing is. You guys fly. I don't..."

"Correction, we don't fly," one of the guards stated, flexing his wings. "We glide."

"Sorry, glide...thing is, I don't. So, how much weight can you easily carry?"

"About three, maybe four pounds."

"Sounds like a capuchin should do nicely," Hank offered.

"A what?"

"The smallest animal I can change into. I can hang onto one of you, and we can find the dragon."

"Good. Our camp is an hour flight from here. Best to find the dragon at dawn. We can start out at first light."

"Good. Hank?"

"I'll let everyone know where you've gone."

"Ok. When Logan & Duncan come back, can you tell them I can handle it. And ask Logan to keep Scott away from Duncan."

"Very well."

"Kay, Stratos, don't be scared. I don't' bite." 'At least not you, anyway. AAAKKKK! What am I thinking!?'

"I've heard that before," Hank whispered. Kale Shot him a look, then concentrated on what she had to do.

Her form became rather puffy, like her skin was too big for her skeleton. Then her wholrm srm shrank, before their very eyes, into her clothing. A moment later a small white animal with a long tail leaped into Stratos' arms, a heap of clothing remaining on the ground. "Oh my!" he gasped, at her swiftness of movements. The little creature squealed and moved to the man's shoulder.

"She can understand everything you say, but she needs to return to her original form to speak to you."

"I see." Suddenly the little creature started screeching, and leapt from Stratos' shoulder to return to the pile of clothing. The tiny hands lifted layers of the cloth, and shook them toward Hank, screeching as loud as it could.

"I'm sorry, KaI toI told you they were synthetic materials. You know you can't absorb synthetics when you change."

"You mean she's...?"

"She can absorb her clothing into her transforming skin, so long as the fibbers of her clothes are organic or plant based. Like Cotton or silk. If there is even a small amount of synthetic fibbers in her clothing, she can't absorb them. Kale, I'll put your clothes into a bag for the gentlemen to take with you. Just be careful where you change, alright?"

The little creature nodded, and climbed back to Stratos' shoulder. When Hank handed them a duffle bag with her pants and shirt inside, the five took of to the skies following the river back to their camp.

Duncan wasn't sure what to do. From what Logan had just told him, Kale was heading for a rough few days, possibly weeks. "Why couldn't she explain this to me?" he asked at last.

"Because its embarrassing for her," he explained. "She tried once before to explain it to some of us, she barely got three words out before she broke into tears. She couldn't look at us for over a month."

"You mean everyone of your group knows?"

"Only those that would know how to handle her. Right now its just beginning. We can keepeye eye on her, intervene when she gets too out of hand, and isolate her if we have to."

"I hope it wont come to that," Duncan stated, leading the way back to camp.

"It will, towards the end, and she'll need someone to be with her all the time then."

"No! You wont...!"

"Hey...I volunteered the first time around, believe me, it was no picnic for her. I'm not gona be the one this time. Besides, she's going by instincts of the various animals in her her. She'd prefer the one she's chose, you, or she'd switch, for someone with an advantage over you."

"No!"

"You could still win her back, by overpowering the one she chooses, in a posturing fight. I doubt that, say...your King for example, would want to...so you two would have a scuffle, make it look good, then Randor would loose, and Kale would go with the victor."

"You make it sound so..."

"Basic? Lets face it, when you work with animal instincts it's the basic needs that come out on top."

"Such as food and water," Hank said, seeing the pair emerge from the trees. "Would anyone care to make a water run?" Logan gave a low growl as Hank handed him the containers.

"Someone's been here," he stated, sniffing the air, and detecting a faint scent that was different.

"Yes, Stratos and some of his men were by. They were looking for you Man-at-Arms. The wanted your assistance with a dragon."

"Where'd they go?"

"They left, back to their camp. Kale went with them"

"What!? When?"

"About an hour ago, I'd say. What's wrong?"

"I've got to get to her. Where's their camp?"

"Stratos said an hour's flight from here, but I don't know which way. What's wrong?"

"Logan will explain. I've got to find a flyer, fast!"

"Logan? Is Kale going through what I think she's...?"

"Yeah. Its only just beginning."

"Oh dear."

Kale turned over in her bed, pressing closer to the warm form beside her. Her sleeping partner grunted slightly, as he turned, and gently pulled himself out of the bed, and retreated from the tent.

Outside the young Avion officer found the rest of his party huddled around a warm fire, sharing cups of coffee, and toast. "Good Morning," Stratos offered the young man, as he took a seat next to him. "You get pushed out by the next hog as well?"

"Someone want to tell me why she had to share OUR tent?"

"Because it was the only one we brought, and it is freezing cold out here. Shared body heat is the best and only way to..."

"I get the idea my lord. Thank you." He sipped his offered coffee, and placed a slice of bread on the rack to toast. "She sure moves a lot," he said.

"She was dreaming when she woke me up," Stratos said with a mild chu.
.

"How long ago was that?"

"Long enough to watch the suns rise."

"You guys talking about me?" The five turned to see Kale fumble her way out of the tent, blankets drawn across her shoulders, her slippers thrust on the wrong feet.

"As a matter of fact..." the younger officer began.

"No," Stratos finished. "The dragon must be near by, the sounds it made woke us up. You slept well."

"I passed out soon as my head hit the pillow," she said, sitting down next to Stratos resting her head on his shoulder. "Forge had us holing rocks, and logs, and fixing up buildings...and god knows what else."

"Well..." Stratos offered, patting her head to get her attention to the offered cup. "We weren't sure if you were ever going to wake." In the distance they heard a mournful growl.

"What was that?" she asked.

"That would be our dragon," Stratos answered.

"Sounds like it is getting weaker," stated one of the others.

"Yes. We best get moving right away. Kale, if you want a bite to eat, there's sandwich fixings in the box there. But best make it quick, there's supposed to be a storm coming in soon, I want to get to him before it is too late."

"I can go now. Just have to change. Can someone grab my clothes?" Within seconds, Kale's form disappeared into the blanket, and the small white creature burst out and took its perch on Stratos' shoulder. Two of the soldiers grabbed blanket and all, and shoved it into her bag, then together they took to the skies.

Duncan scanned the area North of their camp along the river, hoping to find the Avion camp. But no such luck. 'They have to be here somewhere!' he thought. 'I have to find her!' he turned his flyer South, returning to his starting point and scanning further down stream. 'Please Kale, hold out just a little longer. I'm coming for you.'

It had taken several hours to find the dragon. It had taken up refuge in a cavern, near a steam vent, though what steam came from the ancient tube was barely enough to keep the ice from forming around its edge. Stratos and his men crouched down behind some of the boulders as close as they could get to the creature, observing its nearly dead movements.

Its breath was labored, and full of rasps. Its eyes were glazed over, and dull. There was mucus running freely from its nose, and its mouth showed signs of frite ite around the tender lips. One tusk along the left side was broken off, almost to the root, but was slowly growing back.

Its left wing was draped over the vent, and held fast to pull the warm air along its body, while its right wing hung lifeless from its side. The color of the wing was pale, and near where it joined the dragon's back, it was badly swollen, and an open wound could be seen, badly infected, the remains of a claw, or something of the like, sticking out. Stratos nodded to his men, pointing to the wound. The young men nodded and readied their supplies they'd brought. Kale hopped off Stratos' shoulder, and with her tiny arms, pulled her duffle bag behind some larger rocks. A few moments later she returned to The Avion's side, fully changed, and dressed.

"You weren't kidding when you said dragon," she whispered. "That thing is huge!"

"Yes, and not to be trifled with, no matter what state it is in. Now, from my past experience, as long as you don't appear or act hostile to them, they shouldn't attack. It will probably posture, and try to frighten you off, but speak calmly, remain calm, and you'll be fine. Thing is, I've never gotten near an injured one before, so it may be more aggressive than normal."

"I'll be careful."

"If it appears to come after you, drop to the ground, play dead. It should ignore you then."

"Great. My second transformation was a dog. Roll over play dead is a synch."

"What?"

"Never mind. Just stand clear. This may get ugly."

"We'll be standing by to get you out of there. We brought what is called the dragon blast. It's a concussion grenade, strong enough to knock a dragon out."

"Ok. Be ready for anything. When I change, he, or she, may not like another dragon around. You sure there's no way to tell if its male of female?"

"Only during mating season."

"Great. Here goes." Kale stepped out to the canyon floor, slowly making her way to the beast that lay before her. She could feel its breath pass her as it breathed. Rancid. She surmised that it had a mouth injury as well, on top of its obvious outward injuries. She took a few more steps, and stopped. There was an uneasy feeling in the air. Anyone with sense enough to turn and run could feel it. She had the sensibility to do it, but she pressed onward.

The dragon opened its nearly blind eyes and looked in her direction. A low growl rumbled from deep in its chest. "Easy big guy," she said gently, hoping it wouldn't turn on her. "I'm not gona hurt you. I'm here to help." The Dragon shifted ever so slightly, its mouth opening as wide as it could, a loud growl echoed through the canyon.

"KALE! Back away! NOW!!" Stratos yelled, but they could not move, as the creature turned, its good wing, pinning them down in their hiding place.

The injured right wing swung close to her, limp and useless as it passed. Kale grabbed hold and sailed through the air as the dragon used its turning momentum to thrust its wing around, and flinging the girl higher on the cliff.

Kale's eyes went wide as she felt the DNA of the beast spread through her body. It was like fire. She screamed as she let go, landing hard on the upper ledge. "GO!!" Stratos yelled, as the dragon's wing moved from above them. The men spread out, firing their grenade at the dragon's side. As they cleared the area, the grenade detonated, and the dragon went down, the blast loosening the icy rocks around them.

Stratos landed on the above cliff, where Kale had landed, and rushed to her side, as she lay crying in the snow. "Kale! Are you hurt?"

"NO!! Don't touch me!! Oh god it hurts!"

"What's wrong?"

"Its male! The damn dragon is male! Oh god, its like fire! It burns!! AAAAAHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

"The dragon is down," stated one of the men, landing with the others near where the girl lay.

"What can we do?" another asked.

"Go back to camp, get more blankets, and the first aid kit, hurry! You!"

"My lord!"

"Get on the communicator back at camp. It has a longer range. See if you can reach Doc. McCoy back in her camp. Find out what we can do. HURRY!" The four subordinatooktook off, their leader cradling the crying woman, the unconscious dragon in the canyon below.

It seemed like hours that they had gone, when Kale eased herself into Stratos' arms. Her screams ceased, to cries, then sobs, and now just laboured breathing. Stratos brushed her hair back from her brow, using his kerchief to wipe her skin. "Stratos?" she asked lightly.

"It will be alright. My soldiers are going for help."

"They can't help me..."

"Don't say that..."

"No, they can't. But you can..."

"What?"

"Tell me. What happens when the dragons fly south? Tell me about the dragons? I need to know. Need to understand."

"Well, they have two breeding seasons, one here, one in the southern lands. But they only lay eggs during one of those seasons."

"So the dragons are searching for a mate?"

"Many, yes. Why?"

"It would explain a lot...Stratos..." As he turned to her, she kissed him. Surprised he pushed her away, knowing what Man-At-Arms would do if he caught them like that. "...Please ...Stratos...I need you..."

"Kale, Duncan is..."

"Not here..." she said, and kissed him once more, pushing him to the ground straddling his hips. She pushed her hands beneath the feathered shoulder guards of his outfit, looking for the release clips.

"Now see here..." the Avion demanded.

"No...please..." she begged, kissing him again.

"KALE!" Stratos' heart nearly stopped as Duncan appeared behind her, pulling her off him.

'Thank the Elders,' he thought. "Duncan, I can explain..." Suddenly the Master lunged at him, tumbling head over heals to the snow. Stratos was quick and pinned him to the ground. "Duncan...please!"

"Listen to me carefully my friend..." Duncan whispered softly, pushing him off, then pinning him to the snow. "I know that what happened isn't your fault. You didn't start it. Kale is going through a phase, and she's chosen you over me because you have an advantage that I don't. You can glide."

"But I don't wanr...r..." he stated, as he pushed Duncan off, but ended up in a headlock by the master.

"I know you don't. That's why you have to lose this fight. She will see you as an unsuitable match, and choose the victor."

Stratos flipped the master over his head, but still Duncan stayed in the more aggressive position in the scuffle. Kale watched from behind the s, hs, her heart aching at what she saw, but her mind couldn't focus on either of them. "How do you propose I lose? I can easily fly away."

"Yes, but if you just lay here, I think she'll believe it. Thing is it has to look real. Or she wont believe it."

"Then she'll return to..."

"Yes. Now lose!"

"Hit me."

"What?"

"Hit me, a solid punch to my chin. Make it hard and fast. On the count of three."

"Are you serious? I'll knock you out!"

"No, you wont. We time it right, it will look like you've knocked me senseless. And Kale is all yours, again."

"Ok. Good luck."

"The luck will be yours."

"Ready? One...two...three..." Duncan pulled Stratos up, and threw his fist to the man's chin as fast and hard as he could. He felt the brush of his knuckles against the man's chin hairs, as Stratos pulled back, making it look to Kale that he'd been knocked out. Duncan held his friend for a moment as he play dead before him. "You ok?" he whispered.

"I'm fine," he answered quietly. "You never touched me. Now go to her. Keep her yours. I'd rather not go through this again."

Duncan stood, his breath quick, he turned to Kale, as she remained half hidden behind some of the rocks. Slowl wen went to her, holding out his hand. At once Kale was in his arms, her confusion gone, and her mind finally clear. Suddenly she started to cry, realizing what she'd almost done. "Its alright Kale," he soothed. "Its alright."

"No its not. My god, what have I done! Scott was right!"

"No! No he wasn't. You can't help what you do right now. It isn't your fault. But if you remember one thing, remember this. No matter who you choose, no matter who you turn to. I will always win out over them, because I have something they don't."

"What's that?"

He turned her to him, tilting her head to face him. "My feelings for you. They aren't the same as what everyone else feels for you. Mine are stronger, and they will always overpower others. Remember that." She nodded and he kissed her. Pulling her body closer to his, letting her feel the full force of his strength, his desire, all for her.

She allowed herself to be overpowered, allowed herself to be dominated by him. She wanted him, she chose him, he'd fought for her, and he would always win. She molded her body to his, succumbing to his claiming embrace, deeply inhaling his scent, memorizing his taste. She would have no other, she would have him, and only him.

"Ah, excuse me, I hate to interrupt," Stratos said from the ground. "I know you've had plenty of those. But we do have a wounded dragon to deal with, that's the reason that we came here. Can we get to him, please?"

"Yes," Kale answered, slowly letting Duncan from her arms. "We will."

"You guys go on down," Duncan said to Stratos, with a couple of his subordinates landing at his side. "I've a feeling Kale wants to do this with an audience of only one." Quietly she nodded her agreement.

Stratos gathered his men and descended the cliff to the unconscious dragon below. Quickly they set to work, doing what they could before it woke up. The concussion blast wouldn't keep it dmuchmuch longer. And when it woke, it would not be in the best of moods. "I am so sorry Duncan," she offered. "I don't understand why I couldn't just fight it off."

"Dragon instincts are very powerful. Logan told me that when you change for the first time, you could get confused. And I know that now, dragons are looking for new mates. I figured that if you ran into problems, you'd end up doing...what you did."

"But Duncan, what you must have thought when you saw me. I must look so horrible in your eyes right now."

"No, you don't. Don't cry. It's all right. I'm not mad. I understood what was happening. I trust you. I also know that Stratos wouldn't make any advances to you. Not even under these circumstances."

"Oh god, he must think me really cheep to do what I did. I can't face him!"

"Yes you can. I told him what was going on, he understands, he doesn't blame you for what happened."

"Does he know why? I mean does he know that I can't control it sometimes?"

"He knows only what he needs to know. Now come on, get a hold of yourself. No one thinks less of you. I certainly don't. This is a part of who you are. I've accepted that. He will too. Now that he knows to expect it, he knows what to do about it. He knows, that I'm the one you will turn to, and he will do all in his power to see to it that you get to me. Or that I get to you."

"Don't ever leave me," she stated threading her arms around his neck again. "And what ever you do, don't let me kill Scott over the next few days. Because if he gets on my case again, I know that's just what I'll do, and I may not be able to stop myself."

"Don't worry, I'll keep an eye on you."

"Another thing, I may be a bit more aggressive to other women, you'll need to reassure me that I'm the only one you see. It happened once before, it may happeain.ain."

"Ok."

"One last thing."

"Yes?"

"I have to change to the dragon, now, or the burning will start all over again. Thing is, these clothes are synthetic, I can't absorb them like I can the dress the Queen gave me. Will you gather them for me. I have to take them off, or they'll tear as I change."

"I'll look after your clothes."

One last kiss to his lips, as she stepped back. First she pulled off her pants and lower undergarments, the length of her shirt hiding her form from his gaze. As he took her clothes he began to turn away. "No," she said, gently. "Don't turn away. I want you to see me."

"Kale?"

"Please. I'll feel better."

"Ok." Slowly she pulled off her shirt, she didn't wear a bra, she rarely needed one. Mainly she didn't wear one because she found the Eternian garment too uncomfortable. But there she stood before him, completely without clothing. Her white hair wasn't just on her head either. Duncan felt a twinge in the pit of his stomach, as his eyes traveled over her body. Gracefully she stepped up to him, one last kiss to him, then she threw herself over the cliff. "KALE!!"

The girl never hit the ground, instead, a white dragon exploded from the tiny form, and four great cl fee feet thundered to the ground. Her webbed wings stretched our as far as they could stretch, her ear fins flared as she raised her head. From deep in her throat, a grow unlike any Duncan, or Stratos, had ever heard, echoed across the sky. Gentle green eyes finally narrowed on Duncan, and the white beast lowered her head to him, stopping just inches from where he stood.

"Kale?" he asked gently, carefully patting the large nose before him. An affirming growl rumbled from the dragon's mouth. "You scared the daylights out of me! You'll have to explain why you did that."

The white dragon nodded, then gently flipped Duncan onto the bridge of its nose. Carefully it lowered the man to the canyon floor, setting him down with the Avions, just as the Red Dragon began to stir. "You're up, Kale," Stratos said, pointing Duncan the way to a safe place. "Just remember. Dragons don't breath fire to one another, only in defense against natural predators. You breath fire on him, he's bound to kill you. Good luck."

The red dragon slowly crawled to its front feet, the wound at its wing pleading freely. It growled in pain, and snapped at the white beast before it. Kale just dodged the mock attack, and lowered her head. Gentle gurgles came from her throat as she moved closer to the red beast, again it snapped at her. She lowered her wings along her body, balking sounds from her mouth, as she brought her head up against his neck. Gently she purred her way up and down his scaled skin, playfully snapping at his chin.

The red dragon closed his swelling eyes, and lowered his head across her neck. Carefully she lowered her head, letting the red's head nea nearly lifeless to the snowy ground. She then began to push the red, away from the center of the canyon floor, and more to the steam vent nearby. Stratos signaled his men, and at once a cage affair of pipes burst into the air. They joined in the air above the dragons' heads, and a solid web of material spread between the bars. Within seconds they were incased in a dome, and the support bars at once began pumping warm air onto the freezing animals.

Quickly the men set to work, carefully going over the red Dragon's injuries. Kale pointing out where the beast hurt the most, or where there was discomfort. The clawgmengment had been removed from the wing wound, and drained of poison and infection. Stratos worked on this would with two others for some time, before they were able to stop the flow of blood. Two others worked on the mouth wound, cleaning the debris from between its teeth, and flushing out the festering wounds on the lips, caused by cracking due to the cold.

Finally one of the soldiers with Stratos left his leaders side, and began administering fluids, and mineral supplements to the dragon, via intravenous tubes. They all got a good laugh from Kale, while still in dragon form, gave a shocked look at the size of the tube and needle, and the vast quantities of fluids being administered.

At last the red dragon began to moveoggioggily at first, then with more practiced movements. It held still as Stratos and Duncan carefully examined his eyes, and playfully snapped at the white dragon guarding him, when his face wasn't being worked on. "There," Stratos said at last. "Finished. If we can get him soute she should be fine."

"If we can get him south?" Duncan asked. "Do you have any idea how much one of those things weigh?"

"About forty tons, give or take. Though he'd be a bit lighter, for he hasn't eaten in a while." As though to agree the red dragon's stomach growled loudly threwout the dome. "Duncan, do you still have the cargo carrier that you used to move the Andreenid Hive portions when the hive was damaged?"

"Well, yes, but it takes eight people to operate. I don't think he's willing to let that many people gather around him."

"There has to be a way. We can't leave him here, not after all that we've gone through to save him."

Suddenly Kale began to dig at the bottom edge of the dome, she'd dug a hole large enough to get her nose out and under, then she flipped the dome away, as though it weighed nothing. She growled loudly through out the canyon, throwing her head high in the air. Suddenly there were answering cries from atop the cliff, and ral ral other red dragons began to appear.

"What the...?" Stratos gasped. Suddenly two of the largest beasts landed in the canyon, and began circling the white dragon. One by one they snapped at her, growling angrily as they made their rounds. Kale in turn growled back, but kept her posture low, as each snapped at her, she ducked lower, giving back a hiss of her own displeasure.

Suddenly one of the large beasts was on the wounded dragon, pushing at his bandaged wounds. Kale quickly batted him away, her huge claws pressing the head of the aggressive dragon to the wall of the cliff. The second dragon came at her, and she turned in time to block his attack. The wounded dragon let out a pleading howl, and Kale at once stood over him, shielding his body with her won. She growled angrily at the other dragons, where each in turn produced a ball of fire in their mouths.

"KALE! GET AWAY!" Duncan cried.

Kale stood her ground, and produced her own ball of fire. She dug her claws into the frozen ground, pulling mounds of dirt and half melted snow between her toes. For a brief moment her eyes flashed red, then returned to green. The attacking dragons backed down, and bowed their heads, but it wasn't Kale that they were retreating from.

High on the cliff above and behind the white dragon, stood the largest red dragon any Avion had ever seen. It didn't have just one set of huge tusks at the sides of its head, but two. Its wings were wide, and showed tears all along the edges. Some were long, nearly to the spine of the wing, while others were minor, and barely noticeable. The huge beast flared his ear fins, as he effortlessly stepped off the cliff, and onto the canyon floor. Kale slowly turned to the new dragon, and watched the others slowly back away. Kale gracefully bowed her head, but didn't back away from the wounded dragon. A low rumble erupted from the great beast'sst, st, and it gestured with his clawed foot for her to step away. Kale looked to the eyes of the dragon she protected, then slowly stood clear, but she did not go far.

The mammoth beast took just one step, and lowered its head to the small red one. It rumbled gentle growls along its throat, and the red dragon returned a few of his own. The larger one seemed to nod, and began to pull the wounded beast to its feet. Kale helped it stand, as the larger dragon slid under its body. Finally with the wounded dragon safely on the larger one's back, the large beast eyed Kale one last time, before giving her a gentle nuzzle along her cheek. It then leapt to the air, spreading its wings fully, and with one powerful thrust of its wings, it sailed off over the land, leading the rest of the gathered dragons with it, all in a long red line heading south.