Marqueh landed with a bit of a drag and thump, trying to make sure he didn't accidentally overshoot the edge and have to make another approach.  Luckily, he'd had the experience; they came to a safe stop on the naked stone bluff with very little need to drag his claws.
        They may have come to a full, safe and complete stop, but the world around them still whirled.  It was laughable, really--these four measly human creatures on the back of a great and powerful beast, huddled together like frightened children.  It wasn't really so funny, however.  Not to them.
        "We'll rest here until morning."  He informed them lightly, arranging himself to lay down.  He needed a bit of rest, himself.  Certainly if he was going to accompany them as far as he could go.
        "Well... thank you."  Shadow spoke up quietly.
        A low rumble of thunder acknowledged her.  It seemed another dark storm loomed just over the horizon, coming their way.  Fitting for the mood, certainly.
        The dragon stared out at the clouds just coming into focus for a moment, monitoring their speed, motion, and the wind.  "It will pass right over us in a few minutes."  He announced with certainly.  "You can stay under my wings."  He spread them wide, then tapped the ground directly in front of him with a claw, indicating they climb off.
        "Sit, relax."  He invited as they followed his instructions.
        Well, easier said than done, obviously.  They would accomplish all that they could, though.  As they sat in a loose circle, Marqueh's wings carefully enfolded around them until they were encased in a dome of feathers.  It was quite impressive, actually.  A moment later a seam appeared near the top and a smiling dragon head peered in for a moment.  "Acceptable?"
        "Nice amenities."  Shadow tried to keep her spirits up.  "But are you going to be comfortable?"
        "Oh yes."  He assured her.  "It's not exactly a strain.  And it's only for a night."
        "Is it going to rain all night?" Evyn asked.
        "No, no."  The dragon took a moment to peer out at the clouds again, moving in quickly.  "But you will have your privacy this way.  That is important, yes?"
        "Yes."  Shadow responded softly.  "Thank you."
        Marqueh nodded, satisfied with himself.  As he pulled his head from the feathered dome, his wings sealed back together to keep out rain and sound, save bits of thunder.
        There was silence for a while.  Slow, daunting, reflective silence.  It wasn't quite as though any of them felt like carrying on a conversation.  They didn't really feel like sitting in silence, though.  It only served to build up the most horrible scenarios in their heads.  Regardless, there was still the comfort they found in resting together.  It may well be their last relaxed moment with each other.  That was, if they could relax.
        The thrumming of rain began soon afterward, somehow lending itself to their silence rather than taking anything away.  It was slow and rhythmic at first, steadily climbing until it sounded almost like hail beating against leather.  Nothing was spoken, but there was a bit of obvious concern.
        Without needing to be prodded, Shadow stood up and softly ran her hand along where she thought she'd seen the seam of wings.  Sure enough, a moment later the dome of feathers opened just a touch, Marqueh looking at her quizzically.  She took a moment to look around, even her the time spent peeking out of the safety under the feathers drenching what parts were exposed.  Once again it was that sheer depth of the rain that ripped at the core of her.  Everything was lost in the downpour--even the castle ahead of them.  All was rain; flooding, cooling, crying...
        But that was not what she'd wanted to see.  "You're sure you're alright in the rain?" she asked, concerned.
        The beast smiled a bittersweet dragon smile and shook his head.  "I'm perfectly alright.  You care for yourselves, now.  There's the important part."  His eyes darted to the sky suddenly, hearing something.  Instantly he looked a little more at ease than he had before.  Slowly he lifted his wings, taking care not to interrupt anything that may be going on in the privacy underneath them.  As his protected creatures looked up at him curiously, he formed the wings into a makeshift umbrella, tilting it just enough so that they could see the skyline.  "Watch."  Was the only explanation he gave.
        Nothing but streaks of lightning, at first.  But then there was definitely motion.  Several bits of it, actually.  The closer the movement got, the more of them there seemed to be in several shapes and colors--and then it hit them.  A cloud of dragons began to pour in as the sky darkened yet further.  Some flew over and darted down, landing around the base of the bluff.  Others--smaller ones, mostly--made several loops and approaches to situate themselves along the sides of the bluff itself, protectively waiting.  The four smaller, less spectacular creatures being protected couldn't help but notice how small the number was as compared to the spectacular vision that had blotted out the sky not long before.  It was no less fantastic to witness the flight coming toward them, but it was a touch disheartening.
        "Just thought you'd like to see the landing."  Marqueh began to enfold them all again.
        "Incredible."  Was the only word Shadow had for that.
        Their protector smiled graciously and nodded, excusing them all back to whatever it was they were doing before.  The great wings sealed again over them, keeping them in a domed room all their own.  It really was kind of him to give them their privacy.  And to have shown them the dragons in the middle of their silence.
        Shadow sighed and sank back down into the "room", no longer wanting to see anything outside.  Sooner or later she'd have to shake those guilty feelings--but it'd have to be later.  So... much... lost...
        "What do we do?" Evyn whispered his insecurities.  "What can the four of us do against..."
        "Whatever we can."  Their leader responded, trying her best to sound sure of herself.  It fell short, however.
        "If we can just get to Aunger..." Roan started quietly.  "That's all we need."
        "And what about the rest..?" Shadow quietly asked herself.  "What about those living under him in fear?"
        Taerlyn grew suddenly alarmed. "We don't have to... to kill innocent people, do we?"
        "I don't know."  She responded.  "I hope not."
        "We can't talk it to death."  Evyn warned softly.  It was instinct talking, rather than his own feelings.  He hated it, but he knew it to be true.  Not that they had to pretend none of it was happening, but...
        Dull silence followed.  The sound of the rain running off of Marqueh's feathers and hitting the stone underneath only enhanced their mood.  Over that was the scraping of weapons being sharpened, of plans being brought forth and whispered, agreed upon, knocked down, rearranged.
        This is why the military never interested me.  Shadow's mind ran continuously in their silence.  She could break, here.  It could be from rage, from uncertainty, from silence... but she didn't.  Wouldn't.
        Roan unconsciously pulled closer.  He needed it, that contact.  It was so... comforting.  He still wasn't entirely used to it, and began to wonder if he ever would be--or would have the time to try.  It was nice, though.  Nice to have these moments together in stillness, as a group.  That would seriously take some getting used to, as well.
        The very idea of Aunger, of the possibilities that might be thought up by that bastard...  It was a hard line of thought to leave.  He remembered too much, and what was repressed... was done so for very good reasons.  Certainly the man knew they were coming.  Maybe he'd even come up with a plan against them.  It wasn't the threats of battle that worried Roan, though that would be draining in itself.  No, it was the slew of other possibilities.  Aunger didn't kill.  He tortured, kept alive, then tortured more until a man's mind just shut down.  Sometimes it took weeks.  Every once in a while, he remembered... it had taken years...
        He flinched when Shadow's hand clasped over his own, feeling a thin layer of sweat cover his skin.  He breathed a soft sigh of relief when he came back to their present situation, but perhaps that wasn't saying much considering the thoughts he'd been deeply involved in seconds before.  As much as he found he enjoyed it, affection would always be strange to him--especially in contrast with everything he knew before.  Add to that how... out of place it seemed in their situation...
        She felt the flinch, but she felt his hand respond to the touch immediately afterward.  She gave him his privacy of thoughts regardless, looking down at the ground in front of her.  They would have to eat soon.  To get their strength up.  Then sleep.  How she'd be able to do either, she didn't really know.  Not that she felt jitters, but she sure as hell wasn't feeling happy go lucky.
        That image was kind of heart breaking.  At least to Evyn.  He knew the girl didn't often look down, so to speak.  There was always a savage energy to her, with everything from happiness to rage.  Now it seemed a little... flat.  Tired, even.  Maybe just contemplative.  He hoped so.  He was feeling a bit "flat", himself.
        Taerlyn leaned up against her brother with a sigh, pushing him that much closer to Shadow.  She wasn't stupid.  She knew those two needed one another, just as much as Roan and Shadow did.  No, no, it wasn't like that between her brother and, for all intents and purposes, big sister.  But it was... definitely something.  She was close, herself... but apart from that, as well.  Not removed, not ignored, but simply... not quite as close.  Call it closer to innocent.
        So again their group huddled together as rain and thunder roared outside.  Destiny, fate--whatever the fuck--was close enough to reach out and smack them.  And, given their past history together, it probably would.
        They enjoyed just that silence, that closeness.  It was kind of like... group mediation.  Maybe it was the closest to praying any of them had ever come.  All that mattered was the stillness they found right there, under giant wings and with each other.  Surreal, to say the least.  It could be the last still moment; and that thought was less appealing than all others.
        Marqueh's head carefully prodded between the crack in his wings to keep the rain out.  He hadn't meant to interrupt their quiet, but there were matters to attend to.  "Hungry, anyone?"
        Looks were exchanged with no verbal response.  It was the general consensus to have said, "Absolutely not."  But they really couldn't afford not to eat, considering what would take place in the morning.
        The dragon caught on easily.  "Eat anyway."  He joked gently, spreading his wings just enough to place a large earthenware dish in front of them.  "Venison and rabbit."  He announced, placing another dish beside that one.  "And some random green things and fruit."
        A well balanced meal.  Shadow's mind commented.  "Thank you."  She responded sincerely.  "Very much."
        "I'll pass it along."  Marqueh looked pleased.  "Eat.  Relax.  Then sleep will come."
        I hope so.  She didn't let herself respond verbally as the gap in the wings closed once again.  I don't think I'll be able to stand being awake much longer.  There was a hollow place on her shoulder, where a dragon should be.  It only added weight to the hollow place at their side, where a horse ought to be.  She was sure Marqueh was struggling with the same, missing Aliyn at his side.
        "Wow."  Evyn commented.  Everything looked and smelled fantastic.  While his stomach echoed that sentiment... he didn't exactly feel like indulging it.  He knew as well as everyone else that they couldn't refuse, however.
        A silent sigh passed over them like a wave.  It was just... all of this finality.  It was getting a touch draining.  Not to mention annoying.
        No desire to think of it, no need to ponder over these things.  They reached for the food and slowly cleared the plates, all the while wishing they could fully taste exactly what they were eating.  Things were too surreal, though; too dream-like to get a feel of... anything.  Not the passage of time, not their own hunger.  They had to admit how really exhausted they were, and how all signs were actually pointing to sleep.  Sleep before the dawn--with the dawn came...
        Finality? Shadow wondered to herself, listening to the rain.  It had stopped its severe downpour, but still existed as a steady entity.  So be it.  What will come, will come.  But she wouldn't go quietly, dammit.
        Taerlyn was the first to show the signs of weakness, so to speak.  She yawned despite desperately trying not to.  She was tired, but...
        "Our beds..." Evyn stated quietly.  "I guess they're... pretty much gone."
        "As are our supplies in general."  Shadow agreed.  Although, that did mean a welcome end to the freaking canned food.  That was worth a little celebration.  "It's just one night.  We can sleep on bare ground."
        It was a practice that Roan knew a little too well; but knowing the others weren't used to it was cause for a bit of concern.  True that the wings and feathers would protect them from the elements above, but there was something else to consider.  "The rock might get cold by morning..."
        Shadow placed her palm against the ground, getting his meaning.  The rock was still warm from the sunlight, but as the night came on, the temperature would drop a little.  More than usual, considering the storm above.  They had no blankets to lay on, nothing but their clothing protecting them.  The suggestion seemed kind of strange coming from her, but... "I guess we'll just have to stay close, then."
        Evyn agreed with a slow nod.  He couldn't say he minded--part of him really wanted to curl up in the warmth and comfort of his family, as he used to do when he was little.  Just forget the world and the elements outside and... sleep for a while.  Maybe what was truly weird, was that it didn't feel weird in the least.
        Roan felt a little awkward nervousness in his gut, though.  He still wasn't... entirely certain of where his "place" was within them.  He had a general idea of where Shadow placed him, but not the other two.  Evyn was indeed her big brother, and things might not be taken so well, that way.
        As the concerned black eyes fell across blue ones, however, he found no bitterness in them.  Was he trusted to look after their "fearless leader"?  Was he trusted at all?  Perhaps it was best he not question it.  Not out loud, anyway.  It could ruin a good thing.
        Shadow's arms were wrapped firmly around her knees, pulled in tight to her chest.  Just thinking.  Pondering.  How strange this was.  Her family, gathered around.  She'd never been so close to anyone in her life, physically or otherwise.  Her parents.... weren't the type.  To do much of anything, in general, but... never to comfort.  How very odd, all of this.  Funny and very much stupid in any other circumstance.  "How incestual."  She joked quietly.
        Evyn blushed a little.  He hadn't meant to, but it just sort of happened that way.  "Okay... uh... girls in the middle?"  He couldn't even look Shadow's direction for the grinning response he knew he'd find there.
        "Should we all be faced one way?" Taerlyn asked, trying to get a picture of how they'd do this and all manage to stay warm.
        "Might be more comfortable that way."  Shadow suggested.
        Evyn nodded.  "Okay.  Hm.  Then where do you want to be, Ter?"
        "I'm fine with just my back being warmed."  She said thoughtfully.
        Her brother found that to be an odd response, actually.  "You sure you wouldn't rather be in the middle?"
        She shook her head.  "I might get crushed if anyone turns."  She grinned slightly.  "I'm used to it, sleeping by a window.  Or I was, anyway."
        "I'll be on the outside."  Roan offered.  "I'm used to sleeping outdoors."
        Shadow still held barest hint of a grin across her lips--but she was looking at the ground.  She didn't even quite know what that grin meant, but she knew she was being watched by Evyn.  If Roan was on the outside, she'd obviously be spooned by him.  And then Ter would be on the outside, so Evyn would be between them.  It seemed kind of funny after her incestual comment, was all.  And the way he'd reacted... well, she was naturally a button pusher, that's all there was to it.  She'd learned how to play off of people much too well over the years.
        All curled up together... it was funny.  It was stupid.  It was... unlikely.  They had no beds, but it didn't matter.  They'd had no baths, but that didn't matter, either.  They were fed, together, in one piece, and resting through the night as if there were nothing impending but a new day. 

        Great and powerful dragon wings slowly uncurled, opening full to the first glimmers of daybreak.  There was no hint of sunlight but the slowly brightening blue color on the horizon.  The rain had stopped quite a while before, clearing the way for the stars to cast their light.  But Marqueh was not one to read the stars.  It was not something he held in firm belief.  And sometimes, he assumed, he just didn't want to know what they may have to say.
        The sleepers stirred with the cool fresh air suddenly spilling over them, pulling a bit closer to one another to keep the morning chill out.  That was fine.  They could wake as slowly as they needed to, if that would give them a better edge.  There would be no breakfast--a battle with a full stomach is as bad as an empty one.
        As the barest hint of gold just glistened over the horizon, Shadow's eyelids began to flutter.  Daybreak was calling.  The fires in her eyes... were burning.  She thought perhaps she could feel their very heat when she closed them again and sighed, consciously acknowledging daybreak.  It was not so much that she dreaded waking, or even what was to happen after.  She didn't have dread at all, come to think of it.  There was an internal readiness, perhaps--and behind that was an unreadiness, if only to be ready at all.  As much as first light seemed to whisper, "Come and get it", she wanted to respond, with all her heart, "Bring it on, fucker."  All that seemed to be on her lips at that moment, however, was, "Five more minutes."
        That much was unrealistic.  And that was okay.  Better to move, better to get going than to try and hold it all back.  She stretched her legs, taking stock of those around her.  Roan had one arm underneath her neck as a sort of pillow, the other wrapped snugly around her waist.  She herself was snuggled up quite close to Evyn, whose arms were protectively wrapped around his little sister.  Apparently, she was the only one awake.  Well that sucked.
        Slowly turning onto her back, she initiated the rest of them to stir.  Roan mumbled something incoherent without opening his eyes, but it was clear that he was waking.  Evyn, on the other hand, tightened his grip on Taerlyn--which initiated her beginning to wake.  He was in denial about the time, however.
        Shadow stared up at the sky for a moment, watching the stars fade little by little with the impending dawn.  This place was pretty.  And it was worth fighting for.  It was more home than Earth had ever been.  She sighed quietly, giving in just a little to contentment when Roan's grip turned into a conscious hug.  It was a nice assurance.
        Evyn grunted something akin to a curse when Taerlyn began carefully shaking his shoulder.  He never was the easiest person to wake when he wasn't good and ready to do so.  Especially not this early.
        Marqueh watched from the edge of the bluff, waiting for them.  There was no reason for him to rush their progress, after all.  He had some preparations of his own to make.
        Ah, the feeling of fate catching up to you.  Kind of nauseating, wasn't it?  Shadow suppressed a chuckle in favor of keeping herself alert to the movements around her.  Seemed like everyone was either awake or being woken.  Time to start the morning, then.  Oh what she'd fucking give for a cup of coffee.  It was so hard to pretend to want to move, let alone know that there was no coffee.  She supposed she'd lost her precious Coca Cola on the battlefield... dammit.  Even that would have been enough.
        Her hand unconsciously rested on Roan's, unwilling to let go so easily.  She quickly chastised herself for thinking like that--weren't they supposed to be keeping a good sense of humor about them?  Not to mention an optimistic attitude, whether it was realistic or not.  It took quite a bit of effort to actually sit up, and not just because the arm across her waist grew heavy as she tried to lift from under it.  She wasn't pulling away, but she was going to start this thing.
        She was greeted several yards away by Marqueh's welcoming, toothy smile.  That wasn't the only glistening thing calling her to full awareness, however--laid out in front of their group was an assortment of some of the coolest shit she'd ever seen.
        The dragon explained quietly, "They're weapons gathered from the battlefield.  All of them are open for you to take."
        "Wow."  She commented.  Blades of all sorts lined the stone in front of her, including a more deadly looking, larger ax than her previous one, catching her eye right away.  "Thank you."  She responded first and foremost.  "Did... any of our supplies survive?"
        "Very few."  He admitted, looking at the small ledge just below where he sat.  He scooped up what remained of their traveling supplies in his claws, softly spilling them in front of her.
        Holy shit.  She'd never have believed it if she weren't so desperately looking for it.  The Coca Cola had survived.  In one piece, undented, unopened.  She was just about to lunge for it, honestly--then a thought crossed her mind.  That was perhaps the only can of Coke in all existence, as far as they were concerned.  Would she rather it be a drink before battle, or one of celebration?  As much as she'd have loved her last drink to have been that, she couldn't think that way.  She hadn't needed any freaking caffeine all this time, so she sure as hell didn't need it now.  As nice as it was.  And much as it was calling her.
        She rather forced herself to look away from it.  No, not much had been left at all.  There was a single water pouch and a dreaded, dented can of unmarked food-like stuff that had survived the blazes of hell.  That could be a weapon in itself, really.  Much to her heart's aching, Sandy's armor had also survived.  They couldn't use it or anything, but... it was nice to know it was there.  Beyond that was some charred fabric and little else, really.
        By that time, the rest were awake--simply unmoving.  Maybe if they'd ever experienced Coke, they'd have been longing for it, as well.  Taerlyn was second to sit up, taking a gaze at the weapons in front of her.  Blade upon blade met her vision, but she knew she probably wouldn't be able to handle those.  Carefully scanning, her heart literally jumped when she came upon it; a crossbow.  Much finer, much stronger and steadier than the other just by the look of it.  Best of all, there was a good sized quiver of arrows beside it.  She lightly slipped out of her brother's grip to approach it, lifting the weapon carefully.  It was certainly heavier than the last, but not so much that it made a huge difference.  The arrows themselves were a little frightening, though.  Each one had four bladed sides and tiny barbs on the head.  Not a pleasant picture, but effective nonetheless.
        As soon as Shadow lifted to claim her new ax, Roan had no other reason to be laying there.  He stood with a grunt and a stretch, looking for a nicely sized double bladed sword.  It came as a pleasant surprise to find several in a row with excellent balance, not to mention amazing workmanship.  He was forced to find one that would attach easily to his side, however, and that left out some of the alien looking but spectacular ones.  Regardless, he was able to find a good one-handed shortsword and a two-handed long one.
        It was certainly a good idea to be stocking up, Shadow decided.  And there was quite and interesting selection of shortswords.  She went for the one with a mechanism on the side of the hilt that made two blades scissor together.  It just plain looked neat.  Not to mention it came with its own sheath, so what the hell.
        Evyn took another long moment to compose himself from being up too damn early, then sat in slow motion as though he were recovering from a hangover.  The weapons did seem to sober him up a little bit.  To his own surprise, there was one curved blade that actually seemed to speak to him.  It was double-edged, but one side was flat and long while the other was curved almost like an elongated scythe.  If nothing else, it might scare someone.  He rubbed his eyes thoughtfully, understanding he'd have to be fully awake just to pick it up or risk hurting himself.
        Marqueh looked pleased with their selections, watching them pick their main weapons and some knives.  Nothing too fancy or heavy, just back-ups in case things got tough.  It was important to consider the possibilities, after all.  He turned his attention for a moment out to the castle, seeing the light just beginning to hit it.  So the moment they were waiting for was coming.
        Equipped as best she felt she could be, Shadow carefully stood at the edge of the bluff and looked down.  Indeed there were dozens of dragons down there--but not the hundreds they'd seen the day before on the battlefield.  It stung to realize that.  She just couldn't bring herself to look for too long; she elected instead to wander over to her only remaining prized possession from the world before.
        "Is it a weapon?" Marqueh asked curiously, seeing her hold the can of Coca Cola as though it were a bomb crossed with a precious heirloom.
        "I suppose it could be."  She joked.  "It's a drink."
        "Aaaah."  The dragon nodded, understanding.  Well, he knew his finer vintages of alcoholic drink.  Maybe not caffeineated soda.  "To be saved for celebration?"
        "If possible."  She agreed, looking over just in time to see the look on Evyn's face as he picked up that very interesting sword.  It was surprisingly light, but he could tell just from looking that it was too sharp for him to be holding.  It was making him a little nervous.  Even when he experimentally placed it in the scabbard it had been laying on, he felt himself unsafe with it.  Well, that wasn't such a bad thing, really.  If he felt unsafe just holding it, then the enemy would feel ten times worse if they thought he knew how to use it.  Right?
        Taerlyn was a great deal more than just thrilled with her choice.  She could load up two arrows at once and release them at different times, or the same time.  Of course, she didn't dare use an actual arrow.  She couldn't afford to waste a single one.  There was a feeling of confidence, though.
        Roan was satisfied with his choice, as well.  Aunger wasn't much for hand to hand combat.  Never needed to be, he supposed; he'd always had soldiers and guards around him to handle things like that.  All they needed was to get close enough, to be able to use weapons against him before he had a chance to counter with magic and general cruelty.  If they could separate the king from everyone else... he stared out at the castle, thinking.  It shouldn't be that hard, really.  He'd be in his throne room at this time, admiring his own power and supposed intelligence.
        With the chilled breezes of that time in the morning, Shadow loosely wrapped her arms around herself and watched the others.  Amazing that her freaking Guns N' Roses shirt had survived all that it had.  It wasn't quite in one piece the way a person might picture a completely in tact shirt, but... it was still on, wasn't it?  It was still a shirt.  It wouldn't protect her from anything, but her armor was still in tact, too.  The bracers did little to warm her arms, but they sure did look dangerous.  As for the rest, well... maybe she'd become the picture of militant gothic punk or something.  That was funny.
        "I don't mean to press..." Marqueh leaned in and spoke softly, "But... should we get going?"
        Her breath caught roughly between her teeth as she considered it.  "Do you think it's a good time?"
        "None like the present."  He admitted.  "I shouldn't think one moment better than the rest, in this case."
        She nodded.  "Okay.  Get ready, I guess."  Everyone had heard that.  And, with a sinking feeling in the pits of their stomachs, they tried to prepare themselves for it.
        The dragon took a breath and stretched his wings high above him.  "I will fly you in."  He announced in a normal volume.  "The rest will be behind me.  All you must do for now is get into the gate and close it behind you.  No matter what else happens, that must be accomplished.  Then you will be in a better position to find the king."
        They agreed silently.  What else could they have done, anyway?  The moment was here, and they were as ready as they'd ever be.  Marqueh laid flat on his belly, waiting for his passengers.  Shadow waited with a stone heavy stomach for the rest of her family to get on, first.  It was a good excuse to give her one more moment of solid ground.  With a deep breath, she followed, taking hold as tightly as she could.  She had a feeling this might be a rough flight.
        The dragon stretched and moved in long, delicate motions, doing some slow wing exercises.  He turned and made a noise that sounded like his throat clearing, getting the full attention of the creatures below.  Speaking deeply and animal-like in a language that seemed utterly unintelligible--though it didn't take much to know exactly what he was saying--he announced that the time had come.
        It was like that moment before a roller coaster is about to plummet for the first time.  You see it coming, you feel it coming, and so does everyone else.  Suddenly you want off this ride, away from this place--but there's no point in wishing that.  It won't happen, and it won't be any easier if you close your eyes.
        Speech finished, Marqueh looked back to them.  "Okay.  Hang on.  As soon as I land, get to the gate."
        They nodded.  It was almost confident, almost sure.  Maybe it was convincing, but it was hard to know.
        With a heave of breath and a great stretch of his wings, the dragon leapt off of the bluff and glided easily over the crowd of others, climbing into the sky with a series of careful flaps.
        While the ride had started off a little smoother than the last, it did nothing to settle them.  They were all too soon high into the air and noticeably coming closer to the castle.  And the closer they got, the more ragged and uneven the walls looked in the morning sun, until they'd gotten plenty close enough to see why.  The walls were formed from... utterly grotesque statuary.  Form after form molded into one another in curious, hideous poses of all sorts of odd creatures...  Had that been on Earth, it certainly would have gained awards and recognition for being the ultimate in art.  Picasso, eat your jagged little heart out.  H. R. Giger had nothing on this shit.
        There was... something else about it, though.  Something very... trophy-like.  It reminded Shadow of marks made on a wall, each grotesque form celebrating another murder taking place.  It was the vibe the walls themselves seemed to give her when she looked at them, and that much was a little disheartening.  Not that it mattered.  They could only afford to keep their goal in mind, fuck all else.  The rest could be pondered afterward.
        The front gate came into view moments later.  Huge as the castle was, protected as it looked, there was no moat.  No need for one, really--Aunger had enough people to protect him without needing water and creatures swimming around.  Or he used to, anyway.  The battle the day before had eradicated a good deal of his protection.  It certainly made enough of a dent for them to be doing this.
        They'd been spotted, though.  Of course they had--a huge dragon in the sky was hard to miss.  The gates opened, as planned.  Soldiers and guards alike began to pour out in formation, ready to fight.
        The now or never moment approached in the space of a couple of heartbeats.  They were in place.  And they were ready.
        "Hold on!" Marqueh roared, diving.  His wings pulled back to shelter them, turning him into a rocket with arms and claws fully extended, jaw ready to snap, honing in on the center.  He would get them in there no matter what it took.  It was the least he could do for Aliyn.  For everyone he'd ever known and loved.  At the very last moment his wings shot out, expanded into the crowd--and, as a result, broke.  He let out a cry that frightened some of the guards, making them easy targets.  The pain didn't matter.  The blood didn't matter.  He snapped and clawed his way through, crying, "Go!"
        There was no time to reflect on what an awful thing that had been.  No time and no energy to thank him, or to understand how much he'd sacrificed.  They had to do as he'd asked.  They jumped off and ran, weapons swinging, right for the gate.  As they took off, they could sense the burst of magic behind them as the fighting dragon tried to incinerate all he could before battling tooth and claw to the very finish.  The remainder of the dragon army would do all they could with what was left.