Rider Displaced

Chapter 13

They quickly finished through the rest of the floor and made their way into the center chamber where the treasures and portal were waiting for them. All four standard chests were entirely replaced with silver chests, added with two gold chests like they found in the previous floors.

They quickly went through opening them and grabbing whatever was inside. All of it could be closely examined at a later time. Right now they were in a hurry to get back to the city to warn the guild. The only item that was worth any attention happened to be a crate found by Walker, who opened to inspect the contents and found four racks holding 25 vials of healing potions each. After confirming with Vunora, as a precaution, it was confirmed they were safe and consumable. They could be useful once they got back to the city to cure anyone who's drunken any of the poisoned potions.

They found gold, silver, armor, weapons, and other treasures they stored away before approaching the portal arch. Instead of pressing the red pad, they activated the blue pad. The portal opened as normal, but when they crossed through they found themselves stepping out from the dungeon's entrance from where they first entered. It was already evening with the sun setting over the horizon. The horses they'd rented were waiting for them.

"Here's what we're gonna do," Walker began explaining. "Hope none of you are afraid of heights, because we're riding Amber back to the city. She'll carrying us on her back and the horses in her talons. By air we'll hopefully get back before the sun is completely down, and stop any adventures from going out with false potions."

Only Sir Dante looked the most eager, since he once voiced his desire to fly. Now this was his opportunity as Walker had convinced Amber to allow them on her during this emergency.

"None of you get any funny ideas," The ness warned. "Or else I'll gladly drop you to your demise. And it's gonna be a very long fall."

"We would never take this opportunity for granted, Lady Amber." Frollo reassured. "We wouldn't accept such an idea unless it was absolutely necessary. I never really was one for heights."

"Speak for yourself, this is considered a once in a lifetime opportunity." Sir Dante expressed. "Though I wish such an opportunity was followed by a series of much more pleasant events rather than the reveal of a possible scheme against the guild, and nearly getting poisoned to death."

"This'll be no pleasure flight, I'll tell you that much." Walker explained. Only he ever enjoyed true pleasure flights with his ness. That involved Amber calmly gliding through the clouds while Walker laid down on her back and relaxed in the moment. It was a time they usually expressed personal problems and feelings to one another. This flight, Amber would be pushing her all to make for the city as fast as she could. "Which reminds me, make sure to tighten down anything loose and have something to cover your faces. It's gonna be an intense flight. If anything falls out, we're not going back, regardless of importance."

The other adventures started storing away loose articles away so they wouldn't blow off during flight. Meanwhile the horse saddles were secured so that Amber could carry them without accidentally scratching the animals.

Once everything was secured, everyone climbed on Amber. They had to make adjustments since the saddle was only designed to carry at least two individuals. Something that came in handy during search and rescue or casevac which Walker and Amber were additionally trained in.

Once everyone was onboard and secured so they wouldn't fall off, Amber gave a strong push of her wings and took flight, angling herself towards the horses who were spooked and took off running from the massive magenta reptile. However they didn't run far before Amber precisely snatched them in her talons by the saddles. The animals were wailing about as they were picked up off the ground. Their fear was of no concern as the dragon kept a strong grip and took off in the direction of the city.