The Hidden Crystal

Chapter 41

Iris felt very out of place in a flight cavern full of dragons. Kelnor had a dominating presence, his intense red eyes scanning the rest of the men, his close-cut red hair unruffled by the chill wind from the open cavern entrance. He looked old enough to be the father to the rest of them, but he also looked just as strong and vital as everybody else. And they all looked strong and vital. Iris felt small and insignificant. Char and Rath stood on either side of her, chatting easily with the three other men she didn't know, all in their late twenties and early thirties, she guessed. She recognized Thrak from the telepathic impression she had of him during the battle against Micah. He was taller than Char, with a shock of forest green hair and eerie yellow eyes. Rork and Nost were twins and the shortest men in the cavern, though still taller than her. They were stocky, muscular men, with long black hair tied back in ponytails. Rork had orange eyes, and Nost had lavender.

"I'm here!" called a voice she recognized as Srot's. He jogged up to the group, his deep purple eyes matching his smile as he met Iris' eyes. "And I finally get to thank you."

"You're welcome," she said shyly.

"You're making a bad habit of being late, Srot," Kelnor interrupted.

"Ah, well, you know, had to say bye to Kara," Srot said, shrugging and running his hand through his dirty blonde hair. "They've got you bundled up pretty well," he said, turning back to Iris and surveying her. She had several blankets wrapped around her shoulders, and when they were ready to fly, she was going to hold the two packs within her cocoon, too.

"She gets really cold really quickly," Char explained.

"There will be time enough to talk while we're on the wing. Let's go," Kelnor barked.

Char wrapped an arm around Iris' shoulders and pulled her back against the cavern wall as an icy wind whistled past her. She gaped at the massive red dragon that made the enormous cavern seem suddenly small. Red talons scraped across stone as he headed for the exit.

"He's huge," she whispered.

"Biggest dragon I've ever seen," Rath concurred. "Better get you wrapped up. Things go quickly from here."

Thrak was next, transforming into a green dragon that was much more similar in size to Char, but no less intimidating than Kelnor. Char and Rath handed Iris the two packs, which were fairly light and easy enough for her to hold with one arm so she could hold the amulet with her right hand. The icy wind from each transformation bit her nose and cheeks. Srot followed Thrak, Rork and Nost took their turns after Srot, and then Rath stepped away from Char and Iris for his transformation.

"Are you ready?" Char asked her, checking that the blankets were secure around her as Rath raced for the exit.

She nodded hesitantly. "I guess so."

He leaned in to give her a soft, reassuring kiss. "Trust me." And then he transformed, towering over her in his black-scaled, muscular dragon form. She automatically closed her eyes as he reached a claw out for her, and then she was lifted into the air, cold talons wrapping tightly around her, and they were in motion. Her heart was pounding uncontrollably. She didn't think she'd ever get used to this. The feeling of being so completely vulnerable, the way her stomach lurched when he launched into the air - it wasn't exactly enjoyable. But the thinning air already had her feeling light-headed, and she knew it wouldn't be long until she passed out. The next time she woke up, they would be on the ground in human territory.

Iris.

The whispers tugged at her, and she reached for them, allowing her to pull her away as her body lost consciousness.

Iris, he is looking for you.

I know, she said, following the whispers as they led her west, ahead of the pack of dragons. She glanced back and saw herself, little more than a bundle of blankets in Char's claws.