The sun sank below the horizon. Zertrum blew out a gob of fiery molten rock, which lit the gray sky with a second sunset as it dropped back into the mouth of the volcano.
Masteress Meenore thought the boulder reduced enough. IT heaved, and the rock rolled off the herder. By the half-light of dusk, IT saw that Goodman Hame’s right leg had merely been scraped, but his left ankle was covered with dried blood and swollen to thrice the size of the other.
“We will leave in a moment. First, what is the name of your new master?”
“Erick.”
“Excellent. Can you kneel?”
He proved he could by kneeling.
IT lowered ITself and extended a wing. “Spread your cloak across my back. . . . Good. Now climb on. . . . You may crawl. You will not hurt my wings, which are nearly indestructible as well as beautiful. When I fly, refrain from touching my scales, which will be burning hot.”
The man was in place. IT flapped ITs wings and sprang into the air, aware instantly of the difference in weight between Goodman Hame and Elodie.
Three wing flaps took IT above Master Uwald’s house, where the limping man was just taking his place on a loaded sledge behind a team of oxen.
Below the house was a small field edged with pine trees. IT spiraled down.
“I thought you were saving me,” Master Hame cried.
“I am.” IT landed carefully, not so near the oxen, IT hoped, that they would bolt.
Too close. The terrified beasts broke the sledge out of the snow and began careering down the mountain.
Swearing a dozen dragon oaths, IT flew above the sledge as it crossed a snowy pasture and started onto a long ledge that ended in a cliff. Master Erick’s cry rose thin and sharp as he pulled uselessly back on the reins.
IT set ITs teeth. I will not be the cause of this man’s death. I will not be Uwald’s instrument.
The oxen hurtled on.
I will do what I have never before attempted. IT swooped lower, ITs claws extended.
The first ox plunged over the cliff.
Flapping ITs wings, acutely aware of Goodman Hame on ITs back, IT lifted portly Master Erick by his cloak and his tunic, deposited him in the snow, and landed at his side.
Master Erick waved his hand in front of his nose. “You almost killed me! And your smell may finish me off.”
Zertrum’s rumble rose in pitch and volume.
IT ignored the rudeness. “Master Uwald stole the Replica and hopes to contrive your death.”
“No!” from Goodman Hame.
“He wouldn’t dare!” from Master Erick.
“I hope to frustrate him. Goodman Hame here was trapped by a falling boulder and is injured. If you—”
“IT saved me, Master. You should—”
“Master Erick, do not delay. The mountain is not reliable. Spread your cloak over me. Sit on it. You will not be cold. Do not touch my scales when—”
The ledge they stood on trembled.
“Hurry!”
Master Erick scrambled up.
IT flapped ITs wings, but Master Erick was heavy! IT was still on the ground when the ledge collapsed beneath them.