Chapter 14-2

The three were silent for a long moment. At last, Almonihah slowly said, “I still think Zakhin'Dakh's faster 'an them.”

Garkhen frowned. “Yes... but surely you are not suggesting...”

“Probably the only way,” Almonihah growled. “If he can draw enough of them away, I could probably dive in there and grab it.”

“No! It is too dangerous!”

“Got a better idea?”

“I hardly think suicide is a valid option!”

Suddenly Zakhin'Dakh shrieked a challenge and turned, diving down close to the swirling mass of Javni'Tolkhrah. Spiting a curse in Draconic, Almonihah dove off the griffon's back, trying to put some distance between himself and his friends so that they could put their desperate plan into action. Garkhen swiftly summoned up a ward around the valiant griffon.

He had to draw surprisingly close before the monstrosities responded, but when they did, it was as one. Zakhin'Dakh only just barely managed to pull aside before the teeth of those in the lead caught him. Pumping his wings as hard as he could, the huge griffon sped off, trailing a massive swarm of Javni'Tolkhrah. Even most of those on the ground were following him.

Most, however, was not all, and Almonihah didn't like the look of the few that were still milling around the man holding the Amulet. He'd grabbed a rag earlier—he didn't trust touching the Amulet with his bare skin, especially not how it was now—and he wrapped it around one hand, watching the Javni'Tolkhrah around his target... and then dove. Swiftly he soared over them until he neared the Amulet, then dipped down and siezed the Amulet's chain with his wrapped hand.

In spite of seemingly being dead, the man's grip was firm, and while Almonihah's fly-by snatch succeeded in pulling it out of his hands, the force required upset his inexpert flight, sending him tumbling to the ground just beyond the remaining monsters. Cursing again as he rolled to his feet, Almonihah immediately had to dodge a charging boar-tiger beast. Thinking quickly he leaped on its back as it passed, then jumped off and took to the air again as it rolled to try to throw him off.

As he flew away, one of the other beasts spit spines from a hideous tongue at him. Most missed, but one pierced his boot and stabbed into the foot within. He gritted his teeth against the pain as he fought to gain altitude, then turned to follow after Zakhin'Dakh. He hadn't thought this next part out too carefully.

Zakhin'Dakh, however, was loyal to his friend. In spite of the Javni'Tolkhrah on his heels, the big griffon turned in a big loop, staying just out of their reach as he came around to pick up his friend. Seeing the situation Almonihah turned himself, so as to be flying in the same direction when Zakhin'Dakh caught up to him again. Garkhen reached out a hand as they neared, and Almonihah managed to grab it and pull himself onto the griffon's back.

“Get to Midport!” He shouted as he changed his grip to the back of Zakhin'Dakh's saddle. “Only hope now's that they can help us fight these things off!”

“Indeed!” Garkhen agreed.

Now that he wasn't flying on his own, Almonihah had time to lift his foot. The wound looked bad, but he pulled the spine out, grunting with pain as he did so. Garkhen saw what the other half-dragon was doing, and murmured a quiet spell-prayer of healing, stopping the bleeding and mostly healing the wound.

“Thanks,” Almonihah said, a bit grudgingly. “Now save your strength. Going t' need it all soon, I think.” 

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Yeah, there's going to be a big battle soon. A very big battle. 

I have no idea how I'm going to write it. XD