Ushahin crouched, jamming the pole into the submerged roots of the palodus and shoving hard, launching his skiff into the waterways. A blue-white ball of flame passed low over his head, singeing his pale hair. Above, the ravens gathered in a flock launched themselves like an arrow in a southern trajectory, heading for the outskirts of the Delta.

“GO!”

He went, hard and fast, arms a blur planting and moving the pole. Dip and push; dip and push. The pain that wracked his ill-set bones was never more forgotten. Dip and push; dip and push. The skiff hummed over the waters, Darkhaven’s ravens fanned out before it in a flying wedge. They found a path; he followed. How far was far enough? Mangrove and palodus ignited in their wake, bursting into flame in this unlikely, water-sodden place. In moments they had left the heart of the Delta behind them. Ushahin poled the skiff without thinking, winding his way through the narrow waterways, his gaze fixed on the flying wedge before him; small figures, darkly iridescent in the sunlight, beating frantically, tilting the knife-edges of their wings to catch and ride the wind.

He followed.

Stand upon stand of mangrove passed uncounted, measuring the distance they traveled. Two, four, eight … how far was far enough? Whatever the distance, they traversed it. Gouts of fire gave way to tendrils of smoke, until its reaching fingers crumbled, fading into nothingness in the bright air.

The glade, with its tall palodus tree and its strange hummock, was behind them.

Stillness settled over the Delta.

Ushahin leaned upon his pole, panting. After a moment, he laughed softly.

Amid the quiet hum of insects, the ravens settled around him, closer than they had dared in the dragon’s presence. One spread its wings and dropped, landing neatly on the top of his pole, fine talons clutching the raw wood. He cocked his head, eyeing the half-breed; an effect rendered comical by an irregular tuft of feathers.

“Greetings, Fetch.” Ushahin smiled. “I thought it was you I saw among the flock. Have you learned something of the uncertain nature of dragons? So have I, little brother; so have I.” He dragged his sleeve across his forehead, smearing the residue of unwonted sweat. “I thank you for guiding me to that place, and I thank you for guiding me out of it. I am glad to leave it alive.”

The raven squawked and wiped its beak on the pole, quick and nervous.

“Tanaros?” Ushahin’s brows rose. “He travels the Unknown Desert, or so his Lordship says. Would you seek him, Fetch? There is no water there.”

The raven bobbed its head, sidling from foot to foot.

“Very well.” He shrugged, too weary to argue the matter. “Go, if you will. I have companions enough to guide me home, and much to contemplate along the way.”