‘I’ll go.’ It was Winter, surprising him. ‘I’ll show you the way, if Ruby will let me ride her again. I can show you above the western beach, how to enter the caves. If you’ll take Fidell, Joe?’

Joe was shocked. ‘Of course.’ Was she actually offering to take more people into the home she’d always kept secret?

‘Thank you,’ Isak said. ‘Is it really safe, do you think?’

‘That’s what Milla and Thom said. We’ll be protected by the rock.’

‘It’s not far.’ Joe pointed at the lower western side of the island. ‘Isak, can Belara manage Thom too?’

‘I think so. Her wound isn’t deep. If you lift him up, I can hold him.’

Belara raised her head, listening, and gave a soft growl of agreement.

‘Let’s go,’ Winter said.

‘Winter … Thank you.’ Joe grabbed her hand for a moment and squeezed it, hoping she’d know how grateful he was. That he understood what this meant to her. ‘We’ll have to spread the word, get everyone from the city in there. All right?’

‘Of course,’ Winter said, nodding briefly. Then she approached the fallen red dragon and spoke quietly in her ear.

Ruby opened her eyes blearily, staggered forward and fell again. Then, with a second effort, she got up.

Winter slipped onto her shoulders, talking to her all the time. She was tall, but so slight that she couldn’t weigh much.

Ruby flapped hard, harder. It seemed impossible, but 276the huge red dragon managed to fight her way into the air. Then, with wide open wings, she soared down towards the western beach, with Winter on her back.

Together, Joe and Isak gathered up Thom’s limp body, and slung it over Belara’s shoulders with difficulty. He lay, face down, legs dangling. Isak clambered awkwardly behind him, his legs over Thom’s body, holding him in position.

The golden dragon also struggled to launch, wings strain­ing, but she finally made it. Isak lost his balance, lurching to the right, straining to keep hold of his precious load.

Joe sucked in his breath, fearing they would both tumble off. The dragon dipped, adjusting her flight, and tilting her huge golden wings. Then she glided down over the city, following Winter and Ruby, carrying Isak and Thom to safety.

Iggie was the last to launch. The blue dragon was so weary it seemed hopeless. He flapped once, twice. The wind stirred up dust and leaves, but had no impact on Iggie’s vast bulk.

‘Come on, my Ig,’ Milla urged, bending low over his shoulders. ‘Almost done. One last effort. You can do it, brave soul.’

Again Iggie flapped, with all his strength. He took a massive leap, pushing up with his hind legs, and finally he was airborne. He skimmed the palace walls, his feet dangling, and soared after the others, heading west.

One problem solved. A dozen more to go, Joe thought, as he turned back to the circle of anxious faces.

Time was running out. Would he have to choose between saving the city, and saving his sister?