Outside, Pixit was circling the fire, his wings flapping furiously, trying to put out the flames, but fanning them only caused them to grow.

Pixit, you’re making it worse! Fly higher!

He obeyed her, spiraling up into the air.

Mina ran for the well. A bucket, brimming with water, hung from a rope. Hefting the bucket up, Mina turned to the field.

It’s too far! I won’t reach it before it spreads!

A shadow passed over her, and she looked up. It wasn’t a cloud—​clouds were never allowed to drift over the farms of Alorria, except when the fields needed rain. It was Papa’s rain beast. She had a sudden idea. “Orli! Orli, put out the fire!”

Papa’s old rain beast circled her once and flicked her tail.

“I know you don’t have rain power anymore, but you can carry this.” Mina held the bucket up to her, and Orli understood. She swooped down and, with her delicate talons, lifted the bucket by the handle out of Mina’s arms.

Behind her, she heard Gaton. “Great idea, Mina!” He began hauling another bucket up out of the well, preparing it for Orli. By now, Mother and Papa had run out of the house and were shouting to each other to fetch more water.

On the porch, the twins were shrieking.

“Beon and Rinna, go inside right now!” Mother called as she rushed to Gaton’s side, helping at the well. Papa ran to the shed for more buckets.

«I did bad? I’m bad.» High above the fields, Pixit was spewing sparks in all directions. His dragon-like body twisted as he flew in circles above the fire. The more upset he was, the more he seemed to spark.

No, she told him firmly, as if he were Beon saying something ridiculous. It was an accident. You didn’t mean to.

«I’ll make it better. I can help!» He swooped down.

No! Stay high, at least until you stop sparking. They needed a way to quash the fire, not fuel it. The buckets from Orli weren’t enough—​the flames sizzled and smoke rose in dirty wisps, but the fire was spreading faster than they could quench it.

«But Mina, I want to help.»

Mina had another idea. “Gaton, send Arde out to stop the fire.”

He didn’t hear her.

Yanking another bucketful of water out of the well, Gaton shouted, “Orli, next one’s ready!” He held the bucket over his head. The rain beast swooped down and plucked the bucket out of his hands. Gaton went for the next empty bucket.

Mina tugged on his arm. “Gaton, the heat won’t hurt Arde. Have him lie on the flames!”

“Stop, Mina—​Orli needs more water!” He shrugged her away and turned back to the well, and Mina stumbled backward. Tripping over a root from the apple tree, she fell, landing on her rear end.