The spirit s voice broke off with a screech. A glowering rider

mounted on a froth-flecked black steed bore down on them.

glaring at them from dark eyes burning above a black face

covering. He drew his saber, driving them towards the water.

As Rupert stepped backwards, drenching himself to the knees,

the sky suddenly darkened, the rider s horse shied, and the

rider, not giving full attention to his mount, slipped sideways.

Grippeldiee s front claws grazed the part in Carole s hair as

the dragon overflew them and landed in front of them, flaming.

The horse reared, screaming, and bolted, rider clinging

desperately to its mane. streaming cloak trailing smoke and

sparks as the terrified mount galloped heedlessly off down the

trail.

The dragon beat her wings once and started to take offafter

it, but Rupert cried out and Carole. translating, stopped the

dragon with a word:

"We must reach the desert before they discover we are

coming. Otherwise. I fear we will never find Miragenia or the

child again."