One could drown very easily in only a few inches of water under the right circumstances. That thought would keep Tal awake long into the night for many days to come, but at least those days would come, thanks to Frey.
Frey, and Boreal. The dragon existed in the present, and as the breeze blew away the nightmares she snorted and shook herself off, blinking around at the Peregrine and its occupants beneath the silver moon. Alys and Sascha were beginning to move, finding each other and seeking comfort, but she could still feel her companion's panic in their bond.
Following the pull, the dragon dove overboard and splashed into the water, stalking forward to grab the back of Tal's collar and lift his head up and out of the shallow Sea. The courier gasped, choking, and she released him so he could fall to his hands knees, reaching up salty water and coughing until tears rolled down his face. It wasn't until he was able to draw a full, ragged breath that he heard Alys's concerned call and he waved up to her, not turning around.
Not yet.
The shivers that wracked him had nothing to do with the plummeting temperatures of the desert night, and he didn't yet trust his voice. He left it to Boreal to croon a reassurance up at their friends as he sat in the water and focused on breathing, all while glaring at the black flowers that bobbed and bent beneath Frey's breeze.
He had to wait until the rope ladder was unfurled before he could climb shakily back into the boat, and then he wordlessly reached for Alys and Sascha both to pull them into a tight, fierce hug while Boreal pressed tightly against their hips, wrapping around them as tightly as he bulky body would allow.
Frey, and Boreal. The dragon existed in the present, and as the breeze blew away the nightmares she snorted and shook herself off, blinking around at the Peregrine and its occupants beneath the silver moon. Alys and Sascha were beginning to move, finding each other and seeking comfort, but she could still feel her companion's panic in their bond.
Following the pull, the dragon dove overboard and splashed into the water, stalking forward to grab the back of Tal's collar and lift his head up and out of the shallow Sea. The courier gasped, choking, and she released him so he could fall to his hands knees, reaching up salty water and coughing until tears rolled down his face. It wasn't until he was able to draw a full, ragged breath that he heard Alys's concerned call and he waved up to her, not turning around.
Not yet.
The shivers that wracked him had nothing to do with the plummeting temperatures of the desert night, and he didn't yet trust his voice. He left it to Boreal to croon a reassurance up at their friends as he sat in the water and focused on breathing, all while glaring at the black flowers that bobbed and bent beneath Frey's breeze.
He had to wait until the rope ladder was unfurled before he could climb shakily back into the boat, and then he wordlessly reached for Alys and Sascha both to pull them into a tight, fierce hug while Boreal pressed tightly against their hips, wrapping around them as tightly as he bulky body would allow.
