When Fiadh turned to dive Boreal sent a jet of flame to cover her disengagement that singed black feathers and scattered the crows that would have otherwise harassed her. The Harpy was on her way to distract the fyrhund and save Tal's life, and the dragon was happy to return the favor. Despite the scratches that marred her glacial scales she roared happily and trailed behind Fiadh like a fiery shadow.
Tal glanced over his shoulder at the sound of the yelp and the image of those widespread wings, red as wine and lit by a dance of lightning overhead, was going to stick around in his dreams for a good long while. "Yup!" he agreed, focusing forward and running full tilt back towards the rise.
Mama had been blindsided by the surprise Harpy-to-the-face. Her jaw too unhinged to bite, but unable to spit fire while yelping, she instead crouched instinctively low over her pup as a chunk of her armor was knocked flying.
Which didn't stop her from making a distressing horking sound like rocks grinding together in a pool of acid as Fiadh cleared her field of view and then releasing a blast of fire at Tal's retreating back - rightfully pinning all (or at least, some) of her present woes on him. Luckily the merchant girl had bought him enough time to avoid anything worse than a scorching of his vest and heels, and though his hair was smoking in a very concerning manner he kept running without pause. "Meet up on the other side o' th'ridge!" he yelled, panting, and hoping Fiadh would hear him.
Boreal swooped low as that was happening and snagged the chunk of armor before flapping heavily back out of range, but Mama stayed crouched over her pup, clearly wanting to chase after her tormentors but not about to leave her baby behind.
A baby who had finally managed to dart out and grab a dazed and injured hatchling and drag it back under Mama's belly to begin eating, making happy chewing and ripping noises that were mostly lost beneath the outraged screeching of the Gore Crow flock that still circled over the remains of their fallen aerie.
Tal glanced over his shoulder at the sound of the yelp and the image of those widespread wings, red as wine and lit by a dance of lightning overhead, was going to stick around in his dreams for a good long while. "Yup!" he agreed, focusing forward and running full tilt back towards the rise.
Mama had been blindsided by the surprise Harpy-to-the-face. Her jaw too unhinged to bite, but unable to spit fire while yelping, she instead crouched instinctively low over her pup as a chunk of her armor was knocked flying.
Which didn't stop her from making a distressing horking sound like rocks grinding together in a pool of acid as Fiadh cleared her field of view and then releasing a blast of fire at Tal's retreating back - rightfully pinning all (or at least, some) of her present woes on him. Luckily the merchant girl had bought him enough time to avoid anything worse than a scorching of his vest and heels, and though his hair was smoking in a very concerning manner he kept running without pause. "Meet up on the other side o' th'ridge!" he yelled, panting, and hoping Fiadh would hear him.
Boreal swooped low as that was happening and snagged the chunk of armor before flapping heavily back out of range, but Mama stayed crouched over her pup, clearly wanting to chase after her tormentors but not about to leave her baby behind.
A baby who had finally managed to dart out and grab a dazed and injured hatchling and drag it back under Mama's belly to begin eating, making happy chewing and ripping noises that were mostly lost beneath the outraged screeching of the Gore Crow flock that still circled over the remains of their fallen aerie.
