The journey was silent for a long time.
The only sound was the rushing wind and the rhythmic flapping of the carpet's edges.
Elara stared down at the passing world.
She watched the forests and rivers fly by.
She had never left her village before. Now she was soaring over the kingdom.
It was terrifying. It was beautiful.
It made her feel small.
Her grief was still there. It was a heavy stone in her gut.
But up here, with the cold air on her face, she felt a moment of peace.
Marcus watched the dragon girl.
She had curled up into a ball. She was leaning against the bear.
She watched Elara warily, but her eyes were heavy.
The bear sat with his legs straight out. He looked like a fuzzy sentinel.
Marcus felt the tension in his own shoulders begin to bleed away.
They were safe. They were moving.
He looked at the bear.
He realized something.
He had been traveling with this soul for hours. They had fought together. They had run together.
But he didn't know his name.
