"There's a big difference between fearing death and knowing you're about to die," Fi said. "There's a difference between hope and acceptance."
Tressa sat down on a fallen tree. She used a hand to shield her eyes from the bright sun. "Well, if I have to be on the brink of death to change again, I hope it's a long time before I do."
"You don't mean that." Fi bumped Tressa with her hip, forcing Tressa to scoot over. "You loved every second in your dragon form. Admit it."
Tressa smiled. "Okay, I did. And I want it back more than anything. I just can't seem to make it happen." She clamped her eyes shut and wished it with all the mental strength she had. Still nothing.
"Rule number one," Fi said, "don't try to change into a dragon when someone is sitting right next to you. I could accidentally get a claw to the heart or lose an arm."
Tressa laughed so hard she nearly fell off the log. "Sorry. I didn't think of that. Next time I'll make sure I have space."
"And if you feel it coming on, let everyone around you know."
"Done."
A rustle in the trees told them they weren’t alone. A puffing Jenfar emerged, his face red behind his thick mustache and chest heaving. "We're off soon. Heading due north."
Fi jumped up. "Not northeast to Malum?"
"No." He bent over, taking a few gasping breaths. "We're going closer to the sea. Sophia still wants to attack, but Mestifito thinks it will be better to come from an unlikely direction. They'll expect an attack from the south or from the southeast. Not from the sea."
"Won't that take us near the Isle of Repose?" Fi asked. "I studied my geography growing up. And my mythology. I'm not sure it's wise to go anywhere near that island."
Jenfar stood. "Sophia and Mestifito have made their decision. Either you follow or go home, Fi."
She planted her hands on her hips. "I will never walk away from a battle, Jenfar. You know that. Come on, Tressa, let's prepare to take flight."
Tressa followed Fi out of the trees, frustrated. She wanted to fly along with them, not ride on Fi's back like a regular human. Days ago Tressa would have been thrilled just to have the chance to take part in the battle. But now that she knew she could change, she wanted to be the one to fly.
They left the tree cover and found the rest of their small army preparing to leave. The dragons who carried the supplies were getting packs loaded onto their backs. The warriors were donning their armor, while the lead dragons had already changed. There was an empty spot in the front of the formation waiting for Fi and Tressa.
They scrambled into place. Fi transformed and Tressa wore her new armor stolen from a dead Red warrior. She felt out of place wearing red while everyone else was dressed in black, but she had no other option. It was that or be naked.
Tressa climbed onto Fi's back. Within breaths they were airborne, heading north toward the sea. They flew for the better part of a day. Tressa snacked on jerky and bread from the bag slung on her back. All riders carried their own basic supplies to avoid frequent stops. She took a sip from her water skin, saving as much of it as she could for the rest of the journey.
Eventually the sea appeared in the distance. The setting sun bounced off the gentle waves. The scent of salt permeated the thick air, tickling Tressa's nose. She tried not to think about the time she'd been trapped in the small boat, stuck out in the sea, wondering if she'd ever make it back to shore alive.
Why hadn't she changed into a dragon then? Was it possible she hadn't lost hope yet, that she'd still believed everything would work out okay, even though she had no food or drink? But when she fell from Fi's back, there had truly been no option. She’d had to change or die in a broken heap of bones on the unforgiving earth.
The dragon horde banked to the left, flying along the seashore. The ground wasn't sandy and filled with tall grass like in the Sands. Here in the Hills of Flame, rocks covered the bank leading to scorched, dry earth. Cracks raced around the ground like thousands of little roads.
We'll camp here, Fi told Tressa.
Tressa turned up her nose. She didn't see a freshwater source nearby. She was relieved she'd been stingy with drinking from her skin. And at least she could bathe in the seawater. After everything she'd been through, she needed a good cleansing.
The dragons circled, landing one at a time, claiming their spots. Fi was always one of the last to land. She'd explained to Tressa it was because she wanted to keep an eye out in the skies until the very end.
As they circled lazily, Tressa swallowed a fearful breath and let go of Fi's scales. She slipped off the side, falling through the air, waiting for the change to come again. Willing it. Then panicking when she realized it might not happen again. Tressa screamed, her arms flailing in the air until the wind was knocked out of her. She opened her eyes, feeling an arm around her waist.