The Black Wing Read Free Page B

thick lips, which were pulled back in a wide grimace that exposed a broken incisor among
     the jagged teeth. Many of the claws on the dragon's forearms were torn off at the
     cuticles. Worst of all, her right wing bent backward, obviously broken. “Will she live?”
     Kadagan asked Joad. The elder bent over the dragon, pressing to her wounds fresh leaves of
     the lady's mantle plant. The astringent juices of the circular, blue-green leaves helped
     to stanch the flow of blood. Kadagan knew that if the elder nyphid was trying to save the
     dragon with his herbal skills, there was still hope. When Joad finished, the small nyphids
     struggled to straighten the dragon's bent wing into proper position. Kadagan was glad the
     creature remained unconscious through what had to be excruciating pain. Suddenly, Kadagan
     felt something squeeze him around the chest and hoist him from the ground. Legs dangling,
     gasping for breath against the ragged black claw that con- stricted him and made his
     rough-spun tunic chafe, he looked over his shoulder and saw the dragon's golden eyes
     regarding him accusingly. Khisanth suddenly became aware of a dull ache that grew sharp in
     the claw that held the nyphid. She dropped the green-clad creature as if burned. “Are you
     pixies trying to kill me?” Struggling to keep her head off the ground, Khisanth looked to
     the gray-haired nyphid. He was busily attempting to secure a straight, thick branch to her
     wing with a length of vine. Though Joad frequently tossed a concerned glance over his
     shoulder, he did not stop his ministrations. Khisanth winced from the stinging pain
     beneath Joad's hands, but did not try to stop the creature. “We are tryingto setthy wing,”
     Kadagan gasped. 'Thou must have broken it trying to climb to the surface.“ ”The surface,"
     Khisanth repeated in wonder. Her expression turned abruptly stormy
    when she realized she hadn't arrived there on her own. Her last memory was of falling
     headlong from the ledge. She'd seen a light, lightning.... She'd thought it was Takhisis
     calling her. “How did you bring me up?” she demanded. Kadagan nodded toward the glowing
     ball hovering at Joad's shoulder. “We are unsure of the physics involved, but we simply
     told the maynus globe to catch thee, and” “You should have commanded it to leave me in
     darkness,” Khisanth interrupted harshly, unimpressed. Her sensitive eyes, long accustomed
     to the darkness of sleep underground, squinted against the bright sunshine in the field.
    “The light of the sun is healing. Shadows foster infection,” stated the nyphid
     emphatically. His companion bobbed his gray head in agreement. The creature's confident
     tone reminded Khisanth of their conversation below ground. Her eyes narrowed. “I presume
     you believe I am indebted to you now and will feel compelled to rescue your friend?”
     “Actually, we” “I didn't call for your help or ask you to tend my wounds,” the dragon
     snarled. “I especially didn't ask you to wake me before it was time. You may have ruined
     my chances to aid my queen. For that alone I should kill you.” Her leathery eyelids opened
     wide in an expression of mock tolerance. “However, I will acknowledge your aid, although
     unwanted and unwarranted, by letting you live.” Expecting a show of gratitude, or at least
     fear, Khisanth was surprised to feel Joad still wrapping her wing, the chestnut-haired
     nyphid silently watching, arms crossed, expression unconcerned. Irritated, Khisanth
     snapped both wings painfully to her sides, sending the elder nyphid flying. She tried to
     pull herself to her feet. Clenching the muscles in her mighty jaws, the dragon summoned
     the last of her strength, more determination than power. She pushed her head and chest off
     the ground with her claw arms and rolled from her side. Resting for just a moment,
     Khisanth then planted her horned hind feet under her