Chapter 24. The Way of the Waters

NABU

Out of the blue, a figure collides with me in mid-air. Its scaly body reflects the moonlight as it manages to pluck me off gravity’s grasp onto its back. The crash is reckless and painful, but perhaps my salvation. I grunt, holding onto the first thing my hands find as its streamlined body darts through airspace with a fluid speed that seems even faster than the wind.

As scary as it is, I try not to look down, for I have heard tales of people who rode Dragons but looked down mid-air. Their ends were usually the same: a quick death. The speed of the ride, coupled with the altitude, is enough to make one’s senses swirl and lose balance.

I shut my eyes tight, surrendering myself to fate. Then, moments later, I find myself tumbling over hard ground, different parts of my body smashing against hard surfaces before stopping inside a basket. Knife-like pains prevail all over my body, and I groan. At least I survived the flight.

My joints complain as I force mys