Kingdom of Ash

The Morath soldiers were so preoccupied
with their target ahead that they did not look
behind until Abraxos was upon them.
His blood streamed past her as he landed,
snapping with talons and teeth and tail. Sorrel
and Vesta took care of the others, the longboat
soon in splinters.
But it was not enough. Not even close.
“The rocks,” Manon breathed, steering
Abraxos toward the other side of the river.
He understood. Her heart strained to the
point of agony at pushing him, but he soared
to the other side of the river and hauled one of
the smaller boulders back across. The
Thirteen saw her plan and followed, swift and
unfaltering.
Every one of his wingbeats was slower than
the last. He lost height with each foot they
crossed the river.
But then he made it, just as another group