The air was chokingly hot, wavering along the lines of every solid line. Soon it would be too much for the equids who were not born to survive it, and might grow uncomfortable even for those who were.
More reptile than horse now, Santana had fallen quickly once the twisted creature who'd set the blaze had aimed his track of light at the descending drake. Tana had spun away far enough to avoid a face full of the hot beam, but it had struck him between shoulder and wing in a glancing slice. Just as well that he was already landing.
Hackles rose when the grim thing darted to Lepis' side, hissed words into her ears and spun away again to maim the weakened Wolfbane. This was Eyas family being burned. Her tormented kin, destroying each other in the furnace that was once a home to many. The pale dragon arched to the instigator, the draconic stallion who seemed able to see perfectly well despite his disfigurement.
One heavy clawed forleg swept out to bat at the scaly man's side, maw opened in a crocodile grin. "You've done your part, and more from the looks of things." The words rumbled out, blending with crackle of fire in their ears. "Now stand down, Beast. This is his family's business, not yours." One ear twisted backward.
A tone he recognized flit through the air. Eyas, he was sure, but would not take his eyes from the Burner to confirm. He hoped it was her, and that some margin of misery could be spared for this family that had experienced so much of it already.
More reptile than horse now, Santana had fallen quickly once the twisted creature who'd set the blaze had aimed his track of light at the descending drake. Tana had spun away far enough to avoid a face full of the hot beam, but it had struck him between shoulder and wing in a glancing slice. Just as well that he was already landing.
Hackles rose when the grim thing darted to Lepis' side, hissed words into her ears and spun away again to maim the weakened Wolfbane. This was Eyas family being burned. Her tormented kin, destroying each other in the furnace that was once a home to many. The pale dragon arched to the instigator, the draconic stallion who seemed able to see perfectly well despite his disfigurement.
One heavy clawed forleg swept out to bat at the scaly man's side, maw opened in a crocodile grin. "You've done your part, and more from the looks of things." The words rumbled out, blending with crackle of fire in their ears. "Now stand down, Beast. This is his family's business, not yours." One ear twisted backward.
A tone he recognized flit through the air. Eyas, he was sure, but would not take his eyes from the Burner to confirm. He hoped it was her, and that some margin of misery could be spared for this family that had experienced so much of it already.