Chapter 21: C-Rank Core!
Fenna checked rope ties. "I rigged a pulley. Slide down the outer wall, then Star can carry you across the outer ditch in glides. I'll come next."
Star flapped, lifted a meter, hovered. Zephyr's heart swelled.
Below, torchlight flooded greenhouse windows. Guild scouts entering the cellar hatch. Too late to second guess.
Zephyr stepped onto the rope, Star circling him. He kicked off. Rope hissed, and cold air bit his face. Halfway down the wall, Star seized his cloak collar with strong claws. Wings beat hard. The dragonling dragged him off the rope into free space.
They sailed over the academy ditch, just a ten meter glide but glorious. Star landed on the snowy outer path, Zephyr stumbling to knees, laughing breathless.
Fenna zipped next, starshine in her eyes. Together they hurried into the pine woods, Star hopping ahead.
Behind them, bells rang warning clamor. Zephyr didn't look back.
They trekked through moonlit trees until dawn tinged the sky pink. Guild search horns echoed distant now. A fresh path opened down into the Gloom Hollow valley, leading south toward ranges unnamed on academy maps.
Zephyr paused atop a ridge. Lowmoor academy's roofs were tiny behind fir boughs. Star perched on his shoulder, tail curling around his neck, gaze fixed on broad sky.
Fenna slipped a hand into his, warm despite the snow. "We are exiles now. We will Hunted."
He squeezed her fingers. "Not exiles but seekers. We will find a place where dragons are welcome. Where greed don't exist."