The moment the dragon's cry sounded was like a fragment separated from the line of Time itself. Kelida’s heart crashed against her ribs, sickening her with the force of her fear. Cold to her bones, her muscles frozen, she watched helplessly as the dragon's wings cut back along its glittering, ebony sides, watched in horror as it touched the ground. The beast’s massive head reared high. With terrifying speed, its forelegs shot out as though reaching for something.

Reaching for her! For Stormblade!

Stanach roared, a sound like a wordless curse, and dove between Kelida and the daggered claws. The dragon’s huge wing caught him hard and swept him to the ground. He rolled instinctively, came up staggering, and fell to one knee. Fast as lightning’s strike, the dragon's long neck whipped to the side. Teeth bared and dripping venom, eyes murderously bright, Darknight saw Stanach just as he fell.

"No!" Kelida screamed. "No! Stanach!"