When Scourge finally landed near Hive Supremo, the rest of my strength went to slide off its side instead of falling off. I was ready to kiss the solid ground under my feet.
My bodyguards looked similarly tired as they jumped off Scourge's back to stand in their usual formation behind me.
"GRAAAAA!" Scourge growled over my head.
"Are you asking for headpats, too? Or just for food?" I asked, taking off my face mask and looking up at the dragon.
Once again, I was struck by how majestic it looked. A massive black beast, evolved for flight, killing and scavenging on carrion… But certainly not for carrying passengers.
Although the first few minutes of flight were awesome, afterward it swiftly went downhill.
Not only the headwind almost turned me into an icicle even with a face mask, my hands hurt from holding onto the dragon for so long! The dream of being a dragon rider was a tough one…
'How do dragon riders manage without complaining?!' I marveled.
