Arn felt like he was flying.  Not because he was astride a wyrm that was coursing through the broken skies that were a dark ocean.  This feeling was weightlessness.  It felt as if his soul no longer occupied his body and he was free.  Perhaps similar to how a ray of sunlight feels as it stretches along the horizon.  He had felt Eilis’s lips upon his and had felt the brilliant burst of emotions wash over him. 

The feeling had been so potent that the Aether had shuddered.  Perhaps it was because the connection of their Threads had fused even more.  The power feed back of such an event would reverberate through the invisible threads.  Ideally, such a moment would have been better left for when the group was not traversin a perilous stretch of sky and not being hunted by very magically apt witches.

The master mage could care less as he lost himself in the sheer beauty of sharing such an intimate kiss and soul shuddering moment with the pretty blonde girl he had sworn his life to.  As she pulled back, Arn could not help but take a slow shuddering breath.  There were no words to describe what had just happened.  No words were needed after that first kiss.  So no words were offered. But as his protegee leaned back against him, he held her wrapping his right arm around her.  Protectively but also positively. 

His strong chest rose and fell as he took deep breaths.  His heart was still racing producing strong beats that the master mage was sure could be felt through his armor and robes.  Like the young lady, it had not only been his feelings that had stirred.  He would not have felt as ashamed if he had know that Eilis also wanted more of him as he did of her.  Arn softly kissed the top of her head.  More to satisfy his need of more of her than anything else but also to show her that what they had just share was not a mistake or easily forgotten. 
As if in answer to his tender touch, Eilis began to sing.  Her voice was captivating and though the word meaning of her lirics escaped him, somehow in his heart he knew what she was saying.  His soul swelled.  His eyes saw the light shapes materialize.  It was almost as if their souls were talking.  This was an ancient magic.  From before written word had even been formulated.  The master mage had read of something similar.  A simple spell.  Yet one that carried with it the history of the teller.  It was infused with the singer’s own life force.  Arn could not look away.  He gave a few shuddered breaths.  He had never felt so vulnerable and yet so safe.  The one word that revibrated in his mind was [color=0054a6][i]“Together”.[/i][/color]

For a second, only the two existed.  Mainly because the magic she was projecting was only for the two of them to enjoy but also because their connection via the Aether it made it feel so.  His survival instic however soon kicked in seconds after their dragon kin became uneasy.  He broke from the spell she was weaving as if a drowsy man walking into bright sunlight.  He blinked his eyes trying to ascertain what had spooked his reptilian mount. 

The hunter showed itself all to soon.  Arn tightened his right arm around Eilis as his left held the reins tightly as his mount executed a perilous evasion to the right which would have unmounted them if the master mage had not secured them.  His head followed the giant form of the assailant as his mount flapped distressed.  A grievous cry emited from the reptilian throat to be answered by the other two mounts. 

There were few tales and written records of Gargantuans.  It was hard to get accurate descriptions and gather insight when one is trying to run for their lives or being eaten.  However, there was little else that could be assaulting them now.  The size and general shape of the monster before them could be nothing else.  Few even truly believed they existed but every one could agree that they did not want to be proven wrong. 

Thankfully Tyrhallan knew there was little chance of standing their ground.  Alexa and Tobi rushed forward at the Knigh Captain’s urging.  Arn urged their own mount forward and leaning close for Eilis to hear he told her.  [color=0054a6]“Take the reins, I will try to confuse it.” [/color] Concentrating, the master mage began to pull from the Aether.  His hands glowed an icy blue.  The temperature as the passed became colder.  His aim was to produce sleet to mask their passing and also harass their gigantic pursuer.  Hopefully the monster would find the small morsels not worth the pain. 

Tobi, having seen this stunt before shouted to Tyrhallan.  [color=00aeef]“Stay ahead of the curtain!  Hopefully the sleet will make it heavy or freeze its wings.  Make sure not to get caught in it or you will get lost.” [/color] 

Somehow feeling like he needed to ease any fears Eilis might have, Arn called in a strained voice as he worked his spell.  [color=0054a6]"Fear not, we shall be ok".[/color]  He even offered  her a quick smile.  One that had a hint of tenderness.  After their kiss, what were they? That question was best left for after they were safe...if that was even possible.