Evan rushed to gather supplies. Emergency ropes thick blankets metal hooks and scent neutral powder. Gale stepped forward ready to fly despite fatigue. Evan hesitated but Gale nudged him firmly with its head. The wyvern refused to sit out.
Evan laid a hand against Gale’s warm scales. “Very well. But we choose the route carefully. You cannot endure direct turbulence today”
Ember and Strand stood beside Gale waiting for commands. Crest perched on a tall rock fluttering its wings impatiently. The two young wyverns chirped loudly sensing the urgency even if they did not understand the scale of danger.
Evan drew a map in the dirt. “We are heading to Ridgefall Village. A small place near the northern slope. If the second pulse reaches it they will not survive. We must clear the villagers and bring them here or guide them to safe ground behind the ridge”
He pointed to formation positions.
“Gale heavy carrier. Ember left side support. Strand right side support. Crest scout above. Young ones stay in the camp”
Gale roared and spread its wings wide. Evan mounted quickly securing the harness. He strapped a set of blankets to Strand’s load frame and tied a coil of rope to Ember’s saddle rings.
“Take off”
The fleet launched into the sky. Gale led with steady but slower wing beats. Ember and Strand followed with sharp precision. Crest soared upward until it became a small gold speck circling above.
As they approached the northern ridge the sky darkened. The corrupted mana changed the color of the clouds. Red streaks crawled across the horizon. The air thickened with pressure.
Evan kept his voice calm. “Maintain altitude. Crest signal wind shifts. Gale keep the middle path steady”
Crest screeched twice warning of a leftward draft. Gale shifted accordingly. Ember and Strand matched the movement.
Ahead Ridgefall Village appeared between a cluster of narrow hills. Smoke drifted from chimneys. People walked between cottages unaware that a wave of corrupted mana crawled toward them like a quiet storm.
Evan leaned forward and Gale descended.
When they landed in the village square people froze. Most had never seen wyverns up close and certainly not three at once.
The village elder approached slowly. “Why are you here. Has something happened”
Evan stepped off Gale. “There is no time to explain fully. A Rootstorm pulse is coming. You must evacuate immediately. Gather your people quickly”
Fear spread across the elder’s face. “A pulse. Here”
“Yes. Crest saw the awakening. It will reach you soon”
The elder turned and shouted orders. Within minutes villagers gathered with bags blankets and children. Evan guided them to the open field suitable for wyvern pickups.
Gale lowered its body to allow two adults and a child to climb on. Ember guided another two villagers. Strand lifted three lightly packed families. Crest circled above keeping watch of the ridge.
When everyone was loaded Evan prepared for the first lift.
“Take off slowly. Keep balance. Do not panic even if the wind shifts”
The beasts rose into the air. Gale carried the heaviest group but the wyvern stayed strong. Ember moved gracefully. Strand kept a steady glide. Crest glided above as vanguard.
As they left the village Evan looked back
And saw the first shimmer of red light crawling over the hill.
The pulse was close.
Too close.
“Faster Gale” Evan whispered
Gale pushed forward catching a powerful updraft. Ember and Strand followed. Crest screeched signaling a crosswind from the right. Evan tapped Gale’s neck twice. They shifted left avoiding the turbulent line.
Behind them the red glow brightened.
The Rootstorm was gaining.
When they finally reached the ridge near Evan’s camp the villagers stared at the sky in terror. They pointed at the red horizon as if witnessing an omen.
Evan guided the fleet into the clearing. Gale landed first. Ember and Strand touched down seconds later.
Villagers rushed from the camp to help the evacuees. The child on Gale’s saddle was crying but unhurt.
Evan dismounted and wiped sweat from his brow. His hands shook from the strain of the flight.
The elder approached him. “You saved us. Without you we would have been consumed by that… thing”
Evan shook his head. “The Rootstorm is not done. This was only one village. The next pulse will reach deeper regions. We must prepare not just for rescue but for major evacuation routes”
Gale lowered its head beside him. Ember pressed against his leg. Strand rested its wings on the ground. Crest perched on a high post breathing hard.
Evan looked at them each one more tired than before. Yet each one ready to rise again if he asked.
“We will need more beasts more training and more routes” he whispered
“And we need them now”
The red light flickered again over the ridge.
The next day would not be easier
But Dragon Freight was ready to fly