The size is unusual, though I have seen Purple Commons this small before.' Meanwhile, Valentina stood waiting in the middle of the giant throw rug that functioned as Elissa's saddle.Īs Arthur walked close, Valentina squinted. 'I am always polite!' Brixaby announced, though perhaps not quite as loudly as usual. Then his friend signaled to Sams and the yellow Rare hopped delicately off Elissa's back to the sky.Īrthur turned his head to Brixaby. Once on the ground, he nodded up at Horatio who seemed to be either communicating 'Good luck' or 'Hope you don't die' with his wide-eyed stare. Sams' breath heaved under Arthur as he gave a draconic sigh of relief.Īrthur unbuckled the strap over the saddle and slid off, one hand up to hold Brixaby steady. 'Ah, excellent,' Elissa declared and turned back to watch the sky. 'You're no youngling, Rare Sams, even though your rider is. Still, Arthur caught Horatio sweating and suspected that Sams would be, too, if he had been capable.Įlissa turned her giant head to watch the process and let out a low rumble of approval. And as she wasn't actively flying - simply floating on a cloud - there wasn't any movement of her beating wings. Each one of Elissa's scales was the size of a platter used at a fancy feast. There was plenty of room on the giant back. Arthur noted how Sams carefully kept his talons lifted and how lightly he landed on Elissa. Sitting astride a dragon which was landing on another dragon was an odd experience.

Elric of melnibone books