It continued to rain as they flew through the sky. Apart from the moderate wind and dismal clouds however, Temeraire did not seem to be having difficulty. Laurence guided him with a steady and assured hand that Granby could only envy as they flew onward into the evening. He would not let himself think of Iskierka. Admiral Roland's words had been harsh, but it was not her words he thought of; it was his own. Some part of him held them true, and that was what shamed him most. He should have turned Iskierka lose the moment she disobeyed. He should have handed her egg over to someone else, someone who had the courage and the firm hand to steady her. But he had not done that, instead he had tried time and time again to captain her. He made excuses for her over and over again, he did her bidding all through their journey to South American and then, when push came to shove he had finally stood up. He thought that was going to be the end of it, it was only the beginning. She had done the unimaginable; he had let her do the unimaginable.

"Mr. Granby," Laurence called from his place on Temeraire's shoulder gladly pulling him from his thoughts, Granby stood. Laurence met his eyes with sympathy,

"What is it you need Captain?" Laurence looked as though he was about to say something but he thought better of it.

"This weather looks as though it may be cleared after all. You would be so good as to see the rifles pre-loaded before we make it to clear skies. If reports from the grounds men are correct, we will need all the guns we have. Mind your pace though; we cannot afford to waste any bullets." Granby nodded, bowing formally.

"John?" Laurence asked suddenly, his voice quiet. "Admiral Roland will not execute Iskierka, at least not while you are gone. She is a strong woman, not a cruel one." Granby's stomach turned at the mention of his dragon's name. No pleasant words came to his mind so he merely bowed and went to see to the crew men, Laurence watched him go. He wished desperately that there was something more he could say. He was lucky after all, that Temeraire was obedient and compliant for the most part of their assignments. His bond with the celestial was the most treasured thing he possessed and certainly his most special relation. Since his arrival in the corps he had seen many dragon and captain relations, most of which pleasant if at least; tolerable. Maximus and Berkley were forever quarrelling as husband and wife, with the utmost tenderness and worry some arguments over one another's health. Lily and Harcourt were often seen spending pleasant time together as a pair, often speaking in hushed tones to one another and giggling. Demane and Kuilingule looked out for one another as brothers did, even Rankin and his ever commanding Ceaser had some cooperation between the two of them They were mutually unpleasant in Laurence's opinion. Perhaps the only unpleasant bond between a captain and their dragon had been that between Rankin and his late dragon poor Levitas. Laurence could curse at the thought of it now. Though even though relations had been appalling and abusive, they were simple at the very least and poor treatment of Levitas never got anyone else hurt apart from the dragon himself.

Rain fell down heavy upon Laurence as he contemplated such things and walked to Temeraire's head. The dragon flew at a steady pace, to excited for battle then to be discouraged. Tenderly, Laurence put a hand on the side of Temeraire's neck.

"How are you?" He asked,

"Very well Laurence, very well. The rain is most refreshing, even if it is a bit cold. My wings are not tired at all yet, but do you think we are very close? I should like to fight soon, and I do not know how I will manage the two of you at once. If anything distresses me; it is that."

"Whatever do you mean?" Laurence asked, shielding his face from the rain with his arm.

"I will be quite worried about my crew and you as always. But I also promised Iskierka that I would watch out for Granby too. I would not want anything to happen to him at all, for I would like it very much if he was reassigned back to our crew."

"I did not know you were speaking to Iskierka again." Laurence said slowly. Temeraire was silent for a long time.

"It is different where captains are concerned. I still do not forgive her for what she did but you see if I were ever unable to fight with you I would want someone to look after you. Plus I care a great deal for Granby anyways and would always look after him so it is not as though I am going very far out of my way." Laurence nodded.

"Very well then my dear. We will do our best to see no one gets hurt." Temeraire nodded and kept on at a steady pace. Laurence meanwhile went about securing the rigging. From what he could see on the uplifting clouds, the rest of the dragons and their crews seemed to be under way. Catharine Harcourt was inspecting her men, while Berkley, and atop of Maximus was readying his own crew.

"Laurence all secured!" Granby yelled unenthusiastically. It had stopped raining, but the captain only sighed and stood straight backed on Temeraire's haunch, making sure he was secure in the ropes.

Iskierka, the name covered him simultaneously with pride, shame, embarrassment, guilt and the smallest shred of love. He watched the clouds parting to sunlight, the rain drying off his clothes. Pleasant as it was, he could not shake from his mind the fact that if he had been flying with Iskierka, he would be ever wet from her steam. He sighed and wiped his brow, trying to think of the war. There was little information known besides the fact that they would be fighting near the town of Waterloo, with mostly army men and no ships whatsoever. No ships meant no see, and no sea meant even a surer death if a dragon were to fall. Napoleon had gathered his strongest allies against Britain, who stood alone and Lien the celestial would be with them.

Granby admired Temeraire's strength and ability, he had no doubt about it but wind was not fire. He could not remain content while he knew the inevitable. He had been in the Corps all his life and had seen many battles, he was no fool. While the divine wind was certainty a feat, and a formidable one at that: fire would have been more useful on such terrain of battle. It was nearly dark when Temeraire called out, startling Granby from his daydreams. Though he was thankful of it, they had been unpleasant ones about Iskierka. What if his words had cut her so deep she had taken off? What if, (and this he feared even more,) she decided to go after him. What if he should get wounded or killed and would never see her again?

"Temrer!" The little grayling could not be mistaken against the fading sunset. He beat his wings faster, causing the rest of the formation to turn their heads as Volly approached Temeraire with enthusiasm.

"Hoho, easy there Volly!" His captain, James called to him as he threw back his hood. Granby looked at them and started for there was a bandage around the little dragon's back right leg which appeared to be soaked through in red. Laurence noticed it too,

"Why Captain James, is Volatilus alright?" The captain smiled and patted the gray dragon that made fast circles about Temeraire's head.

"We had a bit of a tough time getting out of Belgium. Frenchmen spotted us taking off and managed to hit him with a bullet through the thigh. I would've turned around for him, lord knows. But I figured it would be too risky. We're on our way back to London to give them a message from the fields. He will be alright; we managed to make a little stop and extract the bullet out of him. Now if only he'd stop bleeding but you see he doesn't mind it. I keep putting on fresh bandages every chance I get. He won't complain though, dear creature. He just asks how much further and for a cow occasionally." The little dragon who had been circling Temeraire piped up at the mention of one,

"Cow?" James laughed and leaned down to stroke him.

"Soon enough my friend, soon enough," he turned to Laurence, the look in his eyes shifting from one of light-hearted optimism to one of grave doubt. "You had better be careful captain, they have a mighty force. One hundred dragons strong at least and that is not counting all their crews. I would take caution and fly in from the west at all possible, up channel side." Laurence nodded,

"Thank you Captain." To Granby he called, "see if you can find spare bandages, just enough to wrap around this dragons leg. It's a long way back to the Admiralty." Granby nodded, though couldn't help thinking it was damn fools charity case.

We may need these bandages sooner than you think captain. The thought of him, or Laurence or Temeraire wounded and bleeding filled his mind, the thought of leaving Iskierka forever to wonder in fright and rage.

"Captain Granby." Laurence snapped, "Bandages for Volatilus of you please." Coming to his senses he nodded, calling for one of the young ensigns to climb down to the belly netting and fetch all which was to be had.

"I hope this helps!" Laurence said as Granby stretched outwards on Temeraire's neck to hand the parcel over to James. Volly beat his wings, trying to keep steady and though wounded, did not seem weakened. Granby was great full for the carabineers grip as James took the bandages with a gloved hand

"Thank you greatly Captain Laurence, Temeraire, and good luck to you. I hope to see you sooner rather than later if this battle should end in victory."

"Pray be careful Volatilus," Temeraire was saying to the little dragon that flitted about his head once the bandages had been securely attached to his rigging.

"Always careful Temrer!" He chirped. With a final salute and thanks they were off, disappearing into the final sunset. Granby watched them wistfully, part of him wishing he could go back too.; back to Loch Laggan, back to Iskierka; at least if she was still there at all.

Chapter Two! Review please if it please you! It doesn't have to be anything long, any feedback is appreciated! Thank you!