"Navaros went beyond the magic system because of Kaeros..."
"Fire," Glaive commanded.
Rynn concentrated, feeling for her Bond with Arokh. The red dragon shifted behind her, raising his head.
A globe of crimson flame burst into existance above Rynn's left shoulder.
"...the might of draconic powers crammed into a human vessel..."
"Water."
She drew from the clouds and the earth. Arokh steadied the spell, his knowledge of breathing and controlling ice mingling with Rynn's knowledge of creating it.
A bubble of water coalasced over Rynn's right shoulder.
"...but it was a human vessel with half a human soul..."
"Earth."
Maintaining the Fire and Water with Arokh's help, Rynn set the other half of her attention on the ground at her feet.
A monolith of dirt and rock rose before her.
"...and an entire, unwilling, draconic soul..."
"Air."
Rynn cleared her thoughts, relying wholly on Arokh to keep the other three spells going. She felt him reach through their Bond... controlling the spells through her without her having to do anything.
A misty sphere swirled into being a foot from her face.
"...how much more powerful, then, human and dragon souls in their entirety..."
Glaive sucked in a breath, then said, "Rift."
Rynn's hands clenched around the hilt of Runeblade, which she held point down before her.
"Now you help too," she thought to the Rift Crystal.
The light of the elements flickered in the jewel's depths.
Arokh bent his will to the Bond, giving all of his considerable strength.
Rynn stared through the middle of the circle made by the four spells and shouted, "Open!"
A sucking sound... of air rushing through a small escape. A tiny blackness appeared in the middle of the circle.
"...working in harness... willingly...as one..."
"Open!" Rynn shouted again, a command punctuated by Arokh's deep roar.
"...together."
A circle of blackness opened between the elements, its edges a blurred silver-violet mist.
"Hold them!" Glaive shouted.
Rynn didn't notice his excitement; she was concentrating too hard.
"We did it, Rynn!" Arokh said, still focussing through the Bond.
"We did it," Rynn echoed, fierce pride in her voice.
"They did it!" Glaive shouted across the crater of Mount Tibor's summit.
Dayrett fell silent. His apprentice, Rimril, shifted uneasily behind him.
"So we do have a chance," Heron said. He looked at Runeblade, a thumb rubbing over the Rift Crystal. "I just don't know why I was picked."
"Because we believe in your courage," Dayrett replied. "Yours and Arokh's. Together, you two are the best the Order has."
Heron hesitated and glanced back at Arokh.
The red dragon said, "Forgive us, wise one, but you have made it clear we have a chance of winning. What of surviving?"
Rynn and Arokh carefully reduced the power of the spells, then terminated them.
"We did it!" the young warrior-mage replied exulted again, and turned to hug Arokh around the neck.
"Think we can do it again?" Arokh asked her with a grin.
"For the Great Spell of Protection?" Rynn pulled away for a second and thought back to Shiv'arass.
But it's hard to be afraid of failure when you've just seen how successful you can be.
Rynn looked up at Arokh and nodded. "Yes. Yes, I think we can."
"Think?" he repeated, raising an eyeridge.
Rynn smiled. "Fine. I know we can. Now our only problem is Navaros."
Dayrett said, "Your survival depends on your own instincts. You've both been trained well. Choose your actions wisely."
Heron smiled wryly. "Guardian Mage, can't you be a little more inspiring?"
The tattooed old man chuckled. "Very well. May Wind lift your wings and Earth guide your steps. May Water part before you and the Flame of courage burn forever in your Soul."
Heron laughed. "Too bad I'm not a mage. But thanks, Master Dayrett."
"Good luck, my son. And to you, hatchling."
Heron mounted Arokh and sheathed Runeblade. Then the two were up and away.
"But they'd have a better chance of survival if they were magi, right, Master?" Rimril asked softly.
Dayrett sighed heavily. "Even then, Rimril. Even then."