The shockwave reached Dragonspire before I could understand what I had heard.
The fortress trembled beneath my feet, windows rattled within their frames, and somewhere beyond the walls, hundreds of dragons erupted into frantic cries. Their voices echoed through the mountains while guards rushed into the courtyards and servants stumbled from their chambers.
I gripped the balcony railing as another tremor rolled beneath the fortress. Ashwing appeared almost instantly.
He landed on the cliff outside my residence with enough force to send dust swirling through the air, and his golden eyes searched the balcony until they found me.
I could feel his fear before he even reached me. It pressed against my chest like an invisible weight.
"Ashwing." I said.
He lowered his head toward me and the
