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with F'lessan as she could…when not dismissed by healers…because he really did seem less restless when she was nearby。
She could tell when he was speaking with Golanth； which was often； and also when his wounds were being dressed and he needed distraction from the pain； because his eyes went unfocused。 Sometimes she worried that he was retreating too much into Golanth。 Oddly enough； the healers could keep the dragon far more fortable by use of numbweed than they could the rider。
There was； indeed； little she could do for F'lessan…which distressed her…and not all that much for Zaranth who； like most injured dragons； slept a lot。 By the eighth day； she realized that the healing process was plete enough…no more grainy feel except to the deepest claw marks； though the new skin was very tender…and Zaranth could safely go between。 Tai's leg wounds were red scars and peeling flesh。 The sea would plete her healing； too。
We will go when they sleep； Zaranth informed her rider。 They will not then miss us。
Sea will be good for you； too。 Tai assuaged her conscience by saying； repeatedly。
Having made the decision； it was hard to get through the day。 She worried about leaving F'lessan； Golanth wouldn't be aware。 She felt as if she was deceitful and devious but she needed a respite。 The sight of F'lessan crumpling in on himself when allowed to take a few steps from his bed had almost made her retch。 He'd had to lean heavily on the crutch； for his left leg could still handle no weight and the abdominal wound kept him from straightening。 Hair was beginning to grow over the head wound； but he was a far cry from the dashing； blithe； youthful Benden Wingleader。
So Tai and Zaranth made their plans and waited until the subdued； quiet； but constant activity of the carers and healers went into nighttime mode。 At last Tai slipped out； wincing a bit as she jarred her leg on the stone floors： she had left her cane behind； for it had a metal tip and its click would be audible。 Someone might hear her moving and investigate； very quick to investigate； they were。
She slipped onto Zaranth's back。 The green padded carefully to the edge； slowly extending her wings above her head； and then； in a maneuver that they both knew was reckless； tipped over the edge。 Wind caught under her wings and she glided silently a moment； just above the treetops； before going between。
They chose a little cove off the coast of Cathay； Zaranth expertly ing in over the placid waves to a white sand beach。 They landed there long enough for Tai to strip off her clothing； leave her towel； and remount Zaranth。 The green then walked slowly into the tranquil sea； chirping happily as the warm water caressed her； until she floated。 Tai just fell off her dragon's neck into the sea； elated with the success of their escape and the caress of the warm water。
〃We needed this； dear heart；〃 she said； slapping Zaranth's wet wither。
The dragon let herself sink until only her eyes remained above the water； brilliant green and blue…and that unhappily reminded Tai of Golanth's eye。 But suddenly dolphins arrived； squeeing and clicking in great sympathy for the red scars on Tai's legs and the black scabbed stripes on Zaranth's body； overjoyed at their unexpected arrival and scolding them； as much as dolphins scold； for staying away so long。 And when were Golly and Fless ing to swim； too？ Yes； they knew they had been hurt but seawater was good for all hurts； and swimming was good for sores； and they must e and tell them about the furry things。 All these questions while sleek smooth dolphin bodies provided the dragon gentle massage and unplicated pany for the rider。 The moon rose as Tai； grasping two dorsal fins； was taken on a wild ride around the little cove； dolphins leaping high in escort and vying to take the place of any who lost her hand。
Indeed； it wasn't until Tai's hands slipped several times from fins that she realized she was tired。 So much unexpected exercise。
〃You rest；〃 the dolphin named Afri urged； and cheed firmly about her； an order for the others to calm down。 Tai was surrounded and supported by dolphin bodies； the light waves splashing over them； lulling her until she was all but asleep。
She came to awareness of how easy it would have been for them to just succumb to such blandishments and find a weyr on the shore and forget the heartache and the dismal prospects at Honshu。 But that was impossible； no matter how tempting。 She had chosen。
〃We've had our respite； Zaranth。 We go back now。 Dawn's not far away and you know that's when F'lessan is most restless。〃
Resolutely； she turned shoreward； letting Afri； or maybe it was Dani； tow her until her feet touched the bottom。 She walked out； found her towel； dried herself； and dressed。 Then she called Zaranth in and checked to be sure that none of the scabs had burst during all that diving and cavorting about in the water。
〃e back； e back。 Good for you；〃 Afri said； walking on her tail as she spoke。 〃Bring Golly。 Much better for him。〃
It would be； too； Tai thought； except possibly for his eye。 Buoyed by water； he could exercise his leg and his tail…the bone had healed but the muscles remained flaccid。 He might also be able to spread his injured wing； ease open that stiff joint。 If only they could get him up in the air and to the sea。 Golanth had a much wider wingspan than Zaranth。 Falling over the cliff at Honshu as she had done could have fatal consequences for the bigger dragon。 Tai wondered if Ramoth and Mnementh had made any progress in refining the ability。 After remending trundlebugs； Zaranth had not heard anything from Ramoth except that she and Mnementh were practicing。
They returned to moonlit Honshu。 Where shadows would mask their approach； Zaranth glided toward the edge of the lower terrace。 All was peaceful below so their absence was unlikely to have been noticed。 Because of the angle of their approach； facing the main entrance； Tai saw the halting figure making its way to the sleeping bulk of bronze dragon； pausing to hold the edge of a table。 F'lessan？
What was the fool doing？ He'd walked for the first time that morning。 If he should fall； he could damage all the healing of the past two sevendays。 What did he think he was doing？ Fury for such recklessness dissolved as Tai realized what he needed to do： be with Golanth。
e in slowly。 If we startle him； he might fall； she told Zaranth。 D'you think you could support him if he falls？
I could try。 Zaranth's tone was doubtful。 He hurts。
Of course he does； Tai said； almost glad that pain was slowing him down； making him cautious。 Then； she could hear the faint click： he wasn't being entirely reckless； he was propping himself on a cane…hers； no doubt； since none had been offered him yet。
He was concentrating so hard on his goal； reaching his dragon； that he was unaware of being observed。 He had ten more meters to move； painfully； slowly。
Golanth knows Tai es。 He does not move。 Someone might hear that。
But I can hear the tap of the cane。
They may think it is you； Tai； checking on Golanth。
He managed another painful step in the moonlight； wobbling for a moment； uncer