Oliver carefully clambered on, eyeing potential footholds cautiously. Clawed forelimbs gently took tentative, birdlike hold on spines, as if he were roosting somewhat horizontally.

"Oh, no, you don't need to get me anything. Anyway, this is already something! It's a lot of help. I appreciate it. Gembound might die otherwise," he added, a little more quietly, a little more worriedly.

"Okay. I'm ready now," he added, relatively certain that he was adjusted.

They'd have a ways to travel, he felt; it was good that he'd found Phlegethon on the way.