"I'll chase him," Blight offered, courage (or stupidity) bringing his offer with a puff of his tiny chest.

And he probably would, too, though what Blight would do once he caught up with the far larger, far stronger Gembound was entirely unclear.

He made no move to fly away, yet, though. Instead he remained hovering, staring expectantly between Svartis and Dread.

@Svartis

"I don't think it did," Svartis chirped in response, then grit his teeth in an attempt to lay a little sideways, his leg adamantly refusing to unfurl. All he could get out of it was a few involuntary, twitching motions. He added quietly, "I - can't move this leg." It felt... numb. Like it was frozen in place. It was particularly painful, but just uncomfortable. Icy eyes went glassy for a second as he shoved up onto his injured ankle, sitting lopsided.

He gave himself a once-over. Maybe, if he got into the air proper, he'd be alright. Trying to land or walk down the length of Tunnel J? That was a different story.

His gaze twisted up, "I might be able to get to the top of the Tower until my leg works again." To his knowledge, it could be broken and he just assumed waiting would make it better. Icy eyes turned back to his kid, "it's okay, Blight. Dad-Dad'll take care of it now or we all will together, later."

@Dread

"GO UP THERE, THEN," Dread ordered, and then leapt skyward, swiftly taking wing.

He waited--to ensure that his children could make it. He waited until they were atop the tower. And to Blight, he gave a new command: "NO. YOU STAY, AND PROTECT THEM." It was unclear whether Dread was merely protecting the little hatchling--or if he genuinely thought that, somehow, Blight could protect the two massive wounded dragons at his side--but either was, in all honesty, equally possible.

Once they were safely off the ground--and only then--did Dread turn away. "GO SOMEWHERE FAR ONCE YOU CAN FLY. DON'T STAY HERE," he screeched--and then banked, angling after Orthoclase-Alpha--hoping he could find him again.

exit Dread

Bone lifted up carefully, wincing, eyeing her father sidelong. She didn't think going alone was smart, but she'd said her piece, and he was older than her (she still wasn't convinced that he was wiser, but she could hardly control his actions).

A leap, a hiss of pain, and she was in the air--and then circling once, a cautious, wincing drift, to ensure that Svartis would manage to make it off the ground.

She glided to the tower, and circled, then--realizing there'd not be enough room for them both, up there--slid off sideways toward the ruins.

"I'll pick a high spot, Svartis. You stay up there. We'll stay in sight of each other, okay? But I don't think we can both fit." Bone swept off, then, over to the tallest building she could find--to rest among the shadows.

Blight flapped after them, glancing once--reluctant--after Dread. He hoped Dad-Dad didn't get beat up; but he followed Dad anyway, heading back to where he'd first met him not too long ago.

"Dad-Dad will be okay, right..?" he asked, worriedly, tiny wingbeats a patter in the air compared to the bass thuds of the larger dragons' flight.

He clung close to Svartis, sending more magicka his way, drifting on a wave of nothing more than worry. Hope alone would strengthen his 'father,' hope and magicka driven by a child's love.

@Svartis

Svartis tipped his head downwards, inhaling sharply, filling his lungs with air before taking a few stumbling steps forwards. Every pace on his bruised ankle was painful, but he managed to snap his wings out and catch air under them.

His flight was wobbly, uncertain, but he managed to flutter onto the tower. A hiss escaped him, both legs smarting against the edge as he hauled himself up. Gaze twisting towards Bone, he nodded, "stay safe. I'll keep an eye out."

Another peculiar flush drifted through him as he dragged himself into a lying position around the tower's top, leaving space for Blight to make his landing. Icy eyes warmed, a soft - hopefully reassuring - growl weavng through, "Dad-Dad's strong. He'll beat it up." A laugh bubbled out of Svartis, uneasy but trying to lighten the mood. "I already softened it up for him."

exit Svartis unless stopped
@Bone

Bone settled, quiet, and nodded toward the others. Svartis' voice was soft, but she could make his words out--if barely.

Let's hope you're right, she thought.

As she rested there, her eyes slipped half-shut. The pain still wracked her body; she didn't feel as though she'd be able to rest easy like this. She'd keep watch, then--as best she could past the distraction of her own burns. I need to learn to use my own magic, she thought, grimly, and then; Come back safely, Dad.

exit bone

Blight looked to Svartis, and nodded up at him. He didn't know much about Dad-Dad, but he'd seemed angry, and not afraid, so that was good.

He curled closer to Svartis, determined to do as Dad-Dad said and to protect him and Auntie Bone.

"You can sleep, if you want," he squeaked softly, and boldly. And then, in a promise of a whisper: "I'll protect you."

Studious and determined, the little hatchling scooted to the edge of the tower to watch the ground below, shadows gathering to shroud him from sight.

exit Blight