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Astrid hated crashing. But, then again, who didn’t?
Crashing in the middle of battle was worse than a regular crash, in her opinion. Her heart still went into her throat though, and she still felt all that uncomfortable heat in her stomach that wanted to burst free from her chest and her throat in a scream.
And maybe she did scream. Poor Stormfly had taken multiple dragon root arrows, and she was so disoriented she could hardly fly.
Hence the crashing.
Astrid’s breath was torn from her as they spiraled and hit the trees. Branches struck at her face, even as she brought up an arm to try to protect her eyes.
Stormfly tried landing on her feet, but careened and skidded in the dirt, throwing Astrid from the saddle. She landed on her front, blood filling her mouth as she accidentally bit down on her tongue.
For a long while Astrid and Stormfly lay there, gasping for air, trying to figure out their surroundings and whether or not they were severely injured.
Astrid felt like her right wrist was broken, but that didn’t keep her from getting up with a grunt and rushing over to her dragon.
“Stormfly!” Her friend was hardly conscious, laying on her side, left wing looking like it could be fractured.
Astrid first looked to the sky before beginning her work of removing the arrows. She had to make sure no enemy had followed her down and was going to see her as easy to pick off. Down here, vulnerable with an injured dragon, she truly was.
Brushing a few tears from her eyes that she would never admit to, Astrid removed the first arrow.