The flight to Deepwood Forest took forty minutes of cold wind and darkness broken only by Syrath's occasional gouts of flame that lit the air ahead of them in brief orange flashes. Jake held on and tried not to think about how far they were above the ground, focusing instead on the distant tree line that marked their destination, growing closer with each powerful wingbeat.
They landed in a clearing near the forest's edge where the trees grew dense and old, their canopy blocking most of the starlight and creating darkness that felt solid and textured.
Syrath settled into a resting position while Raani dismounted and helped Jake down, both of them steady on their feet despite the flight.
"The dungeon entrance is half a mile into the forest," Raani said, pulling a small crystal from her pack that began glowing with soft white light when she activated it.
"Follow me."
