Noorh released the stubborn twig, waved his hand, and snapped his fingers.
A magic circle erupted below the nest. It grew large enough to engulf it before a flame torched it from below. The fire burst through the cloud wall, attacking the serpent's gaping mouth.
Noorh quickly pulled Kiran back, pressing her close to his chest. "Hold on to me!" He waved his hand forward, directing the wall of clouds that absorbed the raging black smoke across the nests to form a tunnel.
Noorh lifted Kiran off the ground and began to sprint down the stone steps, past the burning, screaming, dying hatchlings. The furious winged serpents could only hover and wail beside the mountain as the flames prevented them from saving their young.
Kiran tightly wrapped her arms around Noorh as they sped through th
