Chapter 16
Ben made a habit of flying with the dragon over the Crystal Mirror Lake and the Frontier Zone every day at dawn. He saw with his own eyes how the trees of the forest disappeared, only to be replaced by a growing fleet of black, mechanical birds that sat on the ground like crows with their wings clipped.
Maya waited anxiously every day for his return, usually at the city gate. She usually didn’t bother him with questions, trying instead to read from his face what he might have seen. She often had breakfast ready for the returning wanderers, and sometimes they just rested up against the stone walls for a few minutes. This was the most peaceful time of day, and the spreading light of the rising sun kindled their hearts amidst all the anxiety.
Everyone finally got to see the resu
