Meanwhile, Theramore's Mage Corps was preparing a large-scale teleportation spell.
Jaina had no time to listen to Deren and the others whispering. She was fully occupied directing the mages aboard the ship.
It was an extraordinarily complex and demanding undertaking, requiring precise coordinates and an immense supply of magical power.
Chromie, meanwhile, bounded around the deck like an excited rabbit, touching this and peering at that. She was curious about everything and seemed to have forgotten the Oathstone mission entirely.
"Deren, when we get back, you have to spend some proper time with me." Chromie rushed over, took his hand, and made her demand at once.
She was already imagining how wonderful life would be once they returned to Theramore.
"All right, all right!" Deren fondly patted Lezi Long's hair. He was grateful that she had rushed to rescue him as soon as she heard the news.
That's my dragon. And, of course, his longtime Black Dragon companion and Jaina cared deeply about him too.
"Shorty, don't pull on Deren's hand. It was only just healed and hasn't fully recovered," Onyxia warned.
"Ah, sorry!" Carried away in her excitement, Lezi Long finally remembered Deren's injury.
"Everyone, get ready. We're about to teleport," Jaina called to them.
The teleportation array was nearly ready. Arcane Energy gathered violently, and the space around the ship began to warp ever so slightly. Then—"Roar!"
A clear, majestic dragon's cry rang out from the distant sky, piercing the air!
Everyone's heart tightened as they turned toward the sound.
A vivid red figure, like a burning meteor, was weaving through the clouds at astonishing speed, flying straight toward the waters where Deren's ship lay!
It moved almost impossibly fast. Within a few breaths, they could see it clearly—a graceful, powerful red dragon!
"It's her!" Sensing one of