*Katerina's POV*

I stared at the dragon and mages below as the answers to all my previous questions became apparent. The mages had cast a cloaking spell and set wards because they were complete fools who were about to try forbidden magic.

Dragon riders didn't become riders by capturing a dragon, and they certainly didn't try to obtain that rank by using binding spells. But the history books were littered with accounts of power-hungry mages who used magic to control dragons.

This group had clearly never read to the end of those stories, or they would have known that mage riders rarely lived more than a few weeks. If the dragon itself didn't manage to overpower the spells, any other dragon it encountered would attack the mage.

I had no idea how this group had decided this was a good idea, but there was no doubt in my mind that I wanted to avoid them at all costs. Not only would they be far too interested in my magic, but the instant the dragon got loose, it'd kill any human in the vicinity. Every fiber of my being screamed at me to slink away and wait near the top of the path until dawn.

The same voice from earlier called out, "Roy, make sure no one else is near this valley. Some parts of the binding spell can get loud and the last thing we want is company."

A man coming out of a tent replied, "Sure. It'll take half an hour to cast a proximity spell over such a large area, so I'll do it after we eat. The stew is probably close to being done."

Dread settled in my heart. A proximity spell would detect my presence and it wouldn't matter how well my magic was hidden since they were simply trying to locate people. It would take him a while to eat and cast the spell, but was that enough time for me to reach the top of the valley?

My eyes scoured the dimly lit area as I checked for horses. Much to my misfortune, I saw several tethered along the far tree line, away from the dragon. Their heavier build suggested they were cart horses, but they'd still make it far too easy for the mages to catch up.

The only way I was going to be able to escape was if the mages were too distracted to chase me, and it would have to be a big distraction since they'd assume I would report them for using forbidden spells.

I could only think of one thing that might work.

My eyes trailed back to the trapped dragon. The only thing confining it was the enchanted net and about fifty anchor ropes. I dropped my head into my hands as I realized exactly what I was considering. It was complete and utter madness.

Dragons were intelligent, but as enraged as this one undoubtedly was, it would lash out at any human, even one trying to free it. The mages weren't about to just sit by idly and watch me release their captive, and if I got close enough to cut the ropes, they'd be able to see me. And if they could see me, they'd have no problems aiming their spells at me.

The shafts of my arrows pressed into my side as if trying to remind me of their presence. I turned my speculative gaze to them. I pulled one out and examined the tip. It was definitely sharp enough to cut through rope, but the real question was if I could actually hit the rope.

I didn't need to worry about harming the dragon with my questionable aim since its scales were strong enough to stop spears and swords, nevermind a piddly arrow. But if I could sever several ropes from a safe distance, the dragon's first targets would be the mages. That ought to distract them sufficiently.

I hesitated, trying to think of any other option, but there were none. Stealing a horse wouldn't work. Even if there weren't theft prevention spells on the saddle, the mages would immediately notice.

If I released the dragon as a distraction, they'd run toward their mounts if they had any brains, which was doubtful considering they planned to cast a binding spell on an adult dragon. But in a matter of life or death, they would probably pick the fastest escape route.

With this group's secrecy and lack of foresight, they'd attack with battle magic the moment they saw me. Even if they didn't kill me, they'd realize I was a Wellspring and hold me captive.

I took a deep breath as I considered my abysmal lack of options. If I wanted any chance of getting out of here without becoming the mages' new magic source, I needed a distraction. This was my only chance.

My heart started racing as I moved through the trees behind the dragon and edged farther down the slope. The dragon was close to the trees, and I made sure its bulk was between me and the mages. I had thought it was huge from my previous vantage point, but it looked even bigger close up.

Its head was at least as big as I was. I didn't know much about dragons, but if what I'd heard was correct, the shape of this one's horns marked him as a male. Most of his scales were the size of dinner plates; they shimmered faintly in the magelight like a ruby lit from within. The claws on all four legs had dug deep trenches in the dirt below, but the netting kept his curled-up form pressed against the ground with no room to move.

Hiding behind a large tree near the tree line, I nocked an arrow onto the string before leaning around the trunk. The anchor ropes emitted a faint pink glow, making them easy to spot.

Fervently hoping my aim had magically improved, I took aim and fired. The arrow veered to the side and almost hit a different rope. It struck the rocks and skittered to the right, brushing against the dragon's foreleg.

The amber eye that had been glaring at the tents noticed the arrow enter its peripheral vision and tried to find the source. The netting prevented him from turning his head to see me. I held my breath in case he did something that would give me away.

His muscles tensed, and the dirt under his claws squished out as he tried to stand without success. The netting glowed slightly brighter, then subsided when the dragon gave up. Pursing my lips, I took aim again. Arrow after arrow whizzed through the air until my quiver was empty, and just like my first practice session, not a single arrow found its mark.

That meant I had to go and cut the ropes.

My legs almost gave out at that thought. Dragons were powerful mages, and I'd done everything I possibly could to avoid them and their riders. If I got close to one, it might sense the magic hidden behind my shields.

Even if it didn't, the moment it started struggling to get out of the net, I'd be like a mouse dodging the hooves of a horse. This creature had a long tail, wings, and magic, and it was more than ready to kill.

Closing my eyes, I checked my shields, then took a deep breath and ran across the flattened grass. I didn't want to be near the tail when it got loose, so I headed for its hindquarters first. My heart hammered in my chest as I drew my dagger and swung at the nearest rope. It parted with a musical twang that sent adrenaline rushing through my body.

Without slowing, I leaned down to grab an arrow with a shaky hand and jammed it back into my quiver. I ran along the dragon's side and kept slicing the anchor ropes while collecting my fallen arrows. No shouts reached my ears; the mages remained oblivious to what was happening on the far side of their captive.

Rope after rope twanged, and the net itself shifted as quarter of the anchors were cut free. The dragon's muscles were tense, but the few movements were still stilted. Keeping low, I kept slicing through the bindings, ready to flee to the dubious safety of the trees the moment the dragon was able to free himself.

As I neared his head, I hesitated. Almost half of the anchor ropes had been cut, and if I went much farther, the mages might see me. The dragon's head still looked firmly pinned, so I ducked down even more and darted toward the two ropes near the formidable jaws.

I slashed through the closest one, now able to see the campfires past the dragon's head. My last arrow was just past the next rope, so even though my heart was pounding so loudly I was sure the mages could hear it, I kept going. As I leaned down to cut the second rope and grab my arrow, the anchoring peg ripped right out of the ground as the dragon reared up with a deafening roar.

His wings opened with a snap akin to a ship's sails in a strong wind, throwing the netting into the trees. Unable to take my eyes off the dragon towering over me, I staggered backward and tripped, landing on my rump.

Shouts from the mages snapped me back to the full extent of my precarious situation. I scrambled to my feet and raced for the trees. My footsteps pounded against the grass, and my heartbeat drummed in my ears. Goosebumps prickled across my skin as the mages began chanting, and I desperately hoped all of their spells were aimed at the dragon.

I tried to run faster, hoping beyond hope I could reach the forest and evade any pursuers before they came looking for me.

My eyes widened as a massive, scaled hand swung in front of me. I was running too fast to dodge, and he grabbed me. With a lurch that practically sent my stomach down to my toes, the dragon jumped skyward, taking me with it.