Mason could barely keep himself moving. The stress of their failures was building until he could break. He couldn't lead his men to their deaths again. He couldn't let this turn out like their last dragon attack. But each time they found a dragon sleeping on an impossible ledge, he felt his hope slipping away.
They had been lucky so far. Neither of the dragons they had found had woken up. Like anything else, however, he knew that wouldn't last. The next sleeping dragon they discovered could wake up, and then they would have to fight for their lives on the unstable mountainside. He couldn't even wield his sword. How would he ever protect Ilona if that happened?
Again they traveled downward a ways and again, Mason finally deemed it safe for them to head back up. He was leading the group now, and even Ilona knew it was best to give him his space. The others might have thought he was only angry, but she knew the truth. She knew he was scared.
