Tyra nodded to me and swooped down to the warriors, her two short forelegs aiming at the gigantic beam. As she moved she extended her claws and carefully gripped the great log, taking infinite care.
Slowly, she lifted the beam and rose into the air, flying it to the side of the building and laying it carefully on the ground. I hovered over the men. "Are you in pain?"
"I'm not," said the one on the left, red hair blazing in the sunlight. "But, I think Jin is. Broken collarbone from what I can see. Maybe ribs too."
I nodded and turned my attention to his friend whose almond shaped eyes, and olive skin gave him a distinct Asian look. Jin was in for a long recovery. But knowing he was an einherjar make me feel a little relieved. The people of Asgard had many ways to regenerate broken warriors.
"Jin, I'm going to move you. Do you think you can handle the pain?" I asked putting a hand to the side of his dark head. His expression seemed out of focus, but then he grinned.
"If you are doing the carrying I would suffer the flames of Hel with a smile," he said, his voice scratchy and slightly accented.
His friend snort loudly, while I just shook my head. I settled slowly on the rubble then leaned down to slip my hands carefully under him. I worried about hurting him, that any movement may make his injuries worse, or even kill him. Who knew what kind of internal injuries he'd sustained.
Gritting my teeth I took his weight and was relieved to feel his lightness. A dead warrior was incredibly heavy, that I knew from bringing my fair share of dead to Valhalla before.
I rose into the air, my wings thrusting as I flew Jin to the grass beside the building. I hovered for a moment, unsure if I should put him down here or go looking for whatever infirmary the citizens of Asgard had erected.
"What's the matter, beautiful? You can put me down now," said my injured burden giving me a sexy raised eyebrow.
I shook my head, unamused. "You have better things to think about than girls, Jin. I'm just wondering if I should leave you here, or find a place where the other injured are being seen to. I don't want you to be hurt unnecessarily."
He sighed, making me raise my own eyebrow at the dramatically long sound. "A woman after my own heart. You actually care what happens to me. Tell me, where have you been all my life?"
I wanted to laugh, and to be honest the flirtation should have been a nice distraction from the horror around us. Unfortunately the very horror of the day, coupled with my fears for Joshua, made Jin hard to appreciate.
I ignored him and flew higher, trying to see around me into the distance. Tyra rose beside, flapping her great golden leathery wings. "What is it, child?" she asked, her voice the same stern yet kind tone I remembered.
"I don't want to set him down unless it's for the last time. He has a broken collarbone and what looks like two broken ribs. I also suspect his hips are either broken or crushed too. The less we move him the better."
Tyra straightened, hovering in front of me as she reached out her forelegs. "Give him to me carefully. I will take him to look for the infirmary. You take care of those two." She pointed at the two warriors who still needed care. "The girl needs to have the splinter taken out but I don't think it will affect her health in any great way."
With that, Tyra hovered closer and I had no choice but to relinquish my reluctant burden. Jin didn't look too pleased to be transferred to the dragon's clawed hands. "Fair maiden, please tell me we will meet again."
"Jin, cut the chatter. You need to rest," I scolded. "But I do have one more question if you insist on talking."
"Anything for you, beautiful," he said and I could just imagine him as a regal prince, giving me a graceful bow.
When I looked up I almost burst out laughing. Until that moment I had never seen a dragon roll her eyes.
I suppressed my laughter and asked, "Have you seen Joshua?"
"Joshua? Yes. He was entering the hall just before it collapsed. He was close to front entrance when it happened." Then he eyed me suspiciously. "Damn, if he's who you are looking for then I am