The horse cried at the pinching embrace of the dragon’s talons, sharp like spurs once pressed against his sides. As the earth shrank far below, he blew through his nostrils – in relief. He could still see the brim of his rider’s hat bobbing through a sea of golden yellow grain.

Good riddance.

He spat out the acrid metal bit and whickered triumphant. On cue, the dragon dropped him. With a thunderous crack like a bullwhip wings unfurled from the horse’s sides: he soared.

Free from his cowboy’s rein he flew into the setting sun beside his long lost skybrother.