Erbrow's smile grew. "I told you. I did not bring any clothing with me, but I have something better."
He rose, but as he stood, his shape blurred, his very body taking of strange, eye-watering bends and twists as he grew several times in size. Wings sprouted from his back, and talons sprouted from his fingers. It took only seconds for the Change to be completed, but for someone watching for the first time, it was likely the longest seconds of their lives. The red dragon snarled, pearly teeth glinting in the moonlight as he shifted his weight on massive hind legs. His more lithe but no less powerful foreclaws grabbed the girl pole and all, easily wrenching it from the ground. A single talon sliced through the ropes with ease, and he took the girl in one claw, tossing the pole and ropes aside.
He turned, balancing on his hind legs as he looked up. He hated trying to take off from the ground, but there was nothing for it. Massive dark wings spread wide, hesitated, then thumped down as he leaped for the stars. His wings pumped hard and fast in shallow beats to keep his wingtips from slamming into the ground. His powerful body rose up higher and higher, leaving the ground far below. He did not stop until he was so far above the ground he was nothing more than a speck. Only then did he level off and adjust his hold on the human, clutching her in both foreclaws and holding her close to his chest to protect her from the freezing wind. His chest scales radiated heat, the muscles moving as he thumped his wings a few more times before he found a comfortable wind on which to glide along. He aimed for the distant mountains and home. For a human, it would take days of hard travel to get even close, but for him it would take only an hour. He purred softly in amusement as he imagined the human's face. Yes, she was supposed to be helping him, but he could not help it. Humans needed the occasional reminder of their place in the world.