"Likely Asti's barrier will end before this one does." Temeraire looked up, a displeased expression crossing his face. "But I see no reason why we should not try."

With that, he darted upward, wings beating mightily as he drew in a deep breath. It had been some time before he had dared to test the limits of Asti's influence; he did, after all, trust the giant turtle. But these were desperate times, and they called for desperate measures.