Mason whispered something in Erasmus' ear and coaxed her downwards when he saw the figure appear in his field of vision.
Erasmus dove under Phil's falling form and positioned her considerable bulk underneath him. Phil landed hard against the great bird's back, and Mason extended his right arm to grab Phil and keep him from sliding off.
"Phil! Are you okay?" Mason asked. He turned to glance at his new passenger and found that Phil was lying motionless.
Mason pressed his finger against Phil's neck and felt a pulse. Smith was alive, but unconscious.
"Rest, lad. You've earned it," Mason said, then pointed Erasmus in the direction of the battlefield.
