Akaith listened intently to the dragon, her own draconic senses senses picking up nuances that might have been missed by the equine souls beside her. He was a cheery dragon, and longed to help them, and yet, he could not provide a way to carry the bounty of the sea - it was yet another task that they would have to aid Vikram in completing. It was willingly that the mare and dragon then brainstormed furiously over how they could help, indeed AKaith's scales were impervious to any heat and she could carry some just in her claws, but that all depended on exactly how many stones were required.

Vikram's suggestion of the turtle shell caused them both to nod in affirmation, though they still needed a way to carry it. With a short trill, Akaith darted to the skies, scanning the beach for what she knew would be able to help. It is strong like ropes, and wet enough that it should take a while before the heat of the stones affect it... her thoughts wee a bit rambly, but Mirage knew what it was she was looking for.

"Akaith will fashion a harness to transport the shell, out of seaweed." The mare spoke, her eyes trailing the flying form of her golden companion with some fondness evident. Akaith, meanwhile, gathered as much of the thicker, stronger strands of the watery weed, flying back to the stallion and mare often, dumping her pile at their feet. Stand on this end, she commanded of her shadowy friend, who obliged, placing a hoof upon the end of three strand of seaweed, which Akaith then proceeded to braid, to make the ropes all the tougher. With much flicking of sand from her scales and a little bit of chittering, growling and grumbling, the dragon worked furiously but quickly. Mirage had to glance with silent amusement at Vikram, and she touched him upon his nape gently, before speaking quietly.

"I shall not join you on your final leg to the Veins; my presence was not appreciated by your benefactor last time. Akaith will carry the stones for you still, of course."

The dragon had bitten holes through the shell in appropriate places so as to attach the shell to the makeshift harness, and slung the seaweed contraption over her scaly head now. Testing it, she rose to the air, commenting dryly to her beloved it will be easier when it has some weight in it, right now it feels like the wind is trying to divert my path too much. It was a peculiar sight, that of a dragon with a turtle shell swaying in the ocean breeze beneath it, seemingly tangled in seaweed. But it would surely serve its purpose.

Landing once more, and sitting in the shell, equine and dragon waited with their friend, for the great one from the sea to rise once more.