"I imagine most of us don't like to think about it," snorts Saravasse.

"I wouldn't either, but that's no excuse," says Milan.

"On the other hand, I think you'll be pleased to hear that losing one's last Bonded is not literally immediately fatal," says Saravasse. "It takes a few seconds, and if there's another Dragonbond Mage or two around and they're quick about it, the dying dragon can be saved before they're all the way gone and hang on until they find another Bondmate. But you have to be very quick, and this method was discovered at the same time as co-Bonding, which is a much more reliable way to keep dragons alive when our Bonded die."