So... I generally find it easier to fly way ahead of the zeppelin and destroy all the fortifications, rather than staying close to the zeppelin trying to protect it. After all, being just one dragon, you can't ever protect both sides of the ship, but you can clear the path fast enough so that nothing dangerous is left once it arrives there.
This has also been a valuable strategy in other games I've played, where the game instructs you to protect someone, but usually makes it harder for you if you take that advice literally. Playing the escort is harder than playing the pioneer, in a nutshell
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