Not that he cared.
A Robin clanner beside him was taking bets, grabbing fistfuls of coin and stuffing them into bags on his waist. Nox couldn’t help himself. He nicked a few silver coins and let them slither into his inner pockets. Then he moved on, wriggling through the crowd.
A roaring cheer rose as a Hawk girl dove out of the sky, a red pennant flickering behind her. The first winner had returned. She landed in front of a raised dais where, Nox realized with a start, the king sat with his family. Nox’s eyes wandered over the jewels and gold studding the royal family’s attire.
After that, victors began landing in a steady stream, waving their red flags and turning acrobatic flips in the air, celebrating. Nox rolled his eyes.
High clanners. Always basking in attention.
Despite himself, he wandered closer to the winners’ circle, pilfering the occasional coin out of pockets as he went.
Forty-seven winners had now claimed victory. Only three more would make it. He looked up, hating that his heart was beating faster, that his abdomen tightened in suspense.
Another victor swooped to land—a Hawk boy whooping in triumph as he held his flag over his head. A group of high clanners beside Nox burst into applause.
“Yes, Zain!” bellowed a broad-chested Hawk man. “That’s my boy! My big, strong boy!”
Nox rolled his eyes and moved on. With the race nearly over, he needed to get away before the crowd dispersed and left him exposed. He’d have to find somewhere else to hide until he figured out what to do next.
But when he turned, it was directly into a bare blade. The tip of the dagger pressed against his neck, and Nox froze.
“Shh, shh, shh,” murmured the Talon. “Quietly, my boy. Let’s not make a fuss, hmm? Not here, anyway.”
Nox swallowed. “How’d you find me?”
“Come, now,” the Talon said. “There’s no better camouflage than a crowd. I taught you that myself. And you always were my best student. I knew exactly where you’d go.”
He put his hand on Nox’s shoulder, the other shifting the dagger to Nox’s ribs.
“Blasted stupid of you,” the Talon said. “Thinking you could outfly me.”
He pushed Nox forward, and they slowly navigated through the crowd as another roar of cheers went up. Another victor had arrived, but Nox couldn’t even turn his head to see who it was.
“I listened to my wings,” Nox said quietly. “You can’t blame me for that.”
“I did teach you well,” said the Talon, fishing the skystone from Nox’s pocket and flicking it into his sleeve. “It’s a shame I’ll have to remove that clever head of yours, boy. A real shame.”
“You could’ve just followed through on your promise,” said Nox. His legs were shaking so much he could barely walk. Cold sweat soaked his clothes.
Though his eyes flickered around in desperation, he saw no avenue of escape. Instead, he saw more of the Talon’s crew flanking them, moving through the crowd on every side. Even if he managed to tear himself away, a dozen more hands would grab him again. He’d have the Talon’s dagger buried in his ribs in moments.
Still, the idea appealed. It would be an easier end than whatever the man had planned for him.
For a moment, he considered making that last, fatal move.
Then he heard another roar from the crowd as the final victor arrived. He couldn’t turn his head to look, but the people around him began shouting angrily.
“What’s with the Sparrow? Is this a joke?”
“Is she a servant?”
“She must have stolen that flag! This is outrageous!”
A tiny Dove girl atop her father’s shoulders said, “Papa, Papa! If a Sparrow can become a knight, maybe I can too, one day!”
“Maybe, my love,” her father said, sounding baffled. “I can’t believe I’m saying it, but … skies, just maybe.”
Nox laughed aloud, earning a jab from the Talon’s knife that he knew must have drawn blood. But he didn’t care.
Ellie had won.
Against all the odds, that little Sparrow had beaten hundreds of bigger, faster kids. And from the sound of the crowd, the high clans were not happy about it.
Nox’s plan to self-destruct vanished like smoke in the breeze.
If a Sparrow could win the Race of Ascension, maybe a Crow could escape being murdered by the most dangerous man in Thelantis.
The chances were next to nothing.
But still … just maybe.
Exhausted and jubilant, Ellie landed before the royal family’s dais amid the other forty-nine winners. Red victory flags fluttered from their hands, some tied around their shoulders like capes, some affixed to the shafts of their spears. Ellie saw Tauna among them, chin high and expression as firm and focused as ever, her red flag neatly folded in her hands.
Forty-nine high clan warriors and one small Sparrow.
Then another familiar face bounded toward her with a dopey smile.
“You did it!” Zain shouted. “You really did it, Ellie!”
“And … you’re okay with that? After I nearly brained you up there?”
“Ellie.” Zain looked her in the eye. “I’ll be proud to fly beside you.”
She grinned and hugged him, feeling almost dizzy with happiness.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered. “I’m sorry I ever—”
“Not now,” she said. “Let’s just celebrate, okay?”
The king rose to give a speech, but angry cries began rising from the high clanners in the audience, interrupting him.
Ellie realized, with a jolt of dismay, that they were furious about her.
Fingers pointed, fists raised, everyone demanding to know why a Sparrow was in the race at all, insisting she must have cheated. Her eyes wandered to the Goldwing knights. They were glancing at her with expressions of shock and whispering.
Ellie’s wings began to wilt.
But theirs weren’t the only voices.
Soon a greater sound rose, a roar that drowned out even the loudest of the Hawks and Falcons. It took Ellie a moment to understand what it was.
The low clans!
From the back of the crowd came the sound of the Doves, Robins, Finches, and countless others, some fluttering into the air to make themselves heard. Gradually, their cries merged into one unified chant:
“Sparrow! Sparrow!”
They were cheering. And united, their voices echoed off the mountain. Parents lifted up children to give them a better view of Ellie, and their eyes widened when they spotted her. Hands lifted, wings spread, ribbons and handfuls of confetti were flung into the air—all in her honor.
Ellie glanced at the king on his dais, who stared at the noisy throng with narrow, thoughtful eyes. His guards gave up trying to silence them and exchanged helpless shrugs. Even the high clans were struck speechless, turning to stare in disbelief at the raucous spectators behind them. A few low clanners broke through to the front, waving to get Ellie’s attention as they cheered.
Starting to smile, Ellie gave a small wave to the crowd and was met with a roar of approval.
“Sparrow! Sparrow!”
She brushed away the tears that gathered in her eyes. Warmth flushed her skin and burned in her chest, a feeling so unfamiliar and wonderful it left her breathless. Finally, her people weren’t jeering and laughing. They weren’t yelling at her to give up and go away.
They were proud of her.
It was like she’d touched the very stars. Heady happiness rushed through her veins, making her feel light as a sunbeam, on the verge of bursting. She grabbed hold of Zain’s arm just to keep herself from floating away.
Eventually, the people did fall quiet, and the king continued his speech, but Ellie couldn’t focus on him. Instead, she searched the crowd, looking for a certain pair of dark wings. But of course Nox wasn’t there. She wished he had seen her prove him wrong. She wished she could look him in the eyes just one more time and see him nod in respect.
But why should th
e opinion of one thief matter to her?
She had to forget Nox and Gussie and Twig. She was about to become a knight, sworn to uphold the laws they broke every day. From now on, they’d be standing on opposite sides of a chasm no pair of wings could cross.
Pushing them out of her mind, Ellie held her head high as Sir Aglassine stepped forward to give instructions. The victors were to proceed to Honorhall to present their flags in a private initiation ceremony, where they would receive their Goldwing patches.
When she finished, a flutter of wings filled the air. The contestants took off in unison, whooping and cheering.
Zain looked at Ellie. “Together?”
Ellie nodded firmly. “Together.”
As one, they shot into the air and turned on the tips of their wings. The cheers of the low clans rose once more for her, and their voices were wind enough to lift Ellie right into the sky.
Minutes later, Ellie landed lightly on the steps of Honorhall, where the other winning contestants were filing inside one by one. A single Goldwing stood at the doors, a pile of red flags in her hands.
“You go,” Ellie said to Zain. She wanted another minute to savor.
They touched fists, their old way of saying goodbye. He walked up the steps and gave his flag to the Goldwing, who waved him inside. Then the courtyard sat empty, with only Ellie left.
She closed her eyes, breathing in deeply, letting the city go still around her. She felt her heart thumping behind her ribs and the rush of air swirling in her lungs. She felt the breeze ruffle her wings. The cheers of the low clans still rang in her ears.
The moment engraved as deep into her memory as it could be, she finally walked up the steps, her soft leather shoes soundless on the marble. Raising the flag with both hands, she stopped before the Goldwing, unable to keep a grin from tugging her lips.
“I’m Ellidee Meadows of the Sparrow clan,” she said. “And I won the Race of Ascension.”
The Goldwing looked at her impassively. Then he said, “Wait here.”
Without taking her flag, he turned and disappeared into the hall.
Ellie opened her mouth, but no words came out.
Had she said the wrong thing? She was sure they were to only give their names and claim their victory in order to be admitted.
With no other choice, she stood on the steps and waited, her heart in her throat. Above Ellie, the white Goldwing banners hanging from the upper windows fluttered softly, fabric rustling against the stones.
Finally, she heard a shuffle of boots from inside, and three people stepped out to meet her. One was the man who’d taken the flags, but now his hands were empty. Another was not a Goldwing, but an old Eagle in fancy purple clothes. The last was Sir Aglassine.
Ellie’s wings began to tremble.
“Ellidee Meadows,” said Sir Aglassine. “We regret to inform you that your application to the Goldwing order has been rejected.”
At first, Ellie thought she was dreaming. That her anxious mind had fabricated Sir Aglassine out of thin air, and that at any moment, the real captain would step out and welcome her inside.
So for a moment, she simply stood and blinked like a confused calf.
Then the truth of the captain’s words struck her like a physical blow. She stepped back, gasping, and her foot slipped on the edge of the steps. Her wings shot out instinctively, fluttering hard to rebalance her.
“Wh-what?” she rasped out. “But—I won. I won fairly!”
“I am sure you flew nobly,” said Sir Aglassine. “But the ruling stands.”
“I don’t understand. The rules say anyone can race.”
“Indeed. However, it is the king who ultimately decides who enters the Goldwing knighthood, and in this case, he has declined to offer you a position.”
“I …” Ellie’s gaze moved to the other Goldwing, then to the fancy Eagle. “Are you sure?”
“As one of the king’s advisors,” the man said dryly, “I can guarantee you that we are sure. The king found your victory … amusing, but of course a Sparrow cannot be expected to perform at the same level as a high clan warrior. It’s ridiculous. Admitting one into Honorhall would make a laughingstock of the entire order.”
“Lord Gallus,” said Sir Aglassine tartly, “I believe the point has been conveyed. Thank you for delivering His Majesty’s ruling to us.”
Sniffing, the Eagle turned and shuffled back into the hall.
“You don’t remember me, do you?” Ellie whispered.
The captain merely gazed at her.
“Eight years ago, you saved me from a gargol,” Ellie said. “You gave me this.”
She pulled the tattered old Goldwing patch from her pocket, where she’d placed it that morning for luck. “You told me if I worked hard and followed the rules, I could be anything.”
The captain’s face softened only slightly. “You flew well, child, for a Sparrow.”
For a Sparrow.
“I flew better than hundreds of other high clan kids!” Ellie said.
“There’s no need for hysterics,” said the other knight. “Now, I believe these are your folk here to collect you.”
“My—” Ellie turned and sucked in a breath.
There stood Mother Rosemarie, Chief Donhal of the Sparrow clan, and Mayor Davina, all looking at her grimly. Where had they come from?
In Mother Rosemarie’s hand was a pair of large scissors.
Ellie tried to breathe, but her lungs pinched shut.
It was a nightmare. She was dreaming. She had to be.
“No,” whispered Ellie. “No, no, no, this can’t be happening. I did everything right! I followed the rules!”
“The rules are designed for the good of all,” returned Sir Aglassine. “And the king’s rulings are incontrovertible.”
Ellie had never even heard the word incontrovertible, but she had a good idea it meant not going to budge an inch no matter how unfair it might be.
“Ellie Meadows,” said Mother Rosemarie in a tight voice, “come here.”
“Now, Ellie,” said Chief Donhal. “We’ve been on the road for weeks, looking for you. Come with us, before you bring further shame on our good clan’s name.”
“No!” Ellie cried.
But when she tried to launch into the air, Sir Aglassine grabbed her arm. The Goldwing held her in a tight grip until Mother Rosemarie could shuffle forward.
Only Mayor Davina looked regretful about any of it. “For what it’s worth,” she whispered in Ellie’s ear, “I thought you flew marvelously.”
Ellie struggled, but there was no escape from Mother Rosemarie’s practiced clutches. Would she try to clip Ellie’s wings then and there, or would they drag her somewhere private? Clipping was a shameful thing; it would only double the humiliation to be maimed in the open.
Hot tears ran down Ellie’s cheeks. Her head roared with anger and confusion until she could hardly think. Chief Donhal grabbed her other arm, and together he and Mother Rosemarie hauled Ellie down the steps of Honorhall.
“You’ve really gone and done it this time, Ellie,” Mother Rosemarie said. “Moorly House is already expecting you, though I wonder if even their extreme methods can save you from yourself.”
“Why do you hate me?” Ellie moaned.
“I don’t hate you, child. But I have one job: ensuring you live to see adulthood. If this is the only way to prevent you from killing yourself over these foolish visions of grandeur, so be it. One day you will thank me.”
“Never!” swore Ellie.
She struggled all the way across the courtyard. Glancing back, she saw the upper windows of Honorhall were open, and faces peered out curiously. The new initiates were watching—had probably been watching all this time. Even Zain was there, looking shocked. Ellie gave him a pleading look, but she knew there was nothing he could do.
Then, just as she thought things couldn’t possibly get any worse, a voice called out, “Stop!”
Chief Donhal and Mother Rosemarie exchanged looks, th
en turned, Ellie still held tightly between them.
A man in a soldier’s uniform gleaming with medals had landed in the courtyard. He lifted a hand, pointing directly at them. His face was familiar to Ellie, but it wasn’t until he spoke that she recalled—with a stab of horror—who he was.
“That Sparrow girl,” he said, “is wanted for robbery, assault of officers, and fleeing justice! Hand her over immediately!”
Ellie hung her head.
The Stoneslayer had finally caught up to her.
“Tell him the truth,” Mother Rosemarie had counseled Ellie as the Stoneslayer’s soldiers escorted them to the king’s palace. Ellie shivered the whole way, so dazed she’d barely even looked at the grand building. “It’s the only hope you have, child.”
Now Ellie stood alone before the king, on a great wide floor tiled with the crests of the many Clandoms, Sparrows included. Columns vaulted upward to brace a ceiling decorated in colorful mosaics of Eagle clanners in flight. Atop a dais velveted in red carpets, Garion sat on a throne inlaid with gold. To his right sat Prince Corion, who looked down at Ellie in bemusement, as if he couldn’t quite believe the list of crimes laid against such a small Sparrow.
But they were all true, Ellie confessed. At least, they were sort of true.
She was still confused as to why she’d been brought to trial before the king. Surely he didn’t handle all the cases of theft in the Clandoms. Compared to the big, important business of ruling the world, she was surprised her crimes rated as serious enough to merit a royal audience.
With Mother Rosemarie, Chief Donhal, and Mayor Davina standing behind her, she explained everything that had led up to the heist on the Stoneslayer’s fortress, only leaving out the names of the three thieves who’d put her up to it.
“So you see, Your Majesty,” she said, “I didn’t know it was to be a robbery. I was as surprised as anyone when that skunk bomb went off.”
“Skunk bomb?” laughed Prince Corion. “You’ve got to give them points for cleverness, Father.”
Sparrow Rising Page 19
