“How long before they respond?” Sloane asked, excitement creeping into her voice.
“It depends on how far away they are, but usually not too long.” He leaned back against the railing. “You and I will fly together today, on one bird. I’d like you to get a feel for the sensation of flight before we try anything else.”
“Oh.” She wasn’t exactly sure how to feel about that. Just the thought of flying was enough to banish her grey mood, and riding with the prince was an appealing notion, but she really wanted to do it on her own—at some point, at least.
Alexander noticed her tone, and a look of concern crossed his face. “You can ride with Captain Aria if you prefer, she is an excellent flier…”
“No, no. It’s not that.” She felt foolish again for even thinking they would let her fly on her own. “I just thought... well, that I would be doing it on my own. Not that it makes any sense.”
A look of relief washed over the prince’s face. “Of course, you will most definitely fly on your own. In the next few days, in fact, but even our future Rahoever in training don’t go up solo on their first few flights.”
“I understand, it was ridiculous of me to think—”
“No.” Alexander shook his head, chuckling. “No, it’s not. I felt the same way.” He came off the railing to stand beside her.
His laughter eased her embarrassment, and as he drew close, her skin tingled. She looked into his eyes and found excitement mixed with something else—longing, perhaps. She didn’t look away.
He stepped closer still. Their hands touched.
A rush of wind rolled over them, accompanied by an ear-shattering screech, destroying the moment Sloane had finally let come to pass. Alexander pulled her down and ducked her head into his leather-clad shoulder as a large form swooped over them through the heavy branches. The prince looked upward with a sense of frustration. “Your timing is impeccable, Tytus!”
Sloane gaped at the shadow as it flew over them. The largest bird she had ever seen, and probably ever would see, landed on a beam almost identical to the one inside. Over forty feet of eagle wing flapped at the bird’s landing, buffeting Sloane and Alexander in violent gusts of wind. The gigantic bird of prey was a perfect replica of its smaller cousins. Varying shades of brown covered the length of its body, and talons the size of sickles dug into the wooden beam beneath the feathered giant. Its dark golden head swiveled with sharp, purposeful movements.
“I have someone for you to meet, Tytus.” Alexander stepped forward and bowed. “She would ride with us today.”
One eye considered the prince as he spoke, then rotated to regard Sloane, obviously comprehending at least some of the words that had been spoken to it.
A chill went down her spine as the shiny amber eye focused on her, searching for only Eos knew what.
“Be calm. He won’t hurt you,” whispered Alexander.
“I’m trying,” Sloane whispered back. She was finding it difficult to keep her composure while being stared at by something that could easily dine on her for supper. Does it ever blink? If so, the monstrous bird could keep its eyes open for a considerable amount of time. Uncomfortable silence dragged on as the eagle seemed to size her up, and she concentrated on not looking edible.
Two more giant birds flew in and landed next to Tytus. While still enormous, the two newcomers were perhaps a head shorter and not as broad, but their coloring matched the older eagle and their massive talons looked no less deadly.
Tytus finally broke his survey of Sloane and squawked at the other two. All three bobbed their heads at each other in some bizarre greeting. Leaping once more into the air as a unit, the three massive birds flew in a tight circle, then into the aviary below.
“Well!” Alexander clapped his hands together and rubbed them briskly. “That went well!” He put a hand on her shoulder and turned her gently away from the rail. “Now we can go down and mount safely.”
“Mount safely?” asked Sloane.
He moved to the door and opened it. “Yes, well, the Rohdaekhann have been known, on occasion, to attack those they find... unsuitable.”
“But you said he would not hurt me.”
“And he didn’t.” He gestured to the stairs beyond with a broad smile.
Sloane narrowed her eyes and pursed her lips at her possible future husband. Straightening to her full height, she mustered her frostiest tone. “It appears you are trying to be rid of me after all.” She stormed toward the door, rattling buckles and all. “I will save you the trouble of having to use such grandiose methods.” She waved her hand to the roof. “I’m leaving.”
His smug expression changed to one of wide-eyed shock and the color drained from his face. “Wait, what?” He stepped in front of the small door to block her path. “There truly was no danger—”
“Oh, really?” She came to a stop before him and planted her hands on her hips. “And how did you know that?”
“I didn’t want you to—” His brows came down and he paused, gathering his thoughts. He said earnestly, “I knew it would be fine because we are so much alike, and I had already been accepted by them. Just as you were moments ago. Just as I knew you would be.”
Sloane blinked at the plaintive undertone that threatened the normally smooth control he exhibited. She hadn’t expected her farce to pull such emotion from him. Small twinges of guilt nipped at her conscience; manipulation of this kind was not her intent. The facade crumbled as his distress settled on her. “I was only jesting. I do not intend to leave. In the future, please give me only the truth, and all of it, whatever it may be.”
He bowed his head and stepped to one side to let her pass. “As you wish.”
Inside the aviary, people darted back and forth in a flurry. The eagles had perched on the massive rod that ran through the center of the building. Free-standing ladders, mounted on wheels, had been pulled alongside each of the two smaller feathered giants to allow the people—grooms?—access. Aria and Rouke were already settling into positions on the smaller birds. Each of them were lying prone along the birds’ backs, with their heads just over the shoulder of the wing. The uniformed attendants worked methodically down each row of buckles, attaching them to the partnered straps from their mounts’ harness.
“I always imagined it differently,” Sloane remarked. When Alexander gave her a questioning look, she added, “How the rider sits, that is.”
Alexander waved for a ladder with a large U-shaped platform at the top to be brought forward. Two men bearing bundles of leather swarmed up the rungs the instant the wheels at the bottom had been blocked securely. He motioned for her to follow and began to ascend while speaking. “There are several ways to ride. Well, two, actually. The only other way to be aloft is to be carried.” He turned to face Sloane and began inspecting her flying suit. “Belly-down is best for scouting, as you can look down more easily. The Rohdaekhann can also stay in the air longer with the weight of the rider distributed evenly along its back.” Alexander gained the platform next to Tytus and held a hand back for her to take while ascending the last couple of rungs. “The second way is for battle. Sitting astride the shoulders with lance or bow in hand.” He pointed to the nape of Tytus’s neck, where a small triangle of leather was being affixed, and then to the far wall where many lances hung. The weapons were rather plain, no decorative heads or finery, just a long steel shaft with a point on one end and a small vamplate on the other.
“Fascinating,” she replied. “How does it work with two riders?”
His good humor had returned as he spoke. In answer to her question, he flashed her another of his dazzling smiles, though she could see an impish twitch in it. “Good question. I will be strapped to Tytus. You will be strapped to me.”
She looked at him skeptically.
“The truth,” he said, eyes and arms opened wide. So innocently.
Sloane chuckled and shook her head. “I believe you, I just don’t believe that I’m actually about to do this.” She leaned a bit clo
ser to him and whispered, “It just seems so... inappropriate.”
He laughed. “Where you come from, I suppose it might be. In this situation, though, it’s just part of the training.”
Alexander turned to the two handlers who had completed their work with Tytus. The two men stood patiently with hands clasped behind their backs. The uniforms they wore were cloth versions of the leather flight suits she and her companions had been packed into. Instead of true overlapping segments, embroidery had been used to simulate the scale pattern. They looked more comfortable, and she took note that there was a considerably more generous cut to the seats of their garments.
She felt her ears grow warm as she realized she was standing, elevated, in full view of all the people in the aviary. Considering the position Alexander told her she was about to adopt, she felt positively exposed. When the handlers invited her forward upon the prince’s acknowledgement, she stepped quickly to the edge of the platform, eager to move on.
The two men went to work efficiently, turning her to face Alexander’s back, and kneeling to begin at the lowest set of buckles and straps. As each strap was tightened, she was pressed more firmly against his body until they were touching from knee to chest. Alexander’s warmth radiated pleasantly through the supple leather that covered him, and she could feel his muscles flex as he kept his balance on the edge.
“Now comes the hard part.” Alexander chuckled. “Do you see the handles near his shoulders?” He pointed to two sets of thick leather hoops attached to the harness.
“Yes, I see them,” she said.
“We must hold on to those while they buckle us in.”
“Okay.”
The men had stepped to either side of Tytus, who shuffled slightly in what Sloane could only guess was anticipation.
“We are ready, My Prince,” said one of them, holding his hands out and near the harness straps.
“Move with me, Princess.” Alexander leaned forward and reached up to grab one of the pairs of handles. The muscles of his back bunched, and he smoothly drew both of their bodies off the floor to settle against the giant bird’s back. His toes slid into a pair of loops, but he maintained his suspension from the overhead loops. A soft chirp rumbled from Tytus as the bird shifted under the weight.
Sloane reached for the loops and found them to be soft and pliable, but firm in her grip. She pulled enough to remove her weight from Alexander’s body.
Another rumbling note shuddered from the bird.
Sloane’s world shrank. She could smell the leather of their outfits, but also the subtle, masculine scent of Alexander. Over it all, there was a dry and dusty smell from Tytus, but the blending of it all, and the security of the straps, comforted her.
The handlers went to work for a second time and fastened the prince with practiced speed. Alexander actually released his grip after the last of the buckles had been fastened, causing Tytus to roll his shoulders once and flare his massive wings to the sides.
Sloane gripped the loops more tightly.
Alexander chuckled. “We are safe.”
The process complete, the two handlers made their way to the ground and pulled away the platform.
The prince opened the buckles of a rectangular pouch that had been attached to the harness along the side of the eagle’s neck. He removed two pairs of odd-looking spectacles. The lenses were much larger than those she had seen before, and the wire rims had been replaced with soft leather baffles. Instead of bent wires that would hook over the ears, a loop of fabric extended from a lip at the side of each lens.
Alexander handed a pair to her. “Put these on, please.”
She took the altered spectacles but watched him place his own before donning hers and tightening the strap as she had seen him do. The glass lenses were crystal clear and fit nicely to the contours of her face.
“Gloves?” The prince had extracted thin leather gloves from the satchel after affixing the goggles, and he was proffering them to her over one shoulder.
Sloane clutched the hand gear a little spasmodically as Tytus began to shuffle in a side step down the giant perch after Rouke and Aria. The captain and her mount had already disappeared through the opening, dropping away with silent intensity. Rouke, by contrast, let a loud whoop of excitement as his eagle jumped from the end and plummeted out of sight, beak first.
She took the pair of finely crafted gloves and pulled them on quickly. Tytus’s sidestep took them over the threshold and the world opened below her. Sloane’s stomach fluttered as she took in the view of the city and wilderness spreading below. Eos help me. Heights had ceased bothering her, or so she had thought, after her many leaps from the Diver’s Spire. This height, however, was another matter. The city was a quilt of streets bordering the patches of buildings and open areas along the island. Tiny dots that she took to be people could barely be discerned as they crept along, attending to their business, uncaring that she dangled above them. The lake to the East was a cobalt blue puddle, and the mighty river system just a network of veins, feeding life to the surrounding lands. Swallowing hard, she wondered if this was a good idea after all.
“Hang on!” Alexander yelled as Tytus leapt off the pole into the open air.
Sloane flailed at the flapping loops but managed only to claw at the prince’s arms in desperation as they plummeted toward the city. She shrieked with a combination of fear and exhilaration as the buildings that were once tiny and meshed together began to grow larger and separate into individual structures.
Tytus’s wings remained closed.
The ground was almost upon them. Individuals on the streets nearby started pointing up.
She dug her fingers into the prince’s shoulders. “Alexander!”
He tugged once on the handles and the mighty bird’s wings spread open in response. Tytus let out a screech that echoed between the taverns and cottages below. People who had not been aware of their descent ducked suddenly for cover, and more than one bundle of goods went flying.
Sloane’s stomach felt as if it had dropped out of her body onto the cobblestone street below. She pressed so hard into Alexander’s back that even the flight suits couldn’t have done a better job of making their bodies move as one. The prince’s body shook below her with laughter.
“You are trying to kill me!” she shouted over the roaring wind, but she found herself laughing along with him. Flying was, by far, the most amazing, glorious, and liberating thing she had ever experienced in her life. The landscape reeled past her at a dizzying speed, and then dropped away as Tytus’s mighty wings began to beat, pushing them higher once again. “Unbelievable!”
Tytus sped by the western curtain wall of the city and Alexander pulled on one of the handles. The world turned upside down as the mighty bird swung into a roll.
Sloane’s stomach lurched once more, but she let go of Alexander to let her body dangle from the harnesses, with her leather-clad fingers spread wide to sift the wind. Gravity pulled her once more against Alexander’s back as Tytus completed the maneuver and the world assumed its rightful perspective.
They had flown to the western side of the city, which was perched on the very edge of the second “step” of the massive waterfall chain of the Tanglevine. The cascading water could be seen smashing onto the rocks hundreds of feet below, then it flowed onward to the next giant step in the chain.
A shout of approval from the right side drew her eye to where Rouke was dropping into line with her and Alexander. She could feel the wide grin on her face mirroring the fierce joy on Rouke’s.
Captain Aria and her mount settled in on the opposite side. The stocky woman wore a look of concentration; her head moved about as if she were in search of something. The three birds flew in a rough triangle with Tytus at the head.
“So, what do you think?” Alexander called over his shoulder.
Sloane laughed again, unabashedly allowing tears of joy and excitement to drop away into the wind. “I love it!” she yelled back, but the words fell short o
f the feeling. Here, there was no duty. There were no wars, and there was no strife with family or sadness of separation.
This was what it felt to be truly and completely free.
They sat together on the edge of one of the many balconies that lined the exterior of the palace. The day’s flight had left Sloane speechless for some time after, and only now did she feel able to respond to questions with more than an overwhelmed smile and some gestures.
The flight had replaced her building doubts and frustrations with hope and possibility. Placing her feet once more upon the ground had brought home the burdens she had been under, but now, she looked at them with fresh eyes, as challenges that could—no, would be met. “What now? How will we look for my sister?”
Alexander kept his eyes on the amber-colored sky when he spoke. “We will fly to Riverwood tomorrow and take lodging for a few days. The eagles will see things we cannot, and will find her trail or the trail of those who follow her.”
She reached out and touched his hand. “Thank you for this.”
He gently took her hand and brought it to his lips. “I would see you at peace.”
“I am, in some ways. This place is not what I imagined it to be.” She cleared her throat softly. “You are not what I imagined.”
He chuckled and turned to face her. “I hope that is a good thing.” After a pause, he met her eyes. “I saw you once, three years ago. Did you know that?”
She shook her head, puzzled. Sloane tried to recall when they might have been in the same place but could think of none.
Alexander’s face was mischievous as he watched her delve into her memories. “Not a place you would expect, I think. I was on a ship, in the bay of Stone Mountain. Father had just fallen ill and it was left to me to handle certain affairs that were not yet finished. I had decided to handle them personally.”
She frowned. “In the bay?”
“You were jumping off of those rock pillars, with a group of others.” He sighed. “How I envied the lot of you.”
Dark Fate: The Gathering (The Dark Fate Chronicles Book 1) Page 33
