Firebird

Chapter 21

Beckett

When I woke up this morning, the last thing I thought I would hear Kyla say was that we were preparing for all out war with Vallan. I allowed myself a few minutes in bed with her before we got up and went down to the aeries. I was still surprised seeing Drake fully grown. It seemed as if everyone within a 20 mile radius was there. Orders were being shouted, people were scrambling, and dragons were being fitted for armor. It didn't take long for the chaos to die down and everyone started figuring out what was needing to be done.

The king ordered my entire team to be with Kyla and run as her unit. She was in soldier mode. We ran some training exercises and in no time we moved as one. Almost as if this was meant to be. Our entire lives led to this moment. Some of my men had found their own soul bound dragons since we arrived. The others were fitted with experienced dragons who didn't have riders. It was mid afternoon before we decided to take a break and relax for a few minutes.

"We looked good today." Kyla said to all of us. "I know this is going very fast but we're looking good."

"I agree." Alec chimed in. "And we're used to moving fast like this. We were bred and born to be soldiers. Even though we're mere foot soldiers, we can handle this." She laughed at the twinkle in his eyes.

"I think I like fighting on the back of a dragon." Lucas said. Everybody nodded at that. "It's freeing, really."

"That's why I love it. I belong in the air." Kyla said, leaning back against Tanwen. A low hum reverberated through Tan causing Kyla to smile up at her. "There's just something about it up there. To be free as a bird."

"A firebird." I said, remembering her parents nickname for her. "Where did that nickname come from?"

"Tanwen and I have been together for years." She started. "I was a child, coming into my powers, when I found her. I was able to start learning how to ride her while she was still small. One day, we were flying low to the ground out here, just practicing. Tanwen blew fire for the first time, midflight. For some reason, I channeled it immediately. The fire surrounded the both us and we flew like that. Bathed in fire. So my parents started calling me firebird. It just stuck."

"Oh I need to see that!" Zach said, his face in awe. The guys all agreed, smiling at her.

"Fire has always been my stronger ability." Kyla said. "We've done that move several times over the years. Especially when she's having a bad day."

"I heard your father tell a story once. About the night the queen was taken." Xander said. "Something about acid rain."

A wicked smile spread across Kyla's face. She told the story and explained how she can keep it away from the people on our side. I loved seeing her like this. Free and laughing. I hope she knew just how much she held my heart.

. . .

We spent the next few days training and learning how to control our powers. It was easier than I expected it to be. Kyla explained that my body knows what to do and will help with the control. Watching her like this was amazing. She was a soldier through and through. We were currently sitting in the war room with the king, queen, a few soldiers, and the head of the guard. We had a scout report that Vallan had an army marching this way but they haven't moved in about a day. Everyone was throwing around ideas as to why they stopped except Kyla. She had this confused look on her face while she studied the broad map. I watched as she traced a finger from where the army was camped to here. Then her eyes lit up.

"I know what they're doing." She said loudly. The whole room quieted. "They're doing what they did last time. Look at this here. This path is the easiest to take."

"So we prepare for them to show up." Marco stated. "We fortify the perimeter and wait for them."

"No. We take this route here." She said, tracing another path from the castle to their army. "We evacuate the ones who can't fight and take everyone else to the army. We can blindside them. They'll never see it coming."

"What if they have scouts?" Marco countered. "They could easily report back what we're doing."

"So we make it seem like nothing has changed. They'll expect us to bring those who can't fight into the castle. So we do that." She told everyone. "Then we sneak them out through secret tunnels."

"What secret tunnels?" The queen asked, crossing her arms. Kyla smiled sweetly and shrugged her shoulders. She looked to me for help but I only smiled and shook my head.

"Well what did you expect?" She asked, giving in. "How do you think I knew all the secrets you didn't want me to know? Also how to you think I kept getting on the roof?"

"Secret tunnels. I thought there was only one roof entrance." The king said, shaking his head. "Why am I not honestly surprised. But this could work. We bring everyone in, supply them with everything they need to run, and sneak them out. All the while, we pretend to still be running training exercises. Once our people are out of the castle, we go."

Everyone nodded while the king and queen beamed at Kyla for coming up with the idea. She looked at me and smiled. I let my pride show as I reached for her hand. This would work and it would all be over soon.