Flight Without Wings

Chapter 11

       Using the faint moonlight above, we slipped into the shadows. Beyond that, we only focused on keeping our footsteps quiet. While fairies could see well in the dark, it was still more difficult to see than in daylight. In the shadows of buildings, we were far more difficult to see.

       However, occasionally, we could see guards atop towers, surveying the entire area. The towers were dotted around City Proper, making it easier for guards to see the whole city. However, from over a hundred feet below, we were difficult to see.

       Suddenly, Jade stopped.

       "Ahead, guard." He whispered.

       Through the street we were walking through, a guard was flying, we were in the shadow of a building, but in plain sight of them. We all looked around for a place to hide, but there were none.

       Then, Rey pointed her finger towards an alley on the other side of the street. Everyone could hear the shuffling of feet. The guard flew over to investigate, their spear at the ready. We took that opportunity to slip past the guard and continue onwards.

       Wait, I could have done that as well. I could also create small illusions. But Rey was thinking about it more. She had very little magical power to work with, so she had to push it to its limits.

       Could I do similar things with my power? Could I make it do things I didn't expect it to do? Could I have it ready for any situation? As much as I tried, I couldn't answer this question.

       Due to the sheer impracticality of the pathways' construction, it took hours of searching before we found something promising. It was a sign that pointed towards a prison.

       We crept towards the prison on curving pathways before we finally made it to the front. The building was a monolith of dark shadow and moonlit stone before us. We silently crept closer. Strangely, no guards stood atop its towers.

       "Now, we just need to get in, and bust the wingless out." I whispered as quietly as I could.

       We crept closer to the front entrance.

       "I'm guessing we have to force our way through this door and immediately subdue anyone on the other side." I whispered. Iegis crept up next to the door and the rest of us prepared.

       Then, he yanked the door open and we all rushed in. Our eyes had already adjusted to darkness, but there was no one in there. There was a front desk illuminated by a small magical light above, but no one else was there.

       "We must run!" Jade shouted, pointing out the door.

       Just outside, about two dozen guards burst out from various hiding places, all armed with spears.

       "Jade, transform into an owl, me and Iegis will get on. Fly slow so Rey can keep up!" I instructed.

       Jade's form morphed into that of the large pale owl. Iegis and I leapt onto his back. He charged through the door and took off. Rey wasn't far behind. I frantically looked around at the guards all around us. Several of them were gathering their magic.

       Several of them had destructive powers.

       "Look out Jade!" I shouted.

       Jade sustained several various blasts of power, but he managed to maintain the form he was surrounded by. Rey used Jade's slipstream to follow at a pace faster than she normally could, and faster than the guards behind her.

       Suddenly, Jade's form dropped, and he was rapidly reverted into his normal form. We had started flying away, so it was a long way down.