Black Avatare

32 | PEACOCK

Diyan walked forward onto a platform of leveled rock, where the night sky and blustering wind indicated a high elevation compared to the rest of the compound. At the center of it was a flying craft unlike any Binara had set eyes on. Kinnaras whizzed about, running checks and packing in supplies.

It was essentially a small boat with huge wings and an open deck—a mechanical bird powered with fuel that eluded Binara's imagination. The wings lay folded on either side, with metal structures akin to feathers. The hull exhibited a complex mechanism with twin exhaust pipes, which suggested a propulsion system. The wood-and-metal bulk, which stood on wheels, was designed to resemble a peacock, with a beaked figurehead at the bow.

"This is the Monara," Diyan said, giving the craft a fond pat.

Binara found her voice. "Does this actually fly?"

"Do you think it's just for show, my lady?"

"How?" she demanded. "It looks heavy. And what are you using to fuel it?"

"So many questions." Diyan smiled.

Binara was momentarily distracted as she took in the effect the smile had on his face. The infernal dimples had appeared, and his hair blew in the wind, getting into his eyes. Argh.

A kinnari chirped in Diyan's ear, and they exchanged words that she had no clue about. Then he turned his attention to Raya, who stood patiently by his side.

"Is Raya coming with us?" Binara asked. "I was wondering if she can carry any messages my Yakadura partner Piumi might have for me."

"No, too much weight for the Monara to handle. I can get Raya to visit the human realm." Diyan bent down to give the big cat one last cuddle. "But sending her to a specific place is going to be tricky. Perhaps you can tell me where to find Piumi along the way."

That was when it occurred to Binara that she had no idea exactly where Piumi lived. She decided to tackle the problem later. Diyan straightened up and gestured to her.

"What?" Binara narrowed her eyes at him.

"Get aboard, my lady." He indicated the stepladder towards the front of the Monara. "We should get moving while the moon shines."

"The moon is always shining," Binara said, walking to the ladder.

"It's a figure of speech. When we get to Kurul, we can rest there for the night and continue beyond the mountains in the morning."

"Where?"

"You'll see when you get there."

"Fine." Binara carefully climbed onto the Monara, her hand marveling at the smooth, white wood. "You didn't answer my questions about this thing."

"Let us take to the skies, and then I will sate your curiosity." Diyan climbed up behind her, the smile still lingering on his face.

Binara opened her mouth and closed it on second thought. She sank down on the wooden seating, plonked her backpack on the deck and watched Diyan while he supervised the kinnaras.

When the last box of supplies found its home at the back of the Monara, Diyan positioned himself at the wheel. Three kinnaras flew aboard, making up the crew of this otherworldly craft. Then it was time to take off.

Diyan flicked a series of levers, his eyes fixed on two peculiar dials. The Monara hummed to life, and vibrations swept across the hull. The vehicle glided forward, picking up speed, while the wings unfurled—long and streamlined. Wind whipped Binara's hair and stole her breath away. As the edge drew closer with each second, she gripped her seat, half expecting to plummet hundreds of meters down the rock.