Skyfall

Exile

"Put me down. I can climb." I muttered, not lifting my head. I could tell that my captor had heard my request, but said nothing. She had listened to me scream and flail and she made not a sound, and now that my energy was gone, she wasn't letting up on the treatment.

We had been flying for hours now, with the sun setting in glorious pink and orange rays. But still the Silmak flew on, my arms locked in her hands, flying awkwardly but steadily.

I had thought that the pain would have lessened over time, but it only became worse. The broken feathers had started throbbing, and overlaid the pain was my despair, which didn't help.

And still she flew on, despite my shedding of broken flights, and whimpers whenever wind found a way through the misplaced down, running over the wounds and making my skin cold. She hadn't stopped to rest, even carrying a double load, and hadn't mentioned a stop for the night, either. She hadn't said anything since we had set out, actually.

"Ravar, if you have any respect for an exiled fledgling, you will let me have my dignity and use the trees for travel."

"No, Isra." The words were so quiet I almost didn't hear them.

"Of course not. That's what exile is, isn't it? I don't have the same rights or feeling as a Masli anymore."

Her head dipped down so she could meet my eyes with her dark ones, her crest twitching with irritation. "I am not letting you down because it would be too slow. We have a Silmak following us, ensuring that I do not return without dropping you in the Human Lands."

"A Silmak, following one of his kind to ensure she does her job? That is unusual."

Ravar sighed, looking up again. "Not as much as you think. The Lik'ma does not trust me. Most of my everyday errands are not done alone; either I am accompanied by another or one of my own follows me to ensure the job is complete."

"That is strange. the Silmak are all sworn to protect and serve the Lik'ma. Why does she not trust you?"

She didn't speak for a moment. Then said quietly, "I will tell you when we stop."

I huffed, going quiet as well. I could be secretive just as much as she.

A long time passed, before I made another statement. "You stabbed Akiki."

Her down fluffed, a sign of surprise and guilt. "Yes. I had to."

"You killed him."

"No. He is very much alive."

I snorted. "For how long?"

She glanced down at me again. "He will not die from the wound I gave him."

"But the others, the Silmak and Nixes."

"They cannot touch him. He is not Masli."

"Just an insane K'mess who spoke out of turn to the Lik'ma."

She sighed. "He will not be killed for that. The Lik'ma respects the mad, if not enjoys their company. She is not as evil as you believe."

I let out a short laugh. "Oh yes, I can see your point. She exiled me for a very good reason, I assume?"

She didn't respond to that.

.:***:.

It was well and truly dark by the time she put us in a tree. I tried to get settled without harming my wings or tail, but she put up her palm to me. I stopped, confused, as she scanned the area.

Then she gave out a call - screech, click, trill. Almost immediately, the blue Silmak that I evaded in the Plain dropped onto the branch beside Ravar and I.