Rodrigo Zacara and the Mirror of Power

4. Flight

Rodrigo felt something heavy fall on his legs. He was certain it would be the lifeless body of one of his friends. Tears began to slide down his cheeks while he thought it would soon be his turn. He only wished for it to all be over. He couldn't wait any longer.

'Come on, get up! We need to get out of here!'

It was Darion's voice. With great effort, Rodrigo overcame his fear and opened his eyes. The first things he saw were bloody eyes just a few centimetres away from his face. Then he realised that the weight crushing him was one of the varblins who was undoubtedly dead. An arrow had pierced its disgusting neck, having entered one side and exited the other. He immediately pushed it aside and discovered that the other varblin was also lying on the ground, his neck pierced by another arrow. With his vision still blurry, he made out Oliver's hand as he helped him to his feet. He felt a bit dizzy. His friend supported him as they walked towards the simorg, which was stretched out on the ground once again. Darion and his sister were mounted on its back.

'Be careful with your orders this time,' Darion warned while Oliver climbed up in front of the three of them. 'Animals carry out everything you say to the letter.'

'So I've found out,' Oliver replied. 'Listen to me, poodle, take us far away from here and don't throw us off again.'

The simorg unfurled its great wings and began to beat them and walk at the same time. A moment later, its whole body left the ground with the four children on its back and it started to make for the treetops, breaking dozens of branches around it. As soon as it broke free of the forest, flying above the tree canopy, a gust of freezing wind stung their faces like hundreds of needles piercing their skin. Even still, the relief they felt at being free was so strong that Rodrigo couldn't stop himself from gazing around them, challenging the assault of the wind. Up in the sky, everything was brighter than it had been in the forest. In fact, the splash of pink on the horizon served as notice that the sun was on the brink of rising. The night had passed incredibly quickly. He reckoned that time didn't pass at the same speed in Karinthia as it did in his own world.

Soon, the forest became a simple green stain below while around them an endless succession of mountains, valleys, forests and rivers extended. The animal was gaining more and more height until everything below seemed like a miniature toy, even the highest mountains.

'Thank you for helping us, boys,' Darion's sister said once the simorg stopped ascending and set its course. 'My name is Aisha. You must be Rodrigo and Oliver, right? Nice to meet you. If it weren't for you both I think we'd be on our way to Arakaz's palace.'

'I think we'd all be dead if it weren't for...' Rodrigo stammered. 'What happened? Was it you who fired those arrows?'

'No, it wasn't either of us,' she replied. 'The arrows came from our left. I have no idea who saved us. Normally no one helps those who are fleeing from the emperor. It must have been a child who hasn't yet sworn the oath, or someone like us, someone who managed to escape. Have you two also escaped? You both look like you're older than twelve.'

'I didn't have time to tell you,' Darion broke in. 'Oliver and Rodrigo are from a different world. They say they've never heard of Karinthia, nor Arakaz, and that nobody has a gift in their world.'

'But of course they do. At least Oliver does,' she said. 'We've all seen it.'

'I know,' Darion admitted. 'The clumsiness with which he uses his power is proof that they're telling the truth. It's obvious he's just discovered it.'

'Hey!' Oliver protested, feigning indignation. 'Next time you want to escape, call a taxi.'

'Don't pay any attention to him,' Aisha said. 'He's just joking. Both of us will be forever grateful for what you've done, right Darion?'