Dragonsbane

The Flight of the Bird

Chapter 7

The Flight of the Bird

         

Ralem turned his head away. “So that’s what happened to the ambassador. I’d hoped he would have gotten away.”

Jaydon fingered through the wreckage with a claw, “The bird was very thorough. I’m sorry.”

 “You know I had no special feelings for the man, but it is sad to have his life taken away like that…” he was silent for a moment in thought before asking, “Could you smell the bird?”

Jaydon took a deep breath, “A few days old, but yes the scent is still there.”

Ralem clambered back on his back, which was quite a climb, even when Jaydon knelt down to let him up. well then, what are we waiting for?

Jaydon spread his wings out again and they took flight. Ralem was still not used to the euphoria of flight; he didn’t think he ever would. He was discovering the innate desire in mankind for the ability of flight. Never had he felt better than when he was soaring over the treetops on the back of his dragon.

 As the sun traveled across the sky they followed the bird’s scent. Jaydon’s head would swivel from side to side like a snake as he sought to take in the jumble of odors and sort out the ones that he needed. The bird had a strong musty smell tinged with the iron smell of blood, but they still lost it a few times. The creature had traveled fast and it was harder to trace scents while over the trees. A couple times it had traveled through various rivers, where Jaydon would land and sniff around the bank. They stopped once to eat a doe; Jaydon courteously provided the deer leg and the fire. But they basically searched all day to no avail. To Ralem, it just seemed like a sea of trees and frustration. The mountains in the distance slowly climbed into the sky as they flew closer and soon the peaks of blue became more distinct and dizzyingly high.

Finally, two hours before sunset the trail stopped. Puzzled, Jaydon circled a few more times before telling his rider It seems he stopped here. He may be right below us.

Then let’s get him, said Ralem, who was weary and disagreeable after the long search.

One problem, stated Jaydon the trees here are larger than the trees you are used to. They are twice my size!

And…said Ralem, mystified as to how this had anything to do with the situation.

And they are all close together. I couldn’t land if I tried.

You could make a landing spot

Yes, and that would definitely scare it away.

Look over there, Ralem said There’s a clearing over there for you to land. It’s only about a fifteen minute walk from this area.

Jaydon flew over to where Ralem had suggested and landed. Ralem slid off and started going into the trees. When he didn’t hear Jaydon coming after him he turned around. “What are you waiting for?” he called.

Shush you might scare away the bird. And I’m not going. I can’t fit through the trees.

“Oh, so you want me to go all alone without a sword to battle this devil bird. What do you think I can do? Strangle it before it gets me with its claws?”

Jaydon shuffled his talons nervously. No, it’s just… the dragon’s bane...

“Oh so you’re scared?”

No of course not!

Jaydon puffed out his chest and half raised his wings in a defiant gesture. I am Jaydon! The Ventus Magnus R…”