Shadow Honor - Book 1 of The Trial

Shadow Honor - 22

"You're loving this, aren't you?" Kirra asked as he felt Styx relax as he gripped Kirra around his waist. When Styx had first climbed into the saddle with him he had been tense and worried, but not anymore.

"Flying? Yes," Styx answered with a contented sigh. "This is only the second time I've done it, but it already feels natural. It's different from using my hawk to slow my fall. I've never been able to do anything but fall slowly before. This is amazing."

"I know exactly what you mean," Kirra said, stroking the neck of his eagle. "Do you remember when I said I loved your eagle tattoo?"

"How could I forget?" Styx said, leaning in and surprising Kirra with a light peck of his lips just below his ear. "That's a memory I'll keep with me for a long time."

Kirra closed his eyes briefly and sighed, holding onto the feeling of Styx's lips against his skin. "It made me feel close to you, instantly," Kirra explained. "Saiyo is one of few in my life who have never let me down, and I don't know what I'd do without her. Knowing that you have an appreciation for eagles made me want to know everything else about you."

Styx opened his mouth to respond, but their momentary calm was shattered as they neared a pillar in the southern quadrant of the city. The sounds of combat assaulted their ears, metal against metal, and yelling men shouting orders to each other. There were two groups of fighters battling in the streets, but one of the men fighting below them was immediately recognizable to Styx. A bola left the man's hands and wrapped around one of his opponents, confirming without a doubt that it was Dogo.

"We need to get down there," Styx insisted, as he watched the battle. "I recognize one of them, and it looks as if he may need our help."

Kirra nodded and coaxed his eagle into a dive which forced Styx to hang on tighter. The maneuver gave them the lead over the group of Knights, and it was only a matter of seconds before they touched down on the ground. As soon as they landed Styx was able to recognize the others supporting Dogo's position. All four were gladiators he had shared a cell with, and they were fighting Salidar's soldiers with brutal efficiency.

One of Salidar's soldiers took note of the approaching Knights and called out to his fellows. Before Kirra and Styx could enter the fray Salidar's soldiers were retreating, running for the alleyways as fast as they could, though some turned and fired off arrows in their direction. Only one found its mark in an eagle flying several feet above the ground, and the black arrowhead exploded as it made contact with the eagle's feathers, coating them in black tar and bringing the bird down heavily into the ground, crashing and rolling as it threw its rider.

Dogo and his companions looked as if they were about to give chase to the soldiers, but then they noticed the plight of the Knight, and kept out of the way of the flailing eagle. They then looked to Dogo as if they were waiting for the order to flee as well. That was when Dogo's observant eyes settled on Styx, and he motioned for the gladiators to stand down. Though the gladiators eyed Dogo skeptically they did as they were told, and Dogo stepped forward to greet Styx and Kirra.

"Is the battle over already?" Styx asked in wonder as they came close enough for conversation. "Is that it? Have we won?"

"Hardly," Dogo replied with a grimace. "There's five more pillars, and our numbers are small. Grim's in the market plaza where the biggest pillar is."

Fenri's eagle landed a few feet away just as Dogo finished his report. "Point me in that direction," Prism ordered, and seeing the serious look on his face, Dogo nodded and gave quick directions. "Fenri, you have to take me there. If Grim is there, then it means that whatever demon is going to be freed is one he has to stop. I have to help him."