In Shadows of Night

First Flight

First Flight

Theos

"Keep walking." I gave the directive to the soldiers in front of me as my wings spread behind me. "Cora, do not leave my side." My wing wrapped instinctively around her. I could feel my snarl deepen as I smelled the air.

"He's here." She quivered, her voice shaking in fear. "I can feel him." Cora was shaking; her head was darting back and forth, hyper aware of her surroundings.

"You're fine." I responded.

"It's not me I'm worried about." She quipped, her head snapping up at the crackling sound of lightning. Our entire group stilled. Thunderstorms were a recent tragedy in the far forest and, frankly, when they happen, they're catastrophic. Had you asked us thirty years ago about wailing rains and great floods, we'd laugh it off as folklore. Still, for nearly two years, we've encountered a rain so strong, with wind so fierce, it's almost like someone is crying. The whole river floods with tears of the crying winds.

A soft breeze rolled in, lifting the smell of coconut and vanilla into my senses. My wing tightened around Cora. The rain was coming. We had less than an hour or two to cross the great river before a flood set in.

"When I say go, cross the bridge 300 yards to our left. Gather at the hill a quarter mile beyond the bridge, that should keep us high enough from flooding." I addressed our troops. When I looked at Cora, she was ready to run. "You will go with me." I wrapped my arm underneath her and hoisted her up before expanding my wings. She wrapped herself around me instinctually and held to my battle vest. I jumped up and flapped my wings, leaning into her to fly up and forward. She hid her head into my chest and her small hands squeezed tighter as we began to glide through the night sky. I could feel her shaking and wrapped my arms tighter. Before I knew it, she was limp in my arms. Out cold.

In a sweeping motion, I landed on the hill, well above the flood zone and gathered my men and women to establish a safe-point before moving into the Far Forest by dawn. Cora stirred in my arms and her eyes flew open, realization that we were no longer flying dawning in panic. Her chest heaved and her eyes shifted.

"What the fuck." She said. "I passed out? What a little bitch." She scoffed, pulling herself to her feet.

"Most humans struggle with the concept of open flying." I responded, turning my back to her to speak to the soldiers now crowding around us.

"The rain could last days, but we need to keep moving. We're less than an hour from the far forest, but that could turn into much longer if the rains set in." I started.

"Sir, I think attempting the rest of this journey on foot may be unsuccessful." One of my youngest women spoke up. I turned to hear her better, but she immediately stopped speaking. "I mean, whatever you wish, my king, but I think suits would be ideal from here on in. They're pitch black, thermoregulated, and completely waterproof. Especially for Cora, I mean, her majesty? Honestly, I'm not sure what to call her, but the suits have a flight-life of 30 miles, sir. I think we should use them.

"And the rest of you agree?" I asked.

"Hmm." They muttered in agreement.

"So be it." I turned and directed Birthryn and three generals to join me in a makeshift camp made by some scavengers. An empty fire pit, littered with liquor bottles, was nested in the middle of a circle of rocks and stumps. As we sat, I adjusted my wings and nodded for Cora to wait with one of my men.

"She dies and you die." He nodded in return. I turned to Birthryn. "It's a trap." Her eyes widened.

"You think Jace is really behind this?" She gestured to the empty river below. I nodded in acknowledgement.

"And we're going to make him think we're taking it." My generals smiled, their sharp teeth gleaming in the moonlight. "Suit up. Everyone, including her, is to remain in uniform at all times, faces hidden from sight. Birthryn, find me a female guard that is similar in size to Cora and keep them close together in the front of the group."

"The front?" She asked. "Sir, Cora will be unprotected in the front." She gasped.

"Find a second and station her with me. He will take the bait." I whispered.

"Sir, are you willing to risk your people for this human?" She asked.

"I'm not willing to risk this human for Jace to win." I replied. "This isn't just about keeping her safe, it's about keeping him from gaining ground. This ends today." I huffed, walking out of the circle. In a sharp whip, I turned my head back to my generals.

"Today, I will leave with that demon in chains or I rip out his heart."