Chapter 28
Surprise
A series of gasps rippled around Echo. Keebo grabbed her hand again and squeezed tightly. Kiani leaned into Oran’s shoulder, and Mari grasped Dorian’s sleeve. Echo’s thick voice sounded like it came from someone else as she asked, “How is that possible? How could Brecker have released Midnight Sun?” Had he found another piece of Dylarian?
“I heard that Belzac did some kind of magic, so I thought that he’d created the wings. But I guess I was wrong,” Cage answered. The wraith looked at Shimmer, then at Echo. “This means I was right about you. That energy in you isn’t just a fluke; you are magical.”
The undeniable reality struck Echo again, making her head spin. She’d been so eager to tell Cage about all of this moments ago when it still seemed like a silly dream, but hearing it from someone else made it too real. “I’m not magical. Not really. Brecker and I, and our family, are Kavalah.”
Cage’s eyebrows raised with mild surprise. “Belzac has been talking about Kavalah ever since he enslaved us. He said Kavalah were powerful, that they had strong connections to their steeds. But he never mentioned those steeds having the ability to fly.” The wraith looked admiringly at Shimmer. The horse raised her head and puffed out her chest.
Echo shook her head and glared at Cage. “So, you knew all this time about the Kavalah, and you never thought it important enough to tell me?”
Cage’s silvery eyes rested on her again. “I knew you had a special energy. I knew you and Shimmer had a strong connection. But I couldn’t be certain you were Kavalah. You gave no indication when I read your thoughts that you were from that special race. I thought Kavalah would know they were Kavalah.”
Dorian interrupted Echo’s attempt at an argument. “We will explain all of that to you later, Cage. Right now, time is running short. Have you been able to recruit any of your people to help with the upcoming battle?”
Cage’s mouth pressed into a thin line. Then he answered, “No, not yet. But I’ll do my best. Now that Belzac is busy, it should be easier to approach my people about this.” He lowered his eyes, but not before Echo caught a flash of pain in them. She wondered if he’d already been punished for attempting to recruit his people to fight against Belzac.
“Very well,” Dorian said. “We need to get to Thildin now. Echo,” he said, turning to her, “Shimmer will practice flying over Thildin for the rest of today. Flying seems to come naturally to her, but we need to know her limits. Tomorrow, we begin your new training.”
Echo’s stomach tickled. She’d dreamed forever about flying. True, she always imagined being astride a mighty dragon, but this was even better. She’d be with her closest friend.
For the remainder of that day, Dorian stood beside Echo inside the protective borders of Thildin while Echo relayed the elf’s instructions to Shimmer. Dorian put the horse through a series of movements, testing her limits and abilities. Echo was fascinated and amazed at Shimmer’s agility. Her movements weren’t as fluid as a dragon’s, but she was fast and could twist and turn in ways Echo never thought possible.
After several hours of flying, resting, and then flying again, Dorian nodded his approval. “Call her down, Echo. I think our only concern is that she cannot flip upside-down.”
Echo summoned Shimmer as she shuddered at the recent memory of her horse attempting to cork-screw through the air; thank goodness Shimmer had been close to the ground, for when she’d twisted with her feet to the sky, the horse had lost all control and crashed. She was thankfully unharmed through the ordeal and didn’t attempt the maneuver again.
Shimmer landed, her body lathered and her breathing labored. Dorian continued speaking, “You know how to ride and to fight while astride Shimmer, Echo. Now you need to learn to do those things while in the air.” He gave her a bright smile.
“Great,” Echo responded sarcastically. She was excited to ride the clouds with Shimmer, but the thought of attempting to perform any type of battle movements while zipping through the sky at blinding speeds caused her stomach to turn unpleasantly. “How will I stay on? Especially when she tips to the side? What if my hands are busy with daggers or the Sun’s Heart? I’ll slide right off!”
“We have already thought of that,” Dorian responded. “Our leather crafters are working on a saddle based on the painting on the story wall. They are doing their best to design it as closely to Azura’s saddle as possible. You will have straps that hold your legs and stirrups for your feet. They will also make certain to include some type of quick release for those straps in the event you need to dismount in haste.”
They were walking toward Echo’s home now. The golden glow of the setting sun embraced the trees and buildings as birds trilled lullabies. They were all such a contrast to her worried emotions.
Dorian and every elf around them abruptly ceased what they were doing and turned toward the sun. Echo and Shimmer halted, too, and stood silently. Soon, a chorus of unearthly voices filled the air as the elves sang the sun to set. The sound wound through the air and wrapped Echo in a blanket of peace. She wished with all her heart that she could sing, too. If hearing the music had this effect, what would singing it do? She could only imagine the glory, the joy of feeling those clear, angelic notes vibrate from her core and pour from her mouth to mingle with the other voices. Echo closed her eyes, lost in the music.
When the elves finished, Dorian touched Echo’s elbow and she opened her eyes dreamily. He gave her gentle squeeze on the shoulder and said, “Go care for Shimmer and then both of you rest. You will need your strength for tomorrow. Perhaps I will have a training partner for you by morning.” He turned and strode into the darkening trees.
Just what I need, more surprises! Echo led Shimmer to the house. The horse had pre-determined that she would stay as close to Echo as she could. Echo had half-teased that Shimmer could come and sleep next to her bed; she would’ve seriously let her horse in the house if her mother would’ve allowed it.
Echo took her time rubbing the sweat from Shimmer’s coat. The horse hungrily ate her grain and then nibbled on sweet grass as she and Echo shared thoughts and emotions. Both had worries, and both were excited. Echo brushed and brushed, vaguely aware of the surrounding darkness. She finally stopped, and Shimmer nudged her thankfully in the chest. “You’re welcome. Now don’t go rolling in the dirt. I just got you nice and clean.”
Echo gave her horse a tender hug, so grateful for being blessed with such a friend. Shimmer twitched her wings and nickered softly as if to say, “I love you, too.”
Pre-dawn gray light filled Echo’s room when her mother woke her the next morning. “Dorian is here,” she said softly, but Echo detected tenseness in her voice. “He’s waiting for you to begin training. Better get up.”
Leaping out of bed, Echo dressed quickly. She’d slept much better than she’d anticipated and now felt energy running through her veins. She was going to fly today! Maybe that’d been the cause for the strange edge in her mother’s voice. She was probably just worried.
After gulping down breakfast, Echo hugged her mother, “Don’t worry, Mom, I’ll be careful.”
Her mother squeezed her tightly, “I know, Echo.” They parted and Kiani smiled. “But I’ll still worry. It’s my job.”
They both laughed, and then Echo left the house. Dorian and Mari were standing next to Shimmer. Mari was stroking the horse’s wing feathers admiringly as she and Dorian spoke quietly. As Echo approached, a nearby tree rippled and Keebo emerged. Echo moaned. She hadn’t been expecting to perform in front of Keebo today. The fae gave her a wink and, feeling her cheeks flush, Echo prayed she wouldn’t do anything embarrassing.
The tree rippled again as Jiggers arrived. His white hair stuck out to the sides more wildly than ever, but now Echo could see pointed ear tips poking though the tangles. And, of course, he now sported wings, too. They were more transparent than Keebo’s and the veins were like delicate sil
ver threads. Jiggers’ eyes were wide as he looked at the winged horse. After gawking for several minutes, his face split into a laugh and he slapped his knee. “Ha! Ha! If I died right now, I’d die a happy fae! Isn’t she just the pixie’s pride?” He approached Shimmer and stroked her neck.
Dorian cleared his throat and spoke, “It is time, Echo. Let us make our way to the training field.” Everyone followed Dorian’s slender form through the trees. Mari stayed close to the elf and Keebo made his way next to Echo.
“How are you doing? Are you nervous? Excited? Just think, we can fly together now!” Keebo’s face was bright enough to light an entire house. Echo couldn’t help smiling.
“Let’s just see how I do first, okay? I might be a total flop at this,” she said.
“You’ll be great. You always are,” Keebo said. Echo gazed at the path, focusing on rocks and leaves, anything but Keebo’s admiring eyes. Those eyes caused the blood rush too fast through her head, making her dizzy.
Jiggers walked behind them, chattering non-stop to Shimmer or the trees or whoever or whatever happened to be listening. The sun peeked over the horizon as the group reached the training field. Dorian turned to Echo, his face a contrast to his cool and calm demeanor--he looked ready to burst with excitement. “We have a surprise for you, Echo. We needed someone to help you practice fighting while airborne. So,” he glanced at Mari, causing her cheeks to flame, “Mari found a way for us to do that. After studying the painting of the broken sword of Dylarian at the story wall, she was able to help us locate another piece of sword. We were not certain it would work--after all, the Sun’s Heart did not work for the other rider when it worked for you. But we were successful.”
Echo couldn’t stand it. Who on earth could it be? Dorian turned toward the sunrise and everyone followed suit. Through shafts of blinding light, Echo saw something approaching from the eastern sky. Shimmer whistled in greeting as the figure came closer. Echo’s heart bounded against her chest at her horse’s call and then at what she saw.
Her father sat astride Finear, soaring gracefully through the air. The stallion’s coat was blood red in the light of the rising sun, and his wings, as ebony as his flowing mane and tail, dramatically accented his shining body. Echo nearly forgot to breathe as the stallion landed solidly in front of them, his great wings causing a whoosh of air that nearly knocked them over. Her dad dismounted and approached her, his face outshining the sun behind him.
“Echo,” he said and embraced her, then stepped back and held her at arm’s length. His eyes were brimming with tears and a broad smile caused deep dimples to form on his stubbly cheeks. “Isn’t this amazing? Wait until you fly. I can’t even describe it to you! Look.” He held open his hand. A small crystal, one that had been kept in the Mareau family’s china cupboard for years, rested in her father’s hand. “This has been sitting in our house for so long. We thought it was just an heirloom. Who would’ve guessed? I had to touch the crystal to Finear’s back and ask that his wings be released while everyone touched me as they did with you and Shimmer. And it worked! Just look at him!”
Echo giggled at her dad’s boyish excitement and from her own frazzled nerves. She was suddenly dizzy with all that had transpired over the past several days and with eagerness to be next to her dad on what promised to be an unforgettable ride. “This is amazing! Now we know why you’ve always felt so close to the stallion.” She giggled again. Then she asked, “How is Mom taking all of this?” She suddenly remembered Kiani’s strained sounding voice that morning.
“She’s holding up pretty well. You’re mother is a tough little bird. She’ll be okay,” Oran answered. Then he turned to Finear standing majestically behind him. “Are we ready?” The stallion snorted and bobbed his head, causing his mane to dance around his muscular neck.
Echo’s dad turned to her again. “Are you and Shimmer ready?” he asked more softly.
The world fell out from under Echo’s feet and she drew a sharp breath. “Y-Yes. I think so,” she answered nervously. Adventure sparked in her dad’s eyes, giving Echo fuel for the task ahead. She gave her dad a quick smile, turned and nodded to Dorian and Keebo, and then approached Shimmer.
Thalen and Alena had arrived sometime during Echo’s conversation with her dad. They were just tightening the girth-strap of the elf-made saddle onto Shimmer. Echo made sure her horse felt comfortable, and then allowed Thalen to help her mount.
The saddle was barely noticeable, the leather was so soft. She felt Shimmer’s body heat through it as she tucked her knees snugly behind the crooks of Shimmer’s wings. “Your legs will be supported here,” Thalen explained as Echo slid her legs into the leather straps. “They attach here,” he pointed to the side of her calf, “and you can release them with one movement like this,” he pulled on a narrow strand of leather and both straps fell away from Echo’s legs. She nodded in understanding and allowed Thalen to re-fasten the straps.
Echo looked at her dad. He’d been given a saddle as well. Dorian spoke from where he stood at Shimmer’s withers, his hand resting at the base of her left wing. “Take things slowly at first,” he instructed. “Do not worry about trying to hold your weapons now. We will get to that later. Just get the feel of being in the sky--know how the wind feels, find currents, understand the warm and cold spots and how they affect Shimmer’s flight. See things through her perspective so that you will understand how your movements will affect her.” He squeezed her hand quickly before stepping back.
Mari, who’d remained silent until now, approached and looked up at Echo with awe and admiration. “Good luck, Echo. Be safe,” she said. Echo thanked her, and, as Mari walked toward Dorian, Echo’s eyes fell on Keebo. He gave her a great smile, but she only nodded as she swallowed a lump of nerves and excitement. She turned Shimmer toward her dad and the stallion.
“I’m ready,” she said. Her dad gave her a wink, and, in a breath, horses and riders were blazing across the ground.