Windwalker: Forbidden Flight Page 9

  Kiva frowned. The prospect of the storied shades returning chilled her to the bone.

  “I’ve been reading the histories,” Jonah explained. “The grandparents of our great grandparents endured decades of siege by the Sharun.”

  “The darktime,” Kiva said, recalling the stories.

  Jonah nodded. “I can’t say for sure, but I fear we are heading for a second darktime,” Jonah spoke with conviction, and a shiver ran down Kiva’s spine.

  “Have you told any of this to Jado?” she asked.

  Jonah scoffed. “Many times. He refuses to listen…which is why we need to be ready,” he said. “And that means learning how to fight.”

  Kiva sighed. “I already know how to fight,” Kiva said, throwing an elbow back into the dummy, then following it up with her fist. It rocked on its stand, then slowly toppled over.

  Kiva turned back to him, hoping he’d view her confidence as a challenge. She was far more interested in sparring with him than with the training dummies.

  “With your limbs and fists, perhaps. But that is not what I had in mind.” He tossed her the harness. Kiva caught it, and grinned.

  Jonah put his hand to his mouth and whistled, and Kiva stepped into the harness, buckling it in front. Zakai arrived a moment later, buffeting them with wind as he set down.

  “We’re going to start simple. Talon attacks. Gain enough altitude to get a good speed up, then dive toward the dummy. Just before you are upon it, pull back on the harness, and Zakai will do the rest.”

  “Altitude, dive, pull back. Got it,” Kiva said, barely masking her excitement.

  “No aerobatics, understand? We are here to work.”

  “Understood,” she said with a nod, but she was looking eagerly at Zakai.

  He chirped an answer to Jonah as well.

  Jonah raised an eyebrow at his kiraeen, then shook his head.

  “Well? Go on then,” he said, waving a hand.

  Kiva approached, and Zakai brought his head toward her as he lowered himself. She placed a hand on his beak momentarily, then climbed up onto his back. He rose to full height, and she felt a wave ripple through his feathers. She clipped her harness to Zakai’s.

  “Oh, I almost forgot,” Jonah said, rooting around in the pouch at his waist. He removed a small strap attached to something Kiva couldn’t make out, and tossed it to her. She caught the strap, and the two glass lenses attached to it clanked together.

  “Put those on. Can’t hit a target if you can’t see it.”

  Kiva nodded, and strapped the clear glass goggles over her eyes. She wrinkled her nose, trying to get used to the feeling of them on her face.

  “Talon attacks, three targets. Got it?”

  Kiva leaned forward and clipped in at the shoulders. “Got it,” she responded.

  “Zakai—”

  “Zakai Yatir!” Kiva gave the command, and the great kiraeen sprung high into the air and flapped his wings. They soared out over the desert, and Kiva gave a gentle pull on the harness, sending Zakai into a climb. Rising higher into the sky, she grinned and breathed deeply. There truly was nothing that came even close to the experience of flight. With the moon shrouded in clouds, the desert appeared all shadows and darkness, far below. Kiva leaned gently to the left, and Zakai tilted his wings, circling around in a great arc.

  Kiva found the basin, and scanned for the dummies. She squinted. They were so high now that she was having trouble pinpointing their departure point. A small fire bloomed to life atop the walls, and Kiva pointed Zakai toward it. She took a deep breath to calm her nerves, and pushed forward on the harness. Zakai gave a powerful sweep of his wings, then tucked them in as they dropped toward the flame.

  The wind blasted by, and Kiva was suddenly grateful for the glass covering her eyes. They’d have been watering to blindness at this point. As they drew nearer to the flame, she could see that Jonah had placed it at the center of the circle. She picked out one of the shadowy target dummies and gently leaned toward it. Zakai responded, adjusting his descent toward the target.

  As they closed in, Kiva’s doubts began circling. What if I wait too long to pull up? Zakai will fly us into the ground!

  They grew closer, and she could clearly see the details of the target. The stuffed ball of cloth that was its head. The white sheet covering its lumpy body, blowing in the breeze. They fell closer…closer.

  We’re going too fast! Kiva yanked back on the harness, and Zakai screeched, spreading his wings and extending his talons. He swooped back up with such force that her stomach dropped and her limbs felt twice their weight.

  “Trust Zakai, he will know…” Jonah’s voice carried faintly over the wind before fading.

  “Uff!” Kiva muttered once they leveled out. “Sorry Zakai. Let’s try again.”

  They once again climbed and curved around, taking aim. Kiva pushed on the harness and Zakai dove. This time they were perfectly lined up. Kiva just had to keep a handle on her nerves and trust that Zakai wouldn’t fly them both into the ground at top speed.

  The wind whipped by violently as they descended, a streak of black in the night. They drew closer, and a voice in Kiva’s head began shouting that they would crash. This time she managed to ignore it. Resisting the urge to close her eyes, Kiva watched the target as they swiftly approached. Then, just before they’d have crashed into it, she pulled the harness, and Zakai spread his wings, extending his talons. She felt a dull thud as his powerful legs connected with the dummy, and they once again swooped up. The force was no less powerful, but Kiva was ready for it this time.

  “Wooohoo!” Kiva cried. She heard Jonah cheering her on from below.

  “Okay my friend, two more to go,” she said with a grin. Once they climbed high enough, Kiva leaned back hard, and Zakai climbed vertically, then tipped back further until she was upside down. He continued the loop until they were angled toward the target, and Kiva applied pressure with her right leg, causing Zakai to roll so that she was once again upright.

  They sped toward the target, and this time Kiva found it easier to ignore her fear. She even managed to throw her own weight into the impact, sending the dummy flying even farther than the last.

  The third dummy fell just as spectacularly, after which they descended to the center of the clearing, landing gently. Kiva unclipped the front two rings of her harness and sat up.

  Jonah walked up, wearing a small smile. He was holding the stuffed head of one of the dummies. “Well done, Kivanya.”

  Zakai chirped with annoyance.

  “Yes, yes,” he amended, “You too Zakai.” He gestured for Kiva to hop down.

  Zakai lowered himself, and Kiva unclipped the thigh harnesses and slid over the side. “Except I missed the first one,” she said, annoyed at having let her fear get the better of her.

  “It took me three tries to hit the target,” Jonah responded. “Four to hit it squarely.” He tossed the head to her.

  Kiva caught it and looked over to where one of the dummies lay. It had broken apart after smashing into one of the rock formations across the clearing.

  “If only we could take care of Jado so easily,” Jonah muttered.

  Kiva smiled, but it faded once she realized he wasn’t joking. “Is he not your family?” she asked.

  Jonah looked down. “No, not really. Real family doesn’t treat you like a burden. If my father were still around, he would have talked some sense into Jado by now.”

  There was a pause, and Kiva tossed away the dummy’s head, stepping closer to him. “Is it okay…I mean, can I ask—”

  “What happened to my parents? Sure, I mean it’s no secret,” Jonah turned and walked toward a small stone formation, and sat, leaning up against it. Kiva followed, sitting cross-legged facing him. He uncorked a skin bloated with liquid, and held it out to her. Kiva took it and wet her parched tongue with the cool water before handing it back.

  “I have no memory of my mother,” he said, taking a drink and corking the skin. “Though my father used
to speak of her bravery and kindness. She died giving birth to me. After that, my father decided to become a tabie—a man on the path to become a mystic.” Jonah looked up at the sky. “He had the patience of a mountain, my father. It was infuriating!” Jonah smiled.

  Kiva smiled back, waiting for him to continue.

  “Anyway…” his smile faded. “When I was ten years old, my father had the dream.”

  “The dream?” Kiva asked.

  “Ahn Ket Suun,” he said.

  Kiva nodded. She had never been one for mysticism, but every last Sahra’ was raised with the teachings of their desert deity.

  “He became convinced that he had to go on a pilgrimage, deep into the Miralaja. When the time came, I begged him not to go. A large part of it was that I’d miss him, but mostly it was because I knew whose care I’d be under in his absence.”

  “Your Uncle Jado,” Kiva said.

  Jonah nodded. There was a long pause, and his eyes appeared far away.

  “I can still remember so clearly the last time I saw my father.” There was an expression of such sadness on his face, that Kiva had a powerful urge to place an arm around him.

  “He had only a small satchel, a staff, and the clothes on his back. ‘I will see you again’ was all he said before he left me.” Jonah did nothing to hide the resentment in his voice. “Turns out that was a lie,” he said, looking away.

  Kiva’s heart went out to him. She understood at least the nature of his pain, having recently been faced with the prospect of losing her own family. Unable to restrain herself any further, she reached out and put a hand on his knee. “I am sorry,” she said.

  He turned his head to look at her with red-rimmed eyes. “It’s fine,” he said, forcing a smile. “At least one good thing came of it,” he said, thumbing his leather windwalker vest. “Jado made it clear I would be challenging the windwalker sect following my sixteenth birthday…I might have done so anyway, but not having a choice made me furious.”

  “At least he wasn’t the clayform sidi…you’d be making bricks and shakh pots all day.” Kiva smiled, attempting to lighten his spirits.

  Jonah let out a small laugh, and looked down at her hand on his knee, as if just now noticing it.

  Kiva quickly removed it, and felt her face flushing. She cursed her skin for giving her away.

  “I suppose you’re right,” he said. “Being a windwalker was the best thing for me. The solitude of the sky, the independence it affords. Did you know that windwalkers never marry? Once you’ve bonded and taken on your duties, there is little room for much else…which is fine with me,” Jonah said a little too adamantly. “At least we’ll never have to worry about being left behind, right?” He abruptly stood, and held out a hand to help her up.

  She felt a pang of regret, but pushed it aside as she took his hand. Despite her efforts, a wave of tingling flowed through her skin at his touch. She stood as quickly as possible and released his hand.

  It appeared that Jonah’s puckish demeanor had fully returned. “There is one more exercise I’d like to try tonight. Normally, this wouldn’t be attempted so early in one’s training. Were you not such a quick study, and Zakai not so capable, I wouldn’t suggest trying it. Even seasoned windwalkers can have trouble with the maneuver.”

  Kiva’s interest was instantly piqued. “I’m in,” she said. “What is it?”

  “It is called the harab. It is an emergency escape maneuver, for use when a windwalker is in danger and needs to be elsewhere, as quickly as possible.”

  “How is it done?” Kiva asked.

  “If executed improperly, it can result in injury, or even death,” Jonah warned. “Rather than explain, I will demonstrate.” Jonah walked toward the center of the clearing where Zakai waited patiently. He approached the kiraeen, and stood before him. Placing an arm on either side of Zakai’s great head, he rested his forehead against the kiraeen’s. It only lasted a moment, but Kiva understood there was something deep and profound about the gesture.

  Jonah stepped back, placing his fingers to his mouth, and whistled. At the same time he made an upward gesture with his other hand, and Zakai leapt up into the air.

  “Stand well back,” Jonah warned, and Kiva took several large steps back.

  Once she had cleared the area, Jonah glanced up to where Zakai flew. He cupped his mouth and shouted, “Zakai! Harab alan!” Jonah immediately turned and crouched, closing his eyes. Zakai screeched out and dove toward him.

  Kiva’s heart beat faster in her chest. Zakai was streaking down with incredible speed. He would reach Jonah in seconds. Kiva’s expression changed from excitement to worry, as she remembered the dummy smashing into the nearby rock. He is going too fast! There was nothing she could do.

  Suddenly Jonah burst up from his crouch, leaping into the air. His legs were straight and rigid, and his arms were extended out from his body. Zakai reached him at the exact moment that Jonah was fully extended. The kiraeen spread his wings wide, slowing his speed. At the same time, he swung his feathered legs forward, talons open wide. They closed around Jonah’s arms, and in less than an instant, Jonah was flying forward through the air beneath Zakai. His body was prone, legs hanging straight back behind him. Zakai pumped his powerful wings, and they climbed upward, narrowly avoiding one of the rock formations.

  Incredible! Kiva thought amid a swirling mixture of thrill and terror. They flew up into the darkness, out of sight. Kiva scanned the clouded night sky impatiently. A moment later she caught movement, and found Zakai’s shape descending toward the clearing. As they grew closer, Kiva could see that Jonah had somehow moved onto the kiraeen’s back.

  Her mind suddenly flared brightly with the possibilities of flying without a harness. They glided in at great speed. Once they reached the clearing, Zakai spread his wings wide, quickly slowing them. They landed gently on the stone, and Kiva ran over.

  “That was unbelievable!” she exclaimed, her eyes wide.

  “With the right training, you too—”

  “You were brilliant!” Kiva said, placing a hand to the side of Zakai’s head.

  Zakai chirped, rotating his head so that she could scratch the soft down beneath his beak.

  Jonah cleared his throat. “You know, I was involved too, right?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.

  “Oh yes, of course, very skillfully done,” she said before turning her attention back to Zakai.

  Jonah hopped down as Kiva once again congratulated the kiraeen on his excellent flying.

  “Alright,” Jonah said. “Your turn.”

  Kiva froze.

  “Relax. You won’t do it exactly like I did. For one, you only need to stand straight with your arms outstretched. Zakai will do the rest. Your only job is to keep calm, concentrate, and most importantly, hold still.”

  Kiva swallowed.

  What if I’m not ready? What if I flinch? Or Zakai misses and cuts off my arm? Or what if he drops—

  Kiva forcefully cut off that line of thinking. No. I am to become a windwalker, and windwalkers must conquer their fear.

  “Alright,” she said, nodding.

  “Good. As I said, you will stand at the center of the clearing with your arms outstretched. When you feel Zakai coming close, tense the muscles in your shoulders. This will prevent your arms from being pulled from their sockets, a very painful experience. Trust me,” he said knowingly.

  Kiva forced a nervous smile.

  “Once he has you, allow your legs to drift back and make your body parallel to the ground. This will improve airflow, and reduce the weight Zakai must carry.”

  “And how am I to get onto his back up there?” she asked.

  Jonah smiled. “That is a lesson for another day. For now, just focus on maintaining your nerve. It is no small thing, standing fast with a kiraeen bearing down on you.”

  “Right.” Kiva clenched her fists to keep her hands from shaking.

  “You’ll do fine, just remember what I told you,” Jonah said. He again whistled, mak
ing an upward hand motion, and Zakai lifted off, blasting them with air.

  “Back straight, arms out,” Jonah said, lifting her arms so that they were perpendicular to her body. He inspected her stance, and gave a nod of approval. “Remember,” he said, backing away at a jog, “Keep absolutely still.”

  Right, she thought nervously. Easy for you to say.

  She took a deep breath, fighting the urge to back out.

  “Ready?” he asked from where he stood, thirty paces away.

  “Ready.” Kiva hoped he was too far to hear the waver in her voice.

  “Zakai!” Jonah shouted. “Harab alan!”