Telaria River

Copyright © 2013 by Jeff Knowles. 136776-KNOW

ISBN: EBook 978-1-4931-0222-8

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Rev. date: 10/23/2013

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Contents

Preface

Flight

Impasse

Pursuit

Discovery

Restoration

Alliances

Downstream

Signs

Deception

Reprieve

Passage

Poison

Travelers

Heart

Unbound

Convergence

Sanctuary

Preface

Not long ago, on our continent of Talis we faced a time of trial and challenge like none other in our history. In dreams, the images from those days still come to me—whether I want them to or not. Some were things I saw for myself; most were recollections given to me from other witnesses. I spent so much time gathering and perfecting the memories, I probably should have expected them to get stuck in my head. I can keep them from driving me mad…it’s just that they won’t leave me.

And so, dear reader, I hope you will forgive me if I translated some remembrances only into words. It was simply too difficult or painful to conjure memory-images of some of the things we saw. But there were moments of beauty and awe during those seasons of desperation, too, and they should not be forgotten. But beautiful or frightful, it was my commitment to our queen to gather and preserve memories that would illustrate our story. To that end, I have done my best. It was, after all, more than just an important part of our history. If devilry like this was crafted in another time or place, we worried, the people there might not be as lucky as we.

We are surrounded by oceans too vast and unforgiving to cross by wing or boat. But our folktales tell of other clever races living on lands far beyond our continent…or even dwelling in the depths of distant seas. Queen Taliana said: ‘Any of them clever enough to understand our words or memory-images deserve to be warned.’ I agreed to compile this chronicle, and we would try sending it out from Talis by delphin, sea bird, turtle…any means we could.

So I hope my account of these fateful events has found you in time for it to serve as caution. May your realm avoid the suffering we had to endure just to understand the origin of what we had unleashed. And may your people be reminded of a Srin teaching we should never have forgotten in the first place: when you trifle with tremendous power, you had better know what you are doing.

-Elesindra Pelennin,

Pixenni River Clan, Telaria River Valley (Sundown Branch), Continent of Talis

Chapter 1:

Flight

How odd it was that I felt so alone, there atop the waterfall, with nearly three dozen witnesses gathering below to watch. My brothers, several cousins, and various guests were lining the river down there and staring up at me. They were all so eerily silent, and I could see expressions of concern on the four sylphid visitors stationed alongside Queen Taliana. That group was close enough to see right through any efforts to hide my nervousness. I wanted to tell them I was feeling much better, but there was no time. They would just have to see for themselves.

And how ridiculous, I giggled to myself, for me to be afraid of slipping on the algae-covered stones and perhaps falling into the river. For in moments, I would intentionally leap right out over the waterfall with all its jagged, unforgiving stones.

After quietly reassuring the sylphids, Taliana glanced up at me with a warm and knowing smile. She could undoubtedly sense that I was conjuring the exact stream of srin magic she had taught me about—the one that would flood my wings with energy and sharpen my awareness of all that surrounded me. Already, the quiet gurgling of chilly water flowing around my ankles was becoming loud and sharp in my mind. No matter how gently the droplets of mist from Stony Falls struck my skin, I was aware of every single one. The tiniest change in the breeze would prompt my wings to curl and shift about in compensation, almost of their own accord. I checked their colorful petals for at least the tenth time, glancing over my shoulders at each section as I flexed and straightened it. Again I found nothing wrong with them. All that remained was to calm my jittery nerves.

This sort of gathering is customary on Talis, though if you live overseas you might not realize how much we pixenni disdain fancy things like ceremonies and costumes. We are surely the smallest and the simplest among the srinavia—the winged races of Talis. I do not mean to say we are stupid! We merely prefer the freedom to walk or fly about and live off the land, and we don’t like depending on one specific spot or being tied down by having lots of things. We don’t need them. In the Telaria River Valley—or TRV as we like to call it—there is plenty of warmth and water and food and little need for complicated clothing and trinkets. Small as we are, when we need shelter, we seek out some broadleaf plants to hide among.

Even so, I stood there wrapped in the fanciest thing I had ever worn. I was surrounded by guests from nearly all races of srinavia and every clan of pixenni. Some flew and some were on the ground, and all their petal-like wings and flower decorations added sprinkles of color to the forest’s green backdrop. The four sylphaen tribes had each sent a flier too, and now the glimmer of their iridescent wings caught my eye from Taliana’s place near the waterfall’s base. Further downstream I could just make out the bright blues and purples of an arborfae’s huge wings, but I could no longer spot the chismanni visitor. Both races are masters at camouflage in the wood, but apparently the rugged chismanni did not share the arborfae’s sense of manners when it comes to staying visible in public. Or perhaps the chismanni had simply lost interest and departed. That might be just as well, for I feared the dark-winged man representing the sylmanni was more than a little surly. If he happened to bump into the chismanni, things might get complicated.

The morning had gone so much better than expected, actually. How so many different guests could possibly get along, I’ll never know. That had worried me for days, since most of them didn’t know each other. What if they grew bored while they were waiting for me? What if disagreements arose? But my fears had been put to rest. From below the falls I only heard laughing and shrieking—the joyous kind. The girls were apparently locked in marathon game of catch me in the woods, while the boys were busy inventing some kind of trickery in the water. Taliana always came up with fun challenges at gatherings, so why had I been worried? Even though many guests were far more dressed up than they would have preferred, they were all wearing smiles as well.

Earlier, as I tried to stop fidgeting long enough for my cousins to get my costume on me, my brother Rebin had come running up the riverbank to pay me another visit. Of the three of us, Rebin is the youngest by quite a bit. For certain, he can be ridiculous sometimes. But he’s a sweet kid, and I can’t help laughing when he gets so excited that he can barely talk. I could see he was in a tizzy to tell me something; this surprised me since at his age he was more interested in playing with all the visitors than with my ceremony. I didn’t mind, really, because at least he was having fun. I have to admit it was kind of cute the way he kept going around bragging about being the ceremony girl’s brother. And at last my other brother, Alakir, had managed to stop worrying about me long enough to enjoy himself. He’s only a little younger than me and considers it his job to protect Rebin and me.

Rebin waded over to me, sputtering with excitement. Elie! Elie th … th … there’s a chis … a chisma …! Here! To see you! Come look! It came to th … th …

Rebin! I interrupted, grabbing him gently by the shoulders and laughing. I had to get him to calm down and start over, or this would go nowhere. Take a breath, crazy boy! Slow, right? That’s better. Now look at me. What are you saying?

A … a chismanni. It came to watch. Down there! It’s a h-hunter, I think. Saw us playing and stopped to watch, it did. Want me to tell it to go away, Elie? An’ want me to tell Taliana about it?

"Rebin, first of all you will not call the chismanni an ‘it’ just because you haven’t seen one up close. They may not have wings, but they are just another type of people like the dridenni or torgs. Is it a man, or a woman?"

Um … woman, really tall, he answered with wide eyes. Has a huge bow, with arrows taller than me! B-b-but, Elie, aren’t they mean, their kind? ’Specially to us flying people?

It was time to use some of my stern big sister voice. I thought I had taught him better than to listen to all the nasty stories some people make up. "Why do you say that? Don’t be ridiculous. Does she look mean? Is she doing anything mean?"

Rebin answered sheepishly. Well … no. Just annoyed each time I ran up to her and then ran away.

"That’s because that is annoying! Stop doing that. And no, I do not want you to send her away. But listen, I have a different job for you. You’re the only one I can trust with it. I knew this would get his attention. He was at that age where he liked having important assignments. His big blue eyes looked up with an expression that said, Really? Me?"

Rebin, Taliana wants to show me one more thing before I fly, so I’m too busy to talk to any more guests. I need you to go back to the chismanni as my personal messenger. Can you do that, little brother? But you have to be completely respectful, right? Speak in River Common, slowly and clearly. Use your best manners. Tell her she is welcome to represent the chismanni people at my ceremony, and she can even stay for the feast. Can you remember all that?

Of course, I can! he answered with a smile of pride. I could tell he was taking this seriously.

Great, I continued. "After that, find Alakir. He’ll make sure you have a good spot to watch me, down near Taliana. I’ll see you after my flight. Don’t forget: manners! And thanks for helping out so much today, frog-boy! His don’t call me that look gave way to a big smile, and I couldn’t help shaking my head and giggling as he splashed off to work on his mission."

One of my older cousins finished tying the ribbons of my costume, assuring it was snug enough to stay put in flight. I thanked all my helpers and pleaded with them to stop tending to me so they could go have fun with the others. I wasn’t used to being fussed over and wrapped in so much cloth, especially something as fancy as this loom-woven outfit. It felt a little awkward. But how could I not like it? Taliana had worked hard matching flowers to my wing colors and then preserving each one so it would stay beautiful on my costume. My embarrassment at all the attention was gradually fading, especially as I reminded myself that several of my friends and cousins had already had their first flight rituals.

After pushing extra srin-infused wingblood into my wings all morning, the powerful magic was now surging through their veins and flooding their membranes with energy they would use to strengthen and lift my weight. When I was nearly ready, I waded out into the shallow water. Stepping carefully to the top of the waterfall, my senses took in the nature of the day’s winds while I experimented with shaping my wings for flight. Why was I so nervous?

Taliana emerged from the wood, her magnificent white gossamer wings billowing gently behind her. Her flower decorations and an especially colorful outfit made her even more beautiful than usual. I always loved the way she could somehow radiate authority without looking the least bit intimidating, and I imagined that was how she earned the allegiance of nearly all srinavia in the TRV region. That was quite a feat considering she technically only ruled her own race, the faedren. Of course it did not hurt that she had played a critical role in brokering an end to the sylmanni-chismanni conflict and that she was known for having some of the best srin-crafting and advanced healing arts on the continent.

The queen strode gracefully to the water’s edge and motioned for me, so I waded over to the bank.

Very elegant and sophisticated, Elie! Do you like the way my seamstress put it together in your colors?

"I do! Thank you, Taliana. I cannot believe all the things you did for my ceremony!" I gave her the biggest hug I could manage and then clung to her as a wave of sadness took me by surprise.

Taliana brushed a tear from my cheek. Elie … my child … this should be a day of great happiness, not tears, right? There, there … are you not pleased with the arrangements?

I tried to compose myself before answering. I didn’t want to seem unappreciative after all she’d done. She had treated my brothers and me like her own and with nothing but kindness.

Everything is perfect. It’s just … my parents should be here to see my dress. And all the other beautiful things. And … to see me fly. That’s all. Please don’t be upset with me. I had not wept for my parents in a long time, but this day was bringing out powerful memories that reminded me how horribly I missed them. On top of that, I was embarrassed that at this age I could not keep from crying. I always held back my tears around Rebin, who was only a baby when they disappeared. He had no memories of them, which was probably for the best—he was spared most of the pain Alakir and I felt. Why they had vanished on their way home from a simple Many Tribes meeting was still a mystery. But when everyone finally had to give up searching, Taliana took us in and looked after us. I don’t think Rebin even questioned why our mother was a faedren queen, four times the height of a full-grown pixen. I was tempted to get angry with Rebin sometimes, for acting like our real parents never existed. But really I couldn’t blame him.

"The spirits of your parents will especially be with you today, Elesindra. I’m sure of it. They would be so proud to see how you’ve grown and what you have accomplished. You know I cannot truly take the hurt away. Nor should I try, for it is part of you. But … listen. I was considering doing this anyway, and now I’m sure it would be appropriate. I will give to you a glimpse of something you may find encouraging. Something that should leave no doubt in your mind that there are worlds far beyond the seas—far beyond that, even. I suspect you possess the ability to do things like this on your own one day, but for now I will help you. Are you ready to try looking far, far beyond our realm?"

Curiosity was already pushing aside my tears. What … how do you mean? I suppose, yes, but … what trickery are you up to?

Taliana laughed and stooped to get closer. "Not trickery. Srin. A special form of it that I only would teach to the most trustworthy because in the wrong hands it could be very dangerous. I can rely on you because I know you understand srin well for your age. You know that our ability to control srin is part gift, part skill, and part … something else. You also know srin must always be respected. Always used wisely. And so … let us begin. Start like you do for any conjuring. You know what to do; create your awareness zone but go deeper this time. The water is calming; you can stay in it. Stand relaxed and close your eyes. Good. Begin to push the solid world around you away. Good?"

Yah … got it, I replied, a tiny bit annoyed that she was telling me something I already knew so well.

"Good. Center yourself. Find the resonance I taught you for seeing beyond what your eyes reveal. She clasped my hands in front of my chest and held them together while I focused my thoughts. Guide it, Elie. There is only your srin, and my voice. Decide that the ground does not limit you. You are not bound to Talis. You are free to glide among the stars."

The sounds of the waterfall, the flashes of colorful pixenni and sylphids flying by—I made them all fade to a dark mist in my mind until there were only our voices and my slow, even breathing. The darkness intensified and was peaceful. I began to feel weightless and a little queasy or dizzy.

Now, open your eyes, Taliana said softly. When I did, the view literally took my breath away. All around, even below my feet where the ground had been, was complete blackness dotted with brilliant stars—and there were a million times more than I had seen on the darkest of nights.

I was simply frozen with amazement for several long moments, but was astonished to find I could breathe. My heart was fluttering like the beat of a sparrow’s wings, but I was not afraid. Though I could see only myself and the vastness around me, I did not feel alone. I could not see Taliana, but she was there, somehow.

Nothing could be more beautiful than this. Gliding gracefully through slowly changing views, brilliant dust clouds formed before me, and I began to realize each was filled with more stars than you could ever count. A warm feeling surrounded me, and I sensed the presence of my mother and father. They were here with me too in some fashion. It was as if they were wrapping me warmly in their wings and their love once again, and I had not felt so safe or happy in many a season. Time crawled to a stop, and I did not mind one bit.

I wanted to explore this vision further but heard Taliana calling me faintly. Come back now, Elesindra. Close your eyes. Follow my voice. You must come back to me now, and I did as she said. The cool water around my ankles, the bright sky, and the hushed voices of my guests—all took shape in my awareness like the world being revealed by a thinning fog.

Panting to catch my breath, I barely managed to put something like regular words together.

How long was I … how did you make …?

You were entranced just a few moments, Elie, Taliana said with a little laugh. Slow yourself down now. Time works differently with srin travel. And I didn’t make it, little one. It already exists. I just helped you to see it. You may find great and noble purposes for that ability someday, if you respect its power and learn its different faces. Did you like the vision?

Yes! It was beyond amazing and beautiful and just … I don’t have the words!

I am glad. I think it will help you focus your flying srin. Do you feel ready?

I think. Almost. I just need another look at my path and to settle my thoughts a little. I guess I hadn’t quite straightened out all my nerves yet.

You are wise to recognize that, Elie. That is perfectly normal. Let’s get you into the air. Taliana motioned for my family members to come over so she could address them. You all have done a wonderful job helping your Elie prepare. To help her now, let’s give her some peace. I got hugs from everyone and again waded across the shallow water to the rocky ledge. I could see my guests flying and walking excitedly toward their viewing places.

I was a still a little scared, and looking over the edge, it was impossible to avoid some second thoughts. Or maybe thirds. I knew what to do, but managing to fly on your own is not at all like being carried up by your parents when you are little. One mistake and … bad things can happen.

Hearing the ruffle of a wing, I turned in time to see my cousin Breen landing gracefully in the river. She was around a year older and already an accomplished flier, but we looked so alike—especially our hair and wings—that we were often mistaken for sisters. And we might as well have been. I had mostly avoided Breen when we were younger because I thought she was a noisy show-off. But after my parents disappeared, I came to realize I had been wrong about her. Aside from Taliana, nobody had helped my brothers and me more than Breen. She was also terribly fun, and indeed I’d grown to love her like both sister and best friend.

What was that all about with Taliana? she asked. It looked mysterious!

It was! She gave me the most amazing vision of the stars and … and so much! But I’ll tell you all about it later, right? I need to concentrate now.

Right. Anyway, that’s what I came up here for. To make you stop looking so worried! C’mon now, Elie, you know you can do this. You’ve practiced and practiced. I don’t think anyone was ever more ready.

Well … , I started, but Breen persisted.

"Look you just jump out, and grab the air. Right? Like it was something you could hold. Remember how scared I was on my first flight? And look at me now!"

She always knew how to read my moods, and she was right. I was being ridiculous. Still plan to be nearby if I lose control or something? I asked.

Breen pretended to sound hurt. "Well, what do you think? Of course. Eeeks, before you know it you’ll be flying circles around me. Now, I’ll brace you so you can plan your little trick." She gripped my hand firmly and counterbalanced me, allowing me to lean way over the edge.

This drew some cheers from my guests as I scanned the area below and ahead to visualize my path. I’ll be right with you, she continued, and everyone else will wait a bit so we aren’t crowded. Just follow the river to the site of the feast. She paused, and a mischievous grin slowly took over her face. If you’re nice to me, I might even show you some tricks!

"Aren’t I always nice to you? I laughed. You are something else, you know. Thank you. I’ll see you up there. If you can catch me!" Both of us were laughing and exchanged taunting looks as Breen launched into the air and swooped toward her spot alongside the waterfall.

Hear! announced Taliana, gesturing one hand gracefully across the crowd and then me. I will make this brief.

Sharply to my right, I glimpsed Breen perched on the rock wall and peering up through the water spray. We both smiled when our eyes met, probably thinking the same thing: when was Taliana ever brief during formal gatherings?

The queen continued. Our Elesindra successfully completed a journey of learning over six seasons of study and hard work. With all your support, she is made ready to join the srinavia in the airs. Today we celebrate with her as she begins her next journey. This brought a little roar of cheering that made me blush with pride. Taliana stood tall and spread her beautiful white wings out wide. She wasn’t kidding about being to the point; this was my cue! I carefully stepped to the very edge, set my wings, and closed my eyes to concentrate. Now, kin and friends of Elesindra, join me in the Chant of the First Flight. My skin tingled at the sound of so many voices in harmony.

"Creatures of Wing, Creatures of Srin,

Unite now to witness, a new sister of the wind.

Join her wingblood with srin; join the breeze with her laughter.

Let the air fill her wings, and let the joy fill her heart.

The Airs of Talis welcome their new sister, Elesindra."

My heart and breathing had quickened during the chant, as my body prepared for flight. I opened my eyes to see Taliana looking up at me with a reassuring expression. "Now, Elesindra, fly."

Bending into a slight crouch, I sprung forward and away from the ledge. For a moment I dropped like a stone, my heart skipping a few beats as the rock wall rushed up to meet me. But instinctively I quickly firmed my wings’ leading edges and cupped their surfaces to catch the air. One, two, then more wing beats. Soon their motion was so fast they became a blur of color, and the physical effort to move them was lessening. I could still feel their breadth and weight, and the rush of blood and srin into them. The sensation was different than flapping them on the ground, however, and I no longer had to think about each beat.

My downward fall slowed, and soon I was arcing slightly upward and away from the cliff. Joy pushed aside any remaining fear. This was amazing! The flight srin enhanced my senses, bringing my guests’ muffled cheering to me clearly and helping me to see amazing detail far ahead of me. My breathing was as quick as a bird’s, my heart pounded like a drummer’s beat, but I was bursting with energy to spare. It was time for my little surprise—the secret trick I’d planned to give my guests something to remember.

My technique was still a bit less than graceful, but I gained enough control to spiral back toward the waterfall and down to the pond at its base. A few of my guests gasped, perhaps thinking I was falling. I leveled out just above the water, and began speeding across the little pond. Fluttering my wings hard, I balanced in the air and pointed a foot to just barely skim one toe across the water’s surface. I had arranged a mild reaction between a particular srin directed through my foot and the water. The effect was dazzling! All along the wake I created, colorful sparks of light appeared as if hundreds of insane fireflies were bursting from the river. It worked even better than I’d expected, and the cheers and laughter I heard from everyone told me it was a success.

Then it was time to get serious about flying. Breen launched herself from the rock to catch up with me, but I wasn’t going to make it easy for her. I dug hard into the air, climbing and accelerating. I could hear the gentle rustle of Breen’s wings as she worked to close the distance, and it did not take her very long. I had watched her fly many times, amazed at her speed and grace. I knew I could never beat her in an even race, but she had promised to give me a head start and pretend to give chase just for fun.

Nice show, Elie, she laughed. "Very clever. Now watch and learn from a real flier!" I leveled off at treetop level and poured on all the speed I could muster.

"All right, Breen, the race is on! Kazeee!" With a quick backward glance, I could see the fluttering of many more wings far behind us as the rest of my flying guests took off to follow.

Rounding the first bend, the straighter section of rock-strewn river ahead looked like a good place to test my maximum speed. Straightening my body like an arrow, I pounded my wings hard and imagined pushing every drop of srin into them. Trees below us were whooshing by so fast they became a green blur, and the wind blew my hair and costume straight back. The feeling was tremendous!

Almost have you! Breen shouted behind me. I could tell she would catch me soon. Impressive first day, but is that the best you can do, fly-girl? she challenged. Her breath sounded a little strained but not as much as mine was becoming.

I don’t want to tire out my poor cousin! I quipped, and she laughed. We followed another bend as the riverbed narrowed and became rockier. This little stretch of Sundown Branch was beautiful, its water sparkling in the dappled sun as it wove its way between hundreds of boulders left by some ancient glacier. At this dizzying speed I could barely take in the view, and I had to watch carefully to avoid missing a turn or smacking into a tree.

I was proud of the speed and control I had already mastered, but soon Breen would have me, anyway. And something was becoming … not right. I didn’t want to admit it to Breen and seem weak, but by the next bend I was gulping for air and feeling very peculiar. My wings and body were working fine, but the wingblood that supplies my wings with srin was starting to feel thick and heavy. It was becoming painful to flex the petals of my wings. I could hear Breen panting too as she caught up and pulled alongside me.

You’re doing … great … Elie! You really … made me work! Want to try … some fun turns?

Sure! I replied, though truthfully I was becoming more interested in stopping to rest.

See if you … can keep up … all the way … to the clearing! she instructed, passing in front. She swooped lower and leveled out just below the treetops. Immediately we had to begin making sharp turns and dodging branches that whooshed by our faces. The other guests were well behind us by now. This seemed like it should be great fun, but things were changing fast and making it impossible to enjoy the maneuvering. As I started feeling dizzy and sick, I remembered Taliana’s instruction to search for landing options at the first sign of exhaustion.

Breen! Please … can we land … just for a bit? To my surprise I could barely get the words out.

I was … thinking that too. First … get higher. Too low now. Her answer was too quick, and her voice was too choppy. She sounded like I felt and that made me nervous. Both of us struggled to climb a little higher. The next river bend was not especially sharp, but we barely made it.

Use … Srin. Slow down … rise … over trees to clearing beyond, shouted Breen.

Kazeee! I answered, trying to sound cheerful. We tried, but I could no longer control the shape of my wings. They felt completely rigid and numb. Why was this not working? It began to feel like forward momentum was the only thing keeping us airborne.

Breen turned to look down at me, concern in her eyes. Not safe here, Elie … rise to clear … the trees. You can … Her words stopped as she suddenly dropped lower despite her efforts. The surprise and strain in her voice had me starting to panic. If she didn’t know what to do either …

I tried to reply but it was a too much struggle just to breathe. The protective and sharpening effect of flight srin on my eyes was gone; they were watering so much that the wind was streaking my cheeks with tears. Breen shrieked, and I could see she was struggling frantically to keep aloft and check on me at the same time.

My mind raced through options, none of them good. Slow and drop into the water? Too shallow and I couldn’t see the rocks to avoid. Crash-land in the trees? I’d be shredded in the branches at this speed. My wings were stiff and heavy with dull pain, and if I slowed enough for another turn I would drop like a stone.

There! screamed Breen, her voice broken and desperate. With my last remaining strength I aimed for a dirt patch she was pointing at. I lined myself up with it but could not slow down yet without dropping onto the rocks before it. Breen meant for me to use the flatter, softer dirt to tumble to a stop, I realized. In a flash of horror I also realized there wasn’t room for both of us, nor was there a similar clear spot directly ahead of her. I tried to shout Breen! but only a raspy screech escaped my mouth. I shot her a panicked glance, seeing her strangely frozen in concentration even as she plummeted to the rocks. Her wings were rigid. She was gliding, not flying.

I couldn’t really control my landing at this speed, but the alternatives were worse. For an instant, feelings of terror and serenity jumbled strangely together as I considered that this landing could be the end of me. Just as I reflexively closed my eyes for the imminent impact with the ground, I hit something else instead—like a blast of wind, but stronger. My wings were suddenly flooded with the energy of flight they’d been missing, and they billowed and cupped the air and helped slow my hurtling body.

The helpful wind was gone in an instant, and I slammed hard into the rocky soil. I screamed as intense pain flashed through my body like a bolt of lightning, from my heels up through my spine. Instinctively I tucked my head, and like some sort of very unattractive handspring my hands and head struck the dirt next. After another flip I felt parts of my wings and skin tearing as I slid across rough stones and sand. Rolling a third time, a horrible crunching sound and intense stab of pain hit my chest as it struck a rock embedded in the dirt. Then, for a time, everything was dark.

The mind, when overwhelmed by pain, can do strange things. For a moment I convinced myself that all this falling and tumbling had been a bad dream from which I was finally waking up. I think I actually smiled at the realization that I was, after all, alive. But how strangely quiet everything was. No wind. No flutter of our wings.

Someone … anyone? I managed to rasp. Someone help … Breen, please help … please come here … I could open my eyes slightly and focus enough to see blood leaking from one of my wings. How odd, I thought, the way it poured into the river. What a strange red river I would make.

My mind finally began to assemble what had happened. Then I was panicking, unable to move or see my cousin, trying to scream for her. "Breen! Where are you? Speak out! Say where you are! Please!" Silence. Straining to sit up, through blurry tears I glimpsed one of her wing tips jutting from a cluster of boulders. I tried rolling to one side so I could get to my feet, but I was simply too broken and dizzy. I fell back flat, and everything quickly faded back into darkness.

***

When at last I did hear voices, they came to me like faint wisps. She is coming around, thank the stars. Fetch some water for her and tell the others. Elie … Elie … awake, child. Do awake, now. It was Taliana’s sweet voice, and I awoke to blearily see her leaning over me. My brothers and a couple of the sylphid guests were beside her. I was on a bed of sweet-smelling grasses, my tattered ceremonial costume replaced by so many patches of healing herbs and leaves that my body looked like some sort of strange quilt. My wings were folded carefully next to me, nectar-soaked leaves between their layers to help them heal. Everything ached.

Thank the spirits, you’re back with us! Rebin shouted, leaping to throw his arms around me for a hug before Alakir slowed him down. Rebin was used to playing a bit rough with us sometimes, but this was not the time. I gave Alakir a thankful smile, and he managed a more painless hug.

Thank you, all, I started. How long have I been … The haze in my head was lifting, and I began to remember. My voice caught and I felt tears filling my eyes. Panic for my cousin gripped me. "Breen? Where is Breen?"

Shhh … she is still with us, little one, Taliana said. She gently lowered me back to the bed. Be still. Rest, so we can help you. It is so good to have you with us again … thank the heavens!

But Breen—

She shook her head sadly. I cannot keep it from you, Elesindra. She is not well. She is strong, and we think Breen will yet live. However … she … I could tell Taliana was trying not to let me see her eyes watering. Elie, her head was hurt badly. She is still in the darkness. A wing was broken beyond repair, and we fixed a broken leg so that she might walk … if she awakens. But that is our concern. I’m sorry … nothing we’ve tried has brought her mind back from the darkness, the poor dear. We can only keep trying.

I don’t like to cry, especially in front of my little brothers. But I could hold back no more and began weeping into Taliana’s arms. Alakir and Rebin leaned down to comfort me. I begged to see Breen, and later that day they carried me to her bed. It was strange the way she did not look nearly as injured as I did, overall. How sweet she still looked, though she lay motionless. The root of one wing was entirely wrapped in healing leaves, as was one leg. But a dark, dreadful bruise marred her forehead.

I later learned that in the final moments of our flight, Breen somehow channeled a massive surge of