Zy and Koron had perfect view from the slightly clouded sky. They could see Valdemar from all skyward angles. Far off, they could tell that there was a small castle. They were gliding on the rapid winds from the lake, which were now a little beneficial.
:It seems that the sun is going to rise soon. The darkest hour comes before the lightest: remarked Koron as he glanced about the sky.
:Makes me remember how tired I am: commented Zy.
:Come, let's continue, we've got to get to the castle, round up Wöryn, and get a move on. We haven't much time. I think she'll blow any time now, and anyone connected to her…well, you know what that means…:
:No, actually…: Koron said puzzled at what Zy meant.
Zy gave a huge mental sigh. :She'll blow. Anytime now, she's going to explode magically. Right now, she seems emotionally distraught, over who knows what, but I can feel it…anyone who's connected to her in any way can feel it. They're going to feel her pain. It's going to sting. But, there's always a chance that the top Herald-Mage, like me, could do something about it.:
:Doubtful. Even the top Herald-Mages have problems.: Koron snickered, remembering Zy's problems of the past and present.
:Don't remind me okay? Let's just get there. You're supposed to be leading me. Down yet?:
:Now, we'll make a huge swoop, which you're going to hate…:
:Oh joy, just what I need now, but go on.:
:Then turn into the bird's corridors, Farshan should sense me coming, although tonight we've been slightly dysfunctional.:
:Hmm. Alright.:
:Swoop here. Make sure it's even or you'll go headlong into a stone wall.:
:Oh that helps.:
Koron had suddenly disappeared, leaving Zy very nervous. :Now or never: she thought.
It took her a moment to just close her eyes and take the plunge, but she did it. The swooping feeling made her definitely want to throw up, but she held onto her wits with an iron fist. She opened her eyes right in time to notice that she was going to crash straight into the wall Koron was talking about.
:GAAAAAAH!: Zy yelled out mentally.
:Turn! Turn! TURN!!!: Koron yelled back.
Zy unfortunately forgot to turn, and smashed into the wall. Koron grabbed her before she had completely shape changed. Although in some cases handy, Zy had magically commanded herself to change human again whenever she got hurt. Not enough was known about animals or shape changing for her to stay in a strange form. Strangely enough, Zy was unhurt.
:You'll be bruised.: Koron remarked. :I had Farshan bird-proof it, since it's one of the castle's walls that seems to attract birds. We're almost there.:
After a few moments, Zy and Koron had managed to get flying again. It was unfortunate that Zysny's wing was bruised and cramped, which slowed them down, but nevertheless the continued onward. After reaching the bird's tower, they found no one there.
:Arg. This is not my day is it?: Zy remarked annoyed.
:It's no one's day apparently. At least you're not dead or something.: Koron replied.
They searched the tower, but to no avail. The stacks of supplies held no Farshan, and neither did his bed. The secret room behind his bookcase was empty and so was his closet. It seemed that he was on duty somewhere else.
Suddenly, Koron made a hawk cry that Zy could not imitate. :What was that?: Zy asked quickly.
:It's my call for Farshan. He'll hear it. I should get getting a call back any time now. No other bird in the world can make that sound, since it is a magical call between Farshan and I.:
:Odd. I don't think I'd heard of it before.: Zy puzzled, resting on one of the bird posts in the room.
Another call of the same sort rang out from the north end of the castle. After several minutes of calling, they had found their way into Vyci's room. Koron flew in and settled on Farshan's shoulder, while Zy flew straight into a linen closet without noticing it.
*
:It seems that the sun is going to rise soon. The darkest hour comes before the lightest: remarked Koron as he glanced about the sky.
:Makes me remember how tired I am: commented Zy.
:Come, let's continue, we've got to get to the castle, round up Wöryn, and get a move on. We haven't much time. I think she'll blow any time now, and anyone connected to her…well, you know what that means…:
:No, actually…: Koron said puzzled at what Zy meant.
Zy gave a huge mental sigh. :She'll blow. Anytime now, she's going to explode magically. Right now, she seems emotionally distraught, over who knows what, but I can feel it…anyone who's connected to her in any way can feel it. They're going to feel her pain. It's going to sting. But, there's always a chance that the top Herald-Mage, like me, could do something about it.:
:Doubtful. Even the top Herald-Mages have problems.: Koron snickered, remembering Zy's problems of the past and present.
:Don't remind me okay? Let's just get there. You're supposed to be leading me. Down yet?:
:Now, we'll make a huge swoop, which you're going to hate…:
:Oh joy, just what I need now, but go on.:
:Then turn into the bird's corridors, Farshan should sense me coming, although tonight we've been slightly dysfunctional.:
:Hmm. Alright.:
:Swoop here. Make sure it's even or you'll go headlong into a stone wall.:
:Oh that helps.:
Koron had suddenly disappeared, leaving Zy very nervous. :Now or never: she thought.
It took her a moment to just close her eyes and take the plunge, but she did it. The swooping feeling made her definitely want to throw up, but she held onto her wits with an iron fist. She opened her eyes right in time to notice that she was going to crash straight into the wall Koron was talking about.
:GAAAAAAH!: Zy yelled out mentally.
:Turn! Turn! TURN!!!: Koron yelled back.
Zy unfortunately forgot to turn, and smashed into the wall. Koron grabbed her before she had completely shape changed. Although in some cases handy, Zy had magically commanded herself to change human again whenever she got hurt. Not enough was known about animals or shape changing for her to stay in a strange form. Strangely enough, Zy was unhurt.
:You'll be bruised.: Koron remarked. :I had Farshan bird-proof it, since it's one of the castle's walls that seems to attract birds. We're almost there.:
After a few moments, Zy and Koron had managed to get flying again. It was unfortunate that Zysny's wing was bruised and cramped, which slowed them down, but nevertheless the continued onward. After reaching the bird's tower, they found no one there.
:Arg. This is not my day is it?: Zy remarked annoyed.
:It's no one's day apparently. At least you're not dead or something.: Koron replied.
They searched the tower, but to no avail. The stacks of supplies held no Farshan, and neither did his bed. The secret room behind his bookcase was empty and so was his closet. It seemed that he was on duty somewhere else.
Suddenly, Koron made a hawk cry that Zy could not imitate. :What was that?: Zy asked quickly.
:It's my call for Farshan. He'll hear it. I should get getting a call back any time now. No other bird in the world can make that sound, since it is a magical call between Farshan and I.:
:Odd. I don't think I'd heard of it before.: Zy puzzled, resting on one of the bird posts in the room.
Another call of the same sort rang out from the north end of the castle. After several minutes of calling, they had found their way into Vyci's room. Koron flew in and settled on Farshan's shoulder, while Zy flew straight into a linen closet without noticing it.
*