For once this project of NadalÕs was an individual effort. Usually the horde was almost bureaucratic in its function, with ob Insame getting ÒhisÓ ideas from Thadius Roth, then going through Kaliban to select a hordebeast to serve as a test dummy. All delegation of responsibility.
Not this time, though. Nadal was exceedingly proud of his own idea, and the weasel had set it in his mind to keep this plot entirely his own mental property. He lovingly stroked his leathery bat wings, sliding his arms into straps heÕd fastened on the top, harnessing the bottom edges to his waist, slipping the fingers under the skin of the spars. So arranged, Nadal flexed experimentally. So far, everything was moving according to plan.
Nadal had enlisted his trusty Holdsclaw to assist him only at the last moment. The two stood atop the Northern tower, an odd silhouette against the lights from below.
ÒOnce I jump, you take off and stay directly underneath me. Understand? No more than eight feet below me. If anything happens, or if I signal, you catch me. You will catch me.Ó NadalÕs face was expressionless, but his voice alone was threat enough to make his orders undisputable.
NadalÕs abdomen twinged as he looked down the sheer drop of his tower. For a moment the weasel feared the onset of his problems, but he dismissed that from his mind and jumped, stolen wings spread wide.
The weasel soon relaxed in the evening air, experimenting on turning and steering, catching little eddys in the air. Yet unlike the late Raskol Nadal wasnÕt relishing the sensation of flight so much as what flying at last meant for him. Here was something that worked and even had an element of natural control to it. He could find a way to carry weapons in flight, and he could find more bats...
Suddenly NadalÕs stomach twinged again. With the muscle spasm, NadalÕs whole body tensed and he lost control of his position. Holdsclaw caught him, just as directed.

*****

Holdsclaw had been completely convinced that Nyctllr and Troyte stood no chance with their escape plans. HeÕd even dared them to go through with it, assuring them that Nadal would catch them and use them for spare parts as well. Holdsclaw went so far as to tempt them by leaving the dooor unlocked after Nadal called for his assistance.
The raven had not wagered correctly on the determination of the small.
A batÕs echolocation is inaudible to others, so Troyte was extremely confused when Nyc seemed to be speaking and listening, despite the fact that no obvious sound was coming out. He trusted Nyc, though, and took her audible word for it that she could no longer detect Nadal and Holdsclaw.
In the silent manner that becomes her species, Nyc eased open the door. The other captive ravens ruffled slightly as Troyte clattered through, but none awakened. With equal stealth, Nyc latched the door behind her.
They found themselves on the roof of the Northern tower. Again Nyc echolocated, then motioned for Troyte to follow her.
ÒUm, Nyc, one problem,Ó the hawk whispered. ÒI canÕt see much past my own beak. ItÕs too dark.Ó
Nyc had already glided off the tower, but she returned at the hawkÕs complaint. ÒCan you see me at all?Ó
ÒNow I can,Ó Troyte told her. ÒBut I donÕt think I could in the air. Maybe if you beat your wings particularly hard I could feel the wind in my face...Ó
Nyc turned her head to the side, sensitive ears twitching. ÒWeÕll try.Ó She leapt. Troyte followed.
Nyctllr was at first hesitant in her pathfinding, winging about the unfamiliar air surrounding the twin towers. Soon, though, she felt the familiar tug of a certain wind against her wings. Knowing that meant they were in the clear, Nyc called back to Troyte, ÒWeÕve found the Windburn! WeÕre off!Ó

*****

Oblivious to all other occurences within the towers, Thadius Roth sat in his study, gold-rimmed spectacles perched on his nose, meticulously sketching fine lines on some sort of diagram. The wax candles on his desk had dribbled all over his other papers. Of this the fox did not know, but he wouldnÕt have particularly cared either. His mind was riveted to that one sheet on which he worked.
The dark hours waned, but in the predawn Thadius heldw an exquisitely detailed picture of a strange contraption up to the candlelight. The tip was pointed like an arrowhead, though turned on its side. Attached to this was a long flat board, with large batlike wings to either side. An inset diagram demonstrated how a creature was supposed to lay on the board, using his fingers to control the wings. Beneath each wing, as shown in another inset, was a small metal container in which a fire burned, giving extra lift to the waxed canvas wings. A final inset demonstrated how the contraption was to be set aloft via a giant bow.
Roth wearily lay the sheet flat on his desk, then collapsed onto his cot. His tired muscles still managed to smile, however, as he drifted off to sleep with visions of certain flight in his head.