Darkwing by Kenneth Oppel

Author:Kenneth Oppel [Oppel, Kenneth]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 978-1-4434-1123-3
Publisher: HarperCollins Canada
Published: 2007-10-15T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 13

THE CROSSING

“There was a felid in the trees!” Dusk gasped to his father and the elders. “He saw us, all of us, I’m sure of it!”

“Where is he now?” Nova demanded.

“He ran back into the forest. Towards the sequoia.”

“A scout,” Icaron said. “He’s gone to tell the others. We have to leave now.”

“What about the wind?” Sol said.

“We can’t wait,” Nova said.

“Dad, there are thermals in the clearing back there,” Dusk said, and hurriedly explained his discovery. “If we ride them high enough, we can glide to the mainland.”

“We’ve never done such a thing,” said Nova. “Who’s to say the rest of us can do it?”

“Sylph’s done it,” Dusk said. “If she can do it, everyone can do it.” He fervently hoped he was right about this.

“I don’t like it,” said Nova. “The shortest route is from here. If we go back to the clearing, we just increase the distance.”

“That’s true,” said Icaron, “but if my son’s right, the extra height we gain from the thermals will let us sail across more easily.”

“It’s fine for your son,” said Nova. “All he needs to do is flap.”

“I won’t flap my sails,” said Dusk, feeling both guilty and indignant. “I’ll do it the same as everyone.”

“You’ll do no such thing,” Icaron told him harshly. “You will use all your skills and strengths. There’s no shame in it,” he added, looking fiercely at Nova.

“We should wait at least until the sand bridge appears,” Sol said. “Just in case.”

“That would be ideal,” Icaron replied, “but if we wait, the clearing will lose its heat, and there might not be enough hot air to lift us.”

“What about the birds?” said Barat. “We’ll be seen.”

“We must risk it,” said Icaron.

“I just thought of something else,” Dusk said boldly. “If we leave now, before the water’s drawn back, it means the felids can’t follow us.”

Icaron nodded. “Dusk is right. Well done.”

“This is not a decision to be made by a newborn,” snapped Nova.

“He’s not making the decision,” said Icaron. “I am. We’re going back to the clearing to ride the thermals. Go tell your families. We don’t have much time before the felids return.”

Carnassial stretched his lithe body along a sun-warmed branch and settled down contentedly, licking his paws. He liked this tree. Its broad branches were generous, the bark soft against his belly. The tangy fragrance of the sequoia needles made him sleepy.

He was pleased with the efforts of his prowl last night. Almost everyone had killed once, and some twice. The chiropter he’d taken, the leader’s mate, had been a bit stringy and tough, but later he’d caught a younger one, whose flesh was much sweeter. His stomach had become accustomed to his new carnivorous diet, and no longer cramped and twisted after feeding.

He had grown; he’d seen it first in Miacis and some of the others. The meat was making them larger and stronger. Carnassial felt it in his chest and shoulders and neck. It was just as he’d hoped. How big would they grow? he wondered.

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