Sky of Seven Colors by Rachelle Nelson

Author:Rachelle Nelson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Christian Fiction, Fantasy
ISBN: 9798886050615
Publisher: Enclave Escape
Published: 2023-04-19T00:00:00+00:00

15

“Watch me first,” the king said. “Then we’ll put you on an old bird. One that won’t fly too high.”

Cham climbed several feet up the silver bars, tilting his head back to look at us. “That’s no fun. I’m still small enough to ride, like you. And I like to go high.”

“Today is not about you,” said Dorl.

“Cham might as well ride too,” the king said. “He’s learned well this year. Let him show Alora.”

Clever. If a child could do it, then I had no excuse.

Cham followed the king to a wood barrel at the edge of the keep. They each took a glass tumbler and dipped a cup of glossy liquid out of the barrel.

“What is that?” I asked Dorl.

“Nectar. To reward the besmonns. They do not like to be caught without an incentive.”

Cham and the king entered the keep through a hinged gate, made of the same silver bars as the whole keep. The king held his tumbler high, his stance wide. Cham did the same.

“Aviore!” the king shouted.

A bird with spotted wings and a high crest descended. It hovered above the king, dipping its slender mouth into the nectar. It was larger than the king, a beautiful monster with sharp talons.

The king caught the bird at the base of its wing. In one swift motion, he pulled the creature down and swung his legs across its back.

The besmonn floated into the air, as if carrying a rider required no extra effort. It was gifted flight, beyond what should have been possible.

Next, Cham called his bird, a gray creature with clear wings like glass. Its talons shone jewel-black.

As Cham mounted, he faltered and lost his balance, then corrected himself by clutching a fist full of feathers. His besmonn let out a sharp whistle and darted into the air. Cham fought his way onto the bird’s back. Together, they flew to meet the king.

The riders circled within the keep, wind blowing through Cham’s wild hair. They flew higher, into the tip of the dome. Too high.

“Proce?” I asked. “Their wings look too delicate. How do they hold a rider?”

Proce was delighted to answer me. “Besmonns are gifted.” He confirmed my theory. “In flight, and in other ways also. Regents and Croppers will always obey the King’s Gift. We must. Besmonns are different, and not easily tamed.” He looked down at me. “I wonder if humans might be different too.”

Even if the besmonns were different, the king had still tamed them. He had found a way. My sickness gave him power over me. How many days could I live without his healing?

After a few more turns around the keep, Cham and the king flew near the gate. Dorl swung it open, and their besmonns scrambled through the opening, as if this might be their last chance. They soared into the open sky, along the ground at first, then higher.

The king gripped his halter with only one hand, letting the other wave free, balancing on his seat. He laughed.

Cham swooped and dipped, flying faster than the king.

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