Windwalker_Forbidden Flight by H. G. Chambers

Author:H. G. Chambers
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2017-12-11T05:00:00+00:00

11

Mehalia

“Kiva?”

Kivanya stretched beneath the covers of her bedding. Parchment rustled as it fell to the floor beside her. Must have fallen asleep reading, she thought.

“Kiva are you here?” Jonah’s voice called, and he appeared at the opening of her small cave.

Kiva was genuinely glad to see him.

“How are you feeling?” he asked, approaching and crouching down beside her.

Kiva rolled her shoulder. It was sore, but nowhere near as bad as it had been the night before. “Better,” she said, rubbing the sleep from her eyes and yawning. She turned to face him, and her eyes focused on his face.

“What’s wrong?” she asked.

Jonah pursed his lips. “I have news…”

Kiva sat up. “What is it? What’s going on?”

“The strike was a success. The council has agreed—women have won equal representation.”

“They did it? That’s wonderful!”

Jonah nodded. “Four men, and four women. The eldest mystic, Sidi Yehiel, will cast a final vote in the event of a tie.”

Kiva breathed a sigh of relief. Her chances for avoiding exile had just improved significantly.

Jonah however, did not seem to share in her relief.

“What is it?”

“There’s more,” he said. “Sidi Yehiel has fallen ill. The healers say he will not last a week.”

Kiva’s heart leapt. “If Yehiel dies before the trial, his sister Suriel will become the eldest mystic.”

Jonah only nodded, his expression serious.

“Don’t you understand? This is good news! Suriel is far more likely to vote in our favor.”

“There’s more,” he said flatly. “I overheard my uncle speaking with councilman Elam…”

“And?” Kiva asked impatiently.

“They are moving the trial forward, in order to ensure Sidi Yehiel’s vote.”

“Al’ahmaq!” she cursed, throwing a loose stone at the wall, then winced at the pain in her shoulder. “Can they do that?”

Jonah nodded.

“How far have they moved it? When will it be held?”

“Tonight,” he answered gravely.

Kiva’s face paled. We’re not ready. “What are we going to do?” she asked. “I can’t even climb back down to my room!”

Jonah took a deep breath. “From what I can see, we have but two options. I can have Zakai carry you down to the basin’s entrance, and you can take your chances with the council as it now stands…With the new balance of men and women, your chances for avoiding exile are good. Better than good, I’d say.”

“And what of becoming a windwalker?” she asked.

Jonah shook his head slowly. “Sidi Yehiel is old fashioned. He will not allow it.”

Kiva’s heart sank. She felt the burning of a fire, hot and defiant, kindle within her. “What is the other option?” she asked, leveling her gaze at him.

Jonah hesitated. “It’s dangerous…I swore I would do better by you, Kivanya. I…”

Kiva’s anger and frustration boiled up. She could feel the tirade forming on the tip of her tongue, but she forced it down. Jonah wasn’t the one trying to clip her wings. He only wanted to keep her alive and safe…but ultimately it was her decision to make, not his.

“Jonah,” she said, reaching for his hand. “It means a great deal to me that you care so much for my safety.

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