The Bluebird by Cordelia Castel

Author:Cordelia Castel [Castel, Cordelia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-06-04T04:00:00+00:00

The next morning, Paloma and Orson met General Cassowary and Tula on the main deck of the flying ship. The other bluebirds perched around the deck to watch the spectacle, and Orel stood as referee.

Orel raised his hands, and the chattering stopped. “In accordance with the traditions of the Fairy Fighting Force, Sergeant Paloma has challenged the leadership of General Cassowary. Both parties are to duel to the death. Seconds, advance.”

Tula stepped forward, holding the General’s sheathed sword. Orson approached with a smaller version of his own scimitar. Paloma’s lips parted, and she was about to ask when he winked. She clamped her mouth shut and took the sword.

“Seconds, please retreat,” said Orel.

Both Tula and Orson stepped back, and the General narrowed his eyes. “Nobody will disparage you if you forfeit.”

“I suggest you defend yourself, because I’m going to win.”

Shaking his head, he unsheathed his sword. “If you insist.”

They circled each other, eyes narrowed. Paloma’s throat dried. Orson’s scant lessons wouldn’t be enough to compensate for the General’s superior skills.

His frown and tightly pressed lips reminded her of the man she had once called Father. He had always seemed disappointed with her. But seeing the same expression on General Cassowary’s face made her heart twist.

Without warning, he charged. Paloma’s stomach lurched. She stepped back, widening her stance, pulse pounding in her ears.

“On guard!” snapped Orson from behind.

Gritting her teeth, she raised her scimitar. It met the General’s strike in a thunk of metal, but without the usual pain of impact. Somehow, her sword had absorbed the blow. The General’s brows rose, and he leaped back.

She grinned. Orson’s gift might just give her the edge. “My turn now.”

Paloma swung at his throat. General Cassowary pivoted out of her sword’s trajectory. “Too slow!”

“Ha!” She lurched forward. With one downward strike, Paloma’s heavier blade struck the General’s longsword. It twisted out of his hand, and flew across the deck. She drew in a shocked breath and jumped back, staring into the General’s wide eyes.

“General Cassowary,” said Orel. “You yield?”

His face contorted into a snarl. “What trickery is this?”

Heat flared across Paloma’s cheeks. “What are you accusing me of?”

“In all the years I have trained you, you’ve never demonstrated this level of speed and agility. What did you do?”

She lifted her chin, meeting her former mentor’s fury. “Maybe I found myself a different teacher.”

The General’s glare moved to a spot over Paloma's shoulder. “This is your doing!”

“Accept your defeat,” said Orson. “The pupil has surpassed her master.”

General Cassowary’s lip curled. “It would appear that the pupil has a new master. And I will not serve under an addled child! Who is with me?”

Two thirds of the platoon gave affirmative chirps. Paloma squared her shoulders. It didn’t matter how many of them went off with the now former General. They were the deserters, and not her. As long as she stayed close to her mate, nothing else mattered.

“Orel, are you coming?” asked General Cassowary.

He shook his head. “I’m somewhat responsible for Paloma, so I’ll stay.”

She suppressed a smile.

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