The Tiger Within 376 Flight Part 2

Kyera smiled and turned, still crouched low on the b.a.l.l.s of her feet as she prepared to fight for their lives as Ivory tried to avoid any arrows slung their way. Kyera spun the staff at the nearest arrow, causing the shadows to catch it in a snare. She swung the rod back toward the earth with all her might. The sound of screaming and a crash of wood splintering against wood was heard as the projectile sped back toward its senders. Ivory banked off the wind, and turned, trying desperately to head south.

"Kyera, the Storm!" Ivory called as the sound of thunder made a s.h.i.+ver run down Kyera's spine. This normally wouldn't be a huge deal on the back of a dragon. It just requires more care than most other flights. However, there was a small trouble that Kyera faced. Ivory's scales had a special power, one that use to get her into trouble as a child. Lightning was drawn to her, it struck and charged against Ivory's scales like the most beautiful glow of light. She herself could light the night sky with her radiance after just a few bolts, however though Ivory was immune to the electric jolt, Kyera was not.

"We have to bank back…" Kyera cried over the now howling winds. The storms on the frost lands had a tendency to just appear without a word of warning. They raged and spun with anger, picking up the power of the land, pouring their waters out to feed the life trees and provide for the children of the land. Ivory tried hard to bank off the air current she was facing and turn back, praying she was not too late. If Kyera was caught in the storm… Ember wasn't here to save them this time. This storm would mean the death of her dearest Princess.

A scream and the muscles spasming of pain nearly unseated Kyera from Ivory's back. The arrow had found its mark in Ivory's pearlescent wing. She struggled to keep them both straight as she attempted to fly back, losing alt.i.tude. Kyera stood trying to inching herself along the bones of Ivory's wing. It took a slow easy process and a careful balanced stance as she reached for the arrow, wanting to pull it from Ivory's wing. She barely made it to the arrow carefully pulling it from the thin membrane. The damage was shockingly large as she placed her hand over the wound, it was too big for her to even fit her hand over, she could fit through the rip without touching the edges. There was only so far She could go before the rip opened the bottom edge of the wing… when that happened, Ivory would barely be able to move enough air to stay in the air, more or less keep them both suspended.

"Ivory, Turn back toward the storm. You will die if we try to fly back over them." Kyera cried out her order but Ivory ignored her. Tears p.r.i.c.ked Kyera's eyes as she felt the dragons unwillingness to turn back, and her willingness to die. The shadows flowed over Ivory's back, taking control of her motion. Ivory tried to struggle but the shadows were too strong. She was forced to turn back, it pulled her into a circle. Facing into the storm Ivory roared in anger and fear, not wanting to fly further but having no choice.

"Once your in the storm, the lightning will save you." Kyera whispered into her neck. "It will heal you. The shadows will force you forward, stop fighting. There is no point in it. Just fly on. I will be fine." She tried to sooth her softly. She prepared for what she was going to have to do, her heart beating fast as the storm neared. There was a element of time to this, if she did it too quickly, Ivory would never make it to the storm.

"What about you?" Ivory demanded managing to break free of the shadows. She tried to turn, forcing herself to turn sharply and Kyera smiled softly. The black clouds were nearly upon them there. It was like playing a game of chicken, nearing the wall of death. Rain threatened to pour from the skies.

Kyera tried to work her way back to the center of Ivory's back, she couldn't be out on the wings if she wanted Ivory to make it. It wasn't to be, as a second arrow struck Ivory's wing, sending her rolling and Kyera reached down, trying to grip the leathers of the saddle. Kyera couldn't help, but scream as she gripped the small leather strap. There was a burn across her palm as the skin of her hands was shredded by the edges of the thick leather.

Hanging miles above the ground, Ivory struggling to lower herself somewhere safely without plummeting from the sky was the reality with Kyera's fingers holding to a single leather strap. Her weight swinging back and forth throwing Ivory off balance. Tears p.r.i.c.ked her eyes, streaming down her cheeks now.

The memory of Raina and Clovis having a s...o...b..ll fight with her in the Dancing Winds courtyard flashed through her mind. Remembering the warmth of being part of a family. Her mind filled with them both as she looked up, knowing she would kill Ivory and herself both if she held on. Kyera took a deep breath, letting the air fill her lungs and looked up at Ivory.

"Ivory, tell Clovis I want you to teach Raina to fly." Kyera whispered with a gentle smile as she allowed her hands to let go, and the cold air to take possession of her body.