119 Ashan 716
The rain fell in dark sheets from black clouds. The oppressive texture of the air made it feel as though there was thunder trapped within the walls of the fort; because it rolled over the rooftops, incessant. Elyna had changed into more typical clothes, a soft shirt and breaches. With all the humidity though, the dark cloth clung to her back. The Hawk sat opposite, in the wooden cage kindly found by the servant girl, Kit. Elyna held up scraps of raw meat between the bars, struggling not to cringe away from the sharp beak as he shuffled forward to snatch the meal. It was the first he had accepted from her, a good sign that he felt safer. It was also a sure way for them to bond. The bandage that held his injured wing in place was good enough for now, but it would need changing in the next two trials. She’d put sand at the bottom of the cage, and a small bowl of water. The feathers of his free wing were silky, but he could do with a bath and some grooming. Hopefully something he would do himself now he was a bit more relaxed. She examined him as best she could from a distance, checking his feet for any mess and his dark eyes that turned back on her, watchful. He needed a name.
The Skyrider collected another scrap of meat, holding it tentatively before it too was stolen from her grasp and swallowed. She smiled, despite her heavy heart and fed him once more before sealing up the food in another scrap of leather and setting it in a drawer. She didn’t want to overburden an empty stomach. His meals would be small, but often until he had completely settled. Like taking care of a kitten, or puppy.
The Noble had ignored the announcement of dinner and her own stomach growled. Covering the cage with a blanket she washed her hands and slipped out of the bedroom, pulling her jerkin over her shoulders.
It had always been her room, since the day she’d been born. The bed still had the same blankets with embroidery loving stitched by her Mother, the Duchess, and the Duchess before that. Each generation seemed to have added something to the colourful pattern. Aside from the bed there was a bookshelf, nearly empty, a desk, chair, chest where her belongings were stowed and a wash basin. The bookshelf had a collection of children’s tales, and assorted scraps of wood that she’d attempted to carve with young fingers. She shut the door on the past and turned to face the dark corridors of the Fort.
Like the house in Andaris, Elyna knew the hallways better than she had expected to remember. Listening to hear the sound of footsteps, she slipped through the deserted passageways. Most people were at dinner in the Great Hall, and their laughter drifted through the false night, caused by the storm. A servant bustled down the corridor toward her and Elyna ducked out of sight around the nearest corner, holding her breathe until the woman had passed. She couldn’t leave through the main door, it was too close to the hall. She couldn’t go through the kitchens either, because it would be the busiest room of all.
The Skyrider snuck down one final passage to a side door. It was stuck with damp in its frame and needed a good kick, before she set her shoulder to it and it swung open. It had been so forgotten and unused, that the walkway beneath had dropped away. Elyna had to sit on the lintel, and turn, weight on her arms as she slowly lowered herself down, feet outstretched until they brushed the wooden planks. Even with the path beneath, she rested her weight down slowly. If the door had been neglected, and the walkway too, then there was a good chance the planks were rotted. Stretched out she managed to catch the corner of the door and swing it, so that it slammed shut and no one would be any the wiser.
Taking care to keep to the edge of the path, balancing on her toes with arms outstretched, she felt like a little girl again. The noble woman followed the walk as it looped around towards the outer edge of the fort and rose in steps. Finally it joined the main walk way and she could breathe easier. She was soaked through, despite the jerkin. The rain was merciless and cold.
With her arms wrapped around her chest she set out with quick determined strides, head bowed against the elements to the only other bright beacon in the darkness; the Salty Grape. The Fort was lost in the rain-mist behind her. The light that spilled from the windows and the hopeful call of home, swallowed up by the storm.
