At that, he grinned. ‘We’re taking heroutside. It’s time you learn to ride.’
25
It was not as peaceful as Ezer had guessed.
It was not a beautiful, tear-inducing moment: the day when an orphaned raphon pup, raised in the darkness, finally got to break free and see the sky.
Rather, it was like herding a wet cat.
Anangrycat, for it turned out Six was terrified of the snow.
They’d gone through a back door in the catacombs, a similar tunnel protected by a portcullis with a door to the outside, guarded by two enormous Sacred.
They’d winced as Ezer walked her out, even though Six was perfectly pliable in her halter and lead.
She was surprised to find the snow had stopped. A rare day in the north, when the clouds didn’t unleash a barrage of it upon their heads. And if she didn’t know any better, she thought they might see some sunshine. Kinlear had ordered a few Scribes to set up a magical pen of sorts: a circle of small boulders with runes inscribed on their sides.
It was far enough from the domed Eagle’s Nest, far enough from the edge over the Expanse, that Six didn’t risk going overboard or panicking about the shadowstorm. The others spread out, leavingEzer and Six alone in the center of the circle. Arawn arrived to watch, his arms crossed and his eyes narrowed as he beheld her with the raphon. She couldn’t help but notice he’d brought his sword.
She reached for the stone in her pocket.
Gods help you if you come after Six with that blade.
She could hear his chuckle as her own stone warmed.I think you have it all under control, Minder. I’m just here to enjoy the show.
She huffed out a breath.That makes one of us, at least.
It wasn’t as jarring to be outside in the cool light of morning. And certainly, without the flashes of Sacred magic going on during battle. There was no other beast in the sky.
Only the one before her, twitching her tail twice.No.
‘Come on,’ Ezer said, tugging gently at the lead rope. Everyone was watching, and she felt her cheeks redden. ‘It’s not going to kill you. This isyourweather, Six. The weather of your ancestors, all the flocks before you. Snow!’
She picked up a handful, holding it out towards the raphon, who stood with her back arched, her paws on tippy toe, as if she were a housecat about to be struck by a snake.
Her tail twitched twice.
No.
‘Don’t be a baby,’ Ezer said.
Six nudged against Ezer’s cheek, filling her mind with a sudden vision.
A raphon pup, so small it was still closed-eyed and yowling as it nearly drowned in swiftly gathering snow.
‘Don’t be ridiculous,’ Ezer said, and broke the vision as she pulled away. ‘You’re not a baby anymore. It’s time to grow up, Six, and it starts with being a real raphon. In the snow.’
She held out the handful.
Six huffed hard enough to send the snow skyward in a cloud of white.
‘It’s fluffy!’ Ezer said.
Two tail twitches.
No.
‘It’s pretty. When the sun hits it, itglitters.’
