“I know it seems fantastical,” Iian said. “With the airions in the skies. But look at—”
“Are those riders on their backs?” Amyu breathed, caught by the image of people riding the airions. A wave of longing swept through her. “Is that even possible?”
“There are stories,” Lara said. She chuckled. “But they are old tales of fey times. Kalisa, in the marketplace, claims her ancestors rode them.”
“I care not for fantasies,” Keir said as he drew the book closer. “But those crossbows on the towers—”
“They are called ballistas,” Iian said, pulling out another scroll. “And here is a reference to their manufacture.”
“Something like that, even if we could learn the way of it, would take time,” Heath protested.
“And here—” Iian drew out yet another scroll, “—is a reference to where the parts were stored when they were disassembled after the creatures were banished.”
“Stored?” Heath asked. “Where?”
“Banished?” Lara asked. “How?”
“In the old passages into the mountain. As to the banishment, I don’t know,” Iian admitted. “Perhaps with more time to research—”
“Those old passages are a maze,” Heath said. “But there are storage places here and there. Whether the parts remain is another story. In the meantime—”
The door opened, letting in a fresh breeze that set the candles dancing and the tapestry moving against the wall. “Warlord,” a guard said tersely, clearly struggling with his composure. “Five more of the fell creatures are overhead.”
The warriors all headed for the door, orderly, but wasting no time.
“Keep looking,” Keir said to Iian. “The past may yet aid us in this fight.”
“I will,” Iian promised.
“We could still send a messenger to the Plains,” Lara said hurriedly. “Get word to Simus.”
“I can spare no warriors,” Keir said firmly.
“Amyu could go,” Lara insisted.
Amyu flushed, and looked down.
“No, Lara,” Keir said, but his eyes were not unkind. “Aside from Amyu’s status, I will risk no one until we have contained this threat.”
With that, he was gone with the others.
“Amyu,” Lara sighed. “I—”
“I will clean up,” Amyu said. “Before I return to my duties.”
“That would be best,” Lara said with a smile, and followed the others out of the room.
The door closed behind her, and with the drafts gone, the tapestry settled against the wall. Although the airion’s eyes caught Amyu’s eye, for they still seemed to gleam in the light.
What would it be like, to ride such a thing?
Iian was gathering up his scrolls and books. “I’ve more reading to do,” he said, sounding pleased.
“I would help you with those,” Amyu offered.
“I thank you, but—” Iian gestured at her leathers and wrinkled his nose.
“Ah.” Amyu grimaced and nodded.
