Timestamp: Summer 86-89, 513
Exhiliration.
How blessed the Endal were that these magnificent creatures chose them and let them fly the free skies above Kalea and beyond. This sense of elation was physically apparent as she sat between the rider and Kovac, one hand on the harness that held them fast and the other stretched out to the side, letting the wind rush across it and raise gooseflesh upon her skin. Every few wing beats, Vira's face lit in delight again. The last time she'd flown, the teenager had still been a Yasi, wet behind the ear and eager to experience the sensation. That had been with Raif, and what an experience it had been.
I can't believe he asked me to come hunting with him! And that he'd procured us a ride! How absolutely awesome. You must thank him properly when this is over, and the Endal too. The young woman thought, shifting herself to one side so that the wind would strike her face as she as they soared through the mountains, weaving between peaks towards their destination.
The eagle was nearing the location Kovac had chosen for hunting, a series of lochs stretching out beneath them as the eagle descended. Its flew lower and lower, eventually gliding over the lakes surface and letting out a loud screech as it soared, sending delighted chills down Vira's spine. She'd heard such before in the nesting aeries when the mothers sometimes communicated with their mates when she was in the area. The sound just reminded her of their own majesty and reinvigorated her hope to join their ranks, that an eagle would see past her deformities and recognize her abilities instead. A rider didn't need to be perfect of body to share in that blessing the eagles offered.
Vira turned her head down to the water they flew over, the reflective lake casting back their images and drawing a laugh again from the woman who'd been so troubled all of this late season so far. This opportunity was a blessing and she would not squander it with sour moods and discomforts.
At last, the area they had arranged to land on and set up their camp came into sight, the Endal turning to look back at the two and make sure neither had fallen off in the flight to the destination. He told them to hang on as the eagle suddenly tilted, wings flaring and flapping to slow itself down and eventually touching down, towering legs folding beneath itself along with its wings and settling low so that the Avora and Chiet could dismount. Once both were off and their gear as well, the Endal told them he would return midafternoon of the 89th to pick them and any kills they made up. He wished them luck and the rider and bird took off, disappearing quickly as they ascended.
It had been a good four hour flight to the locale, but the warmth of the sun and low humidity of the morning travel promised an easy setup period. Vira had only brought a few suppliesTulaj in a transport cage, eating knife, pot, brush, basket, 2 small cages, katinu, a blanket, water proof sandals (her ankle boots were currently worn) and the scarf she'd worn the day they'd gone clamming. The hardest part had been getting the albino bird into the mew for transport, Vira fully intending to use him during the hunt. He was a smart bird, afterall even when he wasn't particularly keen to listen to her. Most of the other stuff they might need they should be able to collect from the area, including shelter.
"Hey Kovac," She began as she readied herself for releasing the raptor, keeping herself off to one side in case the daft bird decided to go for her first instead of just taking off. "Thank you again for taking me with you. Nobody seems to want me on their hunting trips. I've been stuck stalking the meadows with Tulaj for treats for the hatchlings and I worry that it won't be enough as they get older. I guess they think I can't contribute." The woman lifted her shoulders in a shrug and then ducked when Tulaj burst free of the now open mew, wheeled once he was out and struck out at his handler. "Thank you for your trust in my ability. Tulaj, enough, stop being a brat." She held out her sontav-bound arm for him to land on, head turning away when he settled and flared his wings repeatedly as punishment.
The Dek in the aeries all knew Vira had a knack with birds, as did most who had spent a reasonable amount of time around her; what most didn't know was that she did possess some skill in tracking. For being a half-blind Chiet, she was pretty sharp. Now that Tulaj was settled, too, Vira pressed her right hand against her side, kneading the tension around the scarred hollow away. The flight had been relatively smooth, but Vira just wasn't accustomed to travel by Wind Eagle and with the absence of portions of muscles and nerves in the area of the pink and puffy scar tissue came the inevitable tightness of staying in one position for too long.
The signs of her stress still could be seen in the tightness around her eyes, even after a month; Kovac knew she struggled. He knew too, though, that the Chiet was trying; she didn't want to be known as the girl who fell and stayed down. That was no better than giving up. So, Vira tried to keep a good face on in public. She wore the smiles well, kept herself straight, made sure her gait was fluid and unencumbered by her side. Precision and confidence: that was the air she tried to maintain. Kovac was sure to still see through it.
"And what's the extra bow for? Afraid yours is going to break on you?" She wondered what game could possibly be in the area for him to have chosen this location or did he have ulterior motives for having them brought out this far?
The thought almost made the younger woman blush. She would not be that silly schoolgirl around him. He was a fine and respectable hunter and she would treat him thus.
Those thoughts didn't keep the memory of his kiss from her mind, though; instead, Vira forced herself to focus back on the upcoming hunt. No sense getting distracted right now.
Exhiliration.
How blessed the Endal were that these magnificent creatures chose them and let them fly the free skies above Kalea and beyond. This sense of elation was physically apparent as she sat between the rider and Kovac, one hand on the harness that held them fast and the other stretched out to the side, letting the wind rush across it and raise gooseflesh upon her skin. Every few wing beats, Vira's face lit in delight again. The last time she'd flown, the teenager had still been a Yasi, wet behind the ear and eager to experience the sensation. That had been with Raif, and what an experience it had been.
I can't believe he asked me to come hunting with him! And that he'd procured us a ride! How absolutely awesome. You must thank him properly when this is over, and the Endal too. The young woman thought, shifting herself to one side so that the wind would strike her face as she as they soared through the mountains, weaving between peaks towards their destination.
The eagle was nearing the location Kovac had chosen for hunting, a series of lochs stretching out beneath them as the eagle descended. Its flew lower and lower, eventually gliding over the lakes surface and letting out a loud screech as it soared, sending delighted chills down Vira's spine. She'd heard such before in the nesting aeries when the mothers sometimes communicated with their mates when she was in the area. The sound just reminded her of their own majesty and reinvigorated her hope to join their ranks, that an eagle would see past her deformities and recognize her abilities instead. A rider didn't need to be perfect of body to share in that blessing the eagles offered.
Vira turned her head down to the water they flew over, the reflective lake casting back their images and drawing a laugh again from the woman who'd been so troubled all of this late season so far. This opportunity was a blessing and she would not squander it with sour moods and discomforts.
At last, the area they had arranged to land on and set up their camp came into sight, the Endal turning to look back at the two and make sure neither had fallen off in the flight to the destination. He told them to hang on as the eagle suddenly tilted, wings flaring and flapping to slow itself down and eventually touching down, towering legs folding beneath itself along with its wings and settling low so that the Avora and Chiet could dismount. Once both were off and their gear as well, the Endal told them he would return midafternoon of the 89th to pick them and any kills they made up. He wished them luck and the rider and bird took off, disappearing quickly as they ascended.
It had been a good four hour flight to the locale, but the warmth of the sun and low humidity of the morning travel promised an easy setup period. Vira had only brought a few suppliesTulaj in a transport cage, eating knife, pot, brush, basket, 2 small cages, katinu, a blanket, water proof sandals (her ankle boots were currently worn) and the scarf she'd worn the day they'd gone clamming. The hardest part had been getting the albino bird into the mew for transport, Vira fully intending to use him during the hunt. He was a smart bird, afterall even when he wasn't particularly keen to listen to her. Most of the other stuff they might need they should be able to collect from the area, including shelter.
"Hey Kovac," She began as she readied herself for releasing the raptor, keeping herself off to one side in case the daft bird decided to go for her first instead of just taking off. "Thank you again for taking me with you. Nobody seems to want me on their hunting trips. I've been stuck stalking the meadows with Tulaj for treats for the hatchlings and I worry that it won't be enough as they get older. I guess they think I can't contribute." The woman lifted her shoulders in a shrug and then ducked when Tulaj burst free of the now open mew, wheeled once he was out and struck out at his handler. "Thank you for your trust in my ability. Tulaj, enough, stop being a brat." She held out her sontav-bound arm for him to land on, head turning away when he settled and flared his wings repeatedly as punishment.
The Dek in the aeries all knew Vira had a knack with birds, as did most who had spent a reasonable amount of time around her; what most didn't know was that she did possess some skill in tracking. For being a half-blind Chiet, she was pretty sharp. Now that Tulaj was settled, too, Vira pressed her right hand against her side, kneading the tension around the scarred hollow away. The flight had been relatively smooth, but Vira just wasn't accustomed to travel by Wind Eagle and with the absence of portions of muscles and nerves in the area of the pink and puffy scar tissue came the inevitable tightness of staying in one position for too long.
The signs of her stress still could be seen in the tightness around her eyes, even after a month; Kovac knew she struggled. He knew too, though, that the Chiet was trying; she didn't want to be known as the girl who fell and stayed down. That was no better than giving up. So, Vira tried to keep a good face on in public. She wore the smiles well, kept herself straight, made sure her gait was fluid and unencumbered by her side. Precision and confidence: that was the air she tried to maintain. Kovac was sure to still see through it.
"And what's the extra bow for? Afraid yours is going to break on you?" She wondered what game could possibly be in the area for him to have chosen this location or did he have ulterior motives for having them brought out this far?
The thought almost made the younger woman blush. She would not be that silly schoolgirl around him. He was a fine and respectable hunter and she would treat him thus.
Those thoughts didn't keep the memory of his kiss from her mind, though; instead, Vira forced herself to focus back on the upcoming hunt. No sense getting distracted right now.