Story #332 - Seated

Seated

“It won’t work,” her friend said flatly, but Erinth ignored the words and stepped back from the edge, measuring out her steps. “Erinth,” Phalo went on, “please – don’t do this. We’ve both been Seated. You don’t need to prove that you’re better than I am. I know that already.” The last was said with a small smile; they had been competing since they were both old enough to ride, but that she wasn’t trying to one-up Phalo; she had to know if what she was planning would work. It could come in very handy some day.

“Please,” she said with smile, “get out of my way, Phalo.” The tall young man hesitated, confusion plain on his face. He didn’t want to be the cause of Erinth’s supposed death at her own stupidity, but he also didn’t want to be knocked over the edge into the skybank when she came charging.

“No.” He raised his chin and stared her down through narrowed eyes. “You will have to knock me down.”

Ernith stared back; Phalo knew better than to challenge her when she’d made up her mind, but he clearly felt the issue was worth risking her ire. While she could understand his concern – jumping into the skybank without being mounted was tantamount to suicide, and Erinth didn’t exactly have a track record of being stable and sensible. She smiled at the thought of Instructor Arrin’s face, hard and angry as he had handed over her saddle two days ago. The Instructor had been firmly against her being Seated, but her skills were such that denial would jeopardize the entire process. Though Arrin had been forced to capitulate and agree to her elevation, he wasn’t shy about letting his displeasure show.

“Fine.” As she said the word she took two quick steps forward and Phalo threw himself to the side. He wasn’t stupid, and wasn’t about to go over the edge with her, no matter how much he pretended otherwise.

“You’re a jerk!” He screamed as she backed up again, ready for another try. “Why would you scare me like that? When will you learn that these kinds of bluffs aren’t funny?”

“Phalo,” Erinth said softy, “you should know better than that.” She smiled. “I never bluff.”

A from scream from her friend chased Erinth as she sprinted forward, her heart pounding at the thought of open sky beyond the edge. Her plan would work, she was sure, she just didn’t know how far she’d fall before it did.

“Calmine!” She bellowed as solid ground disappeared and clear blue nothingness took its place. The big cloudhorse had been loosed from his reins earlier that morning, and she knew enough about his breed to be certain just how well he could hear.

For a long moment there was nothing but the sound of rushing wind in her ears and the sensation of sickening speed, traced by the failing sound of Phalo’s terror. Her own fear was starting to rise – though no one knew what lay below the clouds, she had no desire to find out face-first.

“Calmine!” She screamed again. “Please!”

Suddenly a familiar weight was under her, a warm and pulsing power that stopped her descent and began to lift her back above the clouds. It took all the willpower she possessed to grab the reins instead of wrap both hands desperately around the dark cloudhorse’s shoulder’s, but she had to remain in control at all times. She was Seated now, not some first-time rider.

That was unwise.

Calmine’s tone was unimpressed. She had discovered early on in her training that she and the cloudhorse shared a bond no others at the school – including Phalo – understood, and also discovered that Calmine was largely unimpressed with humanity. He found her an oddity, and served her because of something he called The Pact, but would never elaborate on exactly what that meant.

“I’m fine!” She said out loud. “It certainly took you long enough to get here!”

I thought it best to let you contemplate the potential consequences of your actions. I will not always be so close by.

He had a point – while all cloudhorses had superb hearing, Calmine’s ability to transmit thoughts worked only over a short distance. Still, her back stiffened and she leaned in close to his left ear.

“Listen to me, Calmine. You will come when I call and not question my decisions, no matter your feelings on the subject. I am Seated now, not some apprentice you can order around!” She had never taken his directions well, even when she was an apprentice, but the point stood – she had earned her place.

Is that so? The cloudhorse’s thought carried a feeling of amusement. Perhaps you are right, at that, Master. Perhaps it is time you learned more exactly what being Seated means. A sinking feeling formed in her stomach at Calmine’s words. Something strange was going on.

A glance over her shoulder told Erinth the cloudhorse was rapidly carrying her away from the safety of the city and its landings. Where was the beast taking her?

“Calmine!” She tried to make her voice sound authoritative. “You will take us back. Now!”

I will do no such thing, Master. While I honor you because of The Pact, you are ignorant of the rules you must follow. As such, I am given the authority to bring you before the Council so that you may be properly instructed.

“The Council?” Erinth screamed. “What are you talking about?” Clouds were rushing by and a hazy shape had begun to form, one that quickly firmed into a broad green and blue swath hundreds of times larger than the city above.

Those few we send to you are but a fragment of our numbers, only those required by our ancient agreement. You are a young and foolish race, but we still have some hope that you may be raised up. Certain individuals, however - Calmine’s tone left no doubt about exactly who he meant - give my brethren and I great cause for concern.

Her mount pulled up sharply as the green expanse came close.

Welcome to the ground, child. Welcome to your destiny.

Erinth shivered. She should have listened to Phalo.

- D