"Blast," Wes muttered to himself as he hurried through the corridor. "I need to get some of those alchemical lanterns Senara was always on about." She'd tried so many times to get him to abandon oil lanterns in the archives, citing the threat of fire to all of the records in his care. Tonight her … Continue reading Blackbird Flies: Epilogue
Dragonkin Captain Kaidan estimated the sail to Isola would take about four days. "The island is on the southwestern edge of the archipelago," he explained, "in a cluster of abandoned islands." He noticed her surprise and added, "They were abandoned after almost all of their volcanoes erupted over the course of one month. This was … Continue reading Blackbird Flies: Chapter Twenty
Meetings Eryl couldn't find out much from the other dock hands about the ship with the dragon banner, but he was waiting when the first of the crew debarked and managed to convince the first mate to let him help with unloading the cargo. When the first mate tried to pay him for his work, … Continue reading Blackbird Flies: Chapter Nineteen
Silverfin Blaze's only real objection to staying apart from Senara and Eryl until the solstice was that they wouldn't get to hear Senara play her flute at the inn. After a promise from Senara to bring said flute with her when she visited the dragon, Blaze agreed to the arrangement. They found the ruined temple … Continue reading Blackbird Flies: Chapter Eighteen
Radia As loose as their plan to hide Blaze upon reaching Radia had been, Senara was glad of it once they reached the border. They crossed into the eastern tip of Radia, which was narrow enough that it only took them two days to reach the coast. From there, they turned west, Blaze swimming as … Continue reading Blackbird Flies: Chapter Seventeen
Practice Blaze stuck to the woods when the group reached the town the next morning, working their way around the town's outskirts while Senara and Eryl took the horse and cart to be sold. Don't forget to get straps, they reminded their human companions not long after parting ways, I want to help carry my … Continue reading Blackbird Flies: Chapter Sixteen
New Senara woke the next morning to find a new set of clothing on the dresser where the trousers had been. The smell of cooking meat reached her nose and her stomach rumbled loudly. She let out a satisfied laugh and hurried to get dressed, pausing when she reached for her slippers to find them … Continue reading Blackbird Flies: Chapter Fifteen
Reunion Senara was up with the sun, as much out of necessity as by desire, since Mistress Karen's cooks needed to get things to start making breakfast. They let her get dressed and then shooed her into the kitchen for her own quick meal before sending her on her way. One of the cooks slipped … Continue reading Blackbird Flies: Chapter Fourteen
Alone Senara found the stream and splashed into it, gasping at the shock of the cold water against her feet and ankles. For a moment, she had to resist the urge to just drop her entire body beneath the surface, to wash off some of the filth from her captivity. It was only a fleeting … Continue reading Blackbird Flies: Chapter Thirteen
Hope She thought she was dreaming at first, or hallucinating, maybe. Senara, can you hear me? Senara? Shocked into awareness, she jerked, pulling the rope around her wrists. The gag muffled her cry of pain as the raw skin was further tormented. It also muffled her confused response of "Dragon?" There you are! The dragon … Continue reading Blackbird Flies: Chapter Twelve
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