flickered in his soft, gentle eyes.
‘Brave Cloot of the Paladin, our strength will travel with you. You will need it. The Heartwood will speed you on your journey. Let it guide you.’
There was nothing else to say. Tor linked with the Flames, having memorised their special trace.
Keep me safe, beloved Flames, he whispered to them.
He was rewarded by their chiming in unison, a note long and loud.
Solyana spoke for the first time. Listen for our call, Tor. Please return to us.
Arabella added a final warning. ‘Don’t be reckless, Tor.’
He nodded solemnly and then lay down on the spongy forest floor. The Flames followed, dancing around him. Cloot flew to a branch hanging overhead. The cluster of Flames split into two, one group remaining with Tor, the other sweeping to encircle the falcon in a similar blaze of fiery tongues.
Tor closed his eyes and spoke gently to his friend. Ready?
As I ever will be, the bird replied.
The Flames of the Firmament increased in intensity in both colour and sound, surrounding Tor and Cloot with coloured light so bright that neither Solyana nor Arabella could see their shapes any longer. Tor summoned his own Colours and allowed their purity to roar through him. He let them mingle with those of the Flames and felt such an enormous well of power at his call that he suddenly knew the Spiriting itself would be very simple.
He imagined where Cloot was perched, pulled all that was himself into a tight ball and lifted from inside. It felt effortless. For a moment he floated, but he knew not to linger and within another blink he opened his eyes and saw the black and white ofCloot’s world through the bird’s vision. It was an odd sensation, yet familiar. He recalled this awkward discomfort from when he had thrown himself into Merkhud’s body all those years ago.
Welcome, Tor. Cloot’s voice sounded even deeper and smoother from within.
Tor felt Cloot stretch his wings and he stretched with them. It was a marvellous sensation.
I am honoured to be here, Tor replied with genuine humility.
Make yourself at home, Cloot said as they lifted off gracefully into the night.
Tor just had time to look down at his own body. The Flames continued to burn brightly around its form. Solyana and Arabella had taken up their vigil and sat one on either side of his body. There they would remain until he returned.
They flew higher. Tor was amazed to see through Cloot’s eyes that the Heartwood seemed to be leading them.
Cloot read his thoughts. We must follow that finger.
But what happens when we leave the Heartwood?
The Great Forest will guide us. It will show us the fastest way to Caradoon.
Until there is no more forest, Tor thought. But he refused to entertain any pessimistic thoughts. Cloot, this is the most exhilarating experience ever. He whooped loudly into Cloot’s mind.
The falcon chuckled with him, enjoying his friend’s pleasure at something he now took forgranted. His keen eyes picked out the sudden movement below.
Hold on. I see dinner.
Before Tor could protest, Cloot had banked up high, turned almost on himself and swooped into a sharp dive which would have made Tor close his eyes if only they were his. He felt a momentary nausea, which vanished in the fascination and thrill of the hunt. He could see the prey now. A young hare.
It had broken cover of the trees and was nibbling on some juicy grasses which were luring it further and further from the sanctuary of the forest. Tor shared Cloot’s knowledge and realised it was the young creature’s inexperience showing. No adult hare would be this daring…or stupid, he thought sadly.
Once again it was as though Cloot was reading his mind. We have to eat, Tor. It will be over quickly, I promise.
Their speed was as fast as Cloot would ever go. Shaped like an arrow, the falcon dropped silently from the sky, judging the quarry perfectly and giving it no chance to flee. When the hare realised its fatal error, it was already too late.
‘Brave Cloot of the Paladin, our strength will travel with you. You will need it. The Heartwood will speed you on your journey. Let it guide you.’
There was nothing else to say. Tor linked with the Flames, having memorised their special trace.
Keep me safe, beloved Flames, he whispered to them.
He was rewarded by their chiming in unison, a note long and loud.
Solyana spoke for the first time. Listen for our call, Tor. Please return to us.
Arabella added a final warning. ‘Don’t be reckless, Tor.’
He nodded solemnly and then lay down on the spongy forest floor. The Flames followed, dancing around him. Cloot flew to a branch hanging overhead. The cluster of Flames split into two, one group remaining with Tor, the other sweeping to encircle the falcon in a similar blaze of fiery tongues.
Tor closed his eyes and spoke gently to his friend. Ready?
As I ever will be, the bird replied.
The Flames of the Firmament increased in intensity in both colour and sound, surrounding Tor and Cloot with coloured light so bright that neither Solyana nor Arabella could see their shapes any longer. Tor summoned his own Colours and allowed their purity to roar through him. He let them mingle with those of the Flames and felt such an enormous well of power at his call that he suddenly knew the Spiriting itself would be very simple.
He imagined where Cloot was perched, pulled all that was himself into a tight ball and lifted from inside. It felt effortless. For a moment he floated, but he knew not to linger and within another blink he opened his eyes and saw the black and white ofCloot’s world through the bird’s vision. It was an odd sensation, yet familiar. He recalled this awkward discomfort from when he had thrown himself into Merkhud’s body all those years ago.
Welcome, Tor. Cloot’s voice sounded even deeper and smoother from within.
Tor felt Cloot stretch his wings and he stretched with them. It was a marvellous sensation.
I am honoured to be here, Tor replied with genuine humility.
Make yourself at home, Cloot said as they lifted off gracefully into the night.
Tor just had time to look down at his own body. The Flames continued to burn brightly around its form. Solyana and Arabella had taken up their vigil and sat one on either side of his body. There they would remain until he returned.
They flew higher. Tor was amazed to see through Cloot’s eyes that the Heartwood seemed to be leading them.
Cloot read his thoughts. We must follow that finger.
But what happens when we leave the Heartwood?
The Great Forest will guide us. It will show us the fastest way to Caradoon.
Until there is no more forest, Tor thought. But he refused to entertain any pessimistic thoughts. Cloot, this is the most exhilarating experience ever. He whooped loudly into Cloot’s mind.
The falcon chuckled with him, enjoying his friend’s pleasure at something he now took forgranted. His keen eyes picked out the sudden movement below.
Hold on. I see dinner.
Before Tor could protest, Cloot had banked up high, turned almost on himself and swooped into a sharp dive which would have made Tor close his eyes if only they were his. He felt a momentary nausea, which vanished in the fascination and thrill of the hunt. He could see the prey now. A young hare.
It had broken cover of the trees and was nibbling on some juicy grasses which were luring it further and further from the sanctuary of the forest. Tor shared Cloot’s knowledge and realised it was the young creature’s inexperience showing. No adult hare would be this daring…or stupid, he thought sadly.
Once again it was as though Cloot was reading his mind. We have to eat, Tor. It will be over quickly, I promise.
Their speed was as fast as Cloot would ever go. Shaped like an arrow, the falcon dropped silently from the sky, judging the quarry perfectly and giving it no chance to flee. When the hare realised its fatal error, it was already too late.
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