The streaming,
frost-kissed
banner,
doesn't need to be
touched
by human hand
or wing,
but by ice.
Lulah already has
an icy blast
streaming
from her irryss's
beak.
I can hear its cries
of pain and agony
as she forces it to use its
magic, again and again,
blows weakening
with every
strike.
My heart hardens in
response.
Elidi's keen
eyes narrow.
The torrents
veer wide
and wild.
She is
desperate
to win.
An errant blast,
nowhere near the flag,
hits Cashel's mount
instead.
She screams in pain,
free-falling
through the air,
back towards the base of the mountain.
Victory gleams in Lulah's eyes.
A smug smile that serves as a warning
for Elidi and I not to get too close.
I look down in horror,
but Cashel has righted his
mount at the last moment.
They are okay,
but they are now far behind.
Another blast, this
one hitting its intended target,
and Lulah wheels, turning back
towards the aerie
and the finishing line.
I cannot let her win.
She represents
every
worst
trait an
Irryss rider can have.
She shows no
respect for her irryss.
She shows no
regard for the
Safety of other
competitors.
I don't just want to win for
me;
I cannot have her
representing
Alaria in the races.
"Come on, Elidi,"
I urge.
With a blast of ice, blue air,
she freezes the banner whole.
And
turns
without a gesture from me.
This race is something
more
for her now, too.
{I'm sorry it's been so long since the last update! Will try to get verse XXXIX up next week. This section has proven really tricky to write, but once I'm through it I'm hoping the story will flow again! I'm dedicating this chapter to midnightshadow368 for being such an awesome reader and spotting the errors I've missed so I can fix them - I really appreciate it!}
YOU ARE READING
On Sapphire Wings
FantasyA fantasy novel told in free verse. Gwen runs through the streets of Alaria but dreams of soaring through its skies. Her mother's tragic death while Iryss racing sees her ambition grounded by her overprotective father. But the biannual Iryss races...
