19. Connection #2
Ryder’s head turned back towards the city.
He willed Fiona and Charlie to appear on the horizon.
He hoped they had gotten out before this uprising happened.
Solace seethed like an anthill poked by a very large stick.
He heard a soft little humming sound and realized that Grayson had fallen asleep.
The tiny bird was nestled in the center of his paw.
How I love you, Ryder thought. He glanced back towards the city. No one was coming. Charlie and Fiona were in trouble. He had to go get them. So you are going to have to forgive me for leaving you right now. I know you will. But still, I am sorry to be out of your presence for even a moment.
He tenderly placed the small, sleeping bird on Khos’ broad back between its powerful shoulders.
Khos, you must keep Grayson safe. Take him up to the gate as gently as possible. Stay out of sight until I return, Ryder instructed.
Khos let out a low woof. He did not want to be without Ryder, but the Dire Wolf understood pack.
One did not leave pack behind. He patted the Dire Wolf between the ears with one massive bear paw.
Then he turned and started to lope towards the city.
His movement was too slow. It would take him too long to get to the city and it would be hard to see them from the ground.
Grayson had the right idea. Bird form it is!
He let out a breath as he shifted into his unkindness of ravens’ form.
His bear form shattered into a thousand pieces as birds burst forth and took to the sky.
Soon he was flying through the clouds, keeping most of his bird forms out of sight while the largest one–the point of the spear–flew beneath the cloud cover and could see everything.
It wasn’t long before his vision showed him beyond the walls of Solace.
The courtyard before the Spire, not to mention even the rose garden, was filled to the brim with Vampires.
They surged and seethed like the sea. They were one being crashing and thundering inside of the place.
His keen vision showed him two Vampires–well, one looked…
dead–were teleporting from place to place and each time they reappeared, they looked different.
Fiona and Charlie! But who is the dead one? Ah, no… Tanis!
The enemy Vampires surrounded the two Immortals and the dead fledgling.
He could smell their blood on the wind even as they frantically fought for their lives.
He was about to have his unkindness barrel down from the clouds and strike out eyes when there was a wave of power and everything and everyone stopped.
No need to dive bomb them, Ryder. I’ve got things in hand, Eyros’ voice filled his head.
Eyros?! What are you doing here? Ryder was shocked and alarmed.
Facing my death and destiny evidently! Eyros laughed wildly.
Eyros and Elgar stood in the eye of the storm with Fiona and Charlie.
Elgar had helped the two other Immortals to their feet.
Eyros’ robes rustled around him as if by an unseen mental wind.
Ryder could feel the desire of every Vampire in that space–was it hundreds or thousands–straining to move.
They wanted to rip out Eyros’ eyes and feed them to him.
He was an Immortal! He must be cast down!
Ryder grimaced as the flood of thoughts from the crowd slipped over his connection with Eyros and entered his mind. The hate and rage and hurt scoured his insides or so it seemed. He nearly fell from the sky, but the unkindness of ravens caught the wind and resumed its circling.
They’re really our fans, aren’t they? Eyros chuckled mirthlessly. I can see why they are going to rip me apart. Kaly did a number on them. Made them believe that we’re their true enemy. We’re the source of all their unhappiness and a danger to their future.
Kaly is wrong, Ryder found himself saying.
Well, we didn’t exactly cover ourselves in glory in the War, but you really do mean what you say. Again, to be so certain of our worthiness, Eyros sighed. I envy you.
I didn’t feel that way before. Ironically, it has been facing this past that has gotten me to this moment of clarity, Ryder explained.
Yes, and having a vision of a world to go forward in, Eyros answered.
The crowd surged forward for a moment. But then they stilled. A single bead of sweat ran down Eyros’ right temple. He gritted his teeth and gave a grin.
Eyros, you shouldn’t have come–
That’s basically what Charlie’s saying. I’ve never been greeted as a savior with such little thanks, Eyros sighed.
Charlie was staring at Eyros and speaking. It was hard to hear what he was saying over the tumult of voices in Eyros’ head. He couldn’t stem them and keep control of all of them.
It’s not that, Eyros! We don’t want you to die! We don’t want what happens to–
Happen? Yes, I know. I feel the truth of it. You actually… love me, Eyros’ mind voice twisted a little. It’s so strange to think that. I must love you too. Because I am here with Elgar… and I love him beyond anything.
I know. Oh, gods, Eyros, I know… Ryder’s mind voice drifted off. Maybe this isn’t the end for you. You’ve gotten them in hand. We’re heading to the gate for Nightvallen.
Right. To return to your time. Except that dear old Seeyr didn’t tell Fiona how to get you back, Eyros sighed.
What?! No, that’s–