8. Aer-Kin
T he buzz amongst the students was electrifying as a nervous energy overcame everyone. Aeden suddenly felt his attention well and truly switched on as he stood bolt upright and to attention. This was a moment he had dreamed of for so long.
He couldn’t speak for the other students, but he had only ever seen Aer-Kin in drawings or stories, never in person.
They were always reserved for the academies and the front lines of battle, meaning that unless you were in either of those camps, you simply did not have access to them.
Once a squadron had passed over his grandparents’ farm, but they had been too far to make out in any discernible detail.
He had never been this close to one, and Aeden’s body vibrated with the anticipation.
The news gave him a reprieve from the cursing eyes of the other students as he approached the larger group. A reprieve that Aeden was grateful for .
Master Storme continued to stare into the open field, then his head tilted as he started to watch the skies.
Clouds littered the skies, dark and unforgiving, varying in different shades of grey.
The darkest clouds were the closest, meaning that a rainstorm was brewing, or potentially a thunderstorm.
Both were something Aiden was willing to face if it meant seeing an Aer-Kin up close. Despite the initial physicality to the lesson and his confrontation with Kael at the dinner hall, today was turning into a good day after all.
Master Storme raised his finger and thumb to his mouth and let out a curt whistle. It was sharp and loud and was carried by the open field.
Nothing happened.
Master Storme kept searching the skies with utmost discipline.
“Keep your eyes on the skies, see who is the first to spot him.”
The way that Master Storme looked – the admiration on his face that softened his usual scowl – told Aeden that this wasn’t just any Aer-Kin. This was his.
There was a grumble from the sky. At first, Aeden mistook it for a low rumble of thunder, but then when it happened again, it was followed by a distinct, high-pitched noise that Aeden recognised straight away.
He had read everything he could on Aer-Kin, yet the adrenaline he felt now was like nothing he had ever experienced.
Aeden continued to stare up into the sky, holding his breath as he waited for Master Storme’s Aer-Kin to make an appearance .
“Over there!” Harrison called out, pointing towards the centre of the clouds where they hung slightly lower than the others.
And then Aiden saw it: the shadow of the beast flying towards them, its large wings flapping slowly up and down.
When it penetrated the clouds, it let out another high-pitched shriek as it approached them at an alarming speed.
It slowed as it made to land in front of Master Storme, who had his arms stretched out in the air above him.
Aeden’s heart hammered against his chest as the Aer-Kin lowered itself to the ground.
The Aer-Kin stood in the centre of the field, its massive frame crouched low but no less imposing for it.
The overcast sky above cast a dull, grey light over the world, muting the colours of the grass and darkening the metallic sheen of the grey and white scales that decorated the Aer-Kin’s body.
The creature seemed to gleam faintly, its interlocking scales rippling like liquid metal with each subtle movement of its body.
Its head turned slowly, almost lazily. The sharp ridges along its neck flared slightly with every turn, the motion so fluid it was almost hypnotic. Aeden watched with the wonder of a child as the Aer-Kin’s golden eyes darted from side to side, scanning its surroundings with a predator’s precision.
The beast adjusted its wings, folding and refolding them against its sides.
The sheer size of it was enough to steal Aeden’s breath.
Even sitting, the size of its wings was breathtaking.
The faintest pulse of light coursed through the veins of the wings, like the heartbeat of a storm gathering strength.
The overcast sky above rumbled faintly, a low growl of thunder rolling in the distance.
The Aer-Kin lifted its head at the sound, its mouth parting just enough to reveal the sharp, glinting teeth within.
The muscles along its neck tensed briefly before relaxing again, the motion rippling down its body like a wave of controlled power.
Its slow, rumbling breaths reminded Aeden just how intimidating this creature was.
There was no textbook or illustration that could have described how majestic and terrifying the Aer-Kin looked.
Master Storme beamed as he bowed his head and stretched out his arm towards it.
The Aer-Kin mirrored him and lowered his head towards Master Storme’s hand, until its large snout pressed against his palm.
The Aer-Kin let out a noise that, despite it being a low grumble, gave Aeden the feeling that it was happy to see his bonded rider.
Master Storme rubbed his hand over the giant Aer-Kin while simultaneously stroking the side of its neck, which the Aer-Kin pressed into, seemingly appreciating the gesture.
It was as if there was no one else on the field other than the two of them, as if the class of students had vanished and it was only them. Aeden found the whole moment completely fascinating as he found himself staring at the exchange.
“Now, if you approach closely, I am sure Vegar will allow you to get a closer look,” Master Storme finally said, though his eyes were unmoving from Vegar.
“Take heed of my words when I say slowly. As experienced as Vegar is, he doesn’t like sudden movements, so I suggest you sit this one out if you’re of nervous disposition. ”
Aeden slowly took a step without hesitation, his focus remaining on Vegar.
The closer he got to the Aer-Kin, the more sense it made; it was a fierce name – one that, judging by the scars spread across its body and neck like darkened cracks you would find on cave wall, was a reminder of previous battles, perhaps.
Aeden noticed that one of Vegar’s eyes was white as he drew closer, a claw mark raked down that section of its face.
It gave a silvery shine down its face that, despite it being a scar, had a magical look to it as it shone in the light.
Glancing his left and right, Aeden realised there were only seven other students that had moved forwards to get a closer look.
The expression on each face was the same, one of wonder and curiosity.
The others remained grouped up together, their faces tinged with apprehension and, understandably, a dash of fear.
As Aeden drew closer, something in the air changed. He couldn’t quite put his finger on it, and it wasn’t something he could see or even smell, but a sensation of a presence seemed to linger in the air.
“That sensation you can feel right there,” Master Storme said as if he was reading Aeden’s thoughts, “that right there is Vegar’s power, his weave.
As his bonded rider, I am connected and attuned to it.
Your ability to master the weave will depend on the intensity that you’re feeling.
Don’t let that trick you into thinking you can connect with Vegar’s weave, only a bonded rider can do that.
That very weave allows me to communicate directly with Vegar.
I can hear his voice as clear as day. As if his thoughts are my own. ”
“It’s incredible,” Aeden said, drawing closer. A warm, pulsing sensation seemed to wash over him, and any fear he might have had vanished. It was like he was sitting in a warm bath.
“Different Aer-Kin have different abilities,” Master Storme continued. “They usually complement the rider that it’s bonded too. Vegar here has an extra special ability – a passive skill that makes everyone in his vicinity feel that little bit braver. ”
So that was what that warming sensation was. It made Aeden feel like he could take on the entire world.
“That isn’t all he can do, but if I overload you with too much information, you’ll likely not remember it all.” Master Storme gave a sharp whistle, and Vegar shifted position to sit upright, revealing a belly of soft, faintly yellow skin.
Vegar made a rapid clicking noise that came from within his snout, which was firmly shut. His body language may have softened around Master Storme, but his eyes still reminded Aeden of a predator waiting to pounce.
He wondered if Vegar would be so amenable to the students approaching him if Master Storme were not there. Vegar’s eyes told him no; there was a wildness still within them.
Either way, the bond between the two of them must have been incredible for Master Storme to solicit so much control over his Aer-Kin.
“It takes years of training to master your connection with the weave. Those lessons will not start until you are bonded with your own Aer-Kin. For now, I just want you to familiarise yourself with the presence of the weave.” Master Storme turned and cast Aeden and the others a flickering grin, accompanied by a glint of wonderment in his eyes.
“Besides, if this is your first time experiencing the weave around an Aer-Kin, then you don’t have much more time.
” Master Storme’s expression turned into a menacing grin.
“What do you mean” – it hit Aeden all at once, a dizzying sensation like he had been spun on the spot hundreds of times.
The world around him vibrated violently, yet the ground did not move.
It was all in his head as a warm flush crept up his body.
When he looked at the other students, he quickly realised that it wasn’t just him.
Vivienne was on her knees, violently being sick. The other five students were the same, stopping one at a time to hurl their guts up. A putrid smell reached Aeden that nearly tipped him over the edge, but despite the overwhelming sensation to be sick, he continued to fight against it.
“What you’re feeling is normal,” Master Storme said.
He seemed to be enjoying every moment of this.
“You are completely inexperienced when it comes to the weave, and you all have a long way to go when it comes to weaving. But with dedication, hard work, and time, some of you will be able to master it.” He laughed as he watched the students around Aeden continue to cough and struggle with the sickness that had taken hold of them.
“We call it weave sickness. With time and exposure, it gets easier.”
Was he some kind of sadist? How could he be enjoying this?
Master Storme’s attention turned to Aeden, who was the only student still standing from the ones that had approached the Aer-Kin.
There was no mistaking the look of shock in Master Storme’s eyes as Aeden continued to walk towards Vegar, fighting back the urge to collapse to the ground like everyone else.
Was it the weave, was it Vegar’s passive skill, making him feel brave enough to continue, determined not to be defeated by it?
The closer he got, the stronger the feeling became, and wave after wave of hot flushes continued to radiate around his body, his cheeks burning as much as the back of his throat from the bile that was rising.
But he persevered, simply in awe at the beast that stood in front of him.
Despite the sickness, despite the discomfort, he didn’t want this moment to end.
“Can I touch him?” Aeden asked. He spoke slowly, concentrating on each word as he pushed forwards.
“If you can get to him,” Master Storme said, “but you shouldn’t be able to, not with how powerful his weave is.” His brow furrowed as he studied Aeden. “Tell me, Harrington, have you been around Aer-Kin before?”
“No, sir.” Aeden took another few steps forward.
“This is my first time.” A pressure built up inside his head, as if he were swimming too deeply, and his ears started to ring.
Lifting his legs to walk became even more difficult.
They felt as though they were made of stone as Aeden’s movements slowed and the discomfort that was radiating through his body intensified.
When he reached Vegar, he slowly held his hand out towards him, placing his palm against the rough scales of his leg. The Aer-Kin’s size was incredible, making Aeden question how a rider would even get on.
“How old is he?” he asked.
Master Storme seemed flummoxed by the simple question. “You shouldn’t be able to stand this close to an Aer-Kin for the first time, let alone ask questions.” He sighed. “Vegar is eighteen years younger than me. He hatched at this very academy before I bonded with him.”
Aeden rubbed his hand against Vegar’s scales.
This close, they were almost stone-like in appearance, cold to the touch and rough against his skin.
He felt incredible as he examined every part of the majestic creature, all the while the pressure building in his head, the high-pitched noise buried so deep that Aeden had no clue how to make it stop .
“Master Storme, I don’t feel too good,” Aeden said. Everything around him started violently shaking, and then the world went dark.