Sky Warriors: Poleuthan's Thief (Sky Warriors Saga Book 1) (40 page)

Chapter 21: Silk and Deception

The stormy rain lashed and pattered off Ange’s white armor, none of the water managed to seep through and drench her but the cold wind and thundering sky made her shiver as Showl quickly fought the gales and tried to rise above the storm. She was thankful that Showl had packed the helmet and that the cloak was weather proof, sleeking the rain away like the oiled feathers of a duck.

Ange glanced back at the dwindling Tower of
Ingled, she was disappointed she had to leave Felis behind but she would be good for Richard. She caught a glimpse of him as she had rushed down the stairs with Showl after packing her belongings, he had stared after her with a blank gaze.

The Bookmen were surprised with their sudden need to leave and insisted that she return as soon as she could to continue learning. She had grudgingly agreed, realizing she was actually enjoying her education.

Just as Showl had transformed, Asmanth had stopped her, surprising her with a book covered in cloth that he pressed into her hands.

“Take it with you,” he had stated quietly before retreating among the other Bookmen.

Ange had been shocked as she uncovered the book, it was the tome Harfang had written, the one that held a morbid interest to her. She wondered how the head Bookman had known and for how long.

Flying quickly over the storm the air above was oddly still with sudden bursts of turbulent air that made Showl bounce on his flight path. Ange gazed down at the blanket of gray clouds, surprised by its expansion. They flew several hours and she was more than certain that the storm reached deep into the mainland as she looked up at the starlit night, the moons gone from the heavens as she charted the constellations she had memorized.

She vigorously tried to measure the distance they had traveled without Showl’s assistance, he was quiet, his mind still as calm water as he traveled the skies. She observed his enormous length, trying to measure his wing length and as she looked back, able to see clearly his entire length she realized her eyesight was still improving. She clenched her fist and tried to measure the strain and strength her muscles would exert but it was difficult to determine especially since she had allocated little time to excising during her stay at the tower except for complex stretches to increase her balance and flexibility.

Soon, she was becoming sleepy and her eyelids drooped tiredly despite the awe-inspiring view that slowly turned above her head. They left the storm behind and now flew under the bows of northern lights, weaving in an everlasting dance among the rivers of stars.

“Sleep, little thief. I will wake you when it is time,”
Showl promised.

Ange let out a tired sigh, groggily nodding her head as she stretched herself over the length of the saddle and breathed a cool breath before her minds slipped into sleep, dreaming of the endless streams of stars and infinite possibilities of the universe.

“Angeline, wake, we have arrived,”
Showl’s words probed her mind, lulling her outside her dreams. She lazily blinked her eyes, squinting against the sunlight, a distortion of brown was before her eyes and she had to blink several times and rub her eyes before she could make out the object.

It was the castle island and dawn was just compassing the world with brilliant shades of gold and pink to the softest of lilacs.

Ange perked up immediately shuffling back bumping into their bags of belongings. She glared down at the stony outcrop, expecting to see anyone among the giant balconies. Finally on an eastern ledge stood eight figures by one of the many giant doors.

Showl gently rode the currents down as they ascended Ange was suddenly caught by a wave of awestruck as she watched Showl’s shadow eclipse the Sky Warriors below. She, a lowly orphan and thief was riding a dragon, her dragon, and had stepped into the world that she had once believed was myth and was already part of their history, a forgotten time the people of
Domus may never know again.

The idea brought sorrow to Ange but was quickly swept away by nervousness as Showl’s claws and padded feet softened their landing as she
undoubtedly felt Ileana’s suspicious glare on them.

“You weren’t kidding about getting into trouble
,” she muttered mentally as defiance took her, she wasn’t going to be afraid of their ‘leader’s’ disapproval.

“Of course not
,”
Showl replied nonchalant as he leaned his forward and rested his massive skull on the marble floor.

Ange pushed herself off, unsnapped their bags from the molded saddle before sliding off down the side of Showl’s head. She landed with a heavy clank, the bags almost falling out of her grip as she turned to face the stares of the others. She couldn’t suppress the wide grin at their surprised expressions all but Amaris who seemed to be trying to appear innocent and
Corvus’s usual blank expression.

“What are you doing here?” Ileana hissed, her arms crossed as she flashed an accusing glare at her sister, indicating she knew the answer.

“I got bored,” Ange replied unbothered as Ileana returned her flinty gaze back to her.

“Bored?” she echoed with disbelief. “Your education is not meant to be entertaining.”

Ange shrugged unbothered. “I’ll get back to it,” she pacified in an uppish tone. She ignored Showl’s chastening thoughts as he quickly took the shape of a man.

“Don’t upset her,”
he warned as he came up to her side.

“Besides,” Ange continued smoothly, “I have some unfinished business to attend to in
Cyridell before I can get cozy with all the old books again. Besides…I hear you need a thief, the best one around,” she smiled confidently.

Ileana’s face twitched from one of suspicion to a blank expression, her frame relaxed but her brown eyes were deadly as she turned them to her sister who met them boldly.

“We need help,” Amaris stated out right and flatly.

Grace touched her
Soulbound’s shoulder lightly, Ileana turned to meet her fiery eyes.

“Amaris has a point, Ileana. If your premoniti
on is correct, three of the Adherent will be there with their Silents and we are at a disadvantage among so many humans. We cannot rely on any skills that will give us away…but we can keep them at bay while a thief,” Grace smiled as she glanced at Ange, “steals the prize before any are the wiser.”

Ileana inclined her head, her eyes half closed thinking, considering.

“Bringing them along will provide two opportunities for the enemy to discover Phoenix’s location. This risk is equally as dangerous to failure as the possibility of success,” she argued softly.

“So are our chances of winning if it’s only the four of us and without powers,” Amaris countered.

Ileana was silent, a difficult quiet existence among them for a while. Ange took the time to meet the eyes of all those assembled, she particularly noticed Chrysaetos grim and weary expression and Ange wondered if their mating had been unsuccessful, guilt lodged in her throat at the thought.

“I will let you come if…” Ileana declared with absolution, “
you can pass my test.”

Ange locked gazes with her, determination and the desire to prove herself burned in her veins.

“Take out your sword,” Ileana commanded as she pulled out her twin blades from their sheathes on her hips. “I understand you can use a weapon to some degree, correct?”

Ange frowned as she pulled out her blade, it weighed heavily in her hand as she grimaced at it. “Daggers, not a sword,” she stated reluctantly, hating to show any form of
incompetence before her.

“Then change your weapon.”

Ange raised an eyebrow confused.

“The Key will take any shape you desire,” Showl stated calmly as he took her hand, his metal claws touching the blade, it quivered in response as Ange shivered as well. Quickly she reigned in her stray thoughts as her heart began to hammer. Ignoring them she focused on the blade, willing it to split into two long daggers.

The Key seemed to respond to her thoughts immediately, it trembled in her grasp as Showl let go and as she watched the metal seemed to melt in her hand, only the gem remained intact. A glob of the living material split off, reaching for her other hand. A handle began to form and she grasped it, quickly the metal shaped into a new form.

She stared amazed at the now double daggers, the one on her right hand still clutched the gem but the daggers swept forward dangerously before the metal double backed and formed a long blade reaching back past the handle. A dragon was embossed down the metal as well as her and Showl’s mark. They were beautiful, shaming her old ones like simple table knives. Even the sheath had changed around her waist.

“The weapon will always reflect its owner’s personality,” Ileana commented absently. “Be on the ready!” she commanded with a snap, the tips of her long swords brushing the ground.

Ange smiled and twirled her knew blades, happy with their feel and weight. She crouched, analyzing the white clad ancient girl as the others backed away. Amaris flashed her an encouraging stare though her eyes also glinted with worry.

“Fight as if your life were at stake,” Ileana warned. “I will not show you mercy, I will not kill you but any wound that is not mortal will be fair game.”

Ange smiled devious, pleased at the idea she might have a chance to injure Ileana.

“Do not get cocky!”
Showl pleaded.
“She is unmerciful in battle and she will not hesitate to hurt you to test your capabilities and your limits. Remember she has centuries of experience, do not take her on lightly, be on your guard.”

“That’s fine,”
Ange snapped.
“Now stop distracting me!”

Showl withdrew reluctantly, displeased and worried as he let her be.

Ange focused on the dark brown eyes of her opponent, trying to analyze how she fought but she found nothing in Ileana’s eyes, they were dark, calculating, unrevealing. A lump of nervousness began to form in her gut but she quickly shoved aside, unwilling to admit that the ancient warrior made her feel fear.

They circled each other, like two predators waiting for the other to pounce.

Ange grew impatient, something she knew was dangerous during any duel but the brown eyes of the leader seemed to be goading her, mocking her with her impassive stare.

Ange lunged first, a mistake that proved to be
fatal instantly.

Ileana’s right sword arced forward, over Ange’s head and catching her attention while the left sword slashed swiftly across Ange’s face.

Ange froze rolling back instantly in an attempt to dodge.

She rolled three times before landing in a crouch, her daggers resting on the ground. Her heart hammering and her breathing coming in pants. She stared up at Ileana, her gaze was cold, unimpressed and her left sword was clean.

Plip.

Ange froze and gazed down at the spot of blood on the marble floor, another one followed and she felt the warm liquid seep down her right cheek. Ange snarled furious, turning her gaze up to the girl but she displayed no emotion, no smugness, the same empty expression, no fire.

Ange leapt up, ignoring the blood and lunged again, feinting to the left then right before striking out like a snake. Her new speed caught her by surprise and she was unable to break as Ileana gracefully dodged, leaning out of the way like a willow in the wind.

Ange howled in frustration, quickly catching herself, allowing her momentum to help her lash out into a twist, metal struck metal with a horrible
earsplitting screech.

Ileana displayed a spark of surprise as she blocked the furious blow. Ange smiled evilly as the dagger jerked down, letting sparks fly as she stabbed forward with her other blade to her opponent’s leg. Ileana easily
parried the blow, deflecting the attack and causing Ange’s wrist to twinge painfully with the impact, almost making her drop her dagger.

Ange flipped back out of the way as the other sword made its way up to her shoulder and
face. She managed to be out of range by only a breath. She got a sinking feeling that Ileana was holding back. A lot.

Ange stood straight, only several feet away from Ileana as she glared
resentfully.

“Stop holding back!” she spat.

Ileana’s composed mask twisted to show a fleeting annoyance as her blades came to rest at her sides.

“
You cannot handle me as it is. Do you wish to be injured beyond a mere cut to your face?” she asked with contempt.

Ange glowered furious, her lip turning up in a snarl. This girl was just playing with her, she wasn’t even attacking, only deflecting her blows and forcing Ange to retreat. She realized with sinking dread that any of the Sky Warriors were leagues away in skill compared to her and it didn’t matter if she had been the best among thieves in
Cyridell, these old warriors were on a completely different level. She knew that and she hadn’t even seen anything yet.

Ange suddenly got an idea, she had to suppress a wicked grin from appearing on her face. She knew if she repeated an attack, Ileana would repeat her defense, it would play to Ange’s advantage. A thief’s most important skill: misdirection.