Page 9

I followed Vexa into a covered stable. The stalls were spacious with high walls made of sturdy wood, leaving open entrances without gates, allowing the inhabitants to wander in and out at will.

I wasn’t sure what I was expecting to see, but it certainly wasn’t the creature before me.

My mouth went dry as the beast huffed towards Vexa, its movements graceful, yet ominous. Its eyes gleaming with an intelligence that transcended the animal.

The Vördr’s head retained the noble features of a horse, though much, much larger. Its long muscular neck led to a strong, regal face. The mane was thick, flowing, and dark as night, cascading down its back. However, where the ears would be, instead, there were subtle ridges and slight bony protrusions, akin to horns.

The most striking feature overall was the Vördr’s wings. They were massive, with a span that stretched far wider than the horse's body. They were batlike as I remembered, with coarse dark hair covering their bodies, each movement causing their deep hues to shimmer like oil on water.

“Isn’t she magnificent?” Vexa breathed in awe, reaching out her hand for the beast to sniff. It gave her a few uninterested blinks before tapping Vexa’s hand with her snout in acknowledgment. Wings brushed the ground as it turned, exposing the ridged spines that curved down its back, becoming more prominent near the hindquarters.

Vexa walked to an elevated dock and climbed the steps beforemotioning over the Vördr. It followed her calls and she began unfastening the saddle that was crafted along its back.

“You’re actually lucky Raskr is here today. We have stables across Ravenfell and these beauties only stop by of their own volition. It seems like her last rider had to run off before taking all of this off of her.” Vexa made quick work of the buckles and patted Raskr lovingly on the back.

“So they just come and go as they please?” I asked, looking around at the gateless stalls.

“We would never try to hold a Vördr unwillingly. That would be a death sentence. Gentle beasts as long as they have their freedom.” Vexa laughed as she carefully made her way down the steep stairs of the dock, carrying the saddle that rivaled her in size.

"But they often stay close to their riders," Vexa added.

“Is this one yours?”

“I’d never forget to remove Draug’s saddle. Not that he would let me.” She chuckled.

“So do you just choose which one you ride?”

Vexa eyed me curiously. “It's a rite of passage here, to be chosen by a Vördr. The highest of honors. The decision is all theirs. They know when they’ve found their Kalfar.”

A sliver of annoyance licked through me at, yet, another word I had no context for. It was irritating how they spoke to me like I already shared their vocabulary, with no explanation for anything, always forcing me to inquire.

“Kalfar?” I attempted to keep the irritation out of my tone.

“We’re all Kalfar.” She shrugged, motioning to the tower behind us.

“I thought you were Umbra.”

“Umbra is our title as soldiers in the realm’s forces. Kalfar is what I am. What we all are, whatyouare,” she corrected me.

“I’m Aossí,” I said quietly, turning back towards the beast.

The Vördr’s long tail whipped, brushing the ground as sheturned to make her way to the small field on the opposite side of the stables.

“Whatever you say,” Vexa half-joked.

Looking around, I only now realized how empty this area was. Apart from Vexa and I, along with Aether leaning against the door we had come through, there wasn’t a soul in sight. Preventative measures, I was sure.

“Do you remember flying here on them?” Vexa’s voice whistled past me on the wind.

Of course I remembered. How could one possibly forget flying amongst the clouds? Waking to find the wind whipping past so quickly, it nearly robbed me of breath. The feeling of falling once we made our decline towards the bladed skyline of Ravenfell. How unconsciousness was thrust upon me unnaturally.

“Despite Rethlyn’s efforts,” I retorted, eyes returning to the Vördr.

“That was really more for your benefit than ours,” she said, a laugh escaping her lips.

I pondered the answer for a few quiet seconds as her amusement dissipated. They probably thought kidnapping was more pleasant if unconscious. In theory, perhaps. But it also made it impossible for me to fight back, to attempt an escape. I’m sure that was just an added bonus. I eyed Aether, who lay against the darkened stone with his eyes closed, an unreadable expression on his structured face.

Maybe I wouldn’t have been able to escape that night anyway. Not withhimaround.