Alitta’s Diary part 21

in Home from the Hill

Rebma or Bust

We travel back to camp by trump, facilitated by Sorashi and William, and sleep for the night, as we are all in need of rest.

The next day I am again called upon for reconnaissance, and fly on patrol with Sorashi (and Constance, on the ground). The neanderthals have started hunting the serpent men; we see some bound and taken towards a cave around 25 miles away, in the direction that would lead towards Amber. They seem keen to stay away from our forces, so I doubt they will be any trouble. Sorashi and I report back to Constance and her companion.

There are funerals held in camp for those who died in the battle. I did not know them, so I leave this to those who did.

Llewella and others are preparing to travel to Rebma. The group that goes will include Fiona, Constance, William and Rachael, Sorashi and her daughter, and Margrath. Darig will remain with the army, as will Dirk and I.

At Dirk’s request I take charge of Surpanakha and Airavata from Sorashi, as they will not be able to travel with her to Rebma. They seem happy to remain with me – of course everyone still thinks I am a demon myself. I see no reason to change that yet.

Later I go out on patrol again for Constance, and take Surpanakha with me. We see a few dozen serpent men still being taken to the cave, but our flight is interrupted by two of the flying lizards, which attack us.

Surpanakha banks, but appears to remain next to me – a clever illusion. A scream from them alerts the ground forces to our situation as I bank the opposite way, aiming to draw them down towards the archers below.

I have a tighter turning circle, and the lizard that aims for me misses. The second attacks the illusion of Surpanakha, which vanishes, leaving it screaming in frustration.

I dive to draw the lizard down, dropping quickly from 500 feet to around to 100 feet. It pulls in its wings and drops on me; I do the same then open my wings and pull to the left. It rakes my wing with its claws and follows. The archers loose a volley of arrows, and one finds its target through the lizard’s jaws.

I move to land and as I do I see Surpanakha pulling the head off the other one, with obvious enjoyment.

I shift back, and my injured wing becomes an injured arm. Constance lends me a cloak for the ride to camp, for which I am grateful. I will be able to heal using shapeshifting in a few days; by morning the wounds already look like faded scars.

I must remember to call Aunt Cymnea soon.