Dragons of the Autumn Twilight - Margaret Weis [61]
“I’ll be a gully dwarf,” Flint said solemnly. “Flying horses. What next?”
“Oh!” Tasslehoff drew in a deep breath. The kender was transfixed with wonder as he watched the beautiful animals circle above them, descending lower and lower with each turn, their fur radiating blue-white in the moonlight. Tas clasped his hands together. Never in his wildest kender imaginings had he dreamed of flying. This was worth fighting all the draconians on Krynn.
The pegasi dipped to the ground, their feathery wings creating a wind that tossed the tree branches and laid the grass flat. A large pegasus with wings that touched the ground when he walked bowed reverently to the Forestmaster. His bearing was proud and noble. Each of the other beautiful creatures bowed in turn.
“You have summoned us?” the leader asked the Forestmaster.
“These guests of mine have urgent business to the east. I bid you bear them with the swiftness of the winds across the Eastwall Mountains.”
The pegasus regarded the companions with astonishment. He walked with stately mien over to stare first at one, then another. When Tas raised his hand to pet the steed’s nose, both of the animal’s ears swiveled forward and he reared his great head back. But when he got to Flint, he snorted in disgust and turned to the Forestmaster. “A kender? Humans? And a dwarf!”
“Don’t do me any favors, horse!” Flint sneezed.
The Forestmaster merely nodded and smiled. The pegasus bowed in reluctant assent. “Very well, Master,” he replied. With powerful grace, he walked over to Goldmoon and started to bend his foreleg, dipping low before her to assist her in mounting.
“No, do not kneel, noble animal,” she said. “I have ridden horses since before I could walk. I need no such assistance.” Handing Riverwind her staff, Goldmoon threw her arm around the pegasus’s neck and pulled herself astride his broad back. Her silver-gold hair blew feathery white in the moonlight, her face was pure and cold as marble. Now she truly looked like the princess of a barbarian tribe.
She took her staff from Riverwind. Raising it in the air, she lifted her voice in song. Riverwind, his eyes shining with admiration, leaped up behind her on the back of the winged horse. Putting his arms around her, he added his deep baritone voice to hers.
Tanis had no idea what they were singing, but it seemed a song of victory and triumph. It stirred his blood and he would have willingly joined in. One of the pegasi cantered up to him. He pulled himself up and settled himself on his broad back, sitting in front of the powerful wings.
Now all the companions, caught up in the elation of the moment, mounted, Goldmoon’s song adding wings to their souls as the pegasi spread their huge wings and caught the wind currents. They soared higher and higher, circling above the forest. The silver moon and the red bathed the valley below and the clouds above in an eerie, beautiful, purplish glow that receded into a deeper purple night. As the forest fell away from them, the last thing the companions saw was the Forestmaster, glimmering like a star fallen from the heavens, shining lost and alone in a darkening land.
One by one, the companions felt drowsiness overcome them.
Tasslehoff fought this magically induced sleep longest. Enchanted by the rush of wind against his face, spellbound by the sight of the tall trees that normally loomed over him reduced to child’s toys, Tas struggled to remain awake long after everyone else. Flint’s head rested against his back, the dwarf snoring loudly. Goldmoon was cradled in Riverwind’s arms. His head drooped over her shoulder. Even in his sleep, he held her protectively. Caramon slumped over his horse’s neck, breathing stentoriously. His brother rested against his twin’s broad back. Sturm slept peacefully, the lines of pain gone from