Chapter 5 True Believers
The inn, Limeburner Valley.
When Lupita woke up, the priest was sitting on the edge of the bed. The fire was low, but the room was still warm. She thought that the storm had passed and the sun was warming the buildings. She got up and dressed in her simple, immodest dress. She looked at the table and saw five coins. Four large silver ones had joined the large gold one. A small scroll was rolled up and sealed with a little candle wax.
Clemente spoke in a rich baritone voice: It is a list of things I need from an apothecary. I assume you know one because it is obvious you are not pregnant. The silver is his. Three coins would be enough. Pay him all four. Come back soon and tell the innkeeper we need food and a small bottle of sweet wine. I will pay her when it has been brought.
Lupita with a smile: Surely, Lord Priest.
Clemente released a tired sigh: One title is too many, two are impossible to tolerate. Clemente, or if necessary, Lord.
The woman took the silvers and the parchment and left quickly. Clemente looked at the royal coin that remained on the table.
The old priest thought: Her heart is better than any I have ever known. A person can live a full life and never encounter a person of her worth. And I am a damned bastard for involving her in these events.
But the dreams from the magic of the All-Mothers had shown him glimpses of the future for forty-seven years. Little Feather and Lupita were like best friends, for he knew their appearances like that of a sister. They were both necessary parts of what must come to pass. He had practiced conversations with each for many years. His plan required many things to occur in a short time. The visions in his dreams did not show him all things but enough to realize that this time was pivotal for the kingdom.
In the stone nest of the Pegasi, high above the royal palace.
Floriano was the first to take to the air today. He walked around his Pegasus and inspected the saddle. He was dressed in wool and leather clothing to protect himself from the cold at higher altitude. He was shorter than most men and his body was only bone and muscle. Riders had to be light and strong.
Chara impatiently: Now? Now? Now? Now?
Floriano turned to look down at the eighteen-year-old girl with exasperation. She was only a year younger but seemed to act as if she was half of her age at times.
Floriano sternly: If anything is not properly secured on the saddle, we will both die. If I die, my Pegasus will suffer so much grief that she will die within a few weeks. But if I cut your tie ropes and push you off the saddle, she will not care, do you understand?
Chara huffed: Yes.
Chara: Now? Now? Now?
Floriano sighed deeply.
Floriano: Tits of the Goddess! Yes. Climb the ladder and get ready to ride.
Chara let out a sound of excitement so loud that the Pegasus reared up on her hind legs and almost caused Floriano to step backward off of the wall..
Floriano with only his thoughts: Calm down, White Stockings, calm down.
Floriano out loud: And you too, brat!
Chara quickly climbed the ladder and positioned herself for mounting. They swung into the saddle simultaneously and tied two ropes to their leather doublets. Two other ropes were tied around their thighs. They became part of the large double saddle. Floriano watched the six attendants stationed along the high road. Each carried a white flag tied to a long pole.
Floriano: Are you ready to fly?
Chara leaned against the back of the young man and hugged him around the waist. They were so close that not even the air could separate them. She used her head to hit his neck, harder than necessary to transmit the signal. She laughed when he made a sound of pain. Floriano raised his right hand to signal the attendants, who then raised their flags to indicate the direction and strength of the wind. The man gripped the thick rope of the saddle with both hands and looked up at the flags. When they indicated the wind was blowing in his direction, he lowered his head to the dark coat of White Stockings.
Floriano pushed his thoughts to White Stockings: My beautiful goddess, we fly.
White Stockings: Yes, skinny biped, we fly.
White Stockings charged down the high road, picking up speed like no horse could. As she passed the last pair of attendants, she spread her wings and caught the wind. At the end of the high road, she fell into the air, more than twice the height of the great castle tower. She looked at the grassy area that bipeds never used in case a Pegasus were to fall to the ground. She brought her legs closer to her body and let her head fall towards the ground and her body followed. The three of them fell for five seconds. In three more seconds, they would strike the ground and die. With muscles stronger than any other animal known to humans, the Pegasus turned her wings to slow down a bit and bring her body into level flight. Floriano and Chara raised their heads and the young woman screamed at the top of her lungs in a mixture of joy and fear.
Floriano turned his head and shouted: Stop doing that fuckbrain!
Chara released a hand from his waist and pulled hard on his braided hair.
Floriano thought towards his mount: Why did you not reject her?
White Stockings turned further southeast and flapped her powerful wings to gain more altitude. The sun was warm, and the sky, clear and dreamlike, was a deep blue.
She replied in his mind: She has a connection with you.
Floriano wondered: What connection?
The response was a neigh that sounded a bit like a laugh.