Knights of Zothia: Momentum

KoZ • Five • The Art of Falling

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Chapter Five

The Art of Falling

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"What the fuck are those things?" Kaylin blurted out. 

A herd of my father's wyvern, three to be exact, came crashing through the trees. These were magnificent beasts mostly used in battle. They are a cousin to Dragons. However, unlike Dragons, wyverns are smaller and two-legged; they have wings but cannot fly. Nonetheless, they can glide short distances and breathe a gas like poison.

An idea struck me. I could use one to poison Xavier. 

Remind me to thank Ava later.

Speaking of the half-elf, Ava led them straight to us, holding the reins around their necks.

"Ava! What in tarnation are you doing?" Came Xaviers' stern voice behind me. "What's the meaning of this?"

I had the sudden urge to slap him. Don't ask why. I just did.

By now, Ava stood next to a fiery red wyvern. "Captain, since we have to cross the desert, why not do it in style? Plus, with the princess's injuries, do you not think it wise she spends less time on her feet?"

"Oh, I'm fine," Ava shot me daggers. Clearly, that wasn't the answer she was expecting. I cleared my throat. "Um, I mean... Oh, fuck! My side! It hurts so goddamn much! Ahhhh!" I was not entirely joking; my side still ached.

This time, it was Xavier who glared at me. "For a princess, you don't possess great acting skills, Milady."

Milady.

There's that word again. Why did it sound so-

Something hit me. No, I don't mean physically. "Desert? We have to cross a desert? Aren't those... You know, sandy and hot?"

No shit, Ivory. Whatever gave that away? - I Ignored my subsciousness. 

"Yes, but not as hot as you," Xavier sent me a wide grin, showing his perfect white teeth.

I promise you, one of these days, I will murder him in his sleep.

"Captain?" Kaylin chirped in. "If you don't stop being a pathetic asshole, I'm going take these daggers and shove them so far up your ass, you won't—"

I cleared my throat. "I do not mean to be a killjoy, but do you have experience riding wyvern?"

All three exchanged looks before shaking their heads.

"Oh, how fucking fantastic," I grumbled. "Do you know how long it takes to learn to ride these beasts?"

My dearest Ivory, it took you only six hours. Oh, shut up, will you?

Xavier stared at the wyvern. "They look harmless,"

"So do I, and believe me, I am far from harmless." My comment made Kaylin snort. "What! I can be dangerous."

"As dangerous as a fly?"

It isn't a wonder Zothia and Theymore weren't friends. Well, they aren't enemies, either. The two Kingdoms don't see eye to eye on everything. We only trade with the elves. That's all they're suitable for.

I ignored her. "Why exactly is it required we cross a desert? Was my father not in the Valley of the Royals? Which is not a desert."

"I thought you said you've never been off the castle grounds?" Ava questioned, tying the wyvern's reins around a large tree trunk.