Fire Rider

by T M Miller

  ‘Good morning, Jaron,’ Carna called.

  ‘M-morning,’ Jaron nodded, his eyes on the massive wedge-shaped head that swung towards him, rumbling. Carna did not dismount, however, but waved him closer. Jaron took a deep breath; it was another test and he was not to be led like a child this time. Aware of Carna watching him, he forced his legs to move. Slowly, he crossed the space towards Madrag’s head. His eyes flicked up to Carna who looked away over the valley, apparently not even bothering to watch his progress, but Jaron saw his knee nudge the firedrake who moved his head away from Jaron. It helped, and Jaron made it towards Madrag’s shoulder. A red foreleg lifted directly in front of him.

  ‘You need to step up,’ Carna had bent down towards him, ‘onto Madrag’s leg.’

  ‘Right.’ Jaron eyed it. He took another shaky breath and tried to step up but his small stature meant he couldn’t angle his leg high enough without touching the huge firedrake for balance. Carna said nothing but sat patiently waiting for him to figure it out. Flushing, this time Jaron jammed the helmet on to his head and, putting any misgivings aside, bent forward and placed both gloves on the scaly leg to boost himself up. He was aware of Madrag turning his head towards him. ‘Sorry,’ he apologised, and wondered at himself as he pushed himself higher and managed to scramble onto the firedrake’s leg. Carna’s hand appeared in front of his face and he grabbed it. The Raken lord pulled him up with no effort and settled him in front. From his high vantage point, Jaron gaped at the drop below and the mountainside falling away before them at this end of the ledge. His head started to swim; Madrag was so much bigger than Tarp.

  ‘I thought you might like to fly Madrag down to the lake.’

  ‘Uh huh,’ Jaron said, trying to quell the rising panic at the back of his throat. The lessons were running into each other far too fast for his liking. His feet scrabbled for stirrups that were non-existent for this wasn’t a double saddle, and he became acutely aware that sitting on the front he wasn’t even strapped in. He hurriedly did up his helmet, fumbling with gloved fingers, before clutching at what little remained of the saddle that was visible between his legs.

  ‘When you want Madrag to fly off the ledge, give a nudge of your heels, just like riding a horse – and he will step off. In the air, flying is all about weight and balance. We lean forward to go faster; sit back to slow – and lean to whichever side we wish to turn.’

  ‘Just like that?’ Jaron asked, surprised. ‘Wouldn’t I use my leg to turn him?’

  ‘You’re thinking of riding. On the ground if you wanted to turn your firedrake you can nudge with the inside heel, like this… I nudge to turn him so we are in position to step off.’ Madrag turned, lumbering round Carna’s pushing inside leg until he was facing out towards the valley. As he did so the long tail swept back into Jaron’s room and something went over with a crash behind them. Carna ignored it. ‘But in flight, the firedrake will be very sensitive to your weight. Indeed, it is most natural for him to want to fill the gap your disturbed balance will create. There is more to it for special manoeuvres but to start with…’

  ‘Right,’ Jaron reached out for reins that weren’t there. ‘Err, how do I hold on?’

  ‘It helps to hold onto the front scale ridge when learning. Balance will come although I trust you didn’t use the reins for balance when riding on the ground. There is no metal bit in the mouth,’ Carna said with some derision. ‘Our firedrake are willing partners.’

  Jaron ran his gaze along Madrag’s long neck. At the end of it, the head seemed so far away. He clutched onto the nearest ridge scale. It still seemed odd not to have reins to hold and he realised what a sense of security they gave even if he didn’t use them to balance.

  ‘And use your heels when you’re ready.’

  All Jaron’s senses were screaming at him not to. The valley basin spread out before them seemed so far down. He was aware of Carna waiting patiently while, stomach clenched, he still sat frozen in place. Madrag turned his head to look back at him with a quizzical look. The red firedrake’s flanks heaved out with a massive sigh, obviously wondering what on earth the delay was. It was enough for Jaron to muster his courage and give a nudge with his heels. The firedrake immediately opened his huge wings and stepped off the ledge, flapping heavily. Jaron held on for grim life and instinctively crouched lower. Madrag mirrored him and lowered his neck, tilted his body – and went into a dive with wings folded close.

  ‘Arrrgghhhh!’ The side of the mountain rushed past, the track far below getting wider with alarming speed. Jaron caught sight of a horse and wagon trundling out of the entrance; the driver looked up and blanched in horror.

  ‘Lean back!’ Carna shouted into his ear then and when Jaron still didn’t move yanked him back by the shoulders. The wings opened then rose and fell as Madrag mercifully levelled out and rose higher. ‘Now, put your weight into your left knee,’ the lord’s voice sounded completely unfazed. Jaron, head still spinning from the dive, marshalled his faculties. Acutely aware he had no stirrups, Jaron tightened his hold on Madrag’s raised scale and pushed his weight into his knee by leaning over a little. The red beast shifted the left wing back to glide into a turn that took them round the mountain. Jaron caught sight of a huge forest beyond. He had never seen what lay beyond Mount Scarf and without thinking straightened up to take a better look. Madrag obediently mirrored him and flew straight. Carna’s voice came back into his ear. ‘Good, good, now the other side, turn… that’s it, now straighten.’

  It was a small measure of control but it made Jaron feel better and he dared to stay sitting more upright as they winged out over the valley basin. Out in front the force of the wind pressed against his chest. The valley was rushing past below them, split in half by the ribbon of water. Madrag was gliding more than flapping, the vast blue-veined wings stretched out fully. It felt incredible to Jaron that such a massive beast would allow a mere human to direct him by such slight shifts in weight; our firedrake are willing partners. The boy looked up between Madrag’s rippling ears to the mountains that were fast approaching on the other side of the valley. The red giant was covering the basin floor so much more quickly than Tarp had. ‘Err, shall I turn him?’ he asked.

  ‘Wait please, I want a steeper turn this time.’

  Jaron waited, tensing as the mountain came closer. At last Carna spoke, ‘Instead of shifting your weight into your knees, lean your whole body to the left.’

  ‘What?’ Jaron shouted, the wind whipping his words back, his senses filled by the massive stone bulk before them. ‘But I haven’t any stirrups!’

  ‘Go with me,’ Carna put his arms around him and leaned his upper body to the left, taking Jaron with him. Madrag flapped once, then fully outstretched his wings as he tilted his body in answer.

  ‘We’re going to fall!’ Jaron’s panicked glance saw the valley floor rising up to meet him. Yet still Madrag tilted and soon they were gliding across the mountain face, the rugged stone flashing past beneath them, some dynamic force keeping them in the saddle.

  ‘Now back,’ Carna took Jaron with him as they straightened and Madrag levelled out again as they began another sweep of the valley. Jaron breathed a sigh of relief yet there was no respite as Carna was issuing instructions again. ‘See the lake?’ The lord’s arm pointed past him. Forward from Madrag’s shoulder Jaron could see the glass surface of the lake. A green firedrake stood in the shallows and in a semi-circle around it he made out a small group of figures. They were all looking up at them, some shielding their eyes against the sun, now high enough to just peek free of the mountains. ‘That’s where you’re landing.’

  ‘Right,’ Jaron tried to still his hammering heart. ‘But I don’t know how,’ he shouted, panic rising yet again.

  ‘You’ll need to be thinking about slowing him six firedrake lengths away. You’ll want him lower so lean forward slightly, keeping the weight off your knees, or you’ll go faster, keep your seat in the saddle, just fold from your waist – that’s it.’

/>   Jaron listened hard, with Carna’s hands on his arms, guiding him. ‘Now straighten up, weight back – see how the wings spill the air, lowering us?’ Jaron shot a look at the tilting wings, but he didn’t want to take his eyes off the group on the ground lest he mow them down. ‘Lean back more.’ Madrag’s body angled underneath him as the neck rose. ‘Go with him, Jaron – now fold your body forward to match the angle, that’s it.’ Jaron caught sight of the faces on the ground staring up at them, some stepping back as they neared. Then Madrag’s body reared up in the air, blocking his view, massive wings buffeting the air beside him. Carna continued calmly talking regardless. ‘Back legs down, feel them touch the ground?’

  Next moment, Jaron nearly fell over the shoulder as the firedrake’s front came down, Carna’s hand grabbing at his jacket just in time. ‘And landed. There.’

  Breathing hard, Jaron stayed where he was, half-collapsed over the neck. Madrag furled his wings and cocked his head back at him. Grateful beyond measure to be on the ground, Jaron patted the hard scales, wondering if the beast would even feel it.

  He heard a firedrake’s call and looked over towards the lake. The green firedrake was holding her wings up as she waddled through the water towards Madrag. Jaron sat up and noticed the group standing below silently watching them. Marla’s red hair fanned out in the breeze, the look on her freckled face one of astonishment. Next to her stood another girl, smaller and thinner with lank blonde hair falling over her eyes and skin the palest he’d seen. Behind them were four boys of about his own age standing in a line, and one aged man who walked stiffly forward.

  ‘My lord,’ he bowed when he reached Madrag’s side, flipping a hand back at the row of students as he did so. They closed their mouths and bowed as one. The old man’s face looked up at Carna. It was heavily lined with pale eyes and a broad nose.

  ‘Parl,’ Carna acknowledged him. ‘I’ve got a new student for you.’

  ‘Ah yes,’ the narrowed pale eyes shifted up to Jaron. ‘Welcome, my young Lord Jaron, to our class.’

  Lord? Jaron found his voice. ‘Oh, but I’m not–’

  ‘You dismount by nudging with your left foot,’ Carna’s voice in his ear cut him off.

  Jaron recovered himself and did so. Madrag’s foreleg lifted obligingly. ‘Swing your leg over his neck and slide down,’ Carna’s voice was low enough so the others couldn’t hear. Jaron forced his muscles to move and swung his leg over. He sat looking down; it seemed like a long drop. Avoiding Carna’s gaze he awkwardly managed to turn his body so he was facing inwards. He levered himself off and slid down to land on Madrag’s leg, clutching at the girth strap for balance. Conscious of the watching eyes, he turned carefully round before straightening his left leg and crouching with the other to lower himself onto the ground, staggering slightly as he let go. A careful dismount but at least he hadn’t fallen flat on his face.

  He looked up to see Carna’s nod of approval. The lord clicked at Madrag who unfurled his wings while Parl put his hand on Jaron’s shoulder to steer him out of the way. With legs like jelly Jaron stumbled towards the others who all still stared at him. He was aware of his limp more than ever. Marla grinned at him and, grateful, he smiled back. There came a sudden rush of wind behind him and a collective gasp from the onlookers, who were now shielding their faces as they looked up. Jaron turned in time to see Madrag shooting straight up into the air like a red comet, spreading his wings to a sudden stop high above them and gliding away across the valley until he disappeared over a mountain. Jaron couldn’t quite take in that he had been aboard that just a short while ago.

  When he turned back Parl was smiling kindly at him, revealing a gap where one front tooth should be. ‘Welcome to flying school, my lord. Allow me to introduce you to your fellow students.’

  ‘Jaron,’ Jaron muttered. ‘Just call me Jaron please.’ He stared at the six youngsters before him and steeled himself as their glances took in him and his scarred face. Marla was grinning at him but apart from her only a blond youth, slim but broad-shouldered, would look him in the eye – and not in a friendly way, Jaron noticed.

  ‘Well, if you wish it.’ Parl was obviously a bit put out.

  ‘Yes, I would please.’ It occurred to Jaron that Carna had contrived this flight on Madrag to let them know he was connected to the Raken lord from the start. Jaron felt like an imposter to have such a title uttered.

  Marla stepped forward. ‘We’ve met,’ she said in a loud voice and nodded to Jaron. ‘Great to see you here, Jaron.’ Parl sniffed but didn’t berate her. ‘This is Haley,’ Marla smoothly took over the introductions and turned to beckon the slight, blonde girl forward. Haley’s large blue eyes widened on looking at Jaron before she dropped her gaze and put her hands behind her back.

  ‘Hello Haley,’ Jaron sought to put her at ease. Her skin was so white it was almost translucent and she looked like a breath of air would blow her over.

  ‘Hello,’ she whispered, but still wouldn’t look up.

  Marla stepped forward and indicated the four youths standing in a row. ‘Tench,’ she said. The broad-shouldered fair-haired youth curled his lip up in a half-smile but said nothing, his open stare on Jaron’s scar. ‘And Wolf, well we call him Wolf, what’s your real name?’ The lank-haired boy didn’t deign to reply but gave a thin smile at Jaron from under his long fringe. His eyes were almost coal black in the olive-skinned face and the smile didn’t seem to stretch to the eyes. It was unnerving but Jaron swallowed and smiled back. ‘He never tells,’ Marla said in a low voice. ‘Racker,’ she continued and a thin, curly-haired youth grinned from ear to ear and bounced forward.

  ‘What’s it like?’ he asked, his voice high and excited.

  ‘Err…’ Jaron was at a loss.

  ‘To ride the great red. Wow, I would love to do that, is he difficult to fly? Those massive wings, how many times have you been on him? Do you think you could get me a ride?’ His face turned dreamy. Jaron stared at him and was suddenly reminded of Tucker. Marla took the opportunity to jump back in.

  ‘Better known as Racket, you can hear why.’ The boy didn’t seem to take any offense at her words and grinned.

  ‘And this is Hodge,’ Marla turned and a tall, big- shouldered youth stepped up. Jaron almost took a step back despite himself. Hodge was nearly as tall as Carna and twice as wide. The leather tunic he wore was bare of sleeves, despite the cold morning, and his brown arms were tightly bunched muscle. The grey eyes studied Jaron and he gave the barest of nods.

  ‘Thank you, Marla,’ Parl’s gravel voice cut between them. ‘For taking it upon yourself to do the introductions, even if I didn’t ask you to. Now, perhaps we could get on, do you think…’

  ‘Very good Tench, keep her level while you hover, don’t let her back go down so much.’

  From the back of the group, Jaron watched Tench as he hovered Channon backwards over the lake. His smooth face was grinning as he directed the school firedrake and even from here Jaron could see the glint of his white-toothed smile. Jaron had already noticed how often Tench glanced at Marla, who stood next to Jaron as the students watched by the lake. Jaron copied Tench’s stance and stood more upright, holding his hands out as he would with reins, pushing his legs in as he would have done with Caliber and moving his shoulders forward just slightly. He noticed Channon had shaken her head more than once; she was not altogether happy.

  ‘There’s no need to dominate her, Tench,’ Parl called. ‘Don’t clench your legs around her, just close them, and put your shoulders a fraction forward… good, that’s it.’

  Jaron moved a little way from the group as Marla, the last to go, waited for her turn to fly Channon. Watching the students perform aerial lessons Jaron had realised just how far behind the group he was in the flying stakes. He felt tired, considering how much had happened these last couple of days. Limping over to a rocky outcrop he sat down to rest. To his relief Parl had asked him just to watch today. Especially as he doubted his own ability to even fly forwards on his o
wn. Listening to the teacher through the morning he had found he could understand Parl’s instructions very well and had learnt quite a bit just by observing. But he supposed it was a case of doing, as Sprague had always said. He felt a twinge in his thigh and rubbed it hard.

  ‘Does it hurt?’

  Jaron looked up to find Haley had followed him. She bobbed her head at him and two hot spots of colour formed on her cheeks.

  ‘Not too bad,’ he shuffled over to make room for her. She gave a small smile and perched her tiny frame on the rock beside him.

  ‘I heard you were injured.’ Her voice was so soft he had to strain to hear her.

  ‘I’m much better now, thank you.’

  For a while they sat there in silence while Jaron tried to think of something to break it. Her head was tilted forward so her hair obscured her face. Jaron cleared his throat. ‘How long have you been at flying school?’

  ‘About three weeks,’ she still didn’t look up.

  ‘Oh, not very long.’

  ‘The others started a week beforehand, it’s normally the time needed.’

  ‘Before…?’

  ‘The drakel, the young firedrake, fly in.’

  Jaron took a moment to digest this. Her fingers were constantly moving, rubbing and flicking like she was strumming to a tune only she could hear. He tried again. ‘Do you enjoy it, the flying?’

  ‘Not really.’

  Jaron stared at her. ‘Oh? I thought…’

  She tucked her fine hair behind an ear and flicked a sideways look at him. ‘That being a Raken it would come easily? Not to everyone.’

  ‘But you’re not afraid of them?’

  She shook her head and her light blue eyes lifted to meet his gaze at last. ‘Not on the ground, I just can’t seem to get the confidence when I’m on one. Marla says I should be more determined, more commanding.’ They both looked up to watch Marla eagerly taking her turn and springing up onto Channon’s back.