“Orann,” she said softly to the giant bird, a word imbued with ancient magic, a greeting between kirins and their ilon, their bird and animal partners. The raven stood alertly as Talli climbed onto his back and entwined her feet beneath his neck. She spoke a command, and the bird unfolded his immense wings and lifted off. They moved gracefully upward through branches and past treetops, where Faralan leveled off, awaiting further instruction.

    Nervously searching the skies in every direction, Talli saw nothing ominous, no flying monsters, no creatures of doom.

    Gilin! she thought suddenly. I’m leaving you behind. The gronom. Is it following you? I can help. No! If the creature should sense me on this bird, it would commun...

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