Ellis Knox [Knox - A Child of Great Promise

CHAPTER ONE

Above White Hills

Talysse flew low to the ground , trying to gain altitude. The wind was treacherous down here, a steady tramontane sweeping tumultuously down from the north, swirling among the tall reeds and the salt hills. The breeze on which she rode sagged abruptly, giving her barely enough time to get her feet down. She touched solid ground and sprang upward again like an antelope, grabbing hold of a new current to ride.

She smiled. She was getting better at this. It had been weeks since shed had her last spill. She only wished she could get away more often.

Thinking of getting away made her think of getting back, and that made her think of Saldemer and the Prevt, which sort of ruined the moment.

Twice she caught the wind while it was running wide and strong, rising as high as the treetops. As she rushed above them, she felt like the freest creature in the world, and a grin spread across her face and would not leave. The marais the marshlands of the Camarguespread below her in brilliantly intense colors. The sand grass shone springtime green, and the forests of reeds had yet to turn brown. The sea was a pastiche of blues, from indigo-dark near the horizon to an azure that matched the sky to pale shades where the many mouths of the Rhne River pooled into small lakes. Scattered between lay salt pans in wide, reddish squares marked off with tidy pathways. Here and there, entire hills of salt shone a dazzling white.

Gnomes toiled at one of the salt pans, pulling the brackish water to the edge with their long wooden rakes. She veered away from them. If they noticed her, they might say something, for the gnomes belonged to the Saldemer cenobitum , where she lived. Talysse had learned to fly only a few months ago. For a host of reasons, she wanted to keep this particular ability a secret from the people of Saldemer.

Movement further out caught her eye, and she swerved westward. The wind was steady and pure. She felt it as a wide carpet beneath her, as if she rode a cloud, substantial but not solid. Her muscles were starting to ache, a reminder that she could not fly forever, but she wanted to go see the gardiens .

She adored the herdsmen of the Camargue, with their white horses and black cattle. Everything about them was wild and free. In the long, dull nights at Saldemer, alone in her bare room, memories of the gardiens riding the marais fortified her. She was imprisoned at the cenobitum, but somewhere people were free.

The gardiens were too far away. She dared not go farther, but she circled twice, as much to rejoice in her command of the air as to enjoy the scene below.

Two bands of riderswomen riding with the men, a rare thing among humankindon either side of a herd of a dozen horses. Wild, of course. Gardiens did not tame the horses they rode, but accompanied them. No one could ride the great white horses save these rugged horsemen, themselves half wild. No one ruled the gardiens. She had asked one, once, Who is your king?

We have no king, came the reply. Free people rule themselves.

The horses were trying to flee, or maybe they were just frolicking. Their leader dashed into the low surf, the herd following. All were the color of fresh cream, save two colts who had yet to grow out of their brown yearling coats. The stallion who led them was pure white, as white as sea foam, and he ran through the low breakers like a wave.

The gardiens pulled up and let the stallion tire himself, knowing the herd must come back. Talysse circled, happiness burbling like a spring inside her. A vast cloud of flamingos rose away to her right, wheeling and settling again, as if someone had shaken an enormous scarlet blanket over the marshland bed. Their weird squawking, like hoarse ducks, gave her still another reason to smile. Below, a gardien noticed her, and raised his round black hat to her. He must have called to the others, for all now waved at her.

She wanted to stay, to test herself to the limit, but she knew Detta would worry. Detta always worried about her, for it was in her nature, but Talysse hated to have her fret. It really was getting late; if she were caught returning late there would be questions she did not want to answer, and she was too tired to lie.

She held onto the moment as long as she could, wheeling like a gull. Then her aching muscles said it was time to go. When she banked away it was like leaving behind a perfect gem, lying on the sand.

Detta was still searching the horizon when Talysse landed behind her.

Detta, I flew the farthest yet!

The gnome spun around, sending salt cascading in rivulets down the hill. Her fur-covered face was in shadow, but Talysse was lit up by the setting sun. A sheen of sweat made her face glow. Her green eyes shone like wet jade, and her silver hair glittered.

Detta put one hand to her mouth.

Oh, Lyssie, she said.

It was marvelous, Detta, Talysse said, her voice trembling, still gulping air. I stayed in the air for ever so long. She hurried the words in between gasps. I felt the wind, tante . I mean more than felt it. She swallowed another gulp. I saw it. Heard it. I even could taste it, you know? But of course you dont. I hardly understand it myself.

Thats wonderful, Lyssie, but Detta began.

Isnt it though? Its fantastic! Theres not just one wind up there. She waved an arm skyward. Its full of currents. They twist and mingle and youve got to be ever so quick, but you can grab them, or anyway I can grab them, and then I just held on. I didnt so much fly as ride. She looked up at the wide blue sky and shivered. It was entirely unique.

Lyssie, Detta said, solemn as a judge, the gates are going to close.

What? Oh, yes, of course. Its nearly sundown, after all. Want to see me fly? Talysse took two quick steps.

I do, I do, Detta said hastily. Perhaps, though, it would be better another day, when we are not so rushed. Even if we hurry, I wonder if we can return to the cenobitum in time. If we are late, I fear the honorable Prevt will be quite angry. Do you not fear it will be so?

Talysse was finally recovering her breath. She glanced left and right. I admit I am tired, she said. Its exhausting to fly.

Poor dear.

But I wont get in trouble. Listen: You must go to the gate. It will very likely be closed. You will say you were out looking for me.

Dettas round eyes widened. You want me to lie?

Of course not, Talysse said. You were looking for me just now, werent you?