Page 71 of Swift Wings Shadowed Heart
I sit up with a sudden jerk, eyes darting to the clock. It’s zero one hundred.
—Grab a pair of leathers and place them in your satchel, then put on a robe and head to the hot spring.
—What? Why?
—Do not waste time and do what I say.
—All right, all right, Lord Grumpy.I walk to my closet and retrieve a pair of leathers and my satchel, another standard issue item we can use when we are on leave.
—My name is Zephyros. Not Lord Grumpy. But if you prefer you can call me Your Excellency.
—Wait, was that a joke?
—Ha ha.
—Argh, you’re exhausting.
—Hide the satchel under the robe in case someone sees you.
—What about my boots?I ask.
—Put them on, but do not lace them.
—Quite the fashion statement. Riding boots and a robe.
I sling the satchel strap across my body, put the robe and boots on, and slowly open the door. I peek right and left and spot no one. The place appears deserted. I imagine every Skyrider is sleeping like the dead, and there’s no chance I’ll be discovered, but better safe than sorry. I walk silently and make it to the hot spring without incident.
Steam and the sounds of flowing water soothe my senses.
—Now what?
—Go to the upper level.
—That’s for the Primes.It’s what the brief I was given on the first day here said. I finally read it.
—And?
—All right,I mumble.
I climb up the semi-circular staircase that runs around the curved wall. Water from the upper pool cascades to the lower one, splashing gently and releasing steam into the air. The area is bigger than the bottom one, with more than enough room for six Primes.
—Um, so does the hot spring have magical teleportation powers or something?I ask.Do I chant to it? Dance around it shaking my bottom?
—You may do so if you wish, but when you are done, swim underwater toward the far end of the pool. There, you will find a tunnel, swim through it, and it will take you to a different pool on the outside. I will meet you there.
I take a moment to process the information, and inevitably, worry about my safety takes hold.
—How long is this… tunnel, Zephyros?I ask.
—Long.
—What kind of answer is that?
—If you must know with exactness, it is over two hundred yards long.
—In case you haven’t noticed, I’m a human, not a fish. I can’t hold my breath for that long.
—Trust me, little one. There is a way. Get in the water, and I will show you.
