Pride moved through him the instant the bird responded. It was a deep, steady warmth that pressed across the attuned bond like a hand settling on her shoulder. Noah dipped his head once in approval, feathers shifting as he watched the bird fly without fear or confusion.
Good. Noah rumbled across the bond. His tail flicked as he considered her with glacier eyes. Now test the edges of it, he encouraged, see if you can guide direction. Ask it to land somewhere specific. Or to circle once and return. He shifted his weight on the stone, preparing to demonstrate again if needed, but the wind betrayed them. Noah released any hold he had on the fish below, and they surged back into formation and away with their friends.
The thermal that had held him steady fractured into uneven currents. Smoke rolled over the cliff in a sudden, suffocating wave, thicker and lower than before. The horizon vanished behind a wall of gray. Noah’s head snapped toward the advancing haze, instincts overriding the lesson immediately.
Good. Noah rumbled across the bond. His tail flicked as he considered her with glacier eyes. Now test the edges of it, he encouraged, see if you can guide direction. Ask it to land somewhere specific. Or to circle once and return. He shifted his weight on the stone, preparing to demonstrate again if needed, but the wind betrayed them. Noah released any hold he had on the fish below, and they surged back into formation and away with their friends.
The thermal that had held him steady fractured into uneven currents. Smoke rolled over the cliff in a sudden, suffocating wave, thicker and lower than before. The horizon vanished behind a wall of gray. Noah’s head snapped toward the advancing haze, instincts overriding the lesson immediately.
noah
you touched my heavy heart and made it light
