A final clash, a twist of feathers and sinew, and this time when Deimos dove Jigano was ready for the eagle's speed and the General's boldness. Gold feathers swept past, but this time it was the raven who danced, prepared for the pressure of wind and wake, wings steady and sure. Deimos wasn't the only one who had trained with the harpy, battling a-wing, though then the prize had been tailfeathers not suns. This time he used Deimos's speed to his advantage, to slip just sideways enough to land a grasping claw on a slick, smooth surface. He was surging upwards while the eagle dropped down, and the pressure between them was more than enough to snap the twine binding the prize. He didn't quite croak out his victory, but a fierce rush of pride - and maybe some relief - eased the strain on his wings as he slowed and then turned his ascent into a spiraling return to the ground below.
It gave him time to compose himself, so that when he landed back upon his starting pell he could look at Deimos with bright blue eyes and bob his head in gratitude. Thank you, he offered, breaking the silence of the battle at last. Would it pass muster for joining the militia, do you think? A sense of tentative optimism, emotions still running high from the game, emboldened the bard to make the suggestion, half request.
Zariah had earned only his contempt with her high-handed ways, but Deimos had led through example enough to earn his trust, and that made all the difference in who he was willing to fight for.
It gave him time to compose himself, so that when he landed back upon his starting pell he could look at Deimos with bright blue eyes and bob his head in gratitude. Thank you, he offered, breaking the silence of the battle at last. Would it pass muster for joining the militia, do you think? A sense of tentative optimism, emotions still running high from the game, emboldened the bard to make the suggestion, half request.
Zariah had earned only his contempt with her high-handed ways, but Deimos had led through example enough to earn his trust, and that made all the difference in who he was willing to fight for.
