said. "I need to speak to Kiala."
"You're not going searching for a black egg." Jaran's voice was flat but with an underlying current of determination.
Clearly he meant this as an order to be obeyed without question. "Symbion breeding grounds are dangerous."
"I know. My mother survived in one for several days, though, and she told me all about her experience. I know what to watch out for."
100
Icarus Unbound
by Bernadette Gardner
"You could canvas half the world searching for a black egg, Lara," Odan said. "You may not find one in ten years, let alone ten days."
Lara put her hands on her hips and spread her wings in defiance. "Well, if I don't then maybe I'm not worthy to be co-leader."
She didn't wait for Jaran's response. Ignoring protocol, she stormed out of the audience chamber without his leave and set off for Kiala's aerie.
"I can't believe you would do this, Odan." Jaran transferred his angry gaze to his brother as soon as Lara left.
"Do what? I'm trying to help because I know you couldn't bear to have Lara taken away from you."
"She will not be taken away."
"Will you give up leadership for her before the committee votes to dissolve your union?"
"No." Jaran turned from the window. "That won't be necessary."
Odan challenged him. "Why? Do you think revealing your father's identity to them after all these years will make a difference?"
"It certainly will."
"It can only hurt you, Jaran. It's a secret best kept."
"It will remove any doubt about our offspring."
Odan shook his head. "Don't do it, Jaran. Give Lara a chance to prove herself."
"She shouldn't have to."
101
Icarus Unbound
by Bernadette Gardner
Odan pursed his lips and his wings rustled with irritation.
"Don't you think that perhaps it's because of you that she feels she must?"
[Back to Table of Contents]
102
Icarus Unbound
by Bernadette Gardner
Chapter Eleven
The flight back from the aerie Kiala and Breon now shared left Lara bone weary. Her friend had chosen one of the most distant islands in the royal chain, and it had taken the better part of the day and early evening to make the trip, convince Kiala to give her detailed maps of all the symbion breeding grounds and fly back as the sky darkened with the beginnings of a mild storm.
Wet from the first lashing of raindrops and shivering with fatigue, Lara flew instinctively to the royal aerie and landed on the upper tier balcony that led directly to Jaran's private chamber.
She found him there, sitting at his table, a half-eaten meal before him. His dour expression softened a bit when he saw her. "You look exhausted."
"Thank you. I feel just as bad." Lara lowered herself to the bed, but resisted the urge to fall back into the sweet-smelling alor fibers. She knew the moment she got comfortable she'd fall asleep and she was too hungry to last the night without eating something.
She eyed the food waiting on the table and wished for the strength to get up again and help herself.
"I wish you would stop disappearing. I can't fly off and search for you, you know. I have duties here."
"I didn't disappear so you would have to search for me. I went to talk to Kiala, and she gave me what I needed. Once the rain passes, I'm going to begin searching for a black egg.
103
Icarus Unbound
by Bernadette Gardner
It seems silly, but if it will impress the committee, then I should do it."
Jaran sighed. He filled a bowl with bread, fruit and what appeared to be strips of succulent crab meat and brought the meal over to her just as she'd been silently hoping he would.
She dug into the food gratefully while he watched her.
"Thank you," she mumbled between bites. "I'm starving."
"Tomorrow I'll speak to the committee, and you won't have to go on this ridiculous hunt."
She plucked fruit slices from the bowl and savored the mix of juices. "Jaran, I won't allow you to abdicate for me. That makes no sense. You lead in Jidar's name, and that's how the tribe should be ruled."
"I won't abdicate. I
"You're not going searching for a black egg." Jaran's voice was flat but with an underlying current of determination.
Clearly he meant this as an order to be obeyed without question. "Symbion breeding grounds are dangerous."
"I know. My mother survived in one for several days, though, and she told me all about her experience. I know what to watch out for."
100
Icarus Unbound
by Bernadette Gardner
"You could canvas half the world searching for a black egg, Lara," Odan said. "You may not find one in ten years, let alone ten days."
Lara put her hands on her hips and spread her wings in defiance. "Well, if I don't then maybe I'm not worthy to be co-leader."
She didn't wait for Jaran's response. Ignoring protocol, she stormed out of the audience chamber without his leave and set off for Kiala's aerie.
"I can't believe you would do this, Odan." Jaran transferred his angry gaze to his brother as soon as Lara left.
"Do what? I'm trying to help because I know you couldn't bear to have Lara taken away from you."
"She will not be taken away."
"Will you give up leadership for her before the committee votes to dissolve your union?"
"No." Jaran turned from the window. "That won't be necessary."
Odan challenged him. "Why? Do you think revealing your father's identity to them after all these years will make a difference?"
"It certainly will."
"It can only hurt you, Jaran. It's a secret best kept."
"It will remove any doubt about our offspring."
Odan shook his head. "Don't do it, Jaran. Give Lara a chance to prove herself."
"She shouldn't have to."
101
Icarus Unbound
by Bernadette Gardner
Odan pursed his lips and his wings rustled with irritation.
"Don't you think that perhaps it's because of you that she feels she must?"
[Back to Table of Contents]
102
Icarus Unbound
by Bernadette Gardner
Chapter Eleven
The flight back from the aerie Kiala and Breon now shared left Lara bone weary. Her friend had chosen one of the most distant islands in the royal chain, and it had taken the better part of the day and early evening to make the trip, convince Kiala to give her detailed maps of all the symbion breeding grounds and fly back as the sky darkened with the beginnings of a mild storm.
Wet from the first lashing of raindrops and shivering with fatigue, Lara flew instinctively to the royal aerie and landed on the upper tier balcony that led directly to Jaran's private chamber.
She found him there, sitting at his table, a half-eaten meal before him. His dour expression softened a bit when he saw her. "You look exhausted."
"Thank you. I feel just as bad." Lara lowered herself to the bed, but resisted the urge to fall back into the sweet-smelling alor fibers. She knew the moment she got comfortable she'd fall asleep and she was too hungry to last the night without eating something.
She eyed the food waiting on the table and wished for the strength to get up again and help herself.
"I wish you would stop disappearing. I can't fly off and search for you, you know. I have duties here."
"I didn't disappear so you would have to search for me. I went to talk to Kiala, and she gave me what I needed. Once the rain passes, I'm going to begin searching for a black egg.
103
Icarus Unbound
by Bernadette Gardner
It seems silly, but if it will impress the committee, then I should do it."
Jaran sighed. He filled a bowl with bread, fruit and what appeared to be strips of succulent crab meat and brought the meal over to her just as she'd been silently hoping he would.
She dug into the food gratefully while he watched her.
"Thank you," she mumbled between bites. "I'm starving."
"Tomorrow I'll speak to the committee, and you won't have to go on this ridiculous hunt."
She plucked fruit slices from the bowl and savored the mix of juices. "Jaran, I won't allow you to abdicate for me. That makes no sense. You lead in Jidar's name, and that's how the tribe should be ruled."
"I won't abdicate. I
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