Other Mages. Which Kira realized meant she felt like a Mage to Mages. Kira could just imagine how her mother and father would take that.

But if any Mage they got close enough to in Ihris could tell she was a Mage, or worse, know exactly who she was, it could be disastrous. As if she didn't have enough to worry about with the drive and Jason and…

"Why does everything have to be so complicated?" Kira complained.

"Everything is simple," Alera said. "Doing it is complicated. We must work. It is only two more days to Ihris. You must be ready."

Chapter 15

The next morning, Jason tried to act as if nothing had changed. Kira, despite being tired from staying up late working with Mage Alera, did her best to act the same.

They got back on Swift, rising up into the clear sky, the sun appearing over the Northern Ramparts to the east as the Roc climbed.

The scenery wasn't nearly as interesting today: long vistas of long vistas, occasional herds of cattle visible down below. Kira, worn out, slept as much as she could, which also had the side benefit of eliminating the need for awkward conversation with Jason.

In the afternoon she was jerked awake when Swift suddenly banked and began spiraling downward. Kira looked over to the side and saw below them a herd of horses. "What's going on?" Kira yelled to Mage Alera.

Alera called back. "This one senses the presence of one who can help."

"Why does she say help like that?" Jason asked, nervous again.

"Because Mages were once forced to forget what help meant, and were forbidden from actually helping anyone," Kira explained as Swift dropped lower. "A lot of those Mages who have relearned what help means are proud of it and want others to know they understand such a special word."

Swift's wings flared as the Roc braked to a landing. Mage Alera stayed sitting but gestured for Kira and Jason to dismount. Kira unbuckled her harness and slid off the massive feathers, steadying Jason as he came down beside her.

A rider was coming toward them. Beyond, Kira could see other riders moving around the herd, which was milling about nervously at the presence of the giant raptor capable of snatching up a horse the way an eagle could pluck a rabbit from a meadow. They were near Ihris. A herd of horses. Could this be…? Kira squinted to see better. "Petr. Jason, it's my Uncle Petr."

"Another honorary uncle?" Jason asked, looking toward the herd.

"He's the closest thing I have to a real uncle. My father's cousin. He's actually a few years older than Father, but he's like a big kid in some ways."

Kira ran to meet the rider, who had dismounted when his horse balked at getting closer to Swift. "Uncle Petr!"