Free The Missing Kin by Michael Pryor Page A

embarrassing,' Simangee grated.
    I hope that's all it is , Adalon thought. 'At least
they haven't killed us outright.'
    Firm hands jerked him upright and he was held,
facing the tunnel they'd so recently exited. Standing
there, in the flickering, red-tinged shadows thrown
by the fiery mountain, were the creatures he'd only
seen as statues.
    The Winged Ones.
    A score or so of winged warriors uncovered
lanterns then studied Adalon, Targesh and Simangee
with steady yellow eyes. They were small, but their
chests and upper arms were strong with muscle.
Their limbs were thin. A bony crest like a knife rose
from the top of their heads while their faces were
hard with short, beaky snouts. They wore leather
trews and harnesses. Hands with claws painted
black gripped the shafts of spears. Giant, leathery
wings were folded on their backs.
    One stepped forward. She glared at the three
friends. 'We have guarded the Forbidden Gate for
untold years,' she rasped. 'Alert, ready, we have
been. And now, on my watch, the A'ak appear! The
Great Enemy has come back!'
    Rattling spears and angry mutterings followed
this pronouncement.
    'We have come from far away,' Adalon said,
battling his astonishment, 'but we aren't the A'ak.'
    The watch leader spat. 'The A'ak built the Forbidden
Gate. You use the Forbidden Gate. You must be
the A'ak.' She jerked her head. 'Net them,' she croaked
and she jabbed a finger at one of the warriors. 'You.
Fly with all speed to the Retreat. Tell the Flightmother
that Kikkalak is bringing A'ak prisoners.'
    The warrior nodded, then ran off and launched
into the air with huge beats of his wings.
    The other Winged Ones unrolled large nets.
Adalon, Targesh and Simangee were each tumbled
into the centre of a net, with a Winged One gripping
a corner apiece. 'Fly!' Kikkalak cried.
    The Winged Ones ran, bouncing their prisoners
along, then they reached the edge of the rocks.
Adalon's stomach lurched as the Winged Ones threw
themselves off the cliff and dropped through the
warm night air.
    We're all going to die! Adalon thought. He
strained and struggled as they plummeted toward
the dark jungle below with no other thought than to
break free of his bonds. Then, as one, the wings of
his four guards snapped open. Their hurtling descent
became a swooping glide. The mighty wings began
to beat, thrusting them upward and forward.
    As he peered down, Adalon hoped that the net-makers
were skilful. Ahead, a brilliant burst of
orange light lit the night as the mountain cleared its
throat. Adalon twisted his head and saw the other
Winged Ones, some dangling nets that he assumed
carried Targesh and Simangee.
    The smoking mountain grew nearer. Adalon saw
that one flank stretched out until it was swallowed
by the jungle, with rocky cliffs breaking through the
vegetation like the weathered bones of an immense
creature. When they drew closer, Adalon realised
that what he had thought was rock was in fact the
ruins of an enormous castle that looked suspiciously
like an A'ak construction. Vines, creepers and ferns
enveloped the ruins, making it look unkempt. Lights
appeared in dark holes as the Winged Ones came
closer. Bent figures scurried from the shadows.
    Their captors folded their pinions and plunged
toward the ruins. Adalon gritted his teeth. He hated
feeling helpless, bound and carried as he was, but he
hesitated to use his thumb-claws on the net. It was
the only thing between him and a long, long fall.
    With a jolt and a scrape, the Winged Ones landed,
running a few steps before dumping the net and
muttering complaints. Adalon stifled a grunt, then
hands pulled him upright to stand with his friends.
The Winged Ones unbound their legs and Adalon
flexed, trying to work them back to life.
    'What a ride!' Simangee said. Her eyes caught the
lantern light. She hummed a few bars of a jaunty
tune. She turned to the watch leader, Kikkalak,
who was muttering with one of the Winged Ones
who had emerged from the shadows. 'You're so
lucky to be able to