Chapter 7: Silver Moon

         For the first time in nearly eight years, Taya felt like she had a family. Within the tribe of Yelya each individual family was given the responsibility of providing themselves with food. However, if they were unable, certain families would work together to make sure no one went hungry. J’vonte’s father, whose name was kept secret and could be known only by his wife, spent the majority of his time by the waterfall, far away and secluded. J’vonte’ explained to Taya that it was just his way. It was where he would meditate.

“Ever since Mother died, Father has spent all his time by that waterfall,” J’vonte’ told Taya. On occasion he would descend from the mountain to discuss tribal matters or any conflict arising from outsiders. “One day he will lead us as he did before,” J’vonte’ sounded as if she resented her Father, or perhaps they simply had two different reactions to the same pain. 

J’vonte’ graciously offered her hut to Taya to stay if she so desired. “It isn’t much, but I call it home.” The hut was small, as it was built for only one, but the two women managed to make do. It was much better than anything Taya had ever built; there were no leaks, it was perfectly insulated and very few insects were able to worm their way through the mud walls. Taya sighed, it would be the first full night sleep in almost a decade. 

Every day proved itself a new adventure. Taya was undergoing strict training to get her skill level to match those around her. Not only did she have to work her self more than usual to achieve this, but she had her other tasks to deal with as well. After her run at dawn, Taya had to prepare any injured creatures for their recoveries and treatments. When she finished, it was back to training, only stopping for meals or being called upon for help with the injured. When the last meal of the day was finished, the whole tribe gathered together. J’vonte’s father would lead them in a deep meditation. Finding oneself and one’s place in the tribe was an element held very high among all members. Taya, having only been there a few weeks, was having trouble letting go of the weight of the day, therefore failing to find her inner self. So, as the night rolled in and the sun was just beginning to set, Taya would sneak away. She would go to the waterfall where she had first met J’vonte’s father, and simply take in her surroundings. Taya would watch how gracefully the water flowed over the top and gently met the base; it was one of the most beautiful things she had ever seen. Opening her leather journal, she began to write as she did when she was young, word after word flowing from her quill until her name was called. 

“Taya!” It was J’vonte’, “There you are! I’ve been searching for you all evening.” J’vonte’ was riding on Ennadia’s back as Ennadia perched on a large branch which protruded over the edge of a cliff. 

“I have news for you! Once every young girl becomes a woman, or a boy becomes a man, they are then under the mentorship of one of the nine elders. I asked for permission to train you,” J’vonte’ said, smiling at her new friend.

“I would be honoured,” replied Taya. The group training had helped her in certain areas, but she was lacking in combat experience, and very much wished to train to be one of the 200 warriors. J’vonte’ was both an elder and a scout, she was a lookout on most days and hunted larger animals for families who were unable.

“I will teach you everything I know.” J’vonte’ said with a twinkle in her eye. Taya did not expect that from a fearsome warrior, but then she realized: J’vonte’ was a friend, she was not at odds with Taya. J’vonte’ really cared.

Every day Taya wrote in her journal about the time spent with J’vonte’. If she had the lesson written down, she could redo that lesson over and over until she had perfected it. On day fourteen J’vonte’ brought Taya to her dragon. Taya realized that she had spent very little time with Zenith because of everything else that had been happening. She approached the enclosed area, and there he stood, as majestic as a mountain towering above foothills. He spread his wings in excitement and leapt high into the sky until he was in the clouds. 

“He is a bit of a show off,” commented J’vonte’.

“I think he’s just happy,” said Taya. They waited for Zenith to come down from the clouds and join them on the solid earth. As Zenith landed he looked down at Taya, who once was larger than him,  and bowing his head he invited her on his back.

“I’m going to teach you how to fly,” J’vonte’ offered out her hand to help Taya mount her dragon, “You and Zenith have a very special bond, you don’t have to be afraid.” Taya caressed the side of Zenith’s head and then proceeded, with J’vonte’s help, to climb aboard. She had only ridden him once before and Zenith hadn’t lasted very long, so Taya had no idea what to expect. Ennadia allowed J’vonte’ on her back also, and instantly took to the sky. Excited, Zenith did the same, Taya held on tightly as she almost took to the sky herself. Hovering in the clouds, J’vonte’ waited. She greeted them with a laugh. 

“You thought that was something? Wait ‘til you master maneuvers, they are much more fun! Now come on, I’ll teach you.” The four of them spent most of the day going over voice commands and positions. Taya and Zenith took little training, they easily adapted to how the other moved and reacted. J’vonte’ looked over at the team and smiled at the success they made, then she led them to a cliff that rose high above the river. The cliff looked out over the entire camp, from inside the village out to J’vonte’s father’s waterfall. They perched on the second landing from the top, big enough for both Ennadia and Zenith to fit perfectly. Before Zenith had the chance to let Taya off of him, Ennadia took off.

“Where’s she going?” asked Taya as she slid off her dragon’s head. 

“I’ll show you,” J’vonte’ had a look on her face that made Taya all the more curious. Without saying another word J’vonte’ winked, let out a loud whistle and jumped from the edge. Seconds passed, Taya and Zenith both a bit stunned and awaiting something fantastic to appear in front of them. In a flash the griffin soared up above the cliff with J’vonte’ on her back. They swerved in and out, and then Ennadia did a loop with J’vonte’ still holding on. They landed beside Zenith, J’vonte’ jumping from Ennadia’s back as they did so. 

“That’s all you have to do, Taya. Leap from this cliff. Show me you are fearless!” For the first time in Taya’s whole life she was being put to the test. It was the moment of trust, the moment for Zenith and her to prove that they had what it took to capture the skies. She looked at Zenith and nodded. He reached to catch air with his wings and flew out from the cliff. Taya looked at J’vonte’ and smiled.

“Thank you, my friend.” Taya took one step and in that step a beam of green light shone out from the locket around her neck. Zenith spotted the light immediately as Taya leapt out from the rock face. Her arms came close to her sides, and her legs were together; she flew straight as an arrow towards the water. Zenith quickly shot out and flew downwards to catch her. As he did so J’vonte’ looked over the cliff and saw the two falling together. Suddenly, Taya reached out to grab ahold of Zenith and he reared up, sweeping the water below him with the tips of his wings. Taya raised her arms as Zenith glided back up to the cliff where J’vonte’ stood. The two waited in the air as J’vonte’ climbed back aboard Ennadia, who took off to join them. All four of them enjoyed the rest of the day in the sky until day fell into night, and it was time for meditation. 

Later that evening, after the moon had taken control of the night sky and the villagers had all gone their separate ways, Taya left the hut. She had started to master the skill of light feet and managed to slip through the beaded door without waking J’vonte’. Taya made her way to the pasture that Zenith stayed in, the night owls whispered their secrets and the crickets sang their song. She wanted to fly. Taya collected a dead squirrel she had killed early that day and climbed over the wooden fence which signified the divide between the villagers and their creatures. Taya stood in the middle of the field,  lifted her locket up to the sky, opened it, and shone the light that had become so familiar to Zenith. Several miles away Zenith lay on top of one of the sisters’ mountains. That mountain had quickly become Zenith’s place; he made it his own like a bird creates a nest. He spotted the green light and immediately rose from the peak soaring over the forrest until he reached the field where Taya was standing. Zenith swooped down near Taya. She threw the dead squirrel in the air and Zenith caught it in his mouth.

“Are you ready to fly?” Taya asked as she brushed her hand down his beautiful neck. As if to respond to her question, Zenith bent down to let Taya climb on his back. Taya held on tight, she was only just getting used to the unique feeling of flight, which would become second nature soon enough. The wind whistled the night’s soft and gentle caress past Taya’s ears. The moon hung in the distance, the silhouette of a warrior and a dragon crossing over her silver face.