The path to the lower crags was five paces wide. Fog hid the drop on either side. Wind pulled at Pei Jing’s bamboo hat until its cord bit into his chin.
Above him, the Fire-Falcon fell. The bronze feathers along its wings folded into one smooth shape. Its body alone weighed eight hundred pounds. Fire gathered in two long spears around Elder Lie Yang’s forearms as he leaned forward in the saddle.
Pei Jing watched from the middle of the path. He still felt the crack in his collarbone from taking the weight of the falling keel. He had no wish to take another blow like that. If he could get the bird to commit to the dive, it would bring all the force he needed.
Pei Jing turned his back and stumbled toward the rock wall. His hat slid sideways. He flung out his hands as though his boots had slipped on the wet glass.
“Rogue vermin!” Lie Yang shouted. “Die on your knees!”
The elder drove the falcon down at Pei Jing’s back. Steel talons opened below its belly. At ten paces, the sound of the wind in its wings drowned out the elder. At four, there was no room for the bird to turn.
