Author's note: Thanks to CorvusTurrim777 for editing the first draft and giving me more ideas for this chapter.
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The sun hung high over rolling green fields as two thunderbirds soared through the midday sky. Their black feathers were sleek and their shining beaks glinted in the sun. Two slim warriors straddled their backs.
"This is the life, girl! A day of leisure at last, and the Celestial Army tomorrow!"
Bella laughed at her friend.
The late afternoon sun beamed on their tanned golden skin as the two girls glided through the peaceful countryside. The avians belonged to the City's old quartermaster, who famously only allowed the top Aspirants ride her mightiest mounts.
"So, how does it feel to be the top graduate of Sanctuary, Erin?"
Bella turned to regard the other girl. Erin was beautiful, in an effortless, common way. Just like how she is in everything, Bella thought, recalling how the girl soared and pirouetted with graceful ease back in training, leaving her fellow students, even Bella herself, eating dust.
"Well, I would say it's an honor flying with the runner up," Erin teased, grinning. "If you hadn't messed up that javelin throw at the end, it could've been you with the laurel leaves."
Bella groaned, faking a dejected slump. "My grip was off by an inch! And second place has got to be the worst. So close, but you get nothing,"
Erin laughed. "Oh stop, you got the looks at least, I mean, check out those noble, delicate features. How can I, a mere commoner, compete?"
"Erin, I'm as much a commoner as you. And stop trying to patronize me, noble features won't stop an arrow in the heart."
"More like your stomach," Erin corrected. "The breastplate should cover your heart, unless of course, you're a sorceress."
Bella smirked. "Well, they've got their magic, I guess. And don't take that tone with me, you think I don't know my armor?"
"Well, seeing how you've scored high enough for the Royal Guard, I'd have expected more accurate phrasing from you!" Erin teased.
"You're funny. Well, it doesn't matter, since the Thunderbird school gets all the good stuff anyway. Including the actual thunderbirds. Not too interested in shooting arrows though, I'm more of a front-line kinda girl."
"Well, here we are talking about armor and assignments, instead of enjoying our day off! Lets have some fun before we start our careers, yeah?" And with that, Erin whooped, leaning into her mount. The avian screeched majestically as it climbed through the air, heading for the clouds above.
Laughing, Bella followed, steering her thunderbird up as well. Erin turned around, looking back at her friend.
"Race ya to the orchards!"
"You're on, girl."
They climbed together, soaring through the air, quickly cresting the cloud layer. They hung there for a moment as they looked down at the panorama, the city below and the countryside around it. It was breathtaking; Shifting their weight, the thunderbirds eased into a downward plunge. Soon, the girls were diving with deadly speed, pressing their thin, smooth bodies close against the thunderbirds' muscular backs. Wind screamed in their ears as the city below, so small a few seconds ago, rose in prominence and reality.
They straightened just before they hit the upper roofs of the marketplace. Laughing, the girls could see shoppers curse as their great birds sent waves of wind careening into the carefully propped shelves and tents of the merchants below. Three girls seemed to notice and run along for a second. Bella thought she recognized someone from the training camps amongst them.
"Dammit you two! Stop showing off already!"
The girls grinned as they soared away, their birds straightening out into a controlled glide.
"Ain't easy being top of the class, Bella." Erin rubbed her mount's head, and the bird nuzzled back affectionately.
She shrugged, nonchalant. "Comes with the territory I suppose. Jealous bitches can lick my pussy."
Erin looked over, raising an eyebrow. "Dirty words for a teenage girl," she teased.
"Oh shut up."
"Well, you are. Remember that time we caught you masturbating in the bathroom?"
Erin laughed and raced off as Bella cursed. The pastures were approaching fast now, and Bella could see fruit of all kinds growing on the trees; oranges, red apples, and pearly peaches shone in the afternoon sun. Erin passed the fruit yards however, headed past a line of guards, and into forested territory. They soon spied a small red-bricked house, and Erin made to land, Bella following in her wake.
She landed next to her friend, who was already on the ground. Sliding off her mount smoothly, Bella joined Erin, who was kneeling next to the nearby building. She was smiling. "You never stood a chance."
Bella blew a strand of hair out of her face. "Cheater. Using cheap childhood jabs to win? Real impressive."
"Stop being so whiney and admit it. I'm the better flyer."
Erin was unbearable. Bella decided to change the subject. "Where the hell are we anyway? Old run-down barn?"
Erin shook her head. "See, I saw a few bandits after the ceremony yesterday."
Bella looked askance at her friend. "So that's where you were! Crowned top aspirant of the district, and the first thing you do is go bandit-spying."
"Bella, you're not listening. I was spying on them because during flight training one day, you know, while I was way ahead of you lot, I happened to see several suspicious men around this old building." Bella was shaking her head. Erin continued. "On the graduation stage, all I could think about was," she leaned in for emphasis, "What if we could hit a little score before becoming starting our duties?" She grinned. "Come on, you know we got something here."
Bella sighed. "Erin, we're wearing simple cloth wraps and undergarments, with no armor plating. No weapons, and what about the birds? If they get hurt, we'll be in huge - "
"Ca-ca-caw!" Erin made the noise, and the birds, squawking once in understanding, took off, heading back to town. She turned back to her companion, grinning. "They've got swords in there, I saw them smuggling them in. Let's go already, crybaby."
Grumpily, the girl complied. "Fine. But you're going first."
