Outside the Gates

Summary: A brief story of Idalia as she is outside the gates and makes her deal with the Gods of Wild Magic.

Disclaimer: I do not own Idalia or the setting. I just own my imagination - and there are some days when I'm not sure I want it.

A/N: I had this idea for a story and wrote it out quickly. It's very short and will stay that way. I figured I'd post it while I'm waiting to read the third book. Can't wait to get it!

Idalia lit the gathered branches with a word. As the flames licked the dry wood, she heard a noise in the forest around her. She jerked her head up and stared into the darkness. Her violet eyes widened, but she saw nothing. The teen shivered involuntarily. She was excited to be out of the city, but the darkness around her was pressing close.

Since she had found the three books, she knew that her future lay outside of the city. But now that it had happened, the immense openness that surrounded her was so different. There were no walls, no houses, no streets, no Magelight...

Abruptly, panic started to overwhelm her. What was she going to do? How would she live? The Outlaw Pack would be after her at dawn and there was no way she could run to the city borders. A strangled cry escaped her.

The sound, more than anything else, forced Idalia to take a deep breath and focus. She pushed her panic down with an effort. She had Wild Magic on her side. She would survive this.

After several more breaths, she felt herself calm down. Now, she was ready to find a way out of this situation. There was no way she would die – she would not give her father the pleasure. Plus, there was no way the Gods had presented her with the books simply for her to die so soon. At least, she hoped not.

Idalia looked around her for inspiration. How would she escape the Outlaw Pack? She knew from her readings that the City's borders expanded past the Delfier Valley and beyond. Even if she was inclined to steal a horse, it would not be enough. She had to get further away. For several moments, she pondered ideas and discarded them all.

As if the Wild Magic was helping her think, the teen heard the call of a hunting owl. It was an eerie sound, but welcome. She could fly away from Armatheliath. That would work.

She looked back down at her fire. She had all the supplies she needed for her spell. She gathered the right leaves and cut a thin line across her palm. The blood pooled out and she dripped it on the leaves and then threw them on the fire. Taking a deep breath, Idalia whispered into the night, "Let me be able to fly and escape the Outlaw Pack."

For a moment there was nothing; then she felt the enveloping presence. It no longer scared her as it had the first times she cast a spell. The presence spoke directly to her. Your price to become a Silver Eagle and fly away is to remain one until you can breed and raise a brood of hatchlings.

Idalia thought for a moment. Raise a brood of Silver Eagles? It did not seem that difficult. She then spoke out loud, "I agree." The presence departed. She stood up and stamped out the fire.

Then suddenly there was a great pain throughout her body. The colors of the world changed. Her balance wobbled and, as she started to fall, she put a hand out to brace herself. However, she no longer had hands. She had feathered wings. As she hit the ground, she yelped or tried to. The sound that came out of her mouth, no her beak, was a high-pitched shrill.

Idalia was a Silver Eagle.

The End

A/N: Like I said, short. But I'd appreciate reviews. Let me know if you liked it! Or hated it. Constructive criticism is appreciated. Any why aren't there more Obsidian trilogy stories, huh?