Most Esteemed Elder Uri Firewing propped his elbows on the table and rested his chin on his folded hands. Fya had been right about Kai after all. Shame on him for never quite believing her prediction. In truth, he had not wanted to. Yet, what she had told him hundreds of sun migrations ago was finally coming to pass.
Change.
She had tried to prepare him, to open his mind to make the transition easier, but he had been too stubborn. Her warning words still echoed in his thoughts:
“There is nothing more certain in the universe than change. And change is the one thing all beings resist, even if resistance might kill them. Learn to adapt, Uri, because change is coming.”
Change was certainly in the roost now, and Kai had made the first flight for their people. It was both heartbreaking and exhilarating to watch the younger phoenix find his wings and soar.
Now, it was up to the Firewing clan to rediscover their focus, and Uri was at point to lead them into that new future—or not. The choice was his. A knot of nerves settled in his stomach. How qualified he was to do so remained to be seen.
A soft gurgle came from the cradle in the corner. Zha was awake and would need feeding. He rose and moved to the side of the cradle. The tiny phoenix within blinked his deep lavender eyes, and he lifted the fledgling to his shoulder.
“There now, little one. You have come to us at a great time. Your forebearer left us far too soon, but I hope you stay around longer. Things are about to get exciting.”