BC hailed a cab and took Robert to the hotel. There they picked up Maelgwn and headed out to the mountains along Vancouver Island. Along the way they stopped at an outfitters shop to pick up some climbing gear before starting then up the mountains.

"Dad, what the hel... heck are we doing out here?" Maelgwn was a bit disgruntled, but tried to do his best not to ruffle feathers.

BC huffed a little as they climbed, not looking down the slope of mountain they’d covered. He didn’t like to admit it but he was actually afraid of heights. It wasn’t the height so much as the uncontrolled stop. As a result of experiencing the panic of not being in control while falling from a great height, he understood how someone could die of fright while cascading to one's demise.

"I promised Robert I would teach him to fly. With your assistance, I shall keep that promise."

"But Dad, what do you need me for?" Maelgwn was stumped.

"For moral support, and to make certain I do not fall." BC replied in all seriousness. Robert practically raced up the side of the mountain, tireless. He laughed and tried to get Maelgwn to chase him.

The vista was amazing at the top of the mountain. Maelgwn was the last to arrive, brushing the dirt from his pant legs. BC had all ready removed the climbing equipment from Robert and himself, and stood near the edge of the cliff, calling Robert over.

"Now. Close your eyes. Reach out with your senses. Feel the wind. And see yourself fly as you do in your dreams." BC waited for just that moment when he could see Robert’s dreams.

Robert moved to the very edge and stared out, holding his breath. Then slowly he tilted his head back and stretched out his arms, letting the wind batter him. Opening his mouth, he drank it in. My dreams.

BC pushed Robert off of the cliff.

Maelgwn screamed. "Dad! He’s going to fall!"

Just smiling at his son, BC then shifted to his true form, to his phoenix form and jumped. Taking wing BC glided down to come under Robert and bear him up, again waiting. Robert cried a single word that reverberated throughout the world, in the hearts of beast and men, from heaven to hell, like the voice of hope from within Pandora's box. He keened just one word before he remembered what the Ancient said. He sang the word to Creation.

Freedom!

With wings brilliantly spread forth, Robert shone resplendently, burning as bright as liquid fire. BC dropped out from under Robert when his wings unfurled to uphold him on the breeze. Flying vertical to the sky, BC sang the song of birth and rebirth. Then, circling overhead he began a slow wide downward spiral.

Flying is better than living. Robert soared around the Ancient, their bodies entwining in an aerial ballet. He didn't want to go back to flesh. He wanted to stay as he was forever.

They flew around for what seemed far too short a time. The sun had begun its descent behind the horizon. But discretion being the better choice to undesired notoriety, BC indicated to Robert that they had to alight.

"Robert, please do not argue. We will fly more. I promise. You still have more to learn of flight. The next lesson is landing."

BC glided over to Maelgwn, who was curled up napping on the ground. Flapping his wings in a gentle backstroke, he shifted back to human form as his feet touched the ground and turned to watch Robert.

"But..." Robert whined beseechingly, making a very slow reluctant turn, buying himself another five minutes in the air.

"I know Robert. I would much rather stay as we are, but it will service no greater purpose at this time. Soon, it will be time for the truth… soon."

Very reluctantly, Robert attempted a landing, turning human a little too soon, and with a yelp fell accidentally right on poor sleeping Maelgwn.

"Owww! What were you doing?" Maelgwn covered an eye. "He jammed an elbow in my eye! Damn, I'm going to have a shiner."

"Landing?" Robert replied meekly and scramble to hide behind Brandon. "Flying again tomorrow?" He begged the Ancient One.

"I don't know about tomorrow. It may be a very hectic day. We will see what tomorrow brings." BC kissed Robert lightly. The two of them managed to get an injured Maelgwn down the mountain and back to the hotel. At the hotel BC situated Maelgwn into bed before joining Robert in their room.

"And how did you enjoy spreading your wings, my little one?" Robert climbed on top of Brandon, full of kisses.

"I loved it," he whispered.