Unexpectedly, the swan reeled and gained momentum. She flew past Vanda again. Vanda followed, undaunted, vying now for the soft flesh above Odette's legs. Once and then again Vanda struck; the swan faltered, and Vanda dove for its face.
A thrash of wings struck Vanda blindside--she fell back, spiraling, unable to right herself until just before she would have crashed to the ground. She skirted the floor and had turned to fly up again when she saw the webbed feet spiraling down fast upon her.
She felt the swan's feet sink into her breast; and as she was buffeted down, Odette caught Vanda's ruffled neck in her bill. Odette had not the agility or reserve of strength to carry Vanda far, but with a heavy flap or two of her wings she flew over the dais. Vanda's wings beat furiously, so furiously she did not see the Harp until her side smashed into the top of the forepillar. A tide of pain washed over her with the breaking of her wing and she fell to the floor. Her uninjured wing flapped once, twice, and then she fainted.
�2002, 2004 by Maria Osborne Perry
Back Home
