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can speak. If
things get dangerous I can run off and do a stomp turn dance like
Nuit suggested. I have some ideas about that. But I am nervous
about flying. I don’t think skunks were meant to fly.’
    ‘I have been thinking about that, Tempo, and
I have a solution that I believe will be safe for you. My harness
is designed to fit me securely and protect me from any possible
rough landing. I have been paragliding for many years and believe
in my skills. I can put you in this warm bag. I will leave part of
the flap open so you can see out. The bag can be secured to my
chest on top of my harness buckles. I can talk to you during the
flight. You will have some access to my mind and know when I need
to concentrate. How does that sound?’, Erin said.
    Tempo walked over to the bag. It was made of
fleece lined leather and by the smell, he could tell, had carried a
whetstone and some of the paragliding gear. It would probably now
carry some of his muskiness though he would not disgrace himself by
spraying. He walked into the bag and curled up. It fit him. It
would work. ‘Okay, lets give this flying business a try,’ he said
not being able to thump inside the bag.
    Erin got up and spread out her gear. She
checked all of her lines and buckles and got into her harness.
Putting on her helmet and gloves she strapped in and gently lifted
Tempo’s bag to her chest and secured it on each side to the harness
that held her in. He was a young skunk and didn’t weigh much. She
doubted that he would move around much either. “Are you
comfortable, Tempo?” She heard a small sound then his voice came
into her mind. ‘I’m fine. I’m just concentrating and listening to
your thoughts.’ She smiled then focused in getting her wing up and
ran to fully inflate it. The wind filled the vents and her lines
tightened as she moved forward to take off. There was that final
pull and they were aloft. Erin concentrated in catching the wind
currents and directing their way aloft. Once she was on the air
thermals and moving across the valley she looked down at the bundle
secured to her chest. The young skunk hadn’t yet stuck his nose out
of the bag but seemed to be fine.
    Erin was covering quite of bit of ground now.
It felt wonderful being in the air again. Because they had lived in
a wooded area she hadn’t been able to paraglide as much as she
liked. “I love it up here. I feel like a bird. It is so incredibly
beautiful and peaceful!” She could see the occasional home with its
windmill and solar panel. Her world was a pretty self reliant
place. Each home had its own power source and a special battery to
store the power. Those batteries ran the direct current for the
dwellings and shops. Homes and towns were energy autonomous. Towns
were settled near rivers and in the open to get the most out of
available energy sources. Some had found geothermal vents but the
standard was wind, solar and water wheel. People remained connected
through guild trade and the laws.
    In the distance she could see other
paragliders, as it was a fine day to travel by wing. She adjusted
her loft to catch the air current and turned slightly to the east.
There were people on the roads with their wagons, horseback or
walking. The river ribboning through the valley had water craft.
From her sky-high view, there didn’t seem to be anything out of
pattern. Everybody was moving normally and at regular, steady pace.
That meant that whatever it was that her father had sensed wasn’t
causing panic and was, as yet, subtle. It was possible that even
the Great One and his counselors were not aware, though one would
think that would be impossible. Erin shook her head at the myriad
of unanswered questions. She simply didn’t have enough
information.
    The day was one of those beautiful crisp fall
days that Erin loved. She pulled her mind out of her revery and
concentrated on the wind and her wing. Off to her right Keir soared
into view. He enjoyed the thermals also and the novel