Chapter 9: Checking In
The week following the growth of Kir's wings went by too fast.
He learned very quickly that he wasn't quite ready to fly, and having a lot of trouble fitting into the front door meant that coming and going was a lot of trouble for him.
He spent a lot of time wondering how Maledict stored his wings away when he transformed, among other things. If it was an innate ability, he wasn't sure if he could figure out a principle that would enable him to copy it. If it was a magical ability, it meant that magic had far more influence over living matter than he thought.
In any case, he spent most of the week preparing to leave and eating - because gods had his appetite grown after getting his wings. Losing his "baby fat" had made him quite skinny, and, to his immense relief, eating what felt like four times as much as he used to wasn't plumping him up. Instead, he got taller.
Way taller.
By the time the day of departure came, he was a match for Darlae in height - even taller if one considered his horns. Brigit said he looked quite dashing, but it was a bit of a sore point with Darlae, who was very competitive.
Finally, however, the time came to leave.
Many merchants cycled through town on set schedules, and about now was the usual time of year for the circus caravan to depart.
Kir had always wanted to see it, but after getting stabbed he'd never had the nerve to try because of the trouble it could cause. He would have to go into town to check in with the caravan for the trip. His moms had signed him up as a guard, along with themselves.
"You know those are going to get uncomfortable after a lot of walking," Brigit said to Darlae.
"I can take it. Besides, I look fabulous," she replied, before stumbling a bit as her next step landed a bit off thanks to the ten-centimeter heels she'd affixed to her soft boots.