10 Talia's Gift

CHAPTER 10 TALIA'S GIFT For several days, Tag, Blaze, Skyla, and Claw spent time with the firehawks and explored the island. One day, Tag and Skyla were playing on the beach. Talia was teaching Blaze more about her powers.

"Look, Tag!" Blaze called out. Tag watched as his friend opened her beak wide. But instead of her loud cry, she gave a softer SKRAAAAAA. A coconut shell that was nearby began to float in the air. "That is so cool!" Skyla said. "That's not all I've learned." Blaze smiled. "Check this out."

Her feathers lit up one by one with small flames. She pointed at the sky, then waved her wings in the air. Hundreds of tiny colorful fireballs shot out. They exploded, and little sparkles rained down like fireworks.

"Pretty!" Skyla said, clapping. "It's also a good way to call for help," Talia told them. Blaze grinned at Talia. "Show them the gifts," Blaze said. Talia pulled something from her feathers and handed it to Skyla. "This is for you," she said. "To thank you for bringing Blaze home." Skyla looked at the gift. It was a golden slingshot. "Wow!" Skyla said. "Thank you!" "Try it out," Tag said. Skyla grinned and picked up a small pebble on the beach. She put it into her slingshot and shot it out to sea. The pebble flew far, until it was out of sight.

"Whoa!" Skyla said. "I'm going to need more pebbles!" "Is the slingshot magic?" Tag asked. "This land is magical. Everything made here has some kind of special power," Talia said. "Show Tag his gift," Blaze said. Talia smiled. "I have something special for you, too, Tag," Talia said. She handed Tag a small glass bottle. It was filled with a swirly, bright green liquid. "What does it do?" Tag asked. "Drink one drop," Talia said.

Tag opened the bottle and let a drop drip into his beak. Suddenly, his wings started flapping. They moved faster and faster until they were a blur. "Fly!" Talia told him. He flew faster than he had ever flown before. He zoomed through the trees, in and out, and over the wooden huts along the beach. "This liquid gives me special flying powers! It is amazing!" Tag whooped. He flew until his wings started to slow down.