Endrah pulled through the spell and landed in his room in Glade. Acarad was sleeping on his bed. Endrah smiled and gently pulled Acarad’s jacket and boots off. He draped a small blanket over the sleeping prince and pulled the call bell for a page. A little boy came in almost immediately.

“Little one, if you don’t mind, I have a request for you,” Endrah whispered.

“Of course Master Sprite,” the child whispered back.

“Could you lead me to a place to take a bath,” Endrah asked. “I would love the feeling of soaking in water.”

“There is a room connected to yours Master Sprite,” the boy pointed to a pale rectangle in the wall. “There is a room where you can draw a bath and soak. If you would like some towels, I can fetch you some.”

“Thank you little one,” Endrah smiled. “Would you mind getting me two towels?”

“Of course I don’t mind Master Sprite,” the boy bounced up on his toes. “I will be back in a few moments.”

With that, the boy scampered down the hall. Endrah left the door cracked open and sat down in the only chair in the room. He unbraided his hair and picked dry grass out of it from his time in Aviary. He smiled and quietly welcomed the boy when he returned. After a quick thanks, Endrah sent the boy on his way with a sweet biscuit in hand.

An hour later, Endrah rose from the bath and dried himself off. He could hear Acarad beginning to wake in the next room over and deeded to dress quickly. When he stepped out he made sure to knock on the door. Acarad rolled over and sat up.

“How long have you been back,” Acarad asked.

“Just over an hour,” Endrah answered. He shook his wings out a bit. “I didn’t want to wake you.”

“You should have,” Acarad said. He stretched with a yawn.

“Acarad,” Endrah paused for a moment. “What would happen if your parents were angry with someone in particular?”

“That depends on why they are angry,” Acarad answered. “Why?”

“I may have...definitely…..threatened the Monarch of Aviary because she threatened to cast my family down a tier,” Endrah said.

“You threatened your monarch,” Acarad asked.

“I know it was wrong of me to lash out in anger,” Endrah started pacing the room, wings twitching. “But she threatened my family and I let my temper slip out of hand.”

“Then let’s hope that she respects that and doesn’t try to do as she wants,” Acarad said.

“I left without telling them anything,” Endrah gasped. He turned to the closet and threw it open. He pulled a cloak off of its hook and threw it over his shoulders.

“Telling who what,” Acarad asked.

“I left a note in my family’s stall at the Merchant’s quarter,” Endrah tied the cloak closed at the neck. “I promised that I would tell them what had happened to me.”

“Let me go with you Endrah,” Acarad said. “Your wings are still healing.”

“I will be fine,” Endrah replied. He walked up to the bed and sat beside Acarad for a moment. “I am not the only one in my family who can do magic, and healers in Aviary will be able to look over my wings if need be.”

Acarad put a hand on Endrah’s and searched the sprite’s face. The dark bags under Endrah’s eyes were gone, his golden eyes were bright again. Acarad slowly let his hand come to a rest at his side.

“Are you sure you want to go alone,” Acarad asked.

“I am absolutely certain,” Endrah smiled.

Acarad reluctantly let Endrah go out the door alone.

~

“Are you sure that it is from Endrah,” Ami asked. Her gray dove wings quivered. “It could be from anyone.”

“No dear, these are his words,” Alac answered. His eagle wings fluffed out a bit. “His paint too.”

“Check his little box Papa,” Jasper said. Her falcon wings perked up in excitement. “If he opened it there wouldn't be any dust.”

“No need little sister,” Endrah said. He trotted up close, pulling the cloak close around him. “I’m sorry to keep you waiting.”

“Endrah,” Ami cried. Her wings and arms flew open as she ran toward her son. “Oh thank the First Wind you’re alright.”

“What happened,” Alac asked. He pulled Jasper under his wings and joined Ami. “Someone found your shoulder bag out in the prairie.”

“I am sorry to worry you,” Endrah said. He wrapped his arms around himself. “I wasn’t able to send word through the border. Even the other Drifters couldn’t get through.”

“Other Drifters,” Jasper said. “You’re a Drifter now?”

“I will explain when we get home,” Endrah sighed. “I need to see a healer first.”

“What happened sweetling,” Ami asked. She started checking over Endrah. “Where are you hurt? Who hurt you? Alac, get my staff from the wagon.”

“Mother please,” Endrah pulled the cloak tighter around himself. “I don’t need to be checked out in the open.”

“We could take him to Healer Anik,” Jasper said. “She wouldn’t tell anyone Endrah was home.”

“I take it that the Monarch is still looking for me,” Endrah asked.

“Men came to the house and tried to go through all the rooms,” Jasper hopped up and grabbed her brother by the arm. “They tried to take my dollies.”

“Now why would they do such a thing,” Endrah asked. He brushed his sister’s black hair out of her face. “Especially to you and the others.”

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“They thought we were hiding messages from you,” Alac said. “They only got to look around through the rooms so far as to see that you weren’t home.”

“I would have come home sooner if I could have,” Endrah said. He wrapped an arm around his father. “I had things that I needed to do.”

“Let’s get you to Healer Anik,” Ami said. She shepherded her kin toward the family wagon. “She does not live too far away.”

Endrah smiled and climbed into the wagon. He pulled his sister and mother up behind him as his father checked the harness on Shine and Sun. He slipped into the covered side of the wagon. He settled down against a pile of blankets and cradled Jasper under his arm. He braided her hair, humming old lullabies under his breath. Jasper hummed along with him for a time before she fell asleep. Endrah kept her under his arm, smoothing her feathers and gently pulling dead ones out. Alac and Ami stayed up front, with an arm around each other. Alac’s wings were wrapped around Ami, feathers puffed up a bit in an attempt to hide the charges inside. Endrah was nearly lulled to sleep by the rocking of the wagon. The sound and feel of the wagon came to a slow stop some time later, and Alac stepped off of the wagon driver’s seat. Ami flared her wings open, watching the sky. Endrah gently moved his sister so that he could stand. He crouched down low behind his mother and pulled his hood up. Alac and a woman in her early forties came walking up to the wagon again. Ami lowered and folded her wings to let Endrah step out of the wagon. Endrah kept his hood drawn down over his face. He followed his father and the healer into the house. Once they were inside, Healer Anik closed all of her curtains and led Endrah and Alac into her healing room. In the healing room, Endrah took his cloak off and unfolded his wings. There were still holes in his wings, bright red from the healing process.

“What happened to put these holes in your wings,” Healer Anik asked. She gently brushed her fingers over Endrah’s wings. “It looks like someone has already tried to heal your wings.”

“I was shot with arrows,” Endrah answered. “One through each wing, and one in my left shoulder. They were tipped with poison and barbs.”

“Human arrows then,” Alac said.

“First Wind sent me to stop a skirmish between two groups of humans,” Endrah said. “Warriors from Toloc were trying to invade Glade. They shot me down.”

“Can you finish the healing,” Alac asked.

“I can,” Healer Anik gently probed one of the holes, making Endrah flinch. “I will have to undo a little bit of the other healer’s work though. The pattern of your wings is what lets you fly. Those lines of cartilage are strong enough to help get and keep you up into the air. A few are misaligned in each wing. Whoever they are, they did a good job.”

“The Earth Drifter is a human magic wielder,” Endrah said. “He is a Wizard, and he can heal as well as any healer in his lands. He took care of me while I was healing.”

“He does good work,” Healer Anik said. She turned to the table of healing salves and implements for surgery. “I am going to need you to lay face down on the table. Make sure you take your shirts off.”

Endrah stripped his shirts off and laid down on the table. Alac came around and took his son’s hands in his. Healer Anik set to work, numbing Endrah’s wings, and pulling his wings up on another table. She kept his wings steady as she cut her way to the bones that needed to be fixed. She made quick work of realigning the cartilage lines, healing them with her magic as she went along. Endrah squeezed his father’s hands as he heard her working. Alac held his wings half open, occasionally flapping them to stir the air and stretch. What felt like days to Endrah and Alac was only a couple of hours. Healer Anik started putting protective bandages on Endrah’s wings as Ami and Jasper came in.

“Is everything alright,” Ami asked.

“We are done with working on his wings,” Healer Anik answered. “The Earth Drifter did good work on them.”

“His wings,” Ami covered her mouth.

“I was shot down,” Endrah said. “I have spent most of my time away healing from it.”

“Why would anyone shoot you down,” Ami asked.

“Humans from Toloc call us demons and shoot us down because we are not what they wish we were,” Healer Anik said. She finished bandaging Endrah’s wings. “Now, your wings need to stay in these bandages for three days. Do not try to fly. After the three days are over, work on flying slowly. Act as though they have just become strong enough to hold you up. From there, build your strength and soon enough, you will be soaring as high as before.”

“Thank you Healer Anik,” Endrah said. He pushed himself up from the table and sat up. “I cannot repay you now but I will as soon as I can.”

“Child, helping the Air Drifter is payment enough,” Healer Anik began cleaning her work station. “Your predecessor set me on my path before my parents could fathom where to send me. My parents were Forgotten Ones. Their wings had not properly grown and could not carry them. Drifter Atilk took me under her wing and supported my learning. This is my way of paying her back.”

“Thank you,” Endrah donned his shirts and cloak again.

The Feyborns left Healer Anik to clean her station and went home. This time Endrah did actually fall asleep with the rocking of the wagon. He woke to Jasper gently shaking him, a huge smile plastered on her face. Endrah sat up and followed Jasper out of the wagon. Out on the lawn, Endrah’s older sisters and younger brother were all gathered. Kia and Miana watched over their children as they wove baskets. Alltrade wove grass into part of a mat. Endrah dropped his hood down and stepped into the yard. Alltrade was the first to look up, and his face lit up like a lantern. He brushed his black hair out of his golden eyes, setting his work aside. He climbed to his feet and half opened his wings.

“Endrah, you’re home,” Alltrade walked up to his brother and wrapped his wings around them both. “You’ve been missed my older brother.”

“I have missed you too Ali,” Endrah chuckled, wrapping his arms around his little brother’s shoulders. “When did you get so tall?”

“While I was with Father on the trail,” Alltrade laughed and released his brother. “Now we’ve seen about the same amount of Aviary.”

“I wouldn’t say that,” Endrah pulled his hair out from under his cloak.

“Where in the name of the Four Winds have you been,” Kia demanded. Her brown dragonfly wings flared open as she walked to her brothers. “There have been soldiers looking for you. What did you do?”

“It could be more for something he didn’t do Kia,” Miana soothed. She carried her little boy on her hip. “Welcome home little brother.”

“I have missed you two as well,” Endrah opened his arms for his sisters. The three embraced as the children came running. “I have a lot to tell all of you.”

“Uncle Endrah,” little Amy tugged Endrah’s cloak. “Did you go on an adventure?”

“I suppose you would say that,” Endrah pulled away from his sisters and squatted down to embrace the four year old. “I am glad to be home now.”

“Let’s go inside,” Ami said. She began herding her children and grandchildren toward the house. “Endrah needs a good meal.”

The Feyborn clan all gathered their things from the yard and started filing into the house. Alac and Ami sat down in the common room, beside the fire. Endrah took his old place beside the bookshelf, running a finger down the spines of the old books. Kia and Miana gathered the children, including Jasper, in the west corner, enticing them with toys. Alltrade ran into the kitchen, and bolted out again with two bowls of roasted fruit and vegetables. He set them down within arm’s reach of Endrah before folding his wings and starting on his weaving again. Endrah watched his family settling in for the night, as though it were any night before he had been chosen. His mother picked up her sewing, and his father picked notes on a small lute, testing its tuning. Endrah grazed on the bowls Alltrade had brought out, just watching his family. As the moon rose higher in the horizon, the children started to drift to sleep. The three mothers took their children to their bedrooms, leaving the men alone.

“Endrah, why haven’t you taken your cloak off,” Alltrade blurted out.

“I didn’t want to worry the others while the children were awake,” Endrah took his cloak off, folding it neatly.

“What happened,” Alltrade gawked at the bandages on Endrah’s wings.

“There is a lot to tell you and the others,” Endrah said.

“Has the feeling come back,” Alac asked.

“It’s been back for a while,” Endrah nodded.

“What did Ma say when you told her what happened,” Alltrade asked.

“When what happened,” Ami asked.

“Endrah, what happened to your wings,” Miana nearly ran to her brother and began fussing over him.

“It’s a long story,” Endrah moved out from the corner and unfolded his wings. “I suppose I need to start from where it started.”

“Why didn’t you come home if you were hurt,” Kia asked. She brushed her fingers over his wings. “We could have helped you.”

“I didn’t have much choice Kia,” Endrah fiddled with his hair.

“Sit and tell us everything, Endrah,” Alac said.

The Feyborn clan all settled down around Endrah as he told his story. Kia and Miana took turns combing their sibs’ hair. They were all silent but Endrah. Alltrade was leaning forward, nearly to the point of falling over. Ami’s reactions ranged from horor, to pride, to curiosity, and back to one of the previous two. Alac’s face stayed still, gears seeming to turn in his head. As Endrah finished his tale, his sisters wrapped their wings around him.

“We are so proud of you Endrah,” Kia kissed his forehead.

“No matter what you do as Air Drifter, we will be here for you,” Miana tied off Endrah’s braid with a bright blue ribbon.

“You will always be my child,” Ami knelt down in front of her children.

“And if anyone tries to come after you or any of us,” Alac put a hand on his son’s shoulder. “They will get a face full of feathers and blood.”

“You were already my hero Endrah,” Alltrade rubbed the back of his neck. “Now I can say that I’m not the only one.”

Endrah smiled and his wings fluttered a bit.

~

It wasn’t long before Endrah and the others all turned in for the night. Endrah slept hard through the night and woke with the dawn. He shed his Gladian clothes and settled into his old clothes. He chose an under shirt with no back and a work shirt with long sleeves and a v-cut in the back for his wings. The shirts and his pants were all comfortably loose on him. His familiar moccasins were still soft to the touch on the inside. He tied his hair back with a strip of dark fabric as he walked down the stairs. He ate, worked, laughed, and talked with his family. He could hardly wipe the smile off his face as he watched the children run and play around the working adults. Jasper took her first flight with him ready to catch her. He painted things that he had seen in his time away as his sisters doted on their children and sibs. He talked with his father about trading, possible trails to take, and new trends. He talked with his mother about the weaves she worked on as he started or finished new mats. It was almost like before, with just two things different. Endrah did not see the hide, hair, or wing of his lazy fiance through his stay home. Usually Shaun would be trying to worm his way out of working and trying to pull Endrah into bed with him. Much to Endrah’s relief, he was nowhere to be seen.

Unfortunately, the second thing that was different was Endrah. He didn’t feel the Drifter’s pull, but something felt different. He wanted to speak up more. He painted in plain view of his family. He was able to say no to his sisters’ prying. He managed to surprise his father, speaking up and offering a new trail. Endrah used magic openly, using it to help with tasks. He had changed.