He took off on foot, eating as he walked along the new path Brooke had made to the river. A few minor elementals giggled and started trailing him. The little ones picked up the crumbs that fell as Endrah walked and ate. He tried to let his mind wander, hoping that the two visitors would only bring good news. But, his mind refused to wander anywhere. His eye caught every little move anything made. Leaves swinging in the wind, minor elementals gathering for their little games, birds on the wing, even a deer picking its way through the brush demanded to be seen. Endrah’s wings twitched and he tugged at the end of his braid. When he came to the river bank, he took a deep breath and smoothed his robes. His ears twitched at every sound, but it was well hidden by his hair.
The sound of wagon wheels creaking and horse hooves clopping alerted Endrah to his visitors’ coming. His wings flared open, and he winced as he forced them down. A large wagon stained with age started creeping around the bend, led by four old horses. Each horse had their head down, but not to wander for grazing. It was the low head of exhaustion that Endrah recognized in them. He had seen it in his family’s horses after a long trek over the prairie. The drivers looked a bit worse for wear, sitting on the bench side by side. Their lumpy cloaks gave them away as sprites long on the road. One wore a dark gray cloak, and the other a black one. The gray cloaked sprite leaned heavily on the other, nearly pushing them both off the bench. Endrah stepped further down on the bank to let the wagon come to a stop. The black cloaked sprite nudged their partner and set the reins down. The two slowly climbed down, and Endrah caught several glimpses of the green mourning garb they were wearing. Endrah offered a hand to help the pair down the last steps.
“You have made a long trek,” Endrah said. “I hope it was uneventful.”
“We have news for the Drifters,” the gray cloaked sprite’s voice was soft but strained.
“We had no time to trade anything on our journey,” the black cloaked sprite growled irritatedly. “The news we have cannot wait.”
“Where is Drifter Atilk,” the gray cloaked sprite asked, peering around the edge of their hood.
“She is with First Wind,” Endrah tapped his thumb to his forehead and then collar bone. “May she rest well.”
“Then lead us to the new Air Drifter,” the black cloaked one readjusted their cloak.
“I am Endrah, the new Air Drifter,” Endrah made a small bow to the visitors.
“Drifter Endrah, there is something horribly wrong,” the gray cloaked one grabbed Endrah’s arm with a grip that could break stone. “The treaties are breaking.”
“Which treaties,” Endrah asked, furrowing his brow.
“Nearly all of them. The only one that we know still stands is the treaty between Glade and Shay,” the gray cloaked one shook as though they were standing in the snow. “Our monarch was attacked and declared she is going to close our borders. The Elder’s council in Kellar is no more. Someone took them from their homes and found them on the bank of Tarilack River, just inside of Glade. There have been raids and murders through Ignis, killing half of the women on the Leading Council. Hippose’s new queen was a target for assassination, but was not killed.”
“The rulers seem to be the targets,” The black cloaked one spat. “Our own sister was killed in the attack on the monarch.”
“Is there anything to point to who the assassins are,” Endrah’s wings mantled, vibrating in a mixture of anger and fear.
This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.
“There is a common symbol. Each of the victims had this drawn or pinned to the weapons,” the black cloaked one reached into their sleeve and pulled out a familiar looking square of fabric. The black fabric and yellow Tolocian crown was drawn inside of a circle, surrounded by burning wings and fish skeletons sent shivers down Endrah’s spine. His wings trembled as he ran his hand over the rough fabric. “You recognize it. How?”
“The late prince of Glade and two of the other Drifters were attacked by men wearing this symbol,” Endrah folded the fabric into a tight square. “I need to tell them about this.”
“Thank you Drifter Endrah,” the gray cloaked one sighed and rolled their shoulders.
“Do you need somewhere to rest for the night,” Endrah smoothed his robes.
“We always stay with Master Fjord,” the black cloaked one pointed back the way they had come. “We will be there by midday.”
“Know that you are always welcome,” Endrah tapped his thumb to his forehead and then collarbone. “And I am grateful you brought the news to me so quickly.”
“We are honored by your gesture,” the cloaked ones each tapped their thumbs and middle fingers to their foreheads and collarbones. “Be well in your travels.”
“Be well in your travels,” Endrah gave them a small bow and watched them climb back up onto their wagon bench.
Once the other sprites were out of sight, Endrah turned and started to run back the way he had come. Endrah stretched his legs as far as he could, folding his wings tightly against his back. He thundered past Wanda before coming to a stop in front of the cabin. Wanda turned around and trotted up to Endrah, where he was gasping for air.
“Endrah, what is going on,” Wanda asked.
“We need to get the others,” Endrah panted, shedding his robes. “We have to warn the rulers.”
“About what,” Wanda asked.
“First, we need the others,” Endrah shrugged his outer robe off and began folding it. “Where are they?”
“Brooke is heading back to Hippose,” Wanda said. “Do you know where Acarad is?”
“What do you need me for,” Acarad came around the corner.
“Something is wrong,” Endrah gestured for Acarad to come closer before relaying the message from the other two sprites.
Acarad’s face went from confused to angry as Endrah spoke. Wanda’s flame turned from orange to yellow and then white.
“Are you sure,” Acarad asked.
Endrah pulled the fabric out of his pocket and handed it to the prince. Acarad unfolded it and glared at the fabric. He clenched his jaw as his hands shook. Wanda cooled her flame and put a reassuring arm around the prince’s shoulders. Acarad slowly released the fabric, taking a deep breath as if he’d been drowning.
“We did think your brother was caught in something larger,” Wanda said.
“I didn’t think it would be world wide,” Endrah said. “But now we know the who and how.”
“We need the why,” Acarad squared his shoulders, shaking his hands off as if they were wet. “And how to bring these monsters to justice.”
“The humans who attacked Brooke and I had people of the other nations as prisoners,” Wanda tapped her fingers against her opposite arms. “I could reach out to the ones who settled here. They may know things we do not.”
“Wait,” Acarad held a hand up. “Which nations were attacked Endrah?”
“Kellar, Aviary, Glade, Ignis, and Hippose,” Endrah answered.
“Shay’s queen was killed last year, that was my first Calling. But Toloc’s throne has not been threatened,” Acarad said.
“And the men were pale and fair haired, as those from Toloc,” Wanda’s flame flared for a moment.
“So we go to Toloc first and see what we find,” Endrah tugged his braid. “Honestly, I would rather have both of our warriors for the mission.”
“Brooke said her Calling would not take long,” Wanda said. We leave as soon as she returns.”
“I don’t want to postpone our investigation,” Acarad said.
“You could go ahead of us as a representative from Glade,” Endrah said. “That would keep the attention off of the rest of us.”
“Are you certain he should go alone,” Wanda asked.
“As a prince, Acarad would have protection from his people,” Endrah said. “He has an elite guard to call on, and his magic.”
“I also have my own blade,” Acarad nodded. “I will talk to my mother about it.”
“The two of us will meet with Brooke and then follow your lead,” Endrah took Acarad’s hand. “Please, be safe.”
“I will do my best,” Acarad kissed the back of Endrah’s hand.
“I am going to gather the packs,” Wanda said. “We will need to be ready for a journey, and a fight.”
Endrah kissed Acarad on the cheek before following Wanda into the cabin.