The Winged Ones

Chapter Twenty-Three

“Are you sure you’re alright?”

            “For the tenth time, Rohan, I'm fine,” Husky replied. “In fact, I feel better than fine. Whatever you did to me, it healed me to the core. Thank you.”

            They were walking along the foot of the Bora Mountain to get to Emir City, where Rohan had last left his people from Imadh City. They had been walking for a day or two, but were in no hurry for once.

            “I couldn’t just leave my partner to die,” Rohan protested.

            Husky chuckled, glad to have something to laugh and be happy about after the long journey he and Rohan had just been through. “Still,” he said, “thank you. After going most of my life without a partner and being bullied by others for not having one, this partnership was worth the wait and the trouble.”

            Rohan chuckled as well. “You're welcome. And I, too, am glad to have you around. I need someone who won't leave me after some time.”

            “You're welcome,” Husky replied. Both laughed and continued walking without a care in the world.

About four days had passed since India left when Husky and Rohan made it to the entrance to Emir City. The city was much like Imadh City, though with a smaller market and town square. They arrived early in the morning, when the sun was just rising over the eastern horizon.

            “Rohan!!!”

            Rohan looked up just in time to see a girl he had wanted to see for a long time. He opened his arms wide and the girl launched herself into them.

            “Regan,” he whispered into her ear as he brushed some of her dark hair out of her face. He separated himself from her just long enough to connect her lips with hers. His fingers trailed along her back, but stopped suddenly when he felt her shoulder blades. He pulled away from her, looking into her eyes.

            “Your wings,” he said, looking over her shoulder and seeing the dark stubs of wings that had once been there.

            She glanced at her shoulder before returning her gaze to him. “Yeah,” she said with a faint smile on her lips. “That guy cut them off completely.”

            “Can they grow back?” he asked, dreading the answer. She shook her head and he sighed. “I'm sorry.”

            “For what?” she asked, trailing a finger along his cheek.

            “For not being here to help you,” he replied. “I'm sorry. Who found you?”

            “Oh,” she said. “It was Donnie who found me. Electra actually went and got her. Did you know that Camille and Sacha are pretty good at healing?”

            He laughed, actually laughed. “Are they now?” he asked. “Well, I’ll have to thank them when I see them.”

            “So, did you finish the mission?” she asked, setting her hands on his shoulders.

            Rohan nodded. “Yes and the demons won't be bothering anyone anymore.”

            She smiled, showing off some of her teeth. “Good. I guess now we can start rebuilding the lives of the Winged Ones. They haven’t had a life since the rebellion against the humans.”

            Rohan cocked his head. “What have they been doing all this time?”

            Regan connected her lips with his, giving him a slow kiss that made sparks fly. “They’ve been looking for you.”

            “You're back!” a voice cried. Rohan looked up and saw Hali and Electra bounding towards them.

            “I can’t believe you're back!” Electra cried, rubbing her head affectionately against his legs.

            “Are you alright? Are you hurt? Is it done?” Hali asked question after question.

            “Yes,” Rohan laughed. “I'm alright. No, I'm not hurt. And yes, it’s done.”

            “Everyone will want to see you,” Hali said. “Come on!” she started back to the center of the city.

            “Let’s go,” Husky said. He started walking away, Electra tailing after him.

            “Well, what are we waiting for?” Regan asked. She turned and walked back inside the city.

            Rohan couldn’t help but be devastated that the person who taught him to fly would never be able to fly again, but again, that didn’t matter at all. All that mattered was that she was alive and well. The people here had certainly treated her well. And to think that he had met her back in Alpa Village all those months ago. And now he had to look at the task at hand.

            Was he really ready? Was he ready to take control over a kingdom he had only known existed for a few months? Was he really ready to rule a kingdom when he had never learned how? Was he ready for all the responsibility? The answer: yes. Yes he was. And if he wasn’t, then Regan would help him. He would learn in time, and that would be enough for him. He was a Winged One. And he was proud of it.