Flight (new version)

Chapter 17: The Raid

The next two days the water mill hummed with energy as those who had volunteered for the raid practiced their magic.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Fern asked quietly as Griffin joined her on the grass closest to the trees.

"Yes." Fern continued to stare at him, and he sighed. "I'm nervous. But I need to be able to stand up against humans without freezing."

"I get that. But just...be safe. Okay?"

Griffin gave her what he hoped was a reassuring smile. "I will. I might not even have to fight. I'm doing the position where I hide and watch everything. The only time I'd have to coming out of hiding and face some humans is if someone gets captured."

Fern's shoulders loosened a bit and she returned his smile. "Okay."

Spook approached them, rubbing sweat off his forehead as he walked. "Hey. Tsunami wants everyone to gather in the entry room for one last meeting before the raid tonight. I think we're leaving right after."

Griffin's stomach twisted a bit. "Right." He took a deep breath then stood up. "I guess that means I won't be here for dinner."

Fern shrugged. "That's alright. I'll just eat with Meadow, Twi, and Epoch."

"Not Glade? He normally eats with us too."

Spook frowned. "Is he joining us for the raid?"

"I don't think so. He didn't sound too enthusiastic about going into a human city," Griffin pointed out. "And I haven't seen him at Tsunami's meetings."

"No, he's definitely not joining the raid." Fern smirked. "He's not joining 'cause he's too busy flirting."

"Flirting?" Spook's eyes shot to Fern. "Since when? Who is it?"

"Shouldn't we be leaving for the meeting?" Griffin reminded.

Spook waved a hand in the air. "In a minute." A crafty gleam entered his deep red eyes. "I've got to know the details."

"Well, apparently some new Elder arrived last night and one of them was a very pretty spriggan," Fern explained. "I haven't met her yet. I just heard this all from Meadow."

"Good to know." Spook glanced around. The open area behind the water mill had been completely abandoned by now. "Crap, we're late! Let's go!"

Spook took off running and Griffin waved to Fern before following close behind.

Tsunami dealt them an unamused look complete with crossed arms as he and Spook burst into the room, interrupting whatever it was she'd been saying. Griffin mouthed "sorry" and Tsunami shook her head then returned her attention to the general group.

"As I was saying, we will be leaving immediately after this meeting. Flood?" Tsunami nodded curtly to her sister who recreated the same water map they'd seen at the first meeting...and all subsequent meetings. This time she cast it on the floor so that the group could gather around it. "For anyone who still doesn't remember where they're going, take some time to memorize the map. The merchant we're targeting has set up shop here." She pointed at the now-familiar spot along the water line marking the shopping district. "We won't be entering together, obviously. Griffin will be going first so that he has time to find a place to hide before the raid happens."

Griffin nodded, the twisting in his stomach growing worse.

Tsunami nodded at a few other individuals. "My thieving crew will enter next and get into position. Then the four on-hand attackers. Remember to act like everyone else. Look at the wares, discuss prices with the merchants. Just stay in the area."