Flight (new version)

Chapter 31: Framed

A single, terrible scream tore Griffin from his sleep. He rolled to his feet and glanced around wildly, warm magic shooting up his arms. Fern!

His eyes fastened on the dryad who was rubbing her eyes and blearily looking around. His heartbeat slowed a bit. He scanned the rest of Moonlight Band, each waking up in the same confused daze, then halted on Wolf. Their leader sat hunched over, body shaking, and another wail ripped from his throat. Cradled in his arms was Hedgehog--small, quiet, and still.

"Oh no." Fern stepped closer to the sylph, then looked back at Griffin, tears blurring her honey-gold eyes.

Night Shade approached Wolf and drew him into her arms. His muscles tightened and Wolf drew Hedgehog even closer to his chest, making the child's tawny brown wings drag a bit in the dirt.

"Why?" Wolf whispered. HIs voice was thick and shaky.

"We need to find who did this before they kill again." Night Shade glared at everyone.

"Was someone keeping watch last night?" Griffin wondered.

"I was sleeping," Jequirity replied.

A chorus of "same"s followed that, and Fern frowned. "Why didn't we think to have someone keep watch?"

"I'm pretty sure I fell asleep right away before I could even consider it," Griffin mused.

"Fern." The hoarse voice brought everyone's attention back to Wolf who had straightened up. Griffin could see his face now--cheeks wet and eyes puffy and red. "His mouth."

Griffin trailed after Fern as she approached their leader and knelt in front of Hedgehog. 

She gently opened the child's mouth then recoiled. "There's something black in there."

Jequirity strode over and swiped a finger in his mouth. She pulled something out. "Looks like he ate something. Or began to."

Fern sent some magic up to Jequirity's hand. "Weird. It's a berry of some sort, but it's black. "

Griffin stopped breathing for a second. "A berry?"

"Yeah." Fern stood and took the crushed berry from Jequirity. "It kinda looks like the black stuff we found in Spark's mouth."

"A spriggan did it," Jequirity suddenly murmured, eyes still fixated on the berry. "I can feel the spriggan magic in it."

Night Shade stood up, red glow brightening. "Are you implying you did it?"

"No, darling." Jequirity's eyes flicked to Griffin. "I'm saying he did it."

"I didn't do it. Why would I want to kill someone?" Griffin looked at the dead child cradled in Wolf's arms.

Wolf stood and stared carefully at each band member. "We aren't traveling until we find out who did this. I don't--" His voice broke and his swollen eyes dropped to his little brother. "I don't want anyone else to die."

Night Shade continued to glare at Jequirity. "I think we know who did it."

Jequirity's eyes sharpened, though her tone remained calm. "Why would I point towards myself if I was the culprit? And--" She made a look of disgust at the berry in Fern's hand. "I wouldn't be that sloppy."

"Griffin?" Fern suddenly spoke up. Her voice wavered and when Griffin looked at her, she wouldn't meet his eyes. Her hands had turned green with magic. "What's in your pocket?"

For a second, Griffin didn't breathe. "My...pocket?"

Fern nodded slowly. "The one inside your cloak. On the right."