Incarnation | Wandering Stars Volume One

Chapter 8

NORTH OF BAHYITH

"Go on ahead," Sariel called. "I'll catch up."

After reconnecting with his escorts, he was now only a few hours away from the Chatsiyr village. His traveling companions had stopped walking, their foreheads furrowed.

"I need to arrange my thoughts before meeting with the elder," he explained.

The men exchanged glances, then turned and continued walking south without any discussion.

When they were out of sight, Sariel looked up into the foothills of Ehrevhar and waited. After a few minutes, an immense, winged figure came out from the foliage and walked down the slope. He was comparable in size to Sariel's angelic form, but his mottled coloring was comprised of browns, reds, and tans. Like most Iryllurym, his chestnut colored hair was finger-length, and swept back from his face. But it was his large, golden eyes that Sariel would always remember. For many years, they were the eyes of the only friend he had. But in recent times, they'd gone separate ways and lost contact with each other.

Moving upslope into the waist-deep grass, Sariel approached the soldier and looked up. "Welcome," he said as soon as they met.

Stepping sideways until he was downslope, the angel still towered over Sariel's human form.

"I thought that was you. What are you doing here?" Tarsaeel asked calmly.

"I should ask you the same. How did you find me?" Sariel countered.

Tarsaeel's lowered eyebrows revealed concern, which only made Sariel more alarmed.

"I was notified when you didn't report back," the angel replied. "I checked with Batna, but they didn't find your body on the battlefield. I knew you'd die before being taken prisoner, so I figured ..."

Sariel nodded.

"What are you doing here, Sariel?"

"Trying to help."

"No. What you're doing is forbidden."

"Is it?" Sariel asked. "How is this different from the early days? These people still need our help."

Tarsaeel dropped his head. "The difference is that it was necessary then. Now you're operating in disobedience."

Sariel breathed heavily without letting his gaze leave the eyes of his former friend. "I'm not going back. There is too much to do. And here ... I'm actually making a difference."

Tarsaeel exhaled. "Look. Everyone knows it was a mistake to put your unit in that battle."

"Everyone except my commanding officers, you mean."

"They just needed bodies," Tarsaeel explained. "We knew you'd be outnumbered."