The Golden Hexagon

CHAPTER 13

Afra woke up to a bucket of water. When she looked around, she realized Aurora had too. Aurora smiled at her. Kaira and Aquila each had a pail of water in their talons.

"You couldn't find any other way to wake us up" Aurora complained, though she was smiling slightly.

Afra found it funny that Aurora conversed with Kaira without knowing that she was talking to the most powerful Guardian in the Golden Hexagon.

Afra blinked and her eyes fixed on one thing - Aquila.

"Aquila!" she exclaimed.

She opened her arms, and Aquila flew into them.

"Oh Aquila. I'm so glad you are alright" she said.

"As I am for you" he said.

He looked better than he ever looked before. His eyes were lively and his plumage was shining with a special sheen. The dirt was cleaned off his yellow beak, and he seemed to be extremely happy. His voice was melodious - like a cello's music and was calm as always. While Afra thought of Kaira as a more animated bird, she always associated calmness with Aquila. He was all she had for the past decade, teaching her all that was needed, bringing her food and protecting her.

When she released him, she saw Aurora with Kaira perched on her shoulders smiling.

Aquila looked at them too.

"Hello. I am Aurora" Aurora said.

"Princess" Aquila said, bowing his head.

Afra almost gasped. Aquila may be calm, but he was very proud as well. He would never ever bow to anyone. Aurora looked puzzled, and turned to look at Kaira and seemed to talk to her alone, but Kaira shook her head and Aurora kept quiet.

Aquila gave Aurora and her some dill leaves and some sort of root to clean their teeth. She glanced at Aurora wondering what to do. Aurora shoved the roots into her mouth and chewed it slowly, and then spat it out. Afra mimicked her gestures, and though she thought it was quite appalling , she was happy because it felt good to have a companion other than an Eagle. A companion to show her how to do things, and to tell her which was right, and which was wrong.

"Aurora will go outside to the glade, Afra you'll be beginning with some basic stretches" Kaira said.

Aurora whispered, "Don't worry, Kaira is a patient and good teacher".

"Thanks," she replied.

For some reason, she liked Aurora as soon as she saw her. Her wide green eyes were either always gleaming with mischief or happiness, and her face just had a slight smile on it at all times that made her look extremely approachable and trustable.

Aurora took her bow and arrow and left the den, while Afra was left with Kaira and Aquila.

"We will begin with the Sun Salutation," Kaira said.

Aquila told her that it was a series of poses to improve balance and posture. Afra's limbs were aching soon. Kaira made her do the exercises for an hour or so before she noticed Afra's stomach grumbling. She sat near the hearth and thought of her mother - not her mother who seemed to be sleeping with a rosy glow, but the blurry image of a mother who used to carry her and play with her. Hearing Kaira's voice was almost painful - it reminded her too much of the times that had passed.

She had seen the Burning Phoenix only in illustrations in old books in the library. There were entire books on her Powers and greatness. She couldn't understand much of what was written, as it was in a different script, plus she had to read whatever she could only when Aquila was not watching her. Several topics were off limits for her, and the Powers of Guardians were one of them.