SONGS AND TRAILS (Book 1)

CHAPTER 34

"I suggest to go rest inside. We won't be there until dawn. Every room should have more than one of you guys, I don't want to have trouble with losing any of you just because none of you could recall where the other was." Caldor had told them to settle in the bankers to get a good night's sleep on beds.

Rai quickly got up and left. He didn't even care if his room consisted of Eron in it, he just wanted to sleep. For some unknown reason, he was just tired.

The girls took one room and settled in, sleeping.

Bella woke up in the middle of the night and found Caldor still lying where he once was. At least this time, he occupied the whole cushioned bench. She grabbed a blanket from an empty room and put it on him.

She then again went back to sleep.

*

"We're here. we're here."

Their eyes burst open to the loud voice of an excited Mia and the invasive sunlight that widely got in the banker due to the open curtains. Again, Mia's doing.

"For gods' sake, Mia, it's early in the morning." Marietta said.

"Yeah, what is wrong with you?" Daya complained, sitting upright.

There was also buzzing from outside their room. The others were also awake. Probably the members from the Hawk Eye's Order who were excited to be home.

"Look, look, look..." Mia jumped, pointing outside their window. They got up to look. "...home!"

There was a huge palace on the furthest mountain. Visible. Beautiful. White with golden rooftops. It reflected the sun perfectly but in an eye-screeching way.

"Oh wow, that's where you live?" Again, there was no excitement in Daya's voice but she was appreciative.

"Oh, I can't wait to see Aurora!" Mia had a huge smile plastered on her face. "Come, let's go see the rest."

And as they moved to where they once sat, the others were there too. Excited faces were definitely from the members of the Order. Then there were thankful faces that just wanted to get off the train and from the damned journey once and for all. Then there were faces filled with awe at the sight of the palace.

Then there was Rai who looked weirdly tired from his sleep.
Then Caldor who looked half-tired and sleepy. He just didn't say anything at all.

Mia looked up at the sunroof. "I'll see you guys there. I'm flying in." She jumped on it and pulled herself up.

Caldor held her when she was almost halfway up. "There's no way..." He pulled her down to her feet and she yelped, "...I'm letting any of you go anywhere." He closed the sunroof.

Mia complained, "But I'm fine. I know my way home."

Caldor looked at every one of them, mostly the members of the Order. "No one is flying or crawling anywhere. You're all trainees and you're all going to arrive there together." There were low mumbles and grumbles. "Anyone has anything to correct me on, I'd prefer when you air it out louder for me to hear." They all became quiet. "I'm already tired and frustrated." He sat back down in his seat. "Please, do take your seats. You look like statues standing around, you're making my head spin."

The blanket that Bella had put on him was neatly folded beside him. He looked like he was up for a while.

Everyone decided to take their usual seats, staring outside as they started approaching the busy settlements. They all stared around at the members and non-members of the Order who were busy with their day. They all looked so lively and energetic. Mia just waved at them in excitement and they waved back, some with the same spirit.