Manus Pluma Volantis

15: Journey

(Warning: Long chapter)

Their next stop wasn't really a stop. They were going sightseeing. They were going to check out every great place in the kingdoms. First, they visited The Great Hall of Duren. As they strolled through its great, long hallways, they were guided by none other than Queen Aanya. Callum kept bugging Ezran and teasingly asking if he had a crush on her, but Ezran repeatedly told him he didn't. She seemed to take a liking to him, though. Ezran had his sights set on another girl. A heroic, wolf riding hero in his eyes.

They passed paintings and rooms, all explained by Aanya. The guards behind them carried themselves with such dignity that Ez felt bad that he worked his to the point where they couldn't. He had to give them a break soon. When they reached the end of The Great Hall, everybody's feet hurt. It was a long, long walk. Aanya still walked with such grace. A true queen. She bowed as her guards led them to the doors.

Next up: The Valley of the Dead. It was a common staple in Katolis. It was where they would make statues as tribute to fallen royalty. Callum knelt before Harrow's statue. Rayla sat by him. "Harrow," she noted. "He seems so happy. As if he knows his legacy lives with this statue." "It does," Callum responded. "I feel it. The comforting embrace of his presence. He's there."

Ez sat next to them. "Hey, guys." He seemed so tired. "Hey, Ez," Rayla mumbled. She couldn't take her eyes off the statue. Something about it. She felt... guilty. Guilty for what her clan, her friends, her family, had done. Guilty for not being able to stop them. But she knew there was nothing that could stop- stop... Runaan. The man still stuck in that coin. That damn mage! Then she realized. He's stuck in a coin. A coin... that only Claudia could know the location of.

"I'll be back," she said, standing. "Claudia. I need to ask you about something. Would you happen to know... How do I put this? Callum and I spoke with Viren. He said he trapped my parents, and Runaan, in these... coins. Do you know where I might be able to find them?" Claudia looked at her, still unsure if she could trust an elf. But soon her face softened. She felt a wave of sympathy. She had lost her parents, too. Except she knew what happened. Rayla didn't.

"Well, I'm not one hundred percent certain, but I do know where to look. First, we can check Dad's-" She paused. "Viren's body. See if he has them. Or maybe... the dark magic chambers in the walls? You've been there, right? Where you found the egg?" "Yes... I remember." "Great! Where do you want to go first?" Rayla was about to respond when she remembered. She brought us back to spend time with Ez. To say our goodbyes. It would be selfish to spend what little time we have with him searching for something I won't find.

"Nevermind..." she muttered. "What? Why?" "You brought us back to spend time with Ezran. I won't waste it." "Oh... I- I'm sorry I couldn't help." "Don't be. You did. At least now I know where they are. Promise me one thing. You free them. Tell Runaan to hurry back to the Silvergrove. And tell them all I said I love them." Claudia stared at her. "Okay," she agreed. Tears filled Rayla's eyes. She turned away. She refused to be weak. Weak in front of her. Weak in front of anyone. Anyone but Callum.

She sat down next to him. Big mistake. He began to pester her about why she was crying. She tried to push him away, she tried to tell him she was fine. The only issue was, she wasn't. He knew that. He had to find out why. "Rayla, talk to me," he tried. "I told you, I'm fine!" she snapped. Callum, shocked by her outlash, shrunk back saying, "Okay. Sorry." She sighed. "No, I'm sorry. I'm not fine. Now I know where they are, my parents and Runaan. At least, y'know, I have an idea. But I can't say my goodbyes to them. I can't because I won't be there to."

"We can free them! Before we go back." "No. We need to spend as much time as possible with Ez. That's why we're back, right?" Callum nodded. "Then that should be our top, if not only, priority." "Alright. Okay. I hope you know I'm here for you. If you can't get them out." She sighed. She knew that. She had always known that. He'd be there for her in the depths of her despair. "Thanks," she whispered. "Let me know if you change your mind," he said, standing.

Next, they went to lunch. It was on old place near the Silvergrove. She wished she could be in the Silvergrove, though. To take Ethari's hand. Have him see her. Would it even work? I mean, at this point, she's not just a ghost to her hometown. She's literally a ghost. Anyway, they sat down at the table and waited for the waiter. When she arrived, she stared goggle-eyed at Rayla. "I thought you were..." "Dead? Yeah. So did I. I mean, I was. Claudia brought us back for a day," she explained, pointing at Claudia.

The waiter was more scared than impressed. She backed away like a cornered deer. She tossed the menus to the table and speedwalked away. "What's her problem?" Callum asked. "I dunno. Darla has always been a bit... jumpy," Rayla responded, looking the menu over.

She saw moonberry surprise near the bottom. These were the prices she missed. Just $10. She ordered it when Darla came back, shaking. Neithervher nor Callum touched it while the others dug in. "What are you guys doing? Do dead people not get hungry?" Soren teased. "No. No, I guess not," Callum responded, which summoned a booming laugh from Soren. Callum did try a little, though. That put a smile on his face. "What do they put in this?" he chuckled. "I can't just tell you what's in a moonberry surprise, Callum!" Rayla responded.

Callum laughed, remembering the time she had said that to him. And then everything got sad again. But then it was better! Then it was sad again. Then better! Jeez, was it confusing. An emotional roller coaster. One they had to ride. Everything was okay now. For now. Right now. There was nothing stopping them from enjoying this moment. Not anymore.

As the day wore on, Callum grew weary. It was only mid-afternoon, yet his eyelids were heavier than Soren's makeshift dumbells. In the carriage that they were using to get from place to place, Callum fell asleep on Rayla's shoulder. Ezran smiled. To be completely honest, he'd seen something special between them since Rayla had said, "Say the word, and I'll go back into that tower with you."

The carriage hit a bump, and Callum was jerked awake. "Huh? What?" He stammered as he gathered his bearings. Ezran chuckled. "There!" Soren shouted, pressing his face against the glass window. They were going to the world's best bakery. It was said to be an old place in the kingdom of Del Bar. Soren was hopeful he might see someone there. Someone important to him.

Someone he loved.

A/N: HELP I'M DOING ANOTHER FAMILY REUNION. Soooo, yeah. I put a little Elran in here. Ez met Ellis, and I shipped it immediately. I'm still not entirely sure if she was talking about Zym or Ezran when she said, "He's doing it! He's amazing..." Anywho, I am reuniting Soren, Claudia, and Lissa. If you don't know who Lissa is, it's their mom. Claudia said Lisaa left to go back to Del Bar where her family was from, so I knew when they visited Del Bar, I HAD TO REUNITE THEMMMM