Manus Pluma Volantis

18: Journey

Callum dashed through the forest, trying desperately to reach the Storm Spire. When it came into view, he sighed a long sigh of relief. He sauntered toward it. Upon seeing Viren's body, he nearly hurled. It was half decomposed and still shocked-looking. He searched for the coins. Finding a pouch that jingled when he shook it, he pried it open and stared in awe of the golden objects. No doubt, he saw Runaan's face embedded in one of them. Runaan stared at him with curiosity, then realized it was Callum. The kid he had aimed a bow at.

Callum recognized the, "tall" and, "pointy" figure from the day he had met Rayla. He gave him a thumbs up, hoping Runaan could see it. Runaan nodded to him. Concern seemed to strike his face. Runaan pounded on the coin, soundlessly screaming, "Where's Rayla?" Callum struggled to make out what he was saying. When he realized, he tried to mouth an answer. The elf carefully read his lips. Runaan nodded.

Callum then took off in an unexpected sprint. He ran as fast as he could, which wasn't very fast, considering he was weighed down by his sketchbook, and he was tired. He made it halfway back to Del Bar, when the sky took on a yellowish color. "No," he whispered. He ran even faster now, with a sudden burst of energy soully for the purpose of saying goodbye to his brother. And letting Rayla see these three one last time.

Finally, he reached the gates. The closed gates. He politely asked that the guards open the gates, but they did not. Callum turned around to face the rustling that came from the nearby bushes. He drew rune in the air. He stopped his spell when a familiar glow toad appeared from the bushes, followed by the rest of his friends. The rest of his family. He ran up and hugged them. When the hug was over Rayla scolded him. "Don't just run off alone!" she snapped, giving a a light flick to the forehead.

"I'm sorry! Just... look." He opened the pouch. "You're offering me money as an apology?" she asked, palm coming up to meet her forehead. "No! Look!" he yelled, shoving Runaan's coin in her face. She moved his hand away, then examined the coin. She gasped upon seeing her foster father smile back at her. She gently picked up the coin and held it in the palm of her hand. She stared it with curiosity and wonder.

Tears filled her eyes. "Runaan?" "Not just Runaan," Callum corrected, giving her the other two. She had no words. She held the coins. They smiled warmly. Rayla stood then, with her loved ones in her hands. She turned to Claudia. "Could you.. get them out? And tell them I love them?" She placed the coins in Claudia's hands. Claudia didn't feel right taking them, bit she di. For Rayla's happiness. She wasn't sure if Rayla considered her a friend, but she considered Rayla one. And she never, purposefully, hurt her friends. She accepted the coins.

Callum suddenly felt a burning in his throat. He turned toward the horizon, on which the sun was setting. Rayla coughed. Ezran gasped, realizing the time. "No!" he yelled. He ran up and gave Callum and Rayla a hug. "No..." Nothing could cure the sadness Ezran felt at this moment. He sighed. "Goodbye." He felt a hand on his shoulder. "Goodbye, Ez." They said in unison.

They faded before the dusky skies.
"Goodbye," Ezran whispered, falling to his knees. Soren came to comfort him. Claudia fell to her knees beside him as well. "Goodbye."