Telluric: Garrick Tavis

Chapter 5

Garrick

Our flight back went surprisingly smooth. Astrope didn't need as many breaks as we anticipated.

She also flew straight to the Vale leaving Chardh to drop me off at the school. By the time we arrive the sun is yet to rise, though we have the cover of darkness. The true evil likes to lurk in it, so we have to be careful.

Removing myself off of Chardh's back, I land with a thump on the flight field. Chardh opens his wings before lifting off towards the Vale.

I approach with the group where Xaden is standing with Sorrengail.

"Everyone clear on what's about to happen?" His eyes dart around us.

"We're ready," I say, rolling my neck.

"Ready." Masen nods, adjusting the glasses on his nose.

One by one, they agree.

"Let's do it," Sorrengail finishes.

We have a long day ahead of us.

The first riders we encounter walk out of the dormitory and into the courtyard with cocky swaggers and Second Wing patches on their uniforms.

"Look who's finally here? Bet you thought you had the games locked down, didn't you, Fourth Wing?" a rider with hair dyed forest green says with a smirk. "But you didn't! Second Wing took it all when you didn't show!"

Everyone knows I'm competitive. I'm not about to leave some Second Wing wannabes to tell me what I am.

I lift my middle finger at them.

"Guess this means no one knows what really happened," Imogen whispers.

"Then we have a shot of this working," Eya replies, and the sunlight glints in the piercing in her eyebrow.

"Of course no one fucking knows," Xaden mutters. "They're not going to out themselves over us."

At the entrance to the dorms, we all exchange a look, then break apart wordlessly according to the plan. I slowly follow behind Xaden and Sorrengail.

I need to get to her room before they burn everything of hers. Passing the two as they enter Liam's room, I make my way into her room.

I scan the room, looking through the bed, the drawers, anything that might be important to her.

I pause when I find a piece of parchment with words scribbled all over it. Her handwriting.

'Project Save Liam' was the title.

'Save Deigh from wyvern—need to kill venin.'

'Deigh—armor' was crossed out.

'Kill venin—retractable dagger, my light?'

'How many venin?'

'Make a flight suit.'

'C. Aetos—venin."

The last one caused me to pause. C. Aetos, as in Colonel Aetos? She probably knew that he was involved in this somehow.

All these little notes were written on the parchment. She was preparing herself to save Liam and she couldn't. I release a huff at the thought.

I wonder what other plans she's made with such cheesy titles. Once I finish reading, I stuff it in my pocket and continue looking for anything.

I also found a small book with the title "Children's Fantastical Bedtime Stories" with a sticky note reading 'Read to Sebi when I get home'. I grab the book as well. Placing it in the inside pocket of my jacket, it fit just perfectly.