The Aeronaut's Daughter

Angels and Bears

Iera and the boys camped in a field of fern and yellow grass. Will was crying, heartbroken at (Y/N)'s capture. "We should have saved her,".

"Will, whatever it is that captured her was too fast," Iera said. "None of us could have done something to save her,".

"First Lyra and now (Y/N). How are we supposed to save them?" (M/C) lamented. He was feeling much better than ever. "We don't even know where each of them are now,".

"Maybe not. But you could," Will reached into his father's coat pocket and pulled out Lyra's truth-telling device. "You could try and read it,". He offered it but noticed (M/C)'s gaze focused upwards. "What is it?".

"Behind you," he said quietly. "There are people with wings,".

Will looked around. Iera growled. Two beings of silver appeared before them, condensing into bald men with light eyes, shrouded in white. "They look like...".

"(Y/N)," Iera finished, keeping her guard on. The strangers approached them with careful steps. "Stand back!"

"Keep calm," the first one raised a hand. "We're not going to hurt you,".

Will held out his knife. "What are you?"

"Bene elim. Angels, in your language," the darker one answered softly.

"You're creatures of Dust," (M/C) acknowledged.

"You are correct, Dust seer," the other one said. "We just want to talk,".

"Sorry angels. But we are not interested in anything you want," (M/C) dismissed them "We have to save our friends,".

"No you guys don't understand..." The angel was interrupted by Will holding out the Knife.

"You've been following me and my friends for the past few weeks. But now I am telling you, leave us alone,".

"I would listen," Iera advised. Will made a doorway and they stepped through disappearing. The team were now in a wasteland of dark mountains and salty flats. They walked on and on and on until (M/C) froze.

"(M/C)?" Will asked.

"I can feel them. They're approaching us," (M/C) turned his head and saw the angelic fliers high in the sky. "They've found us again! Behind that rock!". Quickly they hid behind large rocks and watched intently as their pursuers turned into humans to walk the earth again.

"How did you sense them?" Iera whispered.

"It's hard to explain but I can feel Dust and somehow control it. When I was asleep, I was doing all sorts of strange things with it..." (M/C) was shushed by Will who peered over.

"How do they keep finding us?".

They watched as the angels came closer and closer towards them, engaging in a tense conversation. Their voices became audible.

"He will make examples of us. Baruch, we do not have time,". The left angel said.

"We need that knife,".

Iera growled softly. (M/C) stroked her fur to keep her from pouncing. He decided to stand up himself. "We told you to stop following us! And we'll have you both you are not taking that knife. It belongs to Will. If you'll know what's good for you, you'll leave at once,".

"Will you please just to what we have to say?" the dark-skinned angel begged. "We promise you we mean you no harm. We are only here to offer help,". The boys exchanged glances with the sceptical bear.

"I think we should at least hear," Will suggested. "It's the only way we might get them to stop following us,".

"Fine," Iera growled. "But if you two try anything..." she warned the angels "...you die,".