Lost Wings

6~ On the Way to Peraz

Chapter 6

My friends and I took off, our peryton at our side, carrying food supplies and a tent. The tent was just in case we didn't make it back to Sol before nightfall, for some reason. Grant thought it was an extra precaution, but we knew we would have to use it. We waved down at the party below us. They too were getting ready to leave soon. Like Aiden had predicted, Chase had been able to convince Grant to let us go back alone with disconcerting ease.

"Fly a bit lower, guys." Aiden seemed even more excited than I was. "I'll tell you as soon as we're out of view."

Autumn hummed in acknowledgment. While flying, she was studying both maps of Peraz and of the kingdom to figure out the best path for us.

Chase let his messenger bat fly off. "In a few hours, the king will know."

I had written him a letter telling him where we were going, and minimizing the danger. I assured him we would be careful, and that I had convinced Chase to come with me. In short, he didn't have to worry about us. Despite this, I felt a bit guilty because I knew he would worry still, but I also knew he would understand. He wanted his daughter back just as much as I did my mother.

"Hey, they can't see us anymore," Aiden soon told us. "They're flying towards the Lilac Citadel already."

Autumn looked at the path she'd drawn on her map. "Okay, turn back and veer left, everyone."

We followed her instructions and set out towards Peraz.

"Guys, wanna hear a joke?" Aiden asked.

"Sure," I smiled.

"What did the fast cow say to the slow cow?"

Chase groaned. "I'm warning you, I know this one, and it's one of his worst."

"Be quiet and appreciate my jokes, Chase. You're ruining everything."

Autumn laughed. "Just tell us your joke, Aiden."

"Alright, Alright. Lemme start over."

***

The flight was without incident. We didn't see anyone besides a few Winged on the ground far below us, and isolated clusters of houses.

"Are we there yet?" Aiden asked for the fifth time in the last hour.

"Almost," Autumn said with as much patience as the first time. "Look, you can see the forest already."

"We should have had lunch two hours ago. When are we stopping?"

"As soon as we reach the edge of the forest."

"But that's in at least thirty minutes!"

"Fine," Chase interrupted. "We fly fifteen minutes, and then we stop, no matter how far we are."

"Really?" Aiden perked up. "Awesome. What do you think we're gonna see in the forest? Do you think we'll see fairies? What about bears? Squirrels?"

"Lots of things, maybe, no, yes," Autumn answered.

"Do you think Hailey's mom lives in the forest? Or did she leave and go somewhere else? If she comes back with us, would she become the new queen? I mean, the king is kind of old. Do you know how old the king is? I have a grandfather who's seventy two. He's kind of deaf, but he always sneaks food from the kitchen for us. One time, he took us fishing, and my sister fell into the river. I caught a fish, but it was too small, so we let it go. Once, I also caught a mouse. I was seven, and it bit me. After that, my mom told me that-"