Earth and Sky

Chapter 17

Scarlet

I lean against a pine tree, waiting for Araquiel and Zeru to return to camp. A smile forms on my face as I remember finding her again, and then having to run for our lives. That man, Araquiel said his name is Shadow, chased us for so long until we arrived in an older, wilder portion of the forest. That's were we set up camp. Zeru put up a wind-shield so the winds around here push anyone coming in this direction away from our camp. Lazily, I start writing my name out in the dirt.

'Scarlet.'

I jump as I hear my name being called, except nothing around me seems any different.

'Scarlet.'

I hear the voice again, soft as sill and sweet as sugar.

"Sloan?"

'I'm not with you yet Scarlet. I need you to tell me where you are so we can help bring Araquiel home.'

"How do I know this isn't a trick?"

'Who else can speak in your mind?'

I didn't realise that the voice was in my head, but now that I think about it, it makes sense. The wind-shield should push people away and my environment doesn't show any signs of another person.

"Well, to be careful, I'll ask you a question." She thought over things they did when they were young, but everything were normal things princesses did. So, she had to ask the thing almost nobody outside her family knew about. "What powers, do all three of us have?"

'In order? Water, fire, fire.'

I breath a sigh of relief. "At least I know if I'm going crazy, the voice in my head knows all of my secrets." I grin as I hear my sister laugh.

'So... Where are you?"

"Why do you want to know? And shouldn't you be recovering?"

I hadn't forgotten my sister's lifeless body crumbling to the ground.

'Don't be a worry- wart. I'm fine, I'm allowed to roam around the castle. But Laec, Simona, and I were planning on joining you on your quest to save Araquiel!'

"We've already found her."

'What?! Then why aren't you back home yet?'

"Because the man who tried to kill her before is still after her."

'He's still alive!'

I clamp down on my ears, trying to get her shouting out of my head.

"Hey, we've only just rescued her!"

'Oh... That makes sense. But where are you?"

"In the old half of the forest."

'Okay! See ya!'

Totally confused over my conversation with my sister, I decide to distract myself by preparing dinner. I cut some vegetables and place them over the fire I made earlier. It took me an hour but it was worth it.

'Maybe it'll be good to have my sisters around. Then they can make the fires.'

I stir the veggies and plop some dried meat onto the skillet. I hear some rustling in the trees, and am greeted by Araquiel and Zeru. They're both laughing like they've known each other forever. Araquiel leans towards Zeru and he drapes his arm around her shoulder. My chest tightens for some reason. It's not like Zeru and I aren't friends but, how did they become friends so much quicker? What does Araquiel have that I don't? Well I guess Zeru wanted to rescue her in the first place. I was just extra weight on his shoulders.

'Does he even want to be Friends with me? Or was he just being nice because I helped him?'

Whatever the answer, I was going to find out.

Since the vegetables are finished, I place the pot down on the stump we have been using as a table.

"Food is done! Come and eat it before I do!"

Araquiel and Zeru race towards the table. Zeru slaps his hand down a moment before Araquiel.

"I win." He gloats.

Araquiel huffs. "Only because you used your wind power to cheat."

Zeru laughs and starts to serve himself. I realise why my chest was so tight. I'm being pushed out. They don't need me anymore since they have each other. Zeru said his parents wanted him to marry Araquiel in the first place, maybe he fell in love with her too. And maybe, just maybe, she is now falling for him. Araquiel is my best friend, and I won't loose her ever again.