Hunting Souls: Taking Flight (2)

Souls-15

"Patch do you think Blackheart kidnapped Pyra? That maybe he's working for someone?"

"It's a possibility but we need to find Pyra before someone else is taken. Also every royal person needs to be guarded for the next few days."

"Is it wise for Alanna to be going with us then?" I asked in a whisper.

"My boy you're the one who can protect her better than most. That is what I have realized since she has met you. But do as you will, I will not allow you to neglect your duties of protecting her while searching for Pyra."

One thing I had come to realize is that Patch's advice often had a double meaning to it. So my conclusion was that I would take her with me and protect her. He was right, she was only safe with me, regardless of how anyone else saw it.

Argon and Zenith approached me as they rode Jade and Alabaster. "We wanted to show you something Caleb," Argon began.

"Alright," I swung my leg up and sat behind Argon as they flew with me towards Aquamarine who was with Camilla and Aida.

"What are they doing exactly?"

'Aida has narcolepsy, we are trying to teach her how to overcome it when she is dealing with important matters,' Alabaster thought.

'How exactly can you do that?'

'By training her mind to defend itself. It's as if you were teaching a child to not be distracted while it is learning to write it's name or something along those lines.'

Which did make sense and the more I observed the three the easier it was for me to understand.

"Focus on what I am telling you Aida, Aqua is merely a distraction in your head. Try to block her out," Camilla coaxed gently as Aida's brows furrowed together and she concentrated intensely.

'She's not able to block me it seems,' Aqua remarked and pressed lightly against Aida's mind to see if that made a difference.

"How am I supposed to block her out when it seems like I need to pay attention to her? I can't just make the narcolepsy go away; I don't even realize it's happening until it's too late."

'Patience Princess, you will not be able to master this overnight. Though it seems you are in need of a break. We'll resume this later.'

Aida sighed and walked over towards me as the Zephyr departed on their dragons.

"Don't be so hard on yourself Princess," I said gently and pulled her towards me.

"Easy for you to say, you don't have to deflect a dragon's mind."

"No, but I have to make sure that you are safe and that my mind does not wander while I am protecting you."

"That's never happened," she mumbled while blushing slightly.

"Aye but it has. Many a times while I was away and counting down the days until I could see you again. You are my world Lanna, and if I can't be here to protect you, then I am of no use."

"Don't say that," she said too quickly and tried to conceal her emotions behind her eyes.

"I'm not going anywhere love," I kissed the tip of her nose and took her hand gently. "Shall we continue touring this fine place while we're still here?"

"Totally."

"Has Blackheart tried to contact you any more?" Aida asked me.

"No, but I have a feeling he will soon."

The dragons were spiraling through the air as if they were acrobats with invisible wires. Aida watched in amazement at how thy intertwined their bodies throughout the air effortlessly.

"What are you thinking Princess?"

"That I've never seen anything more magnificent than this."

"Aye it's very thrilling to watch."

"I've been working on controlling the Ring and exchanging energy." Aida said softly.

"How's that going?"

"Better," she admitted with a smile, "I haven't passed out the past few times."

"That's a plus," I squeezed her hand.

"Yea, Saraphina said it'll get it easier with time."

"That it will mi' lady, that it will."

"Caleb," Skye came rushing towards us with a tiny envelope in her hand.

"What's this Skye?"

"From whoever took Pyra, look at how the edges are singed."

"It says we have eighteen hours to give them the Ring of Shadows or else Pyra will be killed."

"Is that possible?" Skye whispered.

"With the right tools no one is immortal. We need to find Saraphina and notify her about this."

"What if I just give them the Ring?" Aida began.

"Are you crazy!"

"It'll return to me," she tried to explain.

"Not if the Ring's full power is unleashed."

"Okay so we make a decoy."

"It's not that simple."

"Let's go find Saraphina, she'll know what to do." Skye suggested as we stopped the argument and followed her wordlessly.