Lost Wings

14~ The Tribe

Chapter 14

    The gryphon broke through the trees and came to sit in front of Chase. It tried to rub its head against him, but he leaned away.

    "No. No hugs for you. It's your fault we're stuck here, tied to trees!"

    The gryphon tilted its large head. Then, using the sharp talons of his front paw, it sliced carefully through the ropes binding Chase.

    "Thanks. Although you did owe me one for yesterday." Chase rubbed his articulations as he stood up.

    The trees were quiet. No dart came to make him fall asleep.

    "Despite how comfortable this is," Autumn said, "I would appreciate if you could free us, too, Chase."

    "Of course." Chase drew his sword and cut her ropes, then mine, and Aric's. I noticed he was the only one who still had his weapon.

    Just as Aric stood up with a sigh, the fairy from earlier came back, accompanied by a swarm of children, two familiar peryton, and someone noticeably bigger than the rest of the group, with large bird-like wings.

    "Aiden!" We chorused.

    He gave us a broad smile. "Hey, guys!"

    "What are you doing un-bound?" The fairy with the dragonfly wings glared.

    Another fairy flew down from a tree. He addressed a few words to our translator, pointing to the gryphon.

    The other fairy huffed.

    "I don't know what made the gryphon take a liking to a clumsy idiot like you," she told Chase, "but I hope you are aware of the honor bestowed upon you."

    Aiden laughed. "I'm sure he is. Glad to see you guys are doing okay."

    "Where were you?" Autumn asked.

    "Well, you guys were dumped here, but I got to be in the inside of the camp." He leaned closer and whispered, "They think I'm a god.

    The fairy scoffed. "A god? What a ridiculous idea."

    I looked at the fairy in front of us, at my friends' wings, at the two peryton, and at the gryphon. Yep, gods definitely sounded unrealistic.

    "Okay, not a god, then, but someone important," Aiden insisted.

    "Yes. However, it seems we were mistaken," the fairy said.

    "Hey!" He protested.

    "Nevertheless, your identity must be verified. In addition, one of your friend has been noticed by a gryphon, and another," she looked at me, "claims a relation with the great Lady. We will take you all to the elder tribe to verify your claims."

    "The great Lady?" I asked. Could that be my mother? But then, it could also be her sister, who had disappeared as well, or any other woman of my family whose existence I might not even be aware of.

    At the same time, Autumn asked, "The elder tribe? Do you mean different fairy clans all answer to one figure of authority? How interesting."

    "How far is that elder tribe?" Chase stepped forward.

    "Not much farther than a day or two. Do not try to escape; you would only get lost. Which wouldn't be tragic, but we don't want to give wildlife bad dietary habits."

    "We won't try to escape if you promise two things," Chase said. "One, never use magic or force against any of us again. Two, no tricks."

    The fairy laughed frankly, surprising me. "If you do not harm us, I promise we will not harm you. However, for the second one, you seem to know enough about our people to know I cannot vouch for that."