Moongrace

Part 47

She got slower and slower as her strength as at a minimum, even the good chat with her sister couldn't divert her enough, to forget that. She asked Esalaa for a break. Soon they landed on soft grass, Esalaa helping Eleeza land. Immediately she dropped to the floor and lay down with closed eyes. Esalaa sat down next to her and caressed her head as they waited for the others to land. Their landing wasn't as soft to tell from the noise they created.

"We cannot go on like this, she's too exhausted", Esalaa whispered.

"Cathryn fell asleep during the flight. She is tired, too." Erno added concerned.

"Can't you get us some help, Sanaani? There must be lots of animals around.", Ellob suggested.

"What gift do you have?", Eleeza asked sleepily.

"I'm connected to animals. You're right, Ellob, there are several close by. But none is big enough to carry a person, or willing to."

"Let me just take a short break, then we can carry on." Eleeza was determined, even though her body stained very much and her mind wanted to simply sleep: "How far is it still?"

"Around an hour of flying. We made good way earlier!", Esalaa answered.

Eleeza nodded and tried to relax without falling asleep. The others chatted about their surroundings, marvelling different things that were unique to this world.
Finally, Esalaa touched Eleeza's shoulder: "Are you okay to go on?"

Eleeza nodded and stood up. It got harder and harder for her to concentrate on her surroundings. She flinched when Ellob suddenly spoke up from behind: "Are you sure that you'll manage? You look awfully pale and worn out."

Her heart still accelerated from the shock, she nodded still trembling lightly. Her hands were grasped by someone, but she didn't know who. She pulled them away: "Who is this? Please do make sure I know who is touching me. It's so confusing otherwise."

"Sorry, Eleeza. It was me, Ellob. Is it okay if I fly with you?"

Eleeza nodded. She didn't care much, for all she wanted right now was to get home and sleep. Even though she looked forward to spending time with her elder brother. She stretched her arms forward and he took her hands again.

Ignoring her sore muscles, she let her wings beat up and down. Ellob even pulled her slightly as they made their way up in the air. The smells of the different winds hit her as they got higher. Suddenly she smelled food, sweat, metal and animals. Afraid she gasped: "Is there a city close by? What if they see us?" Why had she not thought about this earlier?

"There is, you are right. How did you notice? But don't worry, they cannot see us", he calmed her.

"How is this possible? We are flying right above them? Or can you make all of us invisible just like Nioru?"

He answered amused: "No, no, I cannot make anything invisible. I have a cloud floating below us. The sky is clouded, and a single cloud won't rise too much attention. We are safe from the humans spotting us."

Eleeza was stunned: "You can manipulate the weather?" She was a little annoyed with herself that she hadn't asked about his gift earlier.

"No, but water. At least to an extent."

"Wow!", Eleeza exclaimed impressed: "Can you elaborate? It seems to be a very powerful gift, much more than beauty!"

He chuckled: "You wouldn't have said so in the past. See, I am not as strong as to manipulate all water. I can move small amounts at a time, change currents or the state of the water. Not much more, sad as it is. You were teasing me sometimes that even you could move water and I was too weak."

Eleeza grinned: "Right now you don't seem weak to me." She yawned: "I am rather weak."

"You are constantly dropping on height, are you sure that you can fly on?"

Eleeza flew a bit upwards, nodded grimly and fought against the exhaustion. Ellob chatted with her constantly, but she didn't really pay attention.

Suddenly he pulled her to a stop: "I cannot watch this any longer. You clearly are over exhausted. Let me carry you for the last bit."

She nodded tiredly, and he pulled her in his arms like a baby. She felt Ellob flying upwards rather than straight forward: "Did we lose height again?"

"Almost below the treetops", he affirmed.

Eleeza let her head sink onto his strong chest and closed he useless eyes. The silver around her dimmed pleasantly and she relaxed.

"How far is it still?", she asked after a while. She felt safe and comfortable in his arms. It was different than with Evan, she realised. Even though there was as much love, it was a brother's love and a huge sense of protection.

"We are already in the valley. The main village is close by, the one with the market."

She sighed: "It must be Amebury. I have never been there, actually. They thought it too risky for me. But I hate hiding in front of everybody and to be locked."

He gripped her tighter: "You always have. You liked to shine and sometimes show off. But if anybody knew here, who and what you really are, they could want to exploit your powers. Just like those three Alaraneans in the past weeks. Hiding isn't great, I know, but it protects you."

She snug in his arms, knowing he was right. She just didn't want to hide anymore. Especially not from Evan's family. She was lost in thought for a while.
"Will I ever see you again? Can you maybe visit me from time to time?", she asked, afraid of his answer.

He seemed to think before answering: "I promise you that we'll meet again. And I'll try to visit you. But I can't promise that it'll be often. I love you, little sister, but getting here isn't easy and the entrance is heavily guarded. I'll keep trying, okay?"

She smiled widely: "That's more than I hoped for!"

The others closed the distance to them. Eleeza could hear the flapping of their wings getting louder.

"Is she okay?", Erno asked worried.

"I'm just tired. No need to talk, as if I wasn't here!", she complained.

"Today I seem to make everything wrong...", he muttered and Eleeza grinned a little.

"I guess I can see the farm. This direction!", Esalaa exclaimed after some minutes.

"We should land on a clearing in the forest. Else we will rise too much of attention. It's not foggy enough today." Sanaani said. Suddenly some more – smaller – wings approached.

"Wow!", Cathryn exclaimed: "Eleeza, you should see this. There are hundreds of birds around us and even more coming! So beautiful! They are circling around us!" She laughed and Eleeza envied her for being able to see the spectacle. She could hear them getting more, confusing her hearing and orientation. Suddenly some began to sing, and she pressed her hands on her ears to protect her sensitive hearing. Then, out of no reason it seemed, they flew away again. Some circling around them for some more time. Just one seemed to stay.

"This buzzard will guide us to a large clearing not far from here. Come on let's follow him!", Sanaani declared.

They took a turn to their right and soon Eleeza felt Ellob descending. During the descent Ellob emitted magic and humidity rose. The smell of grass and earth got stronger. The landing was soft, she hardly shook in Ellob's arms. The humidity went down and suddenly Ellob tensed. The others landed next to them, making quite some noise and that way making it impossible for Eleeza to sense what stressed Ellob.

"Ellob, what is it?", she asked instead.

"I think I saw somebody hiding behind that big oak in front of us. Erno! Erno, could you have a look?"

Erno's steps could be heard, but he didn't get far when something rustled.