Guardian of Elements

Chapter 44 - Friends and family

Kate was hidden in some bushes. Two girls were sitting in front of her, their backs to her, chatting loudly.

It didn't take her that much effort to find them. When Eriana left, she followed Arneia's path along the river and suddenly saw her on the other shore with the brown-haired girl.

But even after an hour now, the two were still together, doing something, and she had no intention to show herself to another human. However, the Sun was going down and she had to lead Arneia home.

Finally, a chance presented itself. Valeria asked Arneia to replenish her water. She stood up with a strange vial and went to the river. Kate quietly followed her.

Arneia knelt on the shore of the river and submerged the vial into the current when Kate revealed herself.

"Arneia, we have to..."

Arneia was startled so much by the unexpected voice behind her that she dropped the vial into the river.

"Oh, come on! Why would you scare me like this? Val will never forgive me for losing it!" She was trying to find the bottle with her hand, but it could be anywhere.

"Why wouldn't she? From what I've seen, the girl has many of them. Besides, we need to return to the den."

"Return? You said that I can be here until dusk, and that is still at least one hour away. Ah, it's not here!"

"It's over there," said Kate and a water orb rose from the river further down, with the vial inside. It hovered to Arneia and she pulled the bottle out of it, while the water dropped back into the river.

"Thanks," she said. "But what do you mean, that we have to return? There's still some time left."

"There were some... complications. Eriana had to leave and instructed me to bring you home."

Arneia was looking sad.

"Is it really necessary? I'm having fun, real fun for the first time. And Valeria is an amazing girl, I don't want to leave her behind."

"I know. I wouldn't want to either, but I can't endanger you. Eriana entrusted me with this task and I can't just ignore her." Kate was sad about it as well. She missed her home too. But safety was outweighing happiness. At least for now.

"Can I at least say goodbye?" Arneia asked with sorrow.

"Of course. But make it as fast as possible please."

Kate stayed by the river and Arneia left back to Valeria. She was still painting.

"Oh, here you are! What were you doing there for so long?" she asked with a happy face.

"Um, I dropped the vial into the river and it took me a moment to find it. Here you go," she replied without lying and gave her the water but didn't sit back next to her.

"Val, I... I have to go already."

"Oh, why? Stay a bit longer, I'm almost finished." The painting was indeed looking almost exactly as the forest in front of her. It was an amazing piece of art.

"I'd love to, trust me. But I promised that I'll go back home."

"Well, if that's so..." Valeria stood up. "Thanks for the amazing day. I'm glad that stumbled upon, ehm, into you," she laughed, and they hugged.

"Will we see each other again?" she asked.

"I certainly hope so," Arneia replied.

"So, good-bye."