Lost Identity: Eloria Series Book 1 | ✓

50: Passim

7/28/3028

"I have it right here," said the boy. He placed an auburn cloth package in my hands. "I fear that in the future further meeting may put you in jeopardy. This is for your protection, master." The boy continued to speak even as I began to unfold the cloth. Wrapped within was a locket. "Wear that and wear the uni-elk hide when you wish to make contact."

"I'm impressed by your wisdom," I replied. I pulled out a brown cloth pouch from my own pocket and gave it to the boy. "I have something for you, as well. It is too risky for me to keep it, so I want you to keep it safe. From everyone. Do not let a single soul know." I spoke the last sentence slowly.

***

I woke with a jerk, the warmth of the morning sun against my arm. I sat up and found that I was in a cozy pile of leaves on top of twigs. I was in a ten-foot long nest. Looking down off the nest's edge, I could see that I was high up in a tree. It would take some time for me to climb down.

How did I get up here?

I glanced up to see another canopy of leaves, and Gundhram, watching me. Gundhram jumped down, landing in the nest, and crouched beside me.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you," Gundhram said with his face close to mine.

"Um..." I leaned away from him. "Last night, did I dream that you transformed, or did you really change into a massive raven?"

"I transformed," he answered. I hadn't realized how close to the edge I was on the verge of falling, but in an instant Gundhram had grabbed my hand and pulled me closer to him.

"Thanks," I said, shakily.

"Are you frightened of me?" he asked.

"It's not you," I explained. "I'm afraid of birds."

He looked slightly hurt. "All birds?"

He let go of my hand.

I nodded. "Can the other Ras transform into large ravens as well?"

"No. I am the only one," he said, raising his chin.

"You flew us here," I said to hear myself saying it out loud.

"I did."

"Does it hurt when you..." I gestured with an obscure wave toward his body. "When you change?"

"I do experience discomfort when I transform. After I return to human form, I suffer from extreme exhaustion. For this reason, I do not transform often."

"What about your clothes?" I blurted. Embarrassment flushed over my face. "What happens to them when you shift?"

"They are made of uni-elk." Gundhram gestured to his dark-brown tunic. I turned my gaze downward, partly to avoid eye contact but mostly to see how far I'd have to climb to get out of this tree.

"Would you like me to assist you in getting down?" he asked.

Gundhram turned his back to me, encouraging me to get on. I stared at him for a second then climbed on, gripping my hands tightly around him. He jumped out of the tree and landed perfectly on his feet with the agility of a jaguar.

I placed a shaky hand on my chest, trying to recover.

"Are you alright?" asked Gundhram.

I nodded and managed a smile. But then I heard a child's laughter from a distance in the trees. A child's voice.

Is that who I think it is?

I scanned around me before turning to Gundhram for confirmation.