𝐋𝐄𝐆𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐄𝐑𝐃𝐀𝐒 {spirit animals}

10. A Day to Remember

Kolin was standing at the docks of Greenhaven island, watching the boats come and go. A little before noon, he saw a small ship that was heading for Stetriol, and he fought the urge to board it and sail away too.

Greenhaven was amazing, it wasn't that he hated the place. He'd made some friends, and was gradually getting the hang of his new plant magic thing. Training had also been getting better, with Talona and Caspian both helping him learn different forms of combat.

But Kolin would still be lying if he said he didn't miss home. When they left Stetriol, he'd explained to his mother and his younger sister, Hennah, everything that was happening. Emmett the greencloak reassured them that Kolin would be safe, but he wasn't exactly sure that was a promise Emmett could keep.

Nights were restless in this place, it was hard to sleep well in an unfamiliar place, with no knowledge of what was going on with his family. He hadn't spoken to his mother or sister for nearly two weeks, and by now he was feeling quite homesick.

He'd sent three letters home already, and still hadn't gotten a reply. He even wrote to Jana, and was again returned with nothing. Kolin could only hope they were all doing alright, but he still worried. Especially for his mother, who already wasn't doing so well. And why wasn't Jana responding? Surely she'd gotten his letter by now.

"Jana isn't exactly able to respond right now,"

Kolin turned and saw Talona walking towards him, Conejo the jackalope hopping along at her side.

"Hey," He offered her a smile, "Didn't think I'd see you today,"

"You weren't planning on seeing anyone today," She responded.

It's true, you were just planning on wasting the day sitting here being unproductive, Conejo said in his head.

Kolin raised an eyebrow at Talona, "You have this 'mind-reading' thing too?"

"It's getting there," She shrugged, "Discovered it one night when I heard Rae's thoughts from the room next to mine. You'd be surprised how human that girl actually is,"

"Yeah, 'human' is totally the best way to describe her," Kolin muttered.

Talona smiled, and they stayed there for a while, watching the boats come and go from the docks. It was true, Kolin had been planning on spending the day alone, but he was glad for a Talona's company. She always seemed to somehow show up at the right time, whenever Kolin needed to clear his head.

"Wait," Kolin started, "What did you say about Jana?"

Talona was silent for a while before answering.

"Conejo...He searched all over Stetriol for her, and last night he finally did," Talona's voice was a little shaky as she spoke, "Look, I'm just going to say it, I know you don't necessarily love everything being sugarcoated,"

She met Kolin's eyes, "Your friend Jana has been captured by the Darkcloaks."

"What?" Kolin stared at her in shock. What did she just say?

"Why would they do that?" He demanded. Kolin would be lying if he said he wasn't panicking. Jana was his best friend, and he didn't want her to get hurt. Why did the darkcloaks care about her? Jana had no spirit animal, so what purpose did finding her serve?

"Isn't it obvious?" Talona said, "She's your friend, she knows more about you than almost anyone else. The darkcloaks need information, information about you that she has,"

Kolin didn't respond to this. Unwarranted guilt started settling in, guilt that he'd somehow dragged Jana into this mess too. Another thought following that made Kolin dread even asking Talona the next question.