Heavenly Harpies

Chapter 5: Outside The Outside

   Once you had met the queen, and your supplies were given, you started to the gates of the kingdom. People crowded around you. Rumors had spread more than you thought. Everyone knew. They cheered you on. It was invigorating. Chase gave you a small smirk, which gave you more confidence. As you stopped at the gate, a young girl ran up to you. She handed you a note, looking at it, your face fell. "The darkness will come." You forced a smile and stepped out of the gates.

   The tall, dark gates slammed behind you and the group. The cheers died down as you started walking. It was going to be a trek but you could do it. Why not fly? Well it's easier to be spotted by spies of the darkness. So you walked. They wouldnt expect that. Jackie had her determined face on. Poppy, excited. More excited than usual. Chase, well, he looked nervous. You hesitated, but grabbed his hand, and squeezed gently. He smiled, and squeezed back. It was reassuring.

   Once it was late noon, assumed from the placement of the sun, you all sat down under some birch trees and had your lunch. Jackie sighed as she looked around. Already the kingdom was much smaller.

    Standing up, your head spun and you nearly collapsed, but caught yourself. Chase stood up and grabbed your arm. "Hey? Leona, you okay?" You couldn't hear him. Darkness filled your head, voices, whispers. "We know your coming. Beware the trustworthy."

   Jackie slapped you, right across the face. You snapped out of it and stared at her in shock, holding your cheek. "Uhm.  Ow! What was that for?" Popppy giggled and said, "Same reaction like always." Jackie stretched her wings and hovered above the ground. "Come on, it's going to get dark soon. We need to get to the village over there." She pointed to a hill dotted with red rooftops.

   And so the journey continued.