Soaring (Soaring Saga #1)

☆Chapter Twelve~The River Of Oversized Pigeons And Weird Songs☆

     Isn't it weird, character development? Audra was, if you think about the beginning of this book, a shy, silent, scared introvert. Not saying she isn't, but it's just that you normally don't see someone like that slice wolf shadow monster and survive some spine-chilling isolation chamber is all.

     And another thing, I was kinda jealous of her cool dagger. It looked like legit silver, not some iron or something painted that way. And the handle looked comfortable, and was a nice gold and brown colour.

     Anyhow, back on track.

     We finished our late lunch, and turns out Audra did make the sandwiches. We packed up, and flew off in what was hopefully the right direction. Audra's ankle still hurt though, so we tried to stay off the ground. 

     We flew.

     And flew.

     Aaaaaaand flew.

"Are we ever gonna get somewhere?" Ari asked, breaking the obnoxious silence with his obnoxiousness.

"How am I supposed to know?" I replied, maybe a little too harshly.

"Because you're flying in front of us like you're the leader and seem to know where you're going?"

     I realized I was doing that, so I let myself slowly drift back to them. "Happy?"

"Yes. Now where are we going?"

     I groaned. I pointed to Neil. Neil looked shocked for a minute, then explained,

"Well, we should be close to the Silver River, and we can follow that up to Essex probably, and from there we should be able to fly off northwest for a while until we reach the Mountains."

"So basically just follow the river?" Ari asked. Neil nodded.

     A few minutes passed.

"How close to the river are we?" Ari asked.

"Tenish minutes, I think? Why?" Neil replied.

"Cuz, um, I kinda hafta go..." 

     We groaned in chorus.

****~~~~****

     So yeah, got to the river, Ari did his stuff while the three of us just kind of... waited for him by the trees. 

     Awkward silence. 

     Then Neil had to go to. So now it's just Audra and I. 

"So... how's it goin'?" I asked. She shrugged. Okay then.

"I just... I don't think I should be doing this!" she blurted after a few more awkward moments, "I'm nothing like any of you guys! You're super brave and smart and cunning all all, and Neil is amazing with navigation and history and is super protective and caring, then Ari is always energetic and upbeat and sarcastic and whether it's annoying or not it can still be great to have, and then I'm over here all... y'know... shy, socially awkward, scared me. The one the bad guys go after because I'm an easy target, and don't tell me I'm not because did you see what just happened?! The wallflower who wants to be brave and the protagonist but ends up being that weird little useless side character. I know this journey just started and all but am I really ready? Should I even be a part of this? Should I even be here?" 

     She sat down, took a deep breath, and buried her face in her hands. Boy, would the demonic dryads come after her. I did a quick check to see if they were here, but none were.

"Listen, girl," I was so quiet I pretty much whispered as I took my jacket off, "Things happen for a reason. You have a right to be afraid. You have a right to try to be who you know you can, and if you think you can be brave, you go right ahead. But take it from me, being strong is hard. Heck, being brave is almost impossible! But just remember to try. If you try, and it's the best you can do, then there you go. That's brave to you. Not necessarily brave to others, but if you really think you're trying your best, than you are brave. Not someone else's brave, but yours, which is the best kind. Remember that."