As Roya and Ferona reached the shore, they cried out for Feich and frantically searched for him, struggling to grasp what they saw. Soft moans began to escape their lips as they searched for him. As Roya bent down to gather his black feathers that had scattered on the ground, her piercing screams burst out, overwhelming the river’s furious waters.
Both Corvids collapsed to the ground, holding onto each other and crying as they rocked back and forth, their pale bodies intertwined like delicate spider silk.
Seda approached Roya and Ferona and hesitantly embraced them both, grief over their brother’s loss heavy on her heart. She held them for long moments, listening to their cries.
“It is the way he would have wanted to go,” Roya finally said as she watched the flowing water in front of her and wiped her nose. “He died protecting you. He served well.He did well.”
Seda didn’t understand why they wanted to protect her. She felt guilty that their loved one was dead because of her. She angrily wiped her eyes with both hands and gazed out at the river as the quiet of their grief lingered in the air.
“Should we eat it?” Askold asked of the charred beast, breaking the silence.
“What the fuck, Askold!” Ojore shouted at him.
“Moon-flutter, I’m sorry for your friend, and I don’t want to take you away from this moment, but that was a Mungder, and where there is one, there is another. Its mate will be looking for it soon,” Elco said to Seda.
Seda gasped and looked at him, “You said another will be coming?”
“That’s it! We need to cross this fucking river as soon as possible! Can you ask Elco if he would be willing to carry us over?” Benny asked as they all gathered to pick up their belongings.
Elco glared at him and growled, smoke billowing from his nostrils and slowly melting the snow on the ground. Benny raised his hands in surrender.
“Elco,please. We need to cross. We traveled down this river for miles, and it never narrowed enough to cross anywhere. Can you please help?” Seda begged.
He looked at her, then at her glowing arms. He growled again and flew up into the air with a huff, his wide wingspan blowing icy wind around them.
“Guess not,” Benny said, then let out a scream as Elco dove down and grabbed him and Ojore by the scruff with his front paws.
He lifted them into the air and flew across the river, dropping them roughly on the icy ground. Then he returned for Askold, whocovered his head with a yell, and gently picked him and Seda up. He carried them across the river, set them down gently, and landed behind them, letting out a low growl as he looked at Benny.
“Why couldn’t he have picked me up at the same time as Seda?” Ojore grumbled, massaging his leg where he’d fallen and shifting back into a human. He was naked and quickly rummaged through his bag for some clothes.
“I won’t ask again,” Benny said in defeat. “Thank you, Elco.”
Seda turned around and looked at her fierce friend with awe and love. “Elco, we would have all died back there. Thank you for coming when you did.”
“I did not find Kalon, Seda. I came back as you asked when it got dark,” he replied.
Seda’s heart sank. She sat on the ground and drew a picture in the snow. “Thank you for trying.”
He nuzzled his nose into her and reminded her that they needed to get moving.
Ferona and Roya flew ahead and stayed in their Corvid forms, avoiding the others. Benny looked up, and Seda noticed the sadness on his face over their loss as he watched them fly ahead.
Another hum echoed in the distance, and no one hesitated, quickly heading north through the crunchy snow and among the tall trees. Those on the ground stayed close to a grumpy Elco, letting his warmth help dry their soaked clothes.
Chapter 45
Ael
“Preparations are ready for tomorrow night, Sire,” Meir said to him as they walked through the long halls of the Umbrea Castle. “We just need to get you fitted in your suit.”
Birds chirped far above, and Ael looked up at them again, enjoying their playfulness through the vines. His head throbbed. He’d had the same nightmare the night before and was feeling drained.
“I agreed to a ball, I did not agree to wearing a suit,” Ael replied casually.
“But, Sire…” Meir objected.
“HisHighnessdoesn’t want to wear a suit, Meir… drop it,” Luelle said as she came up behind them and squeezed herself in the middle, wrapping her arm around Ael’s side.
