‘Good. I can’t wait to be on solid ground again,’ Logan commented, appearing at the top of the stairs that lead to the captain’s deck. ‘Want me to take over for a bit?’
Mitch had been navigating all night. His brown eyes were bloodshot and there were clear, dark circles under them. He gave a nod.
‘A few hours rest might help. Best be ready for when we reach land. Who knows what we will be entering.’
‘It looked pretty quiet from where we were,’ Grace offered.
‘Let’s hope it stays that way then,’ Logan remarked, taking the wheel.
Mitch bid them good morning, then hurried down the steps and below the deck.
‘He is right though,’ Logan pressed on. ‘I slept most of the night, but you two have been up working. You need to get some rest. We have to be ready for anything.’
Drew looked to Grace, who wrinkled her nose at the idea of stepping foot on the ship’s deck again.
‘The birds need rest too,’ Logan added.
Grace sighed, but gave her boyfriend a smile, liking the way his dark hair fell in his brown eyes. Drew nearly laughed. If it had have been him trying to convince Grace of leaving the skies, he would have been shot down. Hard. But for Logan? Anything.
Watching the way they were with one other – though he was careful to ignore the fact that it was his sister and it was sometimes weird seeing her with his friend, it only reminded him of Laura. He missed her. Missed her smile, the way her eyes lit up when she laughed. Missed her quirky jokes and their easy banter. Missed her kindness and her ability to always find the good in a situation. Missed her strength and determination.
‘Come on Drew,’ Grace called over her shoulder.
Drew gazed up to see his sister had already landed her bird at the other end of the ship where enough space had been left for them to settle down to sleep. Drew nudged his own bird and flew to her side, slipping off the creatures back in one quick, easy motion.
‘What were you thinking about?’ Grace asked quietly as she brushed down her bird’s feathers with her fingers.
Drew turned his back to her, taking up the same task. ‘What do you mean?’
‘Come on. I’m your twin. I saw the look on your face. Something’s wrong.’
Drew felt his heart beat a little faster at the prospect of admitting his fear out loud.
‘It’s about the others, isn’t it? Laura?’ Grace said, her voice soft.
Drew’s green eyes found hers and he nodded, his midnight black hair falling down over his forehead.
Her face shifted from both grim to hopeful.
‘I worry about them too. But I can’t help but tell myself that they are fine. That we will see them again. I just feel like I’d know if something was wrong. You know, in my gut.’
‘I guess. But even so, it’s hard not to wonder. Did Caspian and Oscar reach the Mariadies? Did they convince them to help? Have they found a cure? What are they doing right now? And Laura and Gemma. Did they find whatever was at that location? Did they survive Mist Roe? Then there’s Stella and Leo…’ He trailed off, unsure what to even say about them.
Were they still being held hostage? Had they been converted? Were they alive? He shivered at the thought of never seeing them again. He couldn’t even begin to fathom the possibility of not going home to the Corin Manor where they’d be waiting with open arms.
Grace’s face fell a little, but there were still clear traces of hope behind her eyes.
‘I know. I’m worried too. It’s always on my mind. I’ve nearly been sick about it. But I think we have to believe that they will be okay. That’s the only thing keeping me sane at the moment.’
Drew regarded his twin and was hit with an overwhelming sense of gratitude. Yes, maybe he didn’t know if his friends were okay, but no matter what, he had his sister. She was alive and well and strong and fierce. No matter what, he’d always have her. To her obvious surprise, he pulled her into a hug.
‘Love you, little sis.’
Grace chuckled. ‘Love you more, little brother.’
‘Hey! Are you two going to continue to play sappy families or are you going to actually get some rest?’ Logan called down to them.
Grace stuck out her tongue at him and Drew laughed, slipping an arm around his twin’s shoulders.
‘Come on,’ he said, and they hurried below deck in order to gain some much desired sleep.
By the time Drew awoke, it was to the sound of cheerful voices and the dense smell of the forest. He rushed to pull on a set of warmer clothes, then emerged onto the deck. What he saw only brought him joy.
The humans were clambering down from the ship and sprinting along the dock, shouting and crying and calling out in happiness to the humans who were surfacing from their houses. Families and friends were reuniting, kids were blubbering as they threw their arms around their parents, parents were weeping as they picked up their children. It was a beautiful scene. The town, which at first appeared to be completely dead, was suddenly full of brightness and laughter.
There had been so many casualties of the war already, Human’s included, but the fact that they’d been able to save just some of them was, well, it was a start.
In the distance, against the backdrop of the forest, the church bells chimed, and many Humans turned and smiled. They were home.
~
Two weeks on the water and at last land was in sight. Laura could just imagine Gemma grinning from ear to ear, her dark blond hair spilling out from its pony tail around her face, her brown eyes sparkling. She’d been dying to reach land and check on Elias. The two of them had a fondness for the elderly man, and hoped to see him doing better after all he’d been through.
In addition to that, they were keen to discover the status of the battle. Were the Enchanted still holding the line? It had been a quiet trip over, and that almost worried Laura. She’d been expecting to see a great deal more carnage and proof of the war. The fact that there had been no troubles, especially considering their large fleet of ships, set her on edge.
The Casters had continued to train during their journey, Laura and Megan joining in to help Gemma with the task. The Creatures, it seemed, had talents of their own and hadn’t needed training. Some of their tactics were impressive, though Laura knew they’d barely skimmed the surface of what the creatures could do.
While Laura was relieved that they were close to land, she was also worried. Once they docked, she knew tough decisions would have to be made. Such as what they were going to do. Charge straight into the fray, or sit back and make a plan? She supposed it depended on the situation. They would have to wait and see where the war was at.
Gemma arrived at the top of the ladder that lead below deck and Laura rushed to her side.
‘Land! Just ahead!’ She said, breathless.
Gemma’s face lit up, her brown skin glowing with both relief and excitement.
‘Finally!’ She exclaimed. ‘Does Megan know?’
‘Just about to tell her. I think we should be there in an hour. I couldn’t see it through all the fog before but now… it’s right there!’
‘What is?’ Came a voice from behind them.
Laura turned to see Megan conveniently striding towards them.
‘Land. Up ahead!’
A look of worry crossed Megan’s face and Laura frowned.
‘What is it? Is everything okay?’
Megan peered up and nodded quickly. ‘Of course. I suppose the trip only delayed the inevitable.’
Laura understood instantly. The moment that they set foot on land, the Casters would officially be giving up their freedom. Maybe even their lives. Enchanted would know about them. About their power and skill. Everything would change for them.
‘I don’t know if I’ve ever said this Megan, but thank you. For your sacrifice. We know what you’re risking to help us,’ Laura said kindly.
Megan smiled, reaching a hand out to touch Laura’s cheek. ‘Dear child, don’t thank me. It is our duty to
aid you. It always has been. This is what we’ve been preparing for, I suspect. The day when we would be called upon to protect our world from evil.’
The feeling of guilt still gnawed away at Laura. She had asked them to come. If things changed for the worse for them then it would be all her fault.
‘Do not blame yourself, Laura. The Gods knew this day was coming. That is why they set the path for our creation. To help save Elixir.’
‘She’s right Laura,’ Gemma said. ‘Don’t be so hard on yourself.’
Laura smiled at that. She still felt responsible, but she knew deep down, as she always had, that it was so much bigger than just her. There was more going on, and it was the universe guiding their actions, not her.
‘Come. We must ready ourselves for our arrival.’
As they closed in on land, Laura noticed three things. One, there seemed to be a lot of people outside and the little, deserted town they remembered from over a month before looked to be lively. Two, there was a ship in the harbor. And three, the bells of the church were ringing.
‘What’s that all about?’ Laura asked, frowning.
‘I wonder if Elias got in touch with the Enchanted and they found the towns people?’ Gemma offered, her own brows drawing together.
Laura felt something within her; butterflies in her gut. Perhaps the Enchanted had come to the town’s air. Or perhaps something else had happened. Some other form of miracle.
The five of their ships manoeuvred in to the docks and unreeled their anchors. Even as Laura walked the plank to the wooden wharf, she still felt something shift within her. A knowledge that seemed to prickle in the back of her mind, begging to be released.
Laura’s hazel-gold eyes scanned the crowds of people, who were all watching as the Casters and Creatures clambered off the ships. Some looked confused, some appeared not to care.
‘The creatures have their own abilities,’ Megan whispered, and Laura realised then that they must have altered their appearance so not to frighten the Humans.
She was glad, though she certainly didn’t want the Creatures to feel as though they couldn’t be themselves. In spite of that, she knew that some of the creatures were frightening even for herself to peek at. She didn’t know how the Humans would react.
‘Let’s go hunt down Elias and find out what’s going on,’ Gemma said, appearing at her elbow.
The two of them started down the dock. The feeling in Laura’s stomach faded and she chalked it up to be the anticipation of reaching Lastrala. Before long, they’d reached the stone path which trailed its way down into the little town.
For some unknown reason, something within Laura compelled her to glance off to the left, where a row of houses stood along the water’s front. There was a group of Human’s mingling about, chatting and smiling. Then, as if the God’s themselves had whispered to the Human’s, they parted. Laura’s heart sped up, and she pulled up short.
‘What is it?’ Gemma asked, staggering to a halt, both anxious and alarmed.
Laura gasped, sucking in her breath and biting back a cry. Her heart exploded all together, because through the gap in the crowd, four familiar faces had appeared.
‘Oh my god!’ She heard Gemma say, then the two of them began to run.
Drew’s green eyes lifted in confusion at the commotion, and then his whole face transformed. He said something, and then Grace, Logan and Mitch all froze, glancing towards them as if they didn’t quite believe what they were seeing. Then, they were running too, and the lot of them crashed into a huge group hug full of laughing and crying and elbows and hands everywhere.
‘How is this possible?’
‘When did you get here?’
‘Are you okay?’
‘What happened?’
‘Where have you been?’
Everyone was talking over one another in excitement. Laura could barely contain the joy she felt at seeing her friends alive and well. Her face hurt from the grinning and her blood rushed through her ears.
‘Okay, okay! Everyone calm down,’ Gemma finally said, her own lips pulled apart in an enormous smile. ‘One at a time.’
Laura and Gemma listened as Drew, Grace, Mitch and Logan told them the story of their journey. Laura was shocked to hear of the Human’s they’d discovered, and proud to know that the four of them had managed to rescue them and bring them home. She was also surprised to hear of Mr Stark’s death. Part of her was glad, for she knew how huge a blow that would be to Erebus. However there was another side of her that recognised the fact that there had already been so much blood shed, so she shouldn’t be acknowledging her relief at hearing there’d been more.
Soon, it was time for Gemma and Laura to relay to their friends their own journey. They did their utmost to explain everything, from the truth of who Laura was, to the Creatures, to the story of the Casters. It took them a long time to complete the tale, but by the end, Laura was reassured. She still hadn’t quite come to terms with what she had discovered. Communicating it to her friends, however, helped to straighten it out somewhat in her own mind and thus convince her that it was, indeed, real. That she had found her place in the Spirit World.
‘Wow, so you’re a Caster,’ Logan said. ‘It’s strange that there really is a name to put to the power.’
Laura agreed. ‘I know. I still don’t quite believe it.’
‘You best believe it. You are one of us now,’ came a voice from behind Laura.
She turned to discover Megan smiling at the group.
‘I see you found your friends.’
Laura beamed at the woman. ‘Megan, I’d like to introduce you to Logan, Grace, Mitch and Drew,’ she said, indicating to each of her friends as she spoke their names.
Megan stepped forward, shaking everyone’s hands.
‘It’s a pleasure to at long last meet you. Laura and Gemma spoke fondly of you all,’ Megan told them.
The four of them looked to be in awe of the woman. Laura knew the feeling. She had experienced it when she’d first met Megan as well. It was as though she could actually feel the power radiating from her.
‘Thank you for agreeing to come. Laura told us about you. I understand how big a deal it is that you’re all here,’ Drew responded.
‘Like I said to Laura, do not thank me. We must enter this battle. We would be wrong not to. But I thank you for your acknowledgement and hope for your endorsement in the future, should we require it.’
Laura knew what Megan meant. The Casters would require as many people as they could find to back them should they win the war and the Enchanted decide to try and use them for their power. Herself included, she realised. She was a Caster, too.
‘Of course you have it,’ Drew answered in kind, receiving words of agreement from Mitch, Grace and Logan.
Megan inclined her head. ‘I appreciate that,’ she turned to Laura. ‘Now, I believe there is someone waiting to speak to you. I will leave you six to it. We must scout the area and prepare our people for what is to come.’
‘Of course. We will come see you as soon as we can,’ Laura said, peering over to where Megan had indicated.
Megan smiled, but did not respond, for she saw the look on Laura’s face as she realised who was waiting. Laura quickly nudged Gemma. It was Elias, and there was a young man standing beside him.
‘We’ll be right back,’ Laura said to the others, and she and Gemma crossed over to where Elias was waiting, a smile so large on his face that it lit up the sky.
‘We brought your ship back,’ Gemma said as they reached them. ‘We towed it behind us, I’ll make sure someone put’s it back in your shed.’
Elias pulled the two of them into a hug. ‘I see that. There is no hurry. I’m simply delighted to see you two have returned in one piece!’
‘We’re so glad you’re still here as well,’ Laura told him as they pulled back from one another.
‘So am I, dear. So am I.’
‘We were worried about you. It seems out friends found some of you
r town’s people. But where did the rest come from?’ Gemma asked.
‘Some have been hiding in the forest, and it turns out my prodigy here had rushed off for help. He found some of your kind and they aided him in rescuing another group of our people that had been taken hostage. We only just got them back a few days ago.’
‘Wow, you did that yourself?’ Laura asked the Human boy.
‘I couldn’t let those evil Wicked take them. I knew roughly which direction some of them had been led so sought the Enchanted out and enlisted some help. It’s only thanks to Elias here that I even knew about your world and could understand what was happening, though.’
‘That’s incredibly brave,’ Gemma replied, clearly impressed.
Laura was impressed too. For a human to sacrifice himself to save others in such a way was astonishing. He had no power, no abilities. If he had been caught, the Wicked would have killed him. But still, he’d done it anyway.
‘He’s a good kid. I knew it from the very moment I met him,’ Elias said, wiping tears from his eyes. ‘And now your friends have brought the rest of our people home.’
Laura felt the warmth within her heart grow and she pulled Elias into another hug. She was so happy for him.
‘I just wanted to thank you and your friends,’ Elias said.
Laura shook her head. ‘No. Not at all. You don’t deserve what happened to you. It’s our world that’s doing this. And it’s up to us to stop it before any more of your people are hurt.’
Elias rested a frail hand on her shoulder. ‘You bear too much weight on your shoulders. This is not your doing. We do not blame you. Please, accept my thanks.’
Laura smiled, and she felt Gemma shift beside her. She knew that while Elias insisted they didn’t blame them for what was happening, the two of them still felt guilty. It was their sworn duty to protect the Humans, and they were failing at doing just that. Regardless, they accepted Elias’ thanks and agreed to have dinner with him that night.
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