Chapter 6

My friends and I took off, our peryton at our side, carrying food supplies and a tent. The tent was just in case we didn't make it back to Sol before nightfall, for some reason. Grant thought it was an extra precaution, but we knew we would have to use it. We waved down at the party below us. They too were getting ready to leave soon. Like Aiden had predicted, Chase had been able to convince Grant to let us go back alone with disconcerting ease.

"Fly a bit lower, guys." Aiden seemed even more excited than I was. "I'll tell you as soon as we're out of view."

Autumn hummed in acknowledgment. While flying, she was studying both maps of Peraz and of the kingdom to figure out the best path for us.

Chase let his messenger bat fly off. "In a few hours, the king will know."

I had written him a letter telling him where we were going, and minimizing the danger. I assured him we would be careful, and that I had convinced Chase to come with me. In short, he didn't have to worry about us. Despite this, I felt a bit guilty because I knew he would worry still, but I also knew he would understand. He wanted his daughter back just as much as I did my mother.

"Hey, they can't see us anymore," Aiden soon told us. "They're flying towards the Lilac Citadel already."

Autumn looked at the path she'd drawn on her map. "Okay, turn back and veer left, everyone."

We followed her instructions and set out towards Peraz.

"Guys, wanna hear a joke?" Aiden asked.

"Sure," I smiled.

"What did the fast cow say to the slow cow?"

Chase groaned. "I'm warning you, I know this one, and it's one of his worst."

"Be quiet and appreciate my jokes, Chase. You're ruining everything."

Autumn laughed. "Just tell us your joke, Aiden."

"Alright, Alright. Lemme start over."

***

The flight was without incident. We didn't see anyone besides a few Winged on the ground far below us, and isolated clusters of houses.

"Are we there yet?" Aiden asked for the fifth time in the last hour.

"Almost," Autumn said with as much patience as the first time. "Look, you can see the forest already."

"We should have had lunch two hours ago. When are we stopping?"

"As soon as we reach the edge of the forest."

"But that's in at least thirty minutes!"

"Fine," Chase interrupted. "We fly fifteen minutes, and then we stop, no matter how far we are."

"Really?" Aiden perked up. "Awesome. What do you think we're gonna see in the forest? Do you think we'll see fairies? What about bears? Squirrels?"

"Lots of things, maybe, no, yes," Autumn answered.

"Do you think Hailey's mom lives in the forest? Or did she leave and go somewhere else? If she comes back with us, would she become the new queen? I mean, the king is kind of old. Do you know how old the king is? I have a grandfather who's seventy two. He's kind of deaf, but he always sneaks food from the kitchen for us. One time, he took us fishing, and my sister fell into the river. I caught a fish, but it was too small, so we let it go. Once, I also caught a mouse. I was seven, and it bit me. After that, my mom told me that-"

"Alright!" Chase said. "You win, stupid. Let's take a break and eat."

"Yes!" Aiden fist-pumped the air and lost altitude immediately. Autumn and I exchanged amused looks and followed him.

We settled down on the bank of a stream, under the shade of a tree. Autumn distributed the sandwiches Grant had given us. Aiden kicked off his shoes and dipped his feet in the water.

"Cold." He grimaced. Nevertheless, he didn't move as he scarfed down his sandwich.

"Aiden," Autumn scolded. "Chew your food, you're going to choke!"

"Nuh, uh," he answered with his mouth full.

"You're gross." Chase threw a pinecone at him.

It fell in the water, but Aiden picked it up. He was about to throw it back, but froze. He dropped the pinecone and shoved the rest of his sandwich into his mouth as he reached out for his bow.

"Don't move."

I held my breath as I tried to look through the corner of my eye. I couldn't see anything. I could tell from Chase's expression that he didn't spot anything either. Aiden pulled an arrow out of his quiver, but Autumn grabbed it.

"Don't you dare."

"Autumn, stop," he hissed.

"It's just a jackalope," Autumn whispered. "Don't scare it away."

Chase groaned and let his head fall into his hands. "A jackalope? Are you serious?" he mumbled.

"An antelope?" I repeated with a slight frown as I scanned the area.

"Jackalope." She pointed at at small brown patch of fur with the hand that wasn't holding Aiden's arrow.

"Are you sure that's not just a bunny?" I asked as the ball of fur raised its head and twitched its long ears.

"After the flying reindeer, I introduce you to... the bunny reindeer," Aiden teased.

"Aiden, next time could you be a bit more clear when you see something?" Chase stood up and slapped his head. "I thought there was an enemy patrol coming or something."

Alerted by the noise, the jackalope bolted.

"Chaaase!" Aiden pouted. "You scared it away!"

"What's a jackalope?" I asked.

"A rabbit with antlers," Autumn said.

"A bunny with little bunny antlers?" I grinned. "That sounds adorable."

Autumn returned my smile. "Doesn't it? They're so soft and fluffy."

"Not to mention delicious," Aiden said. "How am I supposed to hunt anything with Chase scaring away the game, and Autumn grabbing my arrows?"

"We have enough food right now." Chase threw him an apple. "We'll hunt in the forest."

"Okay," he conceded.

"Don't hunt anything cute," Autumn pleaded.

"So basically, nothing with fur, feathers, or a heartbeat?" Chase clarified.

"Yay, twig hunting," Aiden muttered.

I laughed. "Hey, we'll let you hunt snakes and spiders."

"You're laughing, but snake is actually edible." I made a face. "Also," Aiden put his arrow back, "I could totally shoot a fat spider."

"No, you couldn't."

"Could too!"

Chase and Autumn exchanged a look. "How about we finish lunch and get back on our way?" he said. "And Aiden, I will push you in the river if you scare me like that again."

"You could push Hailey," he volunteered.

"Nope. He wouldn't dare." I crossed by arms in front of my chest.

Chase's lips twitched. "Would you like to test that theory?"

I edged farther away from the stream. "I'm fine, thank you. So, Autumn. You were saying?"

"Just that the boys had scarier things than forests to worry about if they thought they could push us into the stream." She gave them both her sweetest smile.

"Sometimes," Aiden whispered to Chase, "girls scare me."

Chase laughed. "The Junior Troops are proud to have you as a member, Aiden."

"I wouldn't laugh, if I were you. You're the one dating that creepy one over there." He pointed at me.

"Did you just call my girlfriend creepy?"

"Watch out, Aiden." I laughed. "Now, you'll definitely end up in the water."

"Once we're in the forest, I'm ditching all of you and getting fairy friends," he warned us.

"Be quiet and eat." Chase rolled his eyes. "Let's not waste time. I'd like to be at the forest's edge before nightfall."

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Wonderful cover at the top by @BeautyDoesntLast :)

Thank you for reading and all your lovely comments!