Unexpected Reunion

The next few days we followed the same routine. I kept my distance from the elves not wanting to deal with their attitude or any possible fights breaking out. The closer we got the more anxiety I felt. The demon tribes number wasn't as large as most which made it surprising how much damage they had done. I worried about how this fight would go and how I would keep Sky from seeing this bloodshed. Elias planned on leaving us in the carriage about an hour away. I felt nervous about this but I knew that keeping Sky safe and away from such things was now my job.

The elves had laid out a plan that they had assured was fail proof. The demon tribes was made of about twenty-five individuals. The seekers had shown that their village was surrounded by a river on two sides and the other side was located underneath a dangerous mountain drop off. They typically had two individuals watch the opening of their village since anyone passing through would have to enter through there.

The chief's hut was directly in the center of the village which would mean they would have to go through the whole village to capture the man responsible for cursing my home. Thankfully the elves had a few things they had brought from their home to make things easier. One of those things was a lullaby songbird, I'd never heard of such a thing. The elves had a way with animals, something I had noticed from traveling with them. They would capture ordinary blackbirds apparently and bring them to their palace gardens where they would wait for them to reproduce and lay eggs. Once the birds laid the eggs they would pour a magical solution over the eggs every day till they hatched. Once hatched the birds where trained to only sing upon command because their songs now contained the power to knock elephants into a 12 hour slumber.

The plan seems simple enough but all it takes is one thing unexpected to happen or fail and it could be a suicide mission. I think a person could come up with a thousand plans and there is always a chance something fails. We weren't even a week away now and as much as I want the curse broke for my family I feel fearful for the people with me.

"Only four more days and we should be there", Elias says as we fill canteens with the fresh cold water from the stream. I nod my head in answer feeling nervous and worried about anyone being hurt, more specifically Elias. "Don't look so worried everything will be fine Hana. Like I told you demon's are dangerous if your not prepared for them but we are. We have the upper hand they don't know we are coming".

"I just want you to be careful, you never know and you've no reason to even fight this battle so if you were to be hurt I'd be devastated", I tell him screwing the lid back on the canteen. Sky who is standing beside me with her doll continues to play happily with her doll while jabbering away.

Taking hold of my arm to turn me to face him Elias looks at me seriously. "I do have a reason to fight, they hurt you by attacking people you love. If your hurting I don't like it and I'm going to do what I can to fix the problem. You're important to me Hana", he informs me and then lowers his face to mine. I inhale sharply as his soft lips touch mine, my eyes close instinctively. My head buzzes and a warm feeling pools in my stomach. His scent of cedarwood greets my nose pleasantly and his large hand tangles into the back of my hair as his lips mold against mine a bit longer. All to quickly though he pulls away leaving me blushing, confused, and wanting more.

His red eyes stare into mine before he releases me and pulls a vial from his pocket taking a blood tablet. "I really care about you", he repeats, explaining his actions. I nod my head in understanding.

"I really care about you too", I confess back easily. His red eyes light up in joy and he takes my hand and interlocks our fingers before I take Sky's hand into my other and we return to camp. I know things will change soon but at the moment all I feel is hope that everything will turn out okay.

When we make it back to camp the elves are sitting by the campfire lazily whispering to each other as they often do. Dante sits in the branch of a tree off to himself watching the elves suspiciously. I look over to see if Elias notices as well and he gives a subtle nod. Was Dante being shady, or was it the elves? The only ones I trusted a hundred percent was Elias, Sky, and Luna the rest left me feel anxious.

That night as we all slept I woke up feeling the strangest sensation. I felt like I needed air and I was smothering in the carriage. I stand up and Elias's hand grabs my wrist as he looks at me in confusion. "I just need some air", I say softly not wanting to wake the others. He nods in understanding and I exit the carriage quietly.

The feeling somewhat subsides after exiting the carriage but something still feels odd. The elves are laid by the fire sleeping soundly and Dante is still laid back in the tree branch. Everything seems as it should be, so why can't I shake this feeling.

"Hana", I hear an all to familiar voice say. My head snaps into the direction I heard the voice and I quickly run to it. "This way Hana", the voice says as I shove tree limbs aside to get to him. Finally making it to a clearing I see him standing there looking far worse than I had ever seen him look in my life. I run to him after having been frozen in shock. Hugging him tightly tears flow quickly from my face having feared the worst.

"Dad your alive", I sob gratefully.