Wings of Arian by Devri Walls Page B

at Arturo, “I’m sorry,” he said. “I’m sorry I was thinking that you nearly knocked me off with that last tree.”
    Arturo snorted before turning and flying out of the Hollow the way he came in. Kiora glared at Emane.
    “What!” he asked.
    “That wasn’t an apology.”
    “Oh my...” he fisted his hands, “You really are...” Blowing out a mouthful of air, he plastered a smile on his face, “Didn’t you say someone was waiting for us.”
    Kiora scowled, “Come on.”
    As they walked through the Hollow in the direction of the large red and white tent that now served as the meeting hall, Kiora had to keep slowing down to match pace with Emane. His head swiveled this way and that, taking in the beauty that was the Hollow.
    Tiny Guardians flitted to and from their tiny houses that hung on silver lines from the canopy. A Guardian nearest them opened the door to his house as the sun glinted off the large ruby placed in his door, coloring the crystal walls of his home in crimson.
    “These are spectacular.” Emane whispered.
    “I know, when you get a chance you should look at them closer.”
    The detail work was meticulous, and everything was done in crystal, silver, gold or precious stones. “Incredible,” Emane breathed, looking intently at the nearest little home.
    “Are these… fairies?” he asked quietly, but not quietly enough. One of the Guardians heard him and let out a snort of disgust.
    “No” she said with an apologetic look to the Guardian. Leaning towards Emane she muttered, “And they find that very offensive.”
    “Why?”
    “Come on,” she motioned, pulling him away from the irritated Guardian. “When the wars began, the Guardians were all fighting for good. Over time, a few began siding with evil and they started to change. Their beauty faded as their goodness did, changing over time until their outside was as ugly as their inside.”
    Emane had stopped again to look at a sapphire house that had been gilded with rectangular cut emeralds. Jogging to catch up to her he asked, “How does that happen?”
    “Aleric said that the reason the Guardians are so beautiful is because the greatness of their nature is too large to be contained in such a small package.” Kiora smiled. “The same goes for the ones who fell. The darkness of their nature is too great to be contained, it changed their outward appearance. The villagers began calling them fairies, but the Guardians refer to them as Fallen Ones.” One of the Guardians fluttered in front of them, smiling as he went past. Kiora smiled back with a little wave. “So, in answer to your question— No, these are not fairies.
    “You’ve learned a lot in a few days.”
    She shrugged her shoulders. “Not enough.”
    As she walked past the smaller tents where she and Aleric had been sleeping she noticed a third tent had been added.
    Guess its official , she thought, he’s staying .
    Just past them stood the tent that had been erected for meetings and meals, she led him inside. A table stood in the middle of the room made of simply hewn pine planks. Around the table were four chairs made of artistically twisted vines. They were works of art, coaxed by magic into their current shape. Aleric and Eleana sat at the table with pale faces.
    “Sit down,” Eleana said. Her blue eyes were hard and she sat stiffly with her copper hair flowing down her back.
    Both dropped obediently into chairs.
    “I should have been clearer about the dangers of running off the first time it happened.” She looked at Kiora, “But I was somewhat foolish and have underestimated Dralazar. I did not think he would be looking for you so quickly.” She sighed. “At least you are both safe. Unfortunately, you have been spotted, Kiora. They now know who you are and what you look like. We had hoped to avoid that specific danger for much, much longer.”
    Aleric added, “Raynor also knows your thread and the Hounds know your scent.”
    Kiora bit her lip, clenching her