Winged Angel

Chapter 19

“I am so sorry. If I had know he was coming I would have never sent you.” The queen cried as she wrapped her arms around me. She spotted me at a distance and came running. I gently nodded.

“All is okay. No harm done.” I told her with a smile.

“The shields will hold up against him. He will not be able to get in to us.” She spoke as she let me go. She grabbed my wrist with a questioning look.

“It hurts a little but that’s because I had to use it to stay on Logan.” I told her before she pulled me into another hug. Made me think if Logan was 180 how old was she.

“Come and eat. The children are in side and Tarick won’t eat until you are there.” She said as she pulled me towards the house. Reco scooped me up from behind and helped the queen drag me that way. He plopped me on the table causing the young ones to look over. They dropped there food and came to side by me. The cooks had food in front of me before I could complain.

“Your not hurt are you.” Tarick asked looking me over. He was sitting on my right side with my bad wrist in his lap. Nessie was squished up to my left side as her brother sat beside her.

“I’m fine Tarick. Logan came in saving the day.” I told him gently. “Did you get the water out of your wings.”

“Yes don’t worry they are dry. Yours are probably soaked.” He spoke looking behind me.

“I dried them before putting them away.” I told him gently as I went to take a bite. Tarick slapped my hand away and picked up the fork and fed me a bite of mash potatoes. It was peppercorn stake, garlic mash potatoes and steamed buttered Asparagus. Each child got there hand at feeding me. Nessie was a little messy but she did her best.

“He is gone.” Rebecca spoke as Tarick fed me the last bite of Potato’s. Reco had disappeared with the queen long ago. “The Queen wanted me to let you know.”

“Good that means we get a good nights rest and be off tomorrow. The sooner we get out of here the better. I don’t want him coming back anytime soon.” I told her and she smiled. She soon took off to let the queen know.

“We get to return home?” Aragon asked as his face lit up. He had to be no more then 11. But you could tell this return home for him meant the world. He must not have been to old when he left. But then thinking back he wouldn’t have been born. Mom died when I was a baby. “Mom told me how she use to play in the fields and the fountains that where around the kingdom. I want to go there and relive all those memories with her.”

“We will get you home as soon as we can. But you must promise me to be good.” I told him with a smile. “You are going to have to be a big boy and help your mom and sister pack.”

“Let’s Go.” Aragon spoke as he jumped up from the bench and grabbed his sisters hand. I sighed, it was going to be dangerous this fight but I knew it was for the best. The queen raced over and gripped me in a hug.

“The men are ready to go at your request. The women are packing and will be ready in the morning.” The queen spoke as two people walked into the tent. I sighed, this wasn’t really my forte.

“Reco will you please go find Rebecca and Patric.” I called to him .

“Right away." Reco called as he popped his head into the room before running off.

“We will have them work together to figure out a plan. They are the best at it.” I told her when she looked confused.

“I have full faith in your people and I know you have it in mine.” The queen spoke with a smile. “Come let me teach you about strategies and such. This will help you down the road for I see a great leader in you. If it’s TRUE you will surpass your mom.”

“Thank you.” I spoke as a tear came to my eye. I was proud that I could keep moms memory alive. I was upset I was surpassing her though and that I did not like.

“Every mother wants her children to be better then her no matter what.” The queen spoke when she saw me upset. “I bet your mom is boasting about you up there in heaven as they all watch us down here.”

“Thank you.” I spoke with a smile.

“Always remember your mother loves you no matter what.” The queen spoke. “When ever someone boast about how much better you are then your mother smile because to her that is a pat on her back.”

“I will remember that.” I told her as we began to walk to her study where we spent hours of teaching me strategies. Reco joined us soon and told us Rebecca and Patric where planning with the other two. He also put in his two sense of strategies which helped in a way to.

“I think the princess is ready for bed.” Andrew spoke gently as he lifted me up off the table before I could fall. We had been at this for hours and it soon got to the point Reco and The queen where talking to themselves more then me. I was slowly nodding off as my head rested on my hand and I was leaned over on the table. Once in his arms I snuggled into his chest. “I’m going to take her to bed.”

“Please, I think we should all head to bed.” The queen finally yawned. “There is much to happen tomorrow.”

“It was a pleasure to talk with you.” Reco spoke with a smile.

“The please was all mine Reco. It’s nice to be able to change strategies and explain things that can benefit not only my group but your pack as well.” The queen spoke as she waved us good bye. Andrew turned and walked out into the night air. It was a little chilly causing me to shake. Reco removed his shirt and laid it over me.

“Really dude?” Andrew said.

“Werewolf’s don’t feel temperatures like humans can. The shirt will be warm and help her stay warm. Plus, you got her in your arms. How can you give her your shirt?” Reco said gently.

“Thank you.” Andrew finally said. I smiled as I began to drift off. They were trying not to argue with me around and I appreciated it.

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I came to in a bed. It was soft and warm. I pulled the blankets closer to me as I rolled over and just laid there. My eyes where closed. I didn’t want to wake up but knew it would be inevitable. We had a lot happening today and I knew I had to be apart of it. I mentally sighed as I rolled to my back and opened my eyes. I stared at the roof for a while.

“Princess.” Aragon called at the door. I smiled as I turned my head to look at him. Nessie plowed right through him and came and jumped on my. “Nessie that isn’t polite.”

“Its okay Aragon.” I spoke as I sat up. He was there to place pillows behind me so I could lean on them. I smiled as he sat on the side worried. “I’m okay Aragon really.”

“I know it’s just so much happened yesterday and you only where asleep for 3 or 4 hours.” He spoke with a sigh. I just smiled. I know what he meant.

“Its okay we are just moving out to an area by your kingdom where we will rest and follow further in the next day.” I told him with a smile. He smiled back at me. Maid soon had breakfast to me as I smiled happily at them. I savored the breakfast. It was waffles with true maple syrup and fresh picked strawberries. It was simply amazing.

“The only thing better is when you get whip cream with it.” Aragon smiled happily as he slowly ate one of the strawberries I gave him. Nessie was to. They had eaten before they entered but I didn’t want to sit alone.

“I wonder where Tarick is?” I asked causing Aragon to jump to his feet.

“I’ll go get him. Says he was spying on someone.” Aragon smirked as he raced out of the room. The maids came in and collected my tray before they left. I tried to rise but Nessie came and jumped in my.

“No princess sleep more.” Nessie said gently.

“I need to get up Nessie. I need to get ready to go. I don’t want to hold up the crew.” I smiled at her as I placed her down beside me even with the ping of pain in my wrist. I rose gently even though I felt tired still. That’s what happens with 3 to 4 hours of sleep and lots going on. Just glad I didn’t have to use much magic yesterday.

I began to change into the warrior suit Papa had packed me. We didn’t know what we would have to come across on or walk there so I wanted to be ready. I put on an open front poncho that wrapped around me nicely and my hiking boots. I strapped my weapons to my outfit and was ready to go as Tarick came in the room with his own. I smiled as I walked over to him. I made a few minor adjustments for him before he smiled.

“Moms waiting for you down stairs.” Aragon smiled happily as we all walked down to the kitchen. The queen was just sipping a cup of coffee as we entered. She tensed when she saw me ready.

“Morning.” She spoke with a smile.

“The left didn’t they.” I spoke as I finally realized what actually was going on. She looked at me shocked. I sighed as I walked away from her. I went up the stairs and changed our of my warrior suite and into some regular clothing. A pair of black capris leggings and a form fitting t-shirt. I strapped my daggers to my ankle and arms. I placed the bow and arrows on my back before strapping the sword to my side.

“Avery.” Tarick called as he entered the room. I looked up at him with a smile. I grabbed my bag and walked over to him.

“Yes.” I said gently as he followed me to his room where I quickly packed up his stuff. The queen waited at the bottom to say something but I walked right past her. The women where outside waiting ready to go. There wasn’t to many but the amount of stuff they had to carry was a lot.

‘Callista is Darika with you.’ I mind linked Callista.

‘We are right here.’ Callista said as she touched down with Darika beside her. The Patron trotted up to me so I could add my luggage and Taricks to the mix.

“I swear if I had known they where going to do this I would have woken you.” Rachelle cried from where she came running. I could tell she just woke up. I wrapped my arms around her knowing fair well they left her behind because Logan couldn’t see her be hurt.

“We do this together.” I told her as I grabbed her cheeks and wiped her eyes. I have had more then enough of this. I was there princess and I had things I followed. Rules that where at play for a reason.

“Always.” She smiled before disappearing. She came back in a few minutes with her stuff for which I placed on Darika.

“We should be off.” The queen sighed as she left the house. “Most of the women who had dragons before will fly the stuff over head the rest of us have to walk. There are only a select few.”

“Will the flyers take a different route.” I asked as we began to walk forward. Some women began to shift while others attached cargo to the ones that have.

“Yes, there is a flying route that is a lot longer then our route but it will keep them safer then the route we take which is very open. Most of the seniors and women with young children or pregnant will go with them.” The queen spoke lifting her daughter to her hip. “ we will meet them at a meeting point half way where we will set up camp and wait out the night. We will move again in the morning and meet close to the kingdom where we will wait out the battle.”

“Very good.” I spoke as Rachelle placed a hand on my shoulder.

“Are you alright?” She asked. The queen stopped and looked at us. I smiled at her before we started walking again. I wanted this to be done and over with.

“So there are many dangers along the way. Many of the women with children are ex warriors so I don’t see us having to big of a problem defending them off if need be. Some are rusty but I mean what mother doesn’t remember to fight when there child is in danger.” The queen spoke gently. “I have a scout that is just a bit a head of us to give us as much warning as possible as well as one at the rear.”

“Tarick take to the sky and be our eyes from there. Callista you go as well as Darika.” I spoke to them both. Aragon smiled when his mom nodded and he shifted and took off after his best friend. “Rachelle.”

“My skills are better up there then here.” She smiled. I didn’t want her to go but it was a choice she was to make. The queen and I watched her flap up to follow the boys before we walked out of the tunnel with the other women and older children. I could tell some dragons in human form where with us. I was happy we had a few dragons of our own with us. I mean I bet the queens dragon is feisty and really if I had to I probably could change into one. Not something I was willing to try but if need be.

“When they told me they had a plan the first thing I asked them, ‘Does Avery agree?’” She spoke after a few minutes of silence. “I would have never agreed to anything if I had known you didn’t know.”

“That was a choice they have made and now the consequence of there actions will come at due time.” I told her gently.

“I don’t think your group is to blame for this.” The queen sighed. “I think its mine. They have always wanted to get there kingdom back. To win back what they had lost. Most of them felt bad they lost there home and it was all there fault. No matter how many times I tell them it’s not there fault they would just shake there head and be done with it.”

“I will keep that in mind when I asked for an explanation.” I smiled at her even though she knew it was fake.

“For a princess that has only maybe been in this world for a little less then a year you really know what you want.” The queen gently spoke. Her smile missing on her face. I was a little shocked. “You want something that all of us have struggled for to find. You want everything to be equal. You want to be friend you want people to work with you and step with you. Just give them time Avery and they will see it to.”

“I know, it’s just when I am away from them I feel like anything can get to me. They can snatch me or even beat me. When they are close I feel like I have a reason to fight, like I have a purpose and I feel safe. No one can take me, no one can harm me and most of all no one can take them away.” I spoke upset. I could feel the tears starting to run as I was engulfed in a hug. Tarick and Rachelle both felt me and raced down.

“We are here for you girl. Plus just think of all the fun training sessions we can have now.” Rachelle smiled before her and Tarick went back to there post.

“They love you a lot.” The queen smiled

“Yes, and they know how to show it.” I smiled happily as we began walking. Nessie reached out to me half way threw the trip. I gladly took her from her mom who had, for the last few minutes, been shifting her from hip to hip. You could tell the poor lady was fit but her daughter was just getting to heavy.

“Thank you.” The queen smiled before she jogged ahead to speak with some one who looked worried. I looked back to see a few women looking tired.

‘Callista,’ I gently thought. She fluttered down to me and nudged my nose.

‘I don’t mind helping some of the women if you help lead them.’ Callista said gently. I motioned to a women to come over. I placed Nessie down to which she was okay. I lifted the child from her arms and placed him on Callista. He was so happy. I helped two or three other women who happily gave there children over for some peace. It worked well as we began to rotate the children. That way everyone got a break till we stopped for lunch