Winged Angel

Chapter 9

“Alright, I cant go another step.” I spoke out of breath as I sat on a bench. Jason and Tarick left a while ago.

“I’m surprised you lasted this long.” Rebecca spoke. She sat down beside me. “Mark or Andrew could carry you if you want.”

“No just need a moment.” I smiled at her. Tanisha and Rachelle tensed up as they jumped to the ready. Rebecca was confused as she looked around.

“Something is coming.” Rachelle spoke. I quickly jumped up with Rebecca.

“Rebecca and Andrew take our princess home.” Mark spoke trying to get a hold on what’s coming.

“There is more then one.” Tanisha said pulling her wings out. Everyone followed suite.

“We need to get her out of here.” Andrew said worried. For that matter so was I. I had a place to hide last time but here danger could strike me.

A scream down the way distracted me. I looked over to she a child and women racing towards us frightened. Tanisha took off in the direction to give them comfort. I embraced the women who didn’t look much older then me and the child was between us. She had to be no older then 4. She was crying as the women panted.

Soon a large creature came around the corner knocking things over as he went. He tarnished buildings before laying eyes on us. Mark raced at it causing Andrew and Rebecca to pull us back. They soon stood protectively in front.

“Shhh, it’s okay.” I spoke kneeling to the scared child. She instantly wrapped her arms around me. “We will keep you safe.”

“I’m so scared.” She cried. I lifted her to her feet as the women wrapped an arm around my shoulder.

“Avery you need to get to the castle.” Rebecca spoke gently causing the women’s face to drop. She looked between us.

“I will get her there.” The women spoke as another blood curtailing cry came. Behind us another humungous creature came running. Andrew raced at it with Tanisha close in toe. I noticed Rachelle was helping Mark with the other.

“I am not leaving you guys here.” I said strongly even though I was shaking internally.

“These are not creatures native here. They have been brought in from other realms. They are ruthless killing things and if they come near you they will kill you.” Rebecca spoke gently pushing us away from an incoming debri. “Run Avery please.”

“Come child.” The women spoke leading me away. We ducked away by going around a few houses till we where on the main road behind one of the huge creatures. The women didn’t let go of me as we ran. It was very awkward but I let her.

Grabbing her harshly I ducked us into a Bush. I gushed the child once more as she buried her head further into my neck. I held a finger to my lips as I felt them pass. I knew they where going to take my guards out. I pushed the child into the women’s arms before pointing in the direction of the castle. She nodded and quickly took off. Two men turned to her as I lashed out my arm. Two vines wrapped around them tight.

I didn’t even look back as I raced down the alley between homes back to my group. I was careful to make sure no one saw me. I had to fight them but I couldn’t give away the secret I have held for so long but I had to help. I carefully made it to the roof of a house closest to the fight as I could.

I gathered my breathing as I began to focus on things. I had to be careful how my magic helped because I could hurt someone I cared about. The group adjusted slightly for the winged on foot as they still fought the creatures. I reached my mind out to the creatures and with gentle thoughts I took control. Something I hated but knew I could get them to do as I seen fit. I forced them to first back away from my group before they charged into the enemy.

I was so happy watching the girls working together. They looked like blades of grass on a windy day. All working together. Mark and Andrew where amazing in there own way. Each just as strong as the next. Everything was going well till one of the creatures I was controlling was stabbed. I held in my screams as I withered from my hide out. I fell to the back of the house trying to hold my tears back.

“Avery.” Andrew called running up to me. I knew I was done for as the second creature was stabbed. His arms wrapped around me as I collapsed trying to breath.

“Andrew.” I whispered trying to catch my breath. My magic was no longer attached to the creatures but the pain still remained.

“Avery that was to dangerous. You just saved Ange now your controlling creatures like that.” He said angry. I looked at him scared. “Your secret is safe with me.”

“Andrew.” I coughed as he quickly grabbed for the water in my purse. He sat me down on the step and passed it over. He kept an eye on the area as I slowly sipped the water.

“We need to get you out of here.” He spoke upset.

“I need to help.” I told him managing to get to my feet.

“Avery if they catch you here they will surely know it’s you.” Andrew sighed causing me to look away. “Can you make bombs?”

“Yes,” I said quickly making a few which I passed over. He took what I made and stepped back. He began throwing them before yelling, ‘Grenade’. I quickly made some more as I watched him throw a few more over the other house. He then quickly rose before dropping in beside me. He quickly scooped me up and dashed down the alley.

“Head directly to the castle. Don’t stop and don’t look back.” He said putting me down. “Your brother should be on there way to us.”

“Here,” I said passing him a bunch more bombs. He smiled before racing back to the group but from the road. I turned and began running up the road. I stopped only when I heard screaming children. I stopped and looked around. When they screamed again I raced to the sound. I noticed the village was swarmed with these creatures and I knew they where looking for me. I had to do something.

As if on que I felt my back open and my wings flutter out. A surge of magic coursing threw me as I lifted off into the air. Reaching my hands down and fingers out a burst of purple light shot through to the ground. The cloud rolled through the streets taking out each enemy as they went. Just as it finished I felt my wings begin to falter before they disappeared causing me to plummet to the ground. Arms reached out and around me catching me before I could hit the ground.

“Avery please say your okay.” Andrew scolded as he sat down with me. I just nodded as I passed in and out of sleep. I was exhausted for what I wasn’t sure. But as sleep took over a new pair of hands joined us.

I woke up in my bed with the sun shining through the window. I was alone in the room causing me a little panic as I shot up in my bed. The moment I did Rebecca came racing in. Her arms wrapped around me. I gripped her as Tanisha and Rachelle hugged us as well. They where back in uniform.

“What happened?” I gently asked once they sat down around me.

“We honestly don’t know. One minute we saw you heading towards the castle the next we saw you in Andrew’s arms down a few streets.” Tanisha spoke gently.

“We think the thing that saved Rebecca also saved you.” Rachelle said. “Andrew said he saw you laying on the dirt passed out. He didn’t know what was going on.”

“The women and child made it to Alex and said you had been taken and they needed to send help.” Rebecca told me with a smile. “We assumed that when the purple cloud rolled in it saved you from ther grasp.”

“How long have I been out?” I asked gently.

“Just the night.” Tanisha spoke. “And don’t worry none of us have been punished.”

“The king let us off the hook as we did what we could to protect you. We also where able to kidnap a few of them so he was happy with that.” Rachelle said.

“We hung you outfits and left the other items in there bags by the table.” Rebecca said gently as she pointed over to the gas. I smiled at them all

“Thank you.” I told them with a smile.

“When your ready your father would like to meet you.” Rebecca said gently as she rose. “As for me I have to report to Shannon.”

“Don’t let her walk all over you because of what happened to me.” I told her sternly. “I will get up right away and head to Papas office.”

“Good. I am going to take Tanisha and Rachelle with me. Andrew is right outside to take you. He also wanted to speak with him.” Rebecca sighed.

“I won’t let him get into trouble.” I told her with a smile as they left the room. I sighed as I got up and quickly had a shower. It was slow as I was still tired and my muscles where sore. I really hand to be more careful. I probably passed out during to exhaustion but I guess sending the women and child worked in my favor.

“Avery?” the voice came after the nock. I had just gotten out of the shower and trying to figure out what I should wear. I heard the door start to open and I yelped jumping into the closet using the clothing to hid myself. “Avery.”

“I just got out of a freaking shower.” I cried. I head a few loud thumps before I heard the door slamming. I knew the person was gone. I let out a breath I was holding in as I quickly changed.

“I’m sorry Avery.” Andrew said with his back to the door.

“Its okay. Your just trying to do you job. Come in.” I spoke leaving the door open for him as I went for the blow dryer in my bathroom. He came and stood close as I was trying to blow dry my hair. I still didn’t have a hang of this thing and it was more frustrating then anything. He reached for them and I passed them over.

“Use to help My mom get ready for the day when she had to go out. Mostly on her bad days.” He said when I looked at him strange.

“Your moms very lucky. Normally I would just go wet hair but I don’t want to get the outfit wrecked.” I smiled at him. He smiled back.

“I’m sorry I lied to them.” He spoke after my hair was done. He managed to get a beautiful wave curl to come out. I loved it.

“Why did you?”

“Because if you get sent to that island you will never come back. No one does and we need our princess her. Your brother, Jessica and Rebecca need you here. Weather they want to believe it or not you are there strength and they can only do the things they are doing because they want to keep you safe.”

“What about you? Seems like after the first time we meet you have really changed up your attitude towards your duty.” I told him gently as I walked to my new slippers. He followed along.

“I finally realised what it means to protect someone. I was slacking of and doing stupid stuff which in turn….Avery thank you for saving her. I promised that day I saw she was safe and you collapse that there will not be a day I don’t protect you. I promise I will always be at your side when things get bad.” Adrew spoke as a tear came down his cheek. “You save the most important thing in my life. I’m indebted to you.”

“I don’t see it like that. Please, I understand I saved Rebecca but that doesn’t men you become a protecting obsessed person over me okay.” I said grabbing his shoulders which was a little harder then I expected. “If you want to be part of my guards I will accept it but there are rules and that is we protect everyone. And I mean we.”

“Alright.” He smiled and nodded. “But that doesn’t mean I won’t be at your side when things go bad.”

“Alright I guess I will have to deal with that. Now let’s go see the king.” I told him as I walked out the door. He walked a step behind me which I didn’t like. I just sighed which caused him to step up beside me.

“Better,” He said with a smile. I nodded happily as we got into a conversation about Tarick and Jason. The door came up quickly.

“Here we go.” I said turned away from Andrew. I looked at the guards and with a deep sigh I said. “The king wishes to speak with us.”

“He has been expecting you both.” One of the guards said bowing before they opened the door. There in a chair surrounded by paperwork was my papa. He looked up and smiled at me warmly. I was happy to see it. I walked by the guards.

“You both are to be present.” Papa called. I didn’t notice Andrew was following me till he spoke and I turned. Andrew looked up and hurried to my side. “Guards no one is to enter this room until they walk out. And I mean no one.”

“Yes sir.” The guards replied as they closed us in. I walked over to a chair by my papas desk and sat. He smiled at me warmly before motioning Andrew to another.

“Avery, this is Thomas, a young mage in training that I have sent for. He will be here to help you if you need it.” Papa said introducing the young man behind him. Thomas bowed lightly to me. It was nice to see. “If you don’t like the color of your room your outfit anything he will be there to change it.”

“Only ask and it will be done.” The young man spoke.

“Now Thomas I need a shield up around this room. No one is to hear this conversation not even you.” Papa spoke a little upset. Thomas was a little surprised but bowed.

“As you ask sir.” Thomas spoke with a swish of his hand. “As long as no door is open no one will here anything being spoke in this room.”

“Thank you Thomas. Andrew.” Papa spoke as he sat back in his chair. Andrew followed the young man to the door he was to exit. Andrew made sure it was shut tight before checking the other two doors.

“I bet this discussion is about yesturday.” I spoke as my smile fell.

“Oh it most deffinitly is.” Papa chuckled. “But I don’t think it’s going to be discussed in the way you think it will be.”

“Sir.” Andrew spoke gently before he sat down.

“Take it easy Andrew. I understand the stress she has gone through and I’m not about to put her in more.” Papa smiled as he held his hand up to stop Andrew. “As you are aware I know Andrew found out you had magic.”

“Yes,” I said dropping my gaze to the floor.

“I am not mad Avery. Your magic isn’t like your mothers. It is much stronger and more with your emotions.” Papa gently said getting up from his chair. He walked over to me and kneeled down in front of me. He lifted my chin so I was looking right at him. “His love for Rebecca caused your magic to surface to save her. When your friends where in danger you stepped in and used magic to help them. Now not to sure what caught your attention with the other.”

“The crying of children.” I spoke gently.

“But you haven’t met them.” Papa asked a little concerned.

“She did meet our younger brother and a child that came to get Alex.” Andrew spoke gently when all went quiet. “Maybe she assumed they where amongst them. Not that I think it’s the case. She has a way with children.”

“That would make sense then." Papa said turning to him with a smile. He looked back at me. “You save the village with the magic you used yesterday. And I know your wings came out. I felt them as I will always feel them. Our wings are our connection in a way.”

“They did.” Abdrew said looking at me. “Would explain why you where in the air then.”

“You didn’t see them?” Papa asked.

“No, he left me to run to the safety of the castle when I heard the children and detured my self. My wings disappeared and I fell to the ground.”

“I felt her distress and raced back to her. I manage to get to her before she hit the ground. I saw her falling.” Andrew said a little upset.

“For every Mage Winged there is a guard who is attached to them.” Father spoke. “Andrew is that guard. You will have to accept it. I know it’s hard to take in. Thomas is mine because of your mom. I am not a mage but because he was hers and she is gone he then serves me.”

“I have already accepted him.” I told him with a smile. “Does that mean I have to give up one fo my other one because I won’t.”

“No no Avery.” Papa chuckled. “It just means Rebecca has a bit more time to talk with Shannon.”

“Good because I love my guards.” I said happily. He chuckled as he walked towards he chair.

“Now I am not happy you have walked in the village without my concent. That is not something I should look over.” He spoke with heavey sigh before he looked at me. He sat down before he continued. “I will however this once. You have strengthened our respect in our people eyes. They are talking about how there princess has saved them. None of them know it’s you .”

“Well that a good thing I guess.” I smiled at him. He chuckled as he smiled back.

“Yes, it does mean you can walk among them once more without worry.” He said.

“So I can go again?” I asked all excited. He nodded causing me to look at Andrew who was worried.

“Now I wouldn’t suggest it for a while due to how mad your brother and soon to be sister in law are.” Father half chucked half smiled half looked upset. It was a weird emotion to see together. “I have them both busy for the rest of the day so you can get ready for them. I am hopping this will also lessen there anger.”

“Not sure about Jessica but for Alex it might it might not. Depends on what it is he is doing.” I told him think about all the times he has been mad at me. Most of the time it was gone by the end of the day if he was busy doing things he liked. If it wasn’t he would be the same mad or worse.

“Let’s just say they have been at if for a bit and neither one is doing good.” Papa said with a role of the eyes. Oh boy I knew I was in for a screaming match then. Except the screaming wouldn’t be me it would be Alex with himself towards me.

“If you have time you should stand outside the door. Sounds like it’s going to be a good one.” I chuckled. Papa looked at me a little confused. “when Alex gets super mad he screams but because he loves me so much and dosent want to hurt me he get also protective. It actually funny. He has more of a screaming match with himself then with me.”

“Oh Rebecca gets those with me. It is actually kind of funny.” Andrew says smiling. I was glad he was able to relax a bit. He didn’t look good being so stressed.

“Took after me then.” Papa said with a chuckle. “And like your mom I bet you sit there looking upset through the whole thing.”

“Well you have to or it doesn’t go on long enough to get a good chuckle at the end.” I said laughing. We all laughed for a little while before it went silent.

“Andrew I am leaving my daughter in your hands. No one is to know her powers understood.” Papa said serious.

“Yes sir. She is safe with me.” He said standing and saluting my father. “Now sweetheart, Thomas does not know you’re a mage like him Alright. He is weaker then you by far but I know he can help you learn more. Though I can see you have learned a lot on your own.”

“I will ask him more questions indirectly , guess make it look like I’m interested in it because I love magic.” I smiled at him knowing how dangerous it will be now that he is here.

“If he finds out it will be only a matter of time before they co.e to collect you and teach you on there own terms.” Papa said with a sigh.

“We won’t let that happen.” Andrew said. Papa looked at him and smiled.

“I will be very careful.” I told him.

“Good now off to the kitchen with you both. I bet they have lunch ready.” He said dismissing us before going back to his paper work. As we opened the door we heard him call for Thomas.

“This way.” Andrew said taking me down a hallway I have never been. It was beautiful. Old armour was displayed as well as weapons for each. It was so unique. Saw a castle like this with armour of knights in it. This was different because the man icons where bare in many spots. “With our wings we cant wear much of the traditional armour the knights did. It is very heavey to say in the least.”

“It looks heavy.” I said looking at it. “Do you wear this stuff when you fight?”

“Most of our armor has come a long way so its lighter now.” He said with a smile stopping as I stopped at one armour in particular. “This was the first women’s armor.”

“Really.” I said looking at him. It was so beautiful. Simple and elegant but I knew it was probably heavy and awkward to wear.

“It was designed by your mother. This is actually the first one she made and wore.” Andrew said smiling. I looked carefully at it in awe. “it unfortunately hasn’t change much since then as many of the women never got to wear them. Only recently, since the passing of the queen, have more women stepped up to help.”

“Are there complaints about the armour.” I asked taking my eyes off it and looking at him.

“Yes lots but many keep it quiet in fear of hurting the kings feelings.” He spoke with a frown.

“If you hear any please tell me. I want one of the more recent ones sent to my room. I would like to fix it up.” I told him seriously. He bowed his head before whistling. A young servant boy came running from somewhere.

“Gather the latest women’s armour and have it set up in the princess's adjacent room.” Andrew spoke gently to him. I was happy, the boy looked terribly worried.

“Please gather one of the men’s as well.” I told him. The boy bowed lightly. “Thank you.”

“You are most welcome.” The boy smiled big as he went to leave. He stopped before running back to me and giving me a hug. Andrew tended up but I stopped him with a hand gesture. “You save my brother. The magic that follows you like your mother has saved my brother. Thank you.”

“I didn’t do anything.” I spoke a little worried.

“I know but you being here has brought the magic of the queens back and it is back to saving your people. That we all are thankful for.” The boy said before he raced off. I was shocked. So the people of the town think it’s the princess who made the magic happen and here the people think the princess awoken the queens magic. That is strange but I will take it. Means I am safe.

“You okay?” Andrew asked bringing me out of my thoughts. I nodded as we began walking again. This time it was strait to the dining room. He sat me down at a little table before disappearing around a corner. I sat there looking around. It was beautiful. The cream walls had beautiful red curtains on the red oak windows. Most of them where open and looked out onto the garden. Had to be the other side of the gazeboo because I couldn’t see it.

“Avery,” Young voice called. Tarick came running as I looked up at him. He had a huge smile on his face. I was so happy to see he was okay. I wrapped him in a hug as soon as he got close. “I am so glad your okay.”

“I am more happy your okay.” I told him as we sat down beside each other.

“Jason wanted to make sure Rebecca was alright. He was worried after yesturday. Andrew said we should come and bring a surprise.” Tarick smiled happily. I looked up to see Andrew and Jason walking around the door he had just emerged from. They had four plates in hand.

“Rebecca said healthy and made you eat that salad yesturday.” Andrew said with a scrunched up face. I laughed knowing getting him to eat vegetables must be fun. “This by far is his best dish.”

“What is it?” He smiled as he laid it in front of me.

“Chicken finders and fries .” Tarick said as the plate was placed down. Jason put his plate in front of him before he and andrew sat down. There plates held the same thing.

“Don’t matter how old you get Chicken fingers and fries is the best meal.” Jason laughed. I smiled in agreeable.

“Did you get a chance to meet Rebecca?” I asked as I bit I to a fry.

“No, says she is to busy.” Jason’s smile disappeared.

“I will make sure you get to see her before you leave.” I told him causing the smile to come back. We talked for hours after that about many random things. It was great almost forgot about what was to come.