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Esther draws trees in the margin of her notes.

“If you’re going to Terraguard to research, I’ll go to the Forest Tribe,” Ramona offers.

“You can’t go alone!” Leaf practically shouts.

“I’ll go with,” Esther offers.

Leaf glares at Ramona. “No, you’ll be in over your head. They are not kind to unwelcome guests.”

“I’ll make myself welcome then.”

“I’m escorting you.”

“I don’t need an escort.”

“Fine, a partner then.”

Ramona squints her eyes. “Fine.”

Esther draws an “L” and an “R” inside a heart.

I wait a minute for the tension to ease then pull out the soft white feather from the inside pocket of my cloak. The one that belongs to Heru, a giant white roc that offered me her feather, a gesture only given to their riders.

I’ve been missing that big bird lately. “You’ll need a fast way to travel there.” A small zap of magic flicks from my hand to the feather. Without needing to confirm, I know Heru is on her way, like a thread slowing coiling around a spool.

27

Protector of Sky and Soil

It’s mid morning by the time Heru arrives at the Watch. Akemi swears that she can “feel how close she is,” which is extremely disturbing.

I don’t question it.

We decided to walk further outside of the Watch grounds than we initially anticipated, trying to find enough coverage so no one would see a giant white roc flying into human territory unannounced.

I squint up at the sky. Cloudy, which is perfect to disguise a giant white bird.

I’m not nervous to ride on it.

Not at all.

The strap of my bag digs uncomfortably into my shoulder, but I couldn’t decide on what to bring. What does one wear to the Elven territories? Fight leathers didn’t seem right, and my Watch uniforms would immediately mark me as “different”—although pretty much anything about me is different from the Elves. They are extremely tall, for one. Pointy ears, long fingers, and very beautiful.

I’m not nervous. Not one bit.

“She’s almost here!” Akemi calls from ahead.

Leaf is next to her, looking sour. It’s not my fault that he volunteered himself to come with. I would have been just fine on my own.

We pause in a clearing large enough for Heru to land and wait.

“Any minute now,” Akemi says.

“How can you tell?”

“She’s a rider, for the sixth time, Ramona,” Leaf snaps.

“You don’t get the option to be dramatic with me when you are the one who insisted on coming with.”