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Iro made a long clicking call, and I nodded to him.
“Follow me, my friend.”
Sahlyn glanced up in surprise as Iro made another screeching call. It sounded like a warning to all that would mess with us. His loyalty was deep despite being a wild bird, not a pet. My heart leaped at seeing his magnificent wings in front of us.
“Is that—”
“Yes.”
Sahlyn’s eyes widened in surprise, and he noted my smile. He ran on his own, tugging me along as his long legs ate up the pathway. As we burst through the forest and into dipping sunlight, Iro made a guttural call as he flew towards me, softly settling on my shoulder. I leaned my cheek against his warm feathers, reaching up to rub the sensitive part beneath the top bone of his wing. He fluttered his wings and settled against my cheek, his neck rubbing against me.
“Oh, Iro, I thought I had lost you.”
“It would take more than a shade to get rid of me.”
“Not that. You’ve been gone for a while, Iro. I was worried. I feared I’d never see you again.”
“Yes, I'm afraid I can’t speak of what happened to me.”
I scoffed. “Still cryptic, I see?”
He made a silly bell sound and rubbed against me once more before his dark eyes swiveled to Sahlyn. I also swept my gaze over the hunter and found Sahlyn watching us passively, his eyes still haunted by what had transpired in the wood.
“Sahlyn…”
“I’m fine. I just need to catch my breath. You two talk.” He said with a half-smile, and I returned it.
I’d imagine the one-sided conversation sounded strange to others. I never spoke to Iro in front of others, but Sahlyn and I had been through so much together that I knew he would never judge my conversation with the bird.
“Where were you, Iro?”
“I really can’t say.”
I groaned. “Okay, fine. Be a twit.”
“I am also afraid to say that I cannot stay. I must rest. It has been… a harrowing journey to get here, but I am alive and will be at your side as soon as possible.”
“What do you mean? Are you leaving already? You can sleep here with us. Please.”
“I must rest, but I won’t be far, Autumn. I promise.”
I couldn’t argue with him. He was a wild animal that could come and go as he pleased. I would never confine him so that I could ensure his protection. He was my friend, not my pet.
“Okay, Iro. I understand.” He cocked his head. “Alright, I don’tunderstand, but you do what you need to, my friend.” I paused, emotion rising to the surface, and my voice broke. “Thank you.”
“Always.”
And then he flew away again, and a small piece of my heart went with him. To only be returned when he did.
I swallowed past the emotion and turned to Sahlyn. He was sitting on a log with his head in his hands. I didn’t think twice before I strode over to him and slung myself onto my knees in front of him.
“Hey. Whatever you heard in there isn't true. It was all to disorient us. The woods whisper—”
“Were true. Once again, you protected me. I am not worthy of this. I am not worthy of protecting you. I’m—” Sahlyn’s eyes shimmered with tears. “I’m ashamed. I’m a failure to Bereille.”
I gripped his cheeks and made him look into my eyes. “You are not a failure. We are out. We are alive.”
“No thanks to me! It was your bird who did that!”
