Volucris_Emmergence Page 13

  “I see you have at least applied more ointment, that will help but we need to get you to Phallon as soon as possible.”

  “Phallon?”

  “Our healer.”

  Mo nodded in response not wanting to lift her head yet. , Sshe felt like a naughty schoolgirl being punished. Sshe reached her hand back not really sure of what she was looking for but she found the perfect thing., Benji clasped her hand and came to stand next to her, she looked up into his big blue kind eyes, so grateful at that moment that he had joined her. The rest of the group started to then chat amongst themselves and the tension started to leave. , Ssome of them came up to introduce themselves. Tristan was there with a big grin on his face, clearly pleased to see them both. They were all so huge compared to them and Mo felt like she was surrounded by feathered trees. , Jjust outside the group on the cliff edge she saw Ethan arrive, he looked sullen but she didn’t meet his gaze, she looked away and instead laughed with the other Volucris who all appeared pleased to meet both her and Benji.

  Once the introductions were over they all looked towards Lordes for guidance. He began to speak.

  “We are the last party to leave the mainland for Ety, everything we need and want is on the island, it will be sometime before we return here., Yyou have all seen the havoc we are leaving behind and I am sure you will be glad to leave. As you all know, Ety is not an easy journey and we will be carrying the two young ones., Bbe vigilant for weather and save your energy on thermals., I will lead the way, Ethan will second me. , Sstay alert and strong.”

  One of the female Volucris came over to Benji and Mo, her wings were almost turquoise on the top and a bright white underneath, she had long dark hair and kind brown eyes.

  “Hello, I’m Thea, I’m going to strap you in ok?”

  She was matter of fact but smiling too, she could tell both Benji and Mo were nervous but her manner helped them feel a little less so. She took them over to the leather-bound chairs and explained what was going to happen.

  “So, you may or may not know, it’s really difficult for Volucris to carry stuff when we fly, that’s why there are so many of us here. The long straps attached to the chair spread out and there are four per chair, each one held by a Volucris, then during the flight we will swap mid-air to help each other out.”

  “Is it a long way?” Mo asked.

  “It’s a little while, not sure how to gauge it in human terms, the sun is at its highest point now, we should get there before it sets”

  Mo guessed this would be at least a couple of hours, another aspect of Volucris culture she would need to get used to, no way to tell the time or even what day it was, come to think of iit, she realised she already had no idea what day it was, that kind of thing was no longer important.

  “Now we will strap you in then push you to the edge of the cliff so your legs dangle over.” Thea continued, noticing Mo going a little pale at this. “Don’t worry, all the four Volucris will be strapped in by that point too. Then they will run from behind and jump off the cliff taking you with them, you will go down at first but don’t worry, all being good they will find a thermal and up you will go.”

  “All being good?” Benji asked nervously. Thea let out a small laugh, “Don’t worry, we have been doing this quite a lot recently and it’s never gone wrong...yet!” She winked at Benji, but this relaxed attitude did not make Mo feel much better, in fact she was feeling a little sick. They were told to leave their bags and take out anything they wanted to keep, however, it would need to be small enough to fit in a pocket. Mo went through her rucksack it was mainly clothes, her holo and her Grandmother’s necklace. She put the necklace on then turned her holo over in her hand., Wwas there any point in taking this even if she got Ethan to able it again, she doubted there would be any reception on Ety. It did have a lot of photos on it though, although no way to charge it up. She put it back in her bag and stashed it along with Benji’s under a nearby rock, she figured when they returned it should still be here.

  She watched as Benji got strapped in first - even he was looking nervous. Then it was her turn., Tthe leather was very soft and she did feel secure in her chair, it was strong like the Volucris, she kept telling herself. The Volucris that were carrying them were all strapped in and then Thea helped both Benji and Mo shuffle to the edge of the cliff, Mo looked down at the crashing waves, she felt her heart in her mouth, all she wanted to do was run away, but she was strapped in. She looked over at Benji and he gave her a nervous smile back, then her vision of him was gone replaced by Lordes. He knelt beside her.

  “Ok?” hHe asked.

  She did not want to disappoint him so replied. “Sure, never better.”

  He smiled slightly and got up. “Ok let’s get going, after me.”

  He ran back from the cliff then just as quickly ran past Mo and was gone down before appearing again rising higher and higher, Ethan followed. Mo could feel the many steps behind her thundering through the earth. Sshe saw them all pass, then, with a sudden jolt she was falling, it felt like all the wind had been punched out of her and she was falling towards the cliffs below, then another jolt and she was rising going up higher and higher., Sshe could hear Benji whooping with glee next to her as the cliff and the land and the sea soared beneath her. It felt wonderful.

  Chapter 24

  After the initial shock of the take-off, the flight calmed considerably, all Mo could see in any direction was the huge expanse of the sea. It was a very calm day with only moderate wind, the sea rolled below her like glass, hardly a ripple in sight. Her little chair rose up and down with the beating of the Volucris wings above her. She looked up at them high above her, at least 20ft., Sshe looked into the underside of their wings, only Ethan had a darker wing span all over, most of the others were light on the bottom like kites she thought, sailing through the sky. She could feel her wings, they were sore, she wanted more than anything to fly now, this feeling of being up in the air was like nothing else she had ever experienced. She looked over to Benji who, like her, was just staring in complete admiration at the Volucris carrying him.

  After about an hour the Volucris relieved each other carrying Mo and Benji. Oone flew in below the other, secured the rope and once that done, the one above would release and fly to the side., Mo could see it was a burden, she could see how much easier those carrying nothing flew. She guessed Lordes was right, it would have been too hard for them to carry any more than they had to. The only two who did not help with the carrying was Lordes and Ethan. Mo wondered if this was because they were too important for such a task., Lordes was far up ahead, she could see his golden wings reflecting off the bright sun light. Ethan was behind, she could barely see him as she could not turn in her seat properly and she did not want to move around too much causing problems for those above.

  The journey did not seem to take as long as Mo thought it would. , Aas they got further away from land the sea began to rise and fall in deeper pits, she found it mesmerising watching the ever-changing water beneath her. It was not cold, a warm breeze brushed over her and she felt the coolness of the sea beneath. She heard one of the Volucris shout above her, it was Tristan, and he was pointing ahead. She squinted in the sunlight but there in the horizon she could just make out a large dark shape, which must be Ety she thought. The closer they got the more Ety grew., Iit was large, much larger than she had expected, at least five miles if not more in length., Oone end of the island grew into a large mountain like a turret, she could not see any beach, just high cliffs surrounding the island. The Volucris flew high above the island and started to circle down towards it. The island drew down from the mountain and into almost a basin with cliffs on all sides., Aa large river flowed down from the mountain and through dense forest, she followed the river snaking through the island until it reached a large lake. Perfect thought Mo, a continuous supply of drinking water. Most of the island was covered in dense forest with a few open air patches that Mo could see animals grazing on. She could not see any dwellings o
r other Volucris for that matter, maybe there weren’t that many of them after all. As they got closer to the island they moved in tighter circles going faster and faster, they then levelled out and now Mo could see a larger clearing right at the end of the island that ended with a cliff edge. They seemed to be coming in very fast, the trees suddenly grazing the bottom of her feet. Lift your legs up someone shouted from above, she did as she was told and lifted her legs as high as she could, she slowed right up and almost hovered a foot above the ground before she was unceremoniously dumped with a thud, the straps that had been holding her falling about around her. She looked up to see the Volucris that had been carrying her fly away and then start to circle back, she heard a thud next to her and there was Benji grimacing at the drop.

  “They could have warned us about that bit.” hHe said, although he had a large grin on his face, clearly still enthralled by his flight.

  Mo looked up to see Lordes walking towards her, ever graceful in his movements; he kneeled beside her and started to undo her straps.

  “How was that?” he asked.

  “Wonderful” Mo replied., Lordes seemed to like her reply, he gave the first smile Mo thought she had ever seen and it gave her a glowing feeling inside that she had pleased him. He held out his hand to help her up which she gratefully took. His hand was rough like bark on an old weathered tree, she looked up into his startling blue eyes. He gazed down on her, his gaze so intense she turned away to see Thea helping Benji up. She thought she was being ridiculous, yes, he was very intimidating but he was her father, she looked up and straight into his piercing blue eyes.

  “Where is everyone?” She asked more confidently than she felt.

  “They’re here.” He replied with no further explanation.

  Mo looked around in front of her, all she could see was ocean., Tthe grassy flat plateau they had landed on fell away to a steep high cliff, the plateau was surrounded by trees but the whole island was dominated by the huge mountain that loomed over them. It was warm and humid, a tropical island, paradise Mo thought, she wondered how they had kept it hidden from prying human eyes. Mo looked up and she could see the Volucris who carried them start their descent and one by one landing next to them. Benji bowled over to Mo.,

  “Wasn’t that just the best thing ever!” hHe gushed., Mo nodded in agreement but turned as she heard movement in the trees. Slowly Volucris started appearing from the forest. , Mmen, women some young, some older but none seemed to be old like her grandmother, Mo thought. Their wings were all so different, some completely brown, others red, Mo could even see yellow wings, they were all large like Ethan and Lordes, even the women were large. Their clothing was simple. Ssome wore leather, others wore what Mo could only describe as kaftans, long flowing robes. Children started to appear from between the adult’s feet, of course none of them had wings. The children were full of joy, running and laughing as they came to greet the new arrivals. Everyone started hugging and clasping hands with the Volucris that had been away, Mo and Benji stood back as this warm welcome of old friends continued. Mo could see that Lordes only nodded at most who greeted him, he had a reverence about him, they respected him and his standing, no-one bowed as such but Mo thought in some ways this would not seem out of place. She spied Ethan standing back from the rest of them, she caught his eye but he gave nothing away, no smile, he just turned and started to walk into the forest.

  Mo turned her attention back to the thronging crowd of Volucris, many of the children had come up to her and Benji and were busy asking them their names and where had they come from, they also gently pulled at their clothes - it seems none had ever encountered a pair of jeans before. Benji delighted in talking to them and making them laugh. She looked up to Lordes who had been joined by a beautiful female Volucris., Sshe had almost white wings with a slight hint of pale blue, her hair was long and golden., Mo expected her to nod at Lordes as the rest had and she was shocked to see her kiss him;, they embraced and Mo realised that they must be together. She found this hard to understand, she hadn’t thought for one second that he would have anyone else in his life; it was a shock to see. She turned and looked towards Mo and smiled, arm in arm they walked towards her.

  “Hello Moria, I am Phallon.”

  Mo did not know how to respond, she had not expected to meet her stepmother, she felt completely unprepared.

  “I see from your expression that your father has yet to mention me.” She looked up to Lordes who gave no explanation as to why he had said nothing, he only looked back at her impassively. This it seems was explanation enough for Phallon, she turned back to Mo, smiling.

  “I am so pleased you are here and so pleased to meet you, there is much to talk about but first your Father wishes me to tend to your wings.”

  One of the children who had been swinging around with Benji looked up at Mo and said,.

  “Does this mean she is our sister Mum?”

  Mo looked down at this cherub of a child and looked back at Phallon, shocked again at this new revelation, a brother she thought, I have a brother!!

  “Yes sweetheart, Moria is your half-sister, but before we discuss all that, Moria please come let me see to you.”

  “It’s Mo, I prefer Mo.”

  Phallon smiled back and beckoned her with her outstretched hand. Mo turned to Benji who gave her a sympathetic nod and shrug of the shoulders. She reached out to him and he took her hand without question, she wanted him with her now more than ever in this strange new world.

  Chapter 25

  Mo followed Phallon hand in hand with Benji through the forest. Mo could hear other Volucris and would sometimes glimpse an eye or a wing, the children continued their onslaught of questions to which Benji duly replied. , Mo was grateful all of her thoughts were concentrated on this woman they were following. She was graceful, moving slowly through the undergrowth sometimes stopping and looking back, always a gentle smile towards the children or Mo herself. Why had it never occurred to Mo that her father may have another partner?, Sshe had thought much about him over the last few weeks and not once had she thought this a possibility., Sshe was not sure how to feel, guilty for her mother, stupid for not thinking her father would have found another. She unexpectedly had feelings of dislike for this woman, why? Because she wasn’t Mo’s mother, because she was in her place. Mo knew these were irrational thoughts and decided not to act on them, she would be as nice to Phallon as anyone else, she seemed nice enough.

  They continued to trek for about half an hour, the loom of the mountain above coming ever closer until they stood beneath it., Tthere was another clearing and the rock seemed to give way to a cave where Volucris were going in and out. Tristan came up behind them.

  “It was a volcano, but now our home, I’m sure you will love it., Ccome on Benji, I’ll show you where you will be sleeping.”

  Benji squeezed Mo’s hand and she reluctantly let it go, he bounced off after Tristan clearly enjoying himself and not at all overwhelmed like Mo was feeling, she felt adrift without her life raft. . Phallon came up to her and slowly stroked her hair out of her eyes. Mo tried to hide the fact she had flinched but Phallon did not seem to mind.

  “A little overwhelming, new life, new friends, new family, new world!”

  It was like Phallon had read her mind and Mo nodded to her tears swelling in her eyes, she did not want to cry but Phallon’s kind words were almost her breaking.

  “Come let’s get those wings sorted first then I’ll find someone to give you the big tour ok?”

  Mo could only nod, fearing if she spoke a large sob would burst from her chest.

  Mo followed Phallon into the cave at the side of the mountain. The floor of the cave was a smooth slope gently rising upwards worn down over the many years of Volucris footsteps. , Aall the Volucris Mo noticed were barefoot and they all dressed in similar clothing. It was warm on Ety so the clothing was not heavy and for some, quite minimal. Mo felt very exposed in her hoody and jeans, she felt all eyes on her. , Mo passed many Vo
lucris coming out from the cave all smiling and greeting Phallon with fondness and politely nodding at Mo. Phallon wore a long dress that had no back to allow for her wings, her dress seemed to contain many pockets that all seemed to be full of what looked like tools poking out of the top of one and moss coming out of the other. She led Mo further into the cave. Up ahead Mo could see an orange glow and hear a cacophony of voices. , Aas she neared the end of the cave, where it opened wide to a huge open space, there were many Volucris her,e some on the move, others sitting together in discussion, some eating, others singing and many children running around playing. As Mo looked up she saw that the cave funnelled high, opening up to the sky, there were other Volucris flying down this beautifully carved tunnel.

  Phallon turned to Mo, “this is the main meeting point in the mountain, all of the living spaces are tributaries that come off from here.”

  “You all live in caves”, Mo could not conceal the shock from her voice, but Phallon only laughed, “you will see.”

  Phallon moved past the throng of Volucris and down one of the many side passages. , Mmoving away from the light of the open mountain, the side tunnels were darker but every now and then lights would appear to guide them.