Chapter 4 (part 5)

Tempest nodded, agreeing to the fairy’s request. He placed her in his hand. As the old fairy examined her he set back a bit. “Ahh.. Now I see. This shouldn’t be too much of a problem. What is your name, young man?” He asked nodding toward Birch as if giving him a signal. Birch flew off as he did a quick nod back. Where? Tempest hadn’t the slightest clue.

“My name is Tempest.”

“Hmmm.. Tempest you say.. Tell me.. Are you from the desert town of Ca’astings?” The old fairy continued on as he put his staff down and grasped Glory mushroom in his hands.

“Yes… That is where I’m from, but how..?” Tempest asked bewildered.

“How do I know?” The old fairy chuckled again, “I’ve lived long enough to know that us fairies get a sense of adventure every now and again. Some return with stories and treasures. Some return with something a little more…. That, is the reason why some of us are forbidden to return at all. Which is Flora’s case. She put herself at great risk leading you here.”

Within a the time they spoke, Birch returned along with two other guards carrying a bound Flora. Frustration marked her face as she ranted and raved under her breath. As they all touched down on the platform that held the elder’s house, one of the guards started to untie her. However, one of her feet were attached to a string that was held by one of the guards. Before, Tempest couldn’t make out her wings enough to see that they were marked. Where most had clear wings, hers had golden yellow ovals that started about three/fourths the length of her wings and were cut off where they connected to her back. The elder turned his attention toward her as she made her forced entrance. “Flora, child, it seems you are causing a ruckus once again.” He said waving her over.

Her expression didn’t change as she walked over near him. He placed the mushroom down on his lap, his hands still firmly grasped around it. Nonetheless, he kept up the conversation, “You know you are forbidden here.. Yet you returned with a human. The thing that had gotten you banished in the first place.. Even more so, you managed to disrespect our goddess by turning her messenger into a mushroom. What am I ever to do with you…” He shook his head. “I will pardon you this time, for it seems you still have some growing to do. However, I must request something of you, Tempest. Please.. Can you take Flora with you? If she can’t stay out of trouble in the forest, then she has no use of being here.”