WL: Ch 2: Confrontation in Camp

“Bastien! They’ve caught it, slow down!” The slip of a youth perched on the adolescent Stryx’s back pulled on the Harpia’s shoulder feathers to get his attention. Bastien screamed in protest, but their frantic flight slowed and his forward movement halted. They rose and fell with each wing beat, staying relatively in place while rider and Stryx looked about to take stock of the situation on the ground. 

 

Below they could see Sol’s leaders surrounding the trussed up Rhakos so Bastien came to land just as someone suggested the name Spook. Andriel craned their head, standing on tiptoe to see around and over people. “I don’t see Harken or Red!” They said, turning to their mount. Bastien lifted his head to scan the camp, main wings half opening for balance while the smaller pair remained folded, thumbs resting on the ground to bear his weight. “Do you see them?” Andriel asked. To answer their question, Bastien ducked his head down to scoop his rider up onto his neck and raised back up. Andriel used Bastien’s horns to support themselves as they surveyed the area. When they spotted Red and Harken across the camp they sighed in relief, “Thank the void, they’re okay. We should go to them, apologize for leaving them behind.” 

 

Bastien tilted his head in confusion. He hadn’t left the smaller Corva behind and had been aware of the distance between them, maintaining it carefully so he could easily turn to assist if Harken had run into any trouble. However, there was no way to communicate this to Andriel so Bastien spread both sets of wings and jumped to get airborne. His only argument against the two of them being here was that they had no training, no way to easily communicate, and no equipment. A few flaps and he had crossed a network of tents to land next to the strangers they’d met by chance in the field, still thinking of their lack of preparation. “Red!” Andriel called out as they slid off Bastien’s back. “Sorry we left you behind! Are you okay?” It was obvious to Bastien that Andriel didn’t feel the lack of those important tools.

 

Andriel helped Red set up camp while Bastien and Harken communicated together about the day’s adventures and Bastien’s concerns. They had just sat down with their rations of food provided by the Taura-Naji when the flapping of wings directly overhead sent dust swirling around their campfire. Andriel and Red bent over their food to block as much dust as possible while Harken and Bastien ducked their heads under their wings. When Andriel looked up she was face to face with Sierra who was growling while keening in relief. There you are, young lady! What do you think you’re doing here?! Your father told you to stay home, he would come to aid Sol against the threat! 

 

Before the young human could reply, Bastien firmly placed himself between his rider and the Tyrian that had joined them. He gently picked Andriel up in his beak and placed them on his back, “Sierra, may we take this to a more private location?” He asked while Andriel said farewell to Red and Harken, “See you two later, I guess.” Red waved farewell to all three, a look of confusion on their face. “Rest up, Harken. We’ll be ready to continue in the morning.” Bastien reassured the Corva, trusting that he would convey something to Red. Sierra walked out of the camp, careful not to damage any tents in her path. Bastien met her in a quiet corner of the fortifications where they could all converse. 

 

Once they were alone, Sierra opened a three way telepathic communications channel and the three of them began to argue. Sierra wanted to escort them home as she had been instructed by Echellius. Andriel insisted that they were not going to return home just because their father wanted to keep them “safe” in the palace. Bastien wanted to find a middle ground. “Why don’t you stay with us and help, Sierra? I know you’re worried about this threat too. This way you can say you didn’t abandon us to our ‘folly’.” Sierra considered. With the telepathic link, emotions were easy to sense between them. Bastien and Sierra wanted to stay close together while Andriel wanted to excuse themself from the two’s restrained flirting and get some rest. Now that the adrenaline was done coursing through their veins and they’d had a hot meal, exhaustion was overwhelming them. Bastien noticed his rider’s condition and broke off to care for them. 

 

“Andriel is tired, they’re not going to fare well on a night journey after we were ambushed by that damned creature. Stay the night with us, we can decide in the morning.” Bastien urged. Sierra could see he was right, and she was also tired after a day of searching for the two of them. Fine, but I must insist we return home tomorrow. Bastien’s eyes softened, his pupils dilating to more than pinpricks as he recognized her attempt to salvage some of her dignity and authority. He settled in for the night in a natural dip of the ground, nudging Andriel to lay down on his feathered leg. They were asleep before their head touched his leg and he moved the limb so he could fold a smaller wing down to shelter his rider. “Sleep well, Andriel.”