Chapter 8: Sounds of Silence

We were now gathered in the former restaurant. It was Hawn who had decided to take a break from our journey. He was right in that we needed to fully discuss things before going. There had been countless conversations previously, but now we needed to make sure there was no chance of any mistakes. Gaia would tear a Dreth apart if one dared not take the proper precautions. In my time as a scout, if an enemy made a wrong move I would take advantage of it.

"I thought we had decided what to do." Nadia said. "We'll go to New Venice and camp each night."

"That's the basics." Nidae said with an eye roll. "You've never ventured outside of Native Lakes. You don't know how much stress wears down on a person."

"So this is all because you're nervous and not because the plan is unsound."

Chapter 7: Jumping into the Unknown

I yawned as I woke and reached for Frank. My hand only felt air so I assumed he had gotten up before me. He'd be back in bed soon enough, though, as he didn't tend to start his day before me. When did we get new sheets? I held back a cry as I remembered where I was. I wasn't in Native Lakes as that place had been destroyed. All that was left were ashes.

Chapter 6: The Legend of Fang

I watched as night started to close in. This would be the last night we spent by Native Lakes as there would be no coming back. Once the sun rose we would start to make our way to New Venice to alert the Snow Leopards about the incident at my home. A home I had helped destroy by pitying the enemy. By giving the Rethi the benefit of the doubt.

"You can't stay by yourself, Buteo." Nadia said and put a hand on my shoulder. "It is quiet but the danger hasn't passed."

Chapter 5: Praying to Ghosts

The screams and the flames. The fact that the massacre at Native Lakes was my fault. Everything seemed to be trying to tear me apart. Everything from my guilt to the feeling of loss inside of me. Everything. I closed my eyes as I tried to form a prayer to the one who could save me. The one that would talk to Gaia and plead my case. But I doubted Fang could truly help me now as I felt I deserved any punishment that came my way.

The Glory of the Sun was quiet as if life itself was angry at me. If the Rethi ship hadn't crashed, this would've been another place of worship. It would have been peaceful. If I had only killed the Rethi then Frank would still be alive. Everything was my fault.

Chapter 4: As the Fires Burn

Gaia is a harsh mistress that burdens Drethiveal until they become stronger. Until they earn both the respect of her and their fellow Dreth. Our life was not an easy one and thinking that everything would turn out good was a mistake. One had to always be prepared for disaster and the pain it brought.

But not even the strongest and wisest Dreth would know how to cope with the pain me and the other survivors now felt. Hawn Falco, Donta Nevin, Nadia Caballus, Nidae Boris, and myself stood watching Native Lakes burn for hours. There was no talking or eye contact as we did.

Chapter 3: Rise of the Rethi

If I had been partially Avealed I would've puffed up in happiness at the good news. The harsh noonday sun was shining down on Native Lakes and I was seated on the edge of my bed with Frank. The lady giving us the good news stood in front of the window.

"You can speak at any time, Buteo." The lady said with a small grin. "I know you and your husband have waited a long time, but you do need to make some sounds before everything is finalized."

It had been two weeks since I had brought the Rethi to Native Lakes. Two weeks of nothing out of the ordinary. Two weeks for fellow Drethiveal to finally stop questioning me as much. And now I had the best news I could ever get: the start of a family with the love of my life.

Chapter 2: A Question of Morality

Past the training courses was the entrance to the main part of Native Lakes, though the guards were farther out to make sure that the village would have ample warning if there was any danger.

At the very end of the training fields was black grass to the left, right, and straight ahead. My class and I went straight and quickly came to the waterfalls. Even before I saw them I could hear the water and laughter coming from them.

To my right and left were waterfalls where Drethiveal that Avealed into water animals could rest. It was usual for Dreth to live in environments that the creatures they Avealed into could survive. But that wasn't always the case, hence the waterfalls were here.

Chapter 1: Daily Routine

The humid morning air touched my nostrils and my eyes opened slowly. Maybe it was tiredness, or maybe it was the humidity, but I didn't want to get up. Or maybe, just maybe, I didn't want to move from my husband's side.

I turned over to see Frank Halia sleeping and snoring up a storm. I smiled and got out of bed, Avealing slightly so that wings sprouted out of my back. I looked in the mirror to see wings that were mostly like a Northern Harrier's with a tint of likeness to a Red-Tailed Hawk.

"Buteo, you're up early." Frank said and I made my wings disappear.