I looked up at his face and said, "Wow. Frostine really looks a lot like you. Maybe she can come back home to visit." "That would be nice." "OK. So what I wanted to tell you was..." I told him about the dream before I got my powers. About Aiden and his sister Tanasia. "I see. Yes it is real. Its not far from the dragon cave actually. That is probably why she told you, you had to go there after saving the person you knew." "Oh that's right! In the dream I had of my quest, you told me I would be saving someone I knew. Do you know who it is?" "I do, but I cannot tell you. If you knew you would rush into things and save them." "Yeah I guess so. Oh I forgot. I wanted to ask about the Raiju. What happened to the rest of you? Did you die out?" "Well not really. There was a war that broke out many years ago. It happened when I was a child. I was maybe about 5 or 6. After the war they made a law to protect the kids. Once they came of age, they would leave the village and get assigned a place to stay." "I see. So that's where it came in. What about the younger kids here now? How would they be protected?" "We have hideouts and stuff here. That's how some of us survived." "Oh. Well 5 years ago a war broke out at my village." "yeah I heard A village in the snow came under attack." "Yeah. My mom died from a sickness, she told me to run in the forest. I was supposed to meet with people. I fell tired and my uncle found me and my brother. I almost died but they brought me back." "I'm sorry Neve." "Its fine. I at least have my little brother with me. I'm not alone. I also have my uncle and my cousins and neighbors who can help." "At least you have a place now. I am glad." Ok well. I better get back to the others. Thank you grandpa." "I guess I would be your grandpa. I am your aunt's father. Well your welcome granddaughter." he said with a smile. She went off the others.
"I'm back guys. Sorry I was long." "OK. What shall we do now?" said Wren. "Well it is the last day and we have an idea of what's around here." said Quinn. "I think its the best time to rest. Especially since Neve just recovered." "Yeah I agree." Said Keyon. "Fine." I said not so thrilled. "haha. lets go Neve." said Quinn. He rubbed my head. I put my head down in disappointment. "Oh well. I guess that's for the best. Mom always said, staying calm and rested is the best thing before something exciting and scary." "She was right." said Wren. "I miss her. I wish Lucia knew her." "It ok big sis." He hugged me. "Thanks Lucia." I started crying silently. By the time we got to Talia's, I stopped crying. My eyes were puffy. Aries saw my eyes and said, "You ok Neve? Your eyes are red." "Yeah I was just crying. I'm fine." "OK. lets go see if dinner is done." said Aries. "Talia is dinner done?" "Yeah just about. Go wash up and come to the table." Everyone washed up. They let the girls go first then the men went. I wasn't feeling like myself so decided to lay down. I said, "Um actually I'm not really hungry. I think I am going to bed. Sorry Grandma. I can't eat." Before anyone could say anything, I went to my room and covered up.
Talia's eyes shot wide. "She called me Grandma. I guess I would be. I am her aunts Mom. Still. I never thought I would ever be called that." She shook her head and came back." Excuse me Talia. I would like to check on Neve." said Aries. "Yes thank you." Everyone else started to to eat their food.
As I was laying down, Someone said "Knock knock. Its me. Aries. Can I come in?" I sat up and tried to tidy myself. "Yes you can." I said. "Are you ok?" Said Aries. "No not really." I said. "Its just thinking about mom. Then finding out I am a fox princess. Its not just Now, its been the years. Its just too much for my little head to take. I don't know what to do." "Do you mind if I hug you?" "No I don't mind. I can use a hug." Aries Embraced me. "I know its a lot to take in Neve." Aries said while rubbing my back. When I was little, I had a lot on my plate too. I ended up getting sick a lot because of it. As you can see I am stronger because of it. I am alive. I lived through all of it. I wonder how I even did. One day you will think like this too. Laugh about it. How in the world did I live through all of this? Your brother will be old enough to tell you how you did it, because I was there to protect you." "Hehe. I Chucked. "Yeah. Hehe. Your right. Hehe." "That's the face I want to see. You want to come and eat now?" "Is there something light I can eat? I don't think I can eat something heavy. I would like to eat in here if that's ok." "Yeah I'm sure it is. Be right back Neve." "Thanks Aries." "Oh and Neve? Talia was shocked when you called her grandma." "Oops. I must have called her that after I called the elder grandpa. I have to apologize." "No she was actually shocked at first. Then she was happy. She said she never thought she would be called grandma." "Well I'm glad. OK let me get your food." "Thank you Aries." "Sure."
"Hey everyone." said Aries. "Hey Aries. How is she?" said Talia. "She's fine. She just wants something light to eat in the room." "OK I will make her some rice porridge." said Talia. "No you eat. I will make it." said Aries. So he did just that. "Hey Talia? Where are the bed trays?" "Oh they are in the cupboard above the sink." He grabbed a tray and put the food on it. He started walking to Neve's room when Quinn stopped him. "Hey Aries." said Quinn. Then Aries almost dropped the food but caught himself. "Woah. Sorry. Didn't mean to startle you. You have feelings for Neve don't you?" "So what if I do?" Said Aries. "Is that a problem?" "I don't have a problem with that at all. I think its actually wonderful, but if you hurt one single hair on her head, I will personally kill you. Do you understand?" "Yeah I sure do with that threat. Plus I wouldn't hurt the person I love ever." "Also by her personality you might want to tell her sooner than later. If you don't. Oh never mind. You don't want to know. She won't hate you but, she won't be calm is all I am saying." "Thanks for the tip Quinn." So he finally got to Neve's Room.
"Knock knock Neve. Its Aries with your food." No answer. He went in with the food anyway and saw she cried herself to sleep. "Poor girl." He rubbed her head. I will put your food on your stand until you are ready. He went out and ate his dinner.
Once Dinner was done, Aries went back to check on Neve. She was up and looked like she ate half the porridge. "Glad to see you up Neve. We just finished dinner." "Sorry I fell asleep Aries. I still ate some of the porridge." "Did you like it?" "Yes." "That's good." he smiled. "You made it for me?" "Yeah I did. Well it was really good. Thanks." "Your welcome." "What time are we leaving in the morning?" "Once everyone is up I suppose. Hey Neve?" "Yes Aries?" "I know I probably shouldn't say this when you are sick but, I have feelings for you. Quinn said with your personality I should say it sooner than later or it could get ugly." "Hehe. Yeah. He would be right. He has known me for 5 years after all. I guess that is enough time to get to know someone." "Yeah I guess so." "Well thank you Aries. I'm sure I will remember it tomorrow as well. Don't worry. Since I saw you working after I thought I saw something, I really didn't look at anyone else. Once I noticed my party was gone, I thought of asking you. Actually, before I found out my party was missing I was actually wondering who that handsome young man was? If he was close to my age." "I-I see." said Aries. "I see even you get nervous Aries." "Well yeah. I am part human." "Aries? I'm glad your coming with me on the journey. Just don't get killed ok?" "I will try not to." "Hey Aries? I haven't yet, but if I ever do turn into a Fox will you still like me?" "Oh Neve. No matter who are what you are I will love you." "Huh? That sounds familiar. My uncle said that to Frostine. Once she told him about what she was and showed him, she was worried he wouldn't love her." "I will always say the same thing. Even if you ask me a million more times." "Hehe. Well I am only half apparently. Mom was human. Dad was a fox. Well anyway. I should get to bed so we can head on that journey. Hey Aries? Can I get a hug?" He went over and embraced me and we kissed. I was shocked at first, but then I closed my eyes. "Well that was a surprise goodnight kiss." "Sorry if it was a shock." "That's fine. Next time warn me. You don't know what that does to my heart." "haha OK Goodnight Neve." "Goodnight Aries. Sweet dreams." "You too. Oh you know I will."
Once Aries left, I thrashed around and kicked my feet in excitement. I screamed in my pillow. I hoped I would have sweet dreams that night. Lucia knocked on the door. "Big sis? You ok?" "Yeah I'm fine Lucia, come in." I took a deep breath to calm herself down. I didn't realize I still had a smile on my face. "Sis? Why you happy?" "Oops. Do I have a smile?" "Yes." "You will know soon enough little brother. Come on Lucia. I will tuck you in." Lucia got his Pj's on and got into bed. I tucked him in. "Want me to sing for you Lucia?" "It make sis cry?" "No I will be ok. I promise." He nodded. I snuggled up to him and sang him the song she always did, while I ran my fingers through his hair. HmmHmhm hmhm hmhm hm hmhmhm. I hummed the song to him and he said "Night night I wuve you." Then he went right to sleep. "I love you too. Night night." I kissed his head and went to my bed. She didn't realize Talia was watching her.
Once Neve went to bed Talia left. Talia sighed. "I remember those days with my babies. I miss them." The Elder came home just as she finished saying that. "I miss those days too dear." "Oh Hi honey." He hugged his wife and kissed her. He said, "All we can do for these little ones is pray they will come back safely." "I know. I pray for our kids too. That they are safe somewhere." Then the elder told his wife what Neve said. "Oh. I'm so glad. I hope our daughter will be ok." "Yeah me to." "OK. We should get to bed too. We want to see them off." So they went off to bed.
The next Morning, It was time to get up and head out and continue their journey. Neve woke up Stretching and Yawning. Lucia did the same. They both got ready and saw Aries Keyon and everyone there eating breakfast. "Morning everyone." I said. "Morning." said Aries and Quinn. "Wow. This is a big breakfast." "Well it sure is." said Talia. "You need to have energy before you have long journeys. Also the dangers you face." "HeHe. I guess your right." I sat down with Lucia beside me and we started eating.
Once we were done eating, It was time to finish getting ready to go. We got our bags and said our goodbyes to Talia. Before we left Talia stopped me. "Neve?" "Yes Grandma. I hope you don't mind if I call you that." "No its ok. I actually like it." "OK good." "That Necklace you and your brother are wearing." "Oh yeah Frostine said that you gave one to her and her brother and sister." "Yes I did,for good luck." "She still has hers on as well. I never see her without it." "Oh. I am so glad." "We never take ours off either, Unless we take showers and baths. Then we put them back on." "Oh thank you again Neve. Treasure those charms." "We will. Thank you grandma. I will come again soon." "I hope so." We left for the Elder to say goodbye.
I went in to see the Elder. "Hello Elder. We are on our way now. We just wanted to stop by to say goodbye. We will see you on our way back. Hopefully in one piece." "I hope to see you too in one piece. On the way back." "Thanks Elder. I will see you soon. All of you men, Aries, Wren, Quinn, Artimis, Ryder. Zain, and woman Keyon. Protect Neve and Lucia with your life. That doesn't mean being reckless. Just try not to get yourselves killed ok?" "Yes we know." said Keyon and Aries in unison. "OK be safe. Goodbye." So we left.
"OK" said Ryder. "Lets go back to our flying creatures." "OK you guys go ahead." said Quinn. Since we aren't over water I think I would like to walk. Neve and Lucia will be coming with Wren and I. Aries and Keyon will be with me as well." "OK. We will catch up." said Artimis. So Quinn and the others started walking and eventually Artimis caught up.
Quinn stopped a moment to get the map out. "OK so we are here, and we need to go here." "How long did grandpa say we had to go? " "I don't know. All I remember him saying is that it would take a week to get there. Well it doesn't look like there are any villages. So we will have to sleep outside. OK lets continue." While we were walking, I asked, "Hey Aries and Keyon?" "Yes." said Keyon. "When you turn into your Raiju form, will you be able to control yourselves like my aunt Frostine can?" Aries saw the worry on her face. "Don't worry Princess. We can Control ourselves just fine." "Ok. That's good. You will need your forms for the Gila if anything goes wrong." "Yeah. Since your Grandpa warned you, you might be able to avoid your dream from happening." said Aries. "Yeah. I hope so. I will let you know when we get to the place in my dream then you two, Quinn and Wren will be able to transform. Hey Lucia." Lucia looked at me. "If you see the place we saw in our dream, let Quinn and Wren know to transform right away ok?" "OK Big sis." I patted his head.
We got pretty far and saw a creepy place up ahead. "Hey Neve?" said Artimis. "Is this the place you saw in your dream?" "Yeah. It actually is." "Ok. Those who can transform do it now." said Quinn then he transformed into his fox form along with everyone else who could. "Wow. I didn't know Artimis and the others could transform. You three are Raiju too?" "Yeah we are." said Artimis. "Woah. I can understand you. Is that normal?" Quinn spoke up. "Its normal. They are part fox after all." "Oh ok. Wait if I can hear them, I couldn't I hear Frostine? Wait now that I remember, she didn't growl or talk. Maybe she was trying to control herself. Hmm. Maybe when I go back I will have her do it again to test it out." "OK. Everyone ready?" Said Quinn. "You ok Lucia?" "Yes big sis. I scared." "Its ok Lucia. All these people here are going to protect us. Even if we get caught they will get us back alive ok?" So they continued walking.