FLIGHT TO THE GATE
The Ship Growers Pond rippled in the evening sunlight. Electrum stood in his pine tree and gazed over the pond to the harbor. Tiny figures filled the docks and the skies around the ships. Older passengers were preparing to board while the younger sprites flew around them, eager to get to the Tween World for the Eclipse.
Beyond the harbor, the top of the Palace Tree waved gently in the breeze as if beckoning him home. Were Silverthorn and Gilder waiting? He couldn’t tell from this distance.
He turned away and wandered through the tree. His tree. It would have made a nice home.
He packed the scrolls in the bottom of Amber’s bag, then added the bowls and jars he had purchased at the market. The bag was heavier than he expected.
There wasn’t room for the hammock or his blanket. It was comforting to think of it waiting for him, though he doubted he could ever return.
He slipped the flask under his shirt, took one last deep breath of pine scented air, and glided off the platform. A gentle breeze tugged at his hat and he clamped down his ears to hold it in place. The heavy bag weighed him down and pressed against his wings.
When he reached the harbor he caught an updraft and was able to glide on it. As he neared the palace he flapped his wings again to gain altitude.
Two sprites watched from the top platform’s edge. His landing was awkward. He stumbled, and there was a rattling noise as Silverthorn and Gilder caught his arms and steadied him.
“I hope that rattling wasn’t your bones breaking,” Silverthorn said.
“Very amusing.” Electrum shook off the sprites and handed the bag to Gilder. “Bowls and jars for tonight. Make sure everything is in one piece.”
Silverthorn stood at the edge looking out while Gilder searched through the bag. “Everything is here,” he finally announced. He added a small parcel and closed the bag. Effortlessly, he swung it onto his back. “I’ll carry this for you.”
Electrum grunted. “Suits me.”
Silverthorn looked over his wing. “Are we about ready?”
“What’s the rush?” Electrum said. The reality of leaving had settled in and he was feeling nostalgic. “Take a moment to enjoy your last night here.”
Silverthorn paced around the platform and stopped to peer over the edge. “I’d like to share this moment of contemplation with you, but there’s a group of sprites coming up the main corridor. Large sprites. What’s left of the sunlight is flashing off their breastplates.”
Electrum shuffled over and looked down. The nostalgia disappeared. “Right you are.” He headed for the other side. “The windows on that corridor open the other direction. If we fly off the back edge, we’ll be out of sight. With luck we’ll make it to the harbor before they get here.”
They jumped into the air, their wings flashing. No riding the air currents this time. Electrum had to work to keep up with the two young sprites. He began to lag behind. They were nearing the harbor when Silverthorn glanced back. He called to Gilder and they hovered as Electrum caught up.
“I can’t beat my wings all the way,” he panted. “Give an old pookah a chance to catch his breath.”
“Follow me,” Gilder said. He headed into a patch of mist on the side of the gate. “Over here,” he called softly.
Electrum followed his voice and landed beside the two sprites on a ledge hidden by a half wall. He slumped onto a protruding rock. Mist swirled around them. Cold crept through his jacket, but the flask kept him warm.
Silverthorn and Gilder stood behind the wall watching the gate. Electrum knew he couldn’t sit there very long. The chill would make his wings stiff. He was just about to get up when the two sprites ducked down behind the wall.
“What is it?” Electrum asked in a low voice.
“Guards flying through the gate. At least half a dozen,” Gilder said.
“Sorry boys. I was too slow.”
“They haven’t caught us yet,” Silverthorn said with a grin. Now they’re in front of us. Should be no problem to slip in behind and get to the bridge. Whenever you’re ready.”
As they flew through the gate, Electrum was surprised at how thin the mist had become. Bits of the wall showed through and the air was warmer. Simon must have been busy setting the new glowstones in place.
When they emerged from the gate, Electrum scanned the bushes. No guards in sight. Silverthorn led the way into the trees, staying in the shadows. The light was already growing dim under the heavy foliage. They landed under the footbridge.
Electrum gazed at the water as it gurgled over the rocks and debris. He pulled his jacket tighter around him. It was even chillier and damper under the bridge than it had been flying through the gate.
“This looks like a good place,” Gilder called softly. He was standing in front of a tangle of tree roots. They poked out of the ground and interlaced forming a flat surface that could be used as a rough table.
Gilder started pulling items out of Electrum’s bag and placing them on the roots. From his own parcel he took out the intricate box, then set the parcel aside.
Silverthorn caressed the box with his finger. He opened the lid revealing a mound of fine powdery dust. It twinkled in the dim light and gold sparkles clung around the edges.
“Don’t get all star struck on me,” Electrum said as he reached past him and shut the lid. “This is no time for sentiment. One gentle breeze and your plans will be scattered in the air along with that dust.”
Silverthorn laughed. “She’ll be here soon. This time we stay together forever.”
Electrum gave him a weary nod, and reluctantly placed the warm flask of pookah dust on the makeshift table. He arranged the items next to it. Gloves, two earthenware bowls, and a wooden spoon. From his belt he pulled out his dagger and placed it next to the flask. Lastly, he put out two leaf jars.
“The yellow jar for Silverthorn and the red jar for the boy. Mirta and Amber will be here soon. Then we just wait for Trevor to bring the changeling plant.”
A Sprinkling of Thought Dust Page 44
