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Guards patrolled every entryway to the city waiting in silent anticipation on what was yet to come. No one walked the streets of the so often busy marketplace. Even the houses were shut tightly to offer any possible protection. All the men who were able and willing to fight were equipped with armor and weapons. Tornado tightened the straps of his armor. He stretched testing out the mobility.

“You’ve only just recovered.” Aero asked handing him a helmet. “Do you really think you’ll have to fight them?

“I don’t know. It seems like we will, but we’re still unsure of the reason.”

“Is it us?” She explained. “We are ethereal. Maybe they don’t want us here.”

“That doesn’t seem to be reason enough.” Tornado answered as he looked out the window. “It feels like they’re waiting for something.”

“Waiting?” She looked out the window, too. The ethereal were staying beyond the limits of the city so their exact numbers couldn’t be estimated.

“Never mind.” Tornado leaned against the sill thinking to himself out loud. “They’re probably just waiting to gather their forces.”

“Tornado, the meeting is about to begin.” Rook entered with Flora. “Aero, Flora could you both wait in the parlor? It won’t take long.”

“But why?” Aero questioned. “I’m going to be fighting, too.”

“Shouldn’t we hear the plans?” Flora agreed.

“Have either of you ever been in battle?” Rook asked concerned.

“Well, no, but we’ve been trained in the elements.” Flora explained.

“No.” Tornado crossed his arms sternly. “You’ll both wait for us here.”

“We can help!” Aero pleaded. “Just give us a chance!”

“You don’t even know how to use a weapon.” He pointed out.

“I don’t need one. I have the elements.”

“Even with the elements it may not be enough.” He explained. “Others could be affected, too.”

“So you think I’ll just get in the way.”

“That’s not it.”

“Then why not?” She questioned pleadingly. “Why won’t you let us help you?”

“They’re the same as the ethereal I fought! He could have killed me easily if he wanted to. Do you think I want that to happen to you?” With that he turned and left the room.

They were silent as they watched him leave. Rook looked at them sadly. “Please, just stay here.” He requested leaving for the meeting.

Aero sat on quietly on the parlor couch swirling the water in her glass. “I shouldn’t have made him angry.” Aero sighed sadly.

“You didn’t.” Flora told her comfortingly. “He was just worried about you.”

“I’m not feeling well. I think I’ll go back to my room and lay down for a while.” Aero told her getting up.

“Feel better soon.” Flora watched worriedly as she left.

Aero walked towards her room and glanced around before jumping out the window and sneaking through the bushes in the courtyard. There were fewer guards on duty due to the meeting and all the ones there were looking to the woods. She headed towards the limit of the city hiding behind one of the buildings.

“I can fight!” She told herself staring into the darkness. Her heart was racing. “Why am I feeling so scared?”

The eerie laugh echoed from the forest. Her breathing quickened as she looked for the source.

“You’ve been spotted by the guards. Who’s there?” Tornado’s voice was sharp with anger as he landed behind her but she didn’t dare turn around. “No one is allowed to be out of their houses.” When she didn’t respond he walked over to her. “Aero! You shouldn’t be out here!” Tornado reminded her angrily.

She turned avoiding his eyes.

“Why are you out here? You know that they are gathering in those woods!” He told her.

“I was able to make it this far.” Aero tried to explain feeling her eyes begin to sting.

“What if they had attacked you?” Tornado asked loudly. “There wasn’t anyone around to help you. Why couldn’t you have stayed like you were told.”

She started sobbing and ran past him. She spread her wings flying towards the temple.

Tornado heard the footsteps coming up behind him. He turned enough to see Rook walking towards him.

“Are you going to lecture me?” Tornado asked scathingly.

“Yes actually.” Rook answered. “You hurt Aero with your misplaced anger?”

“You think I didn’t realize that?” Tornado shouted turning to face Rook. “If she continues running off alone she’ll end up dead!” He realized his hands were shaking and balled them into fists.

“You’re feeling guilty aren’t you?” Rook asked calmly. “You need to talk to her. This fight is only hurting you two.”

“What am I supposed to say to her?” Tornado asked desperately.

“You’ll have to think of that yourself.” Rook suggested. “Tell her how you feel.”

That night when Tornado came to their room Aero seemed to be asleep. He wasn’t able to sleep so he closed his eyes listening to the night sounds. After a few hours had gone by he heard Aero move and glanced over to see her silhouette sitting up beyond the curtain. She looked as though she were drying her face with a blanket. Tornado felt guilt building up inside of him again. He searched for something to say to try to apologize or comfort her. Aero quietly curled back under her covers.

“Aero.” He whispered suddenly. “Are you awake?”

“Yes.” She answered sitting up again.

“I’m sorry.” He told her sadly. “I didn’t mean to hurt you.” He was struggling to find words to say. “I spoke without thinking. I guess I was just scared, no, I was scared. Is-is there anyway you could forgive me?”

“You aren’t mad at me?” She asked. Her voice still shook from crying.

“I wasn’t mad at you.” He told her. “I was just worried.”

”I won’t disobey you next time.” Aero told him.

“No, I’ll be there to protect you.” Tornado assured her.

When Aero woke the next morning Tornado had already left to take his shift at the watch.

“Good morning!” Aero exclaimed with a yawn as she entered the dining hall.

“Good morning!” Flora added thankfully. “You seem happy this morning.”

“I am.” She told her smiling cheerfully.

“Did you talk with Tornado?” Rook asked passing her some breakfast.

“Yes.” Aero explained. “He wasn’t mad at me. It was just a misunderstanding. I won’t leave on my own anymore.”

“Good.” Rook replied smiling slightly to himself.

“You said something to Tornado didn’t you?” Flora asked Rook as they walked together.

“You think Tornado would have though of apologizing on his own?” Rook laughed slightly. “He’s not really good with words. Hopefully Aero will help him learn.”

“Thank you.” Flora looked up at him.

“For what?” Rook asked with gentle eyes.

“For helping Tornado talk to her.” She explained. “She would still be sad if he hadn’t.”

“I didn’t make him say anything. I just gave advice.” Rook explained kindly. “There’s no need to thank me for anything.”