I looked around, hoping to find either a camp in the trees or a hole in the ground. Unfortunately, there was nothing, no signs at all that the rebels were here. My hands twitched as I switched from starting at Emelina to the cliff just feet away. 

“Well, where are they?” Arwen and Ozani both had a hand on their staff. 

"Here!" She pointed over the edge.

“That is a cliff! What are you planning? Did you think you could just push us all to our deaths?” Sora's fists curled as he tensed up. 

“No, you silly boy.” She laughed and made a vine grow over the edge of the island. “These islands are larger than you think. With a lot of hard work, we have dug into the land underneath to hide from the dragons.” 

It did make sense, but I didn’t like the idea of Sora going down first alone to a possible ambush. The wizards needed their staff to work their magic, and that was impossible if they were climbing. 

“I’ll go first, then you guys can follow.” I took a running start, leaping off the island of Volar. 

“Wait, Mina!” 

“Yasmin!” 

As I hovered below the island, I let out a sigh. Sure enough, Emelina’s vine reached an open hole in the island where a blonde woman and a short man with a brown beard stood, leaning against the cave walls. 

“Hello there missy, how may we help ya?” The man spoke strangely, but had a warm smile. 

“I was sent by Emelina? She said you could help us.” 

“Emelina, oh the wee dear. Course we can, come right on in.” 

I smiled and looked up, but I couldn’t see Sora or Arwen. “Let me go get them then, thanks!” 

I flew back up to see Sora being held back by Arwen and Ozani with Aratazz standing between them and Emelina. 

“-think that I’ll let you get away with this you little-” 

“Sora!” 

He stopped fighting the wizards, a wide smile splitting his face. I flew into his arms, rejoycing in his hug. Suddenly he pushed me away and glared. 

“If you ever do that again I will fly back to Home Tree myself and tell Dewdrop it was you that ate all the leaf cakes that one time. Then you’ll have to deal with both of us.” 

Before I could respond, he pulled me back into a hug, picking me up so he could rest his head on my shoulder. 

“Sorry about that.” I looked over, trying to apologize to Arwen and the girls also. “But I can fly, I’m a fairy still, and I did find the rebels. Emelina was telling the truth.” 

Finally, Sora put me down and went to the edge of the cliff. 

“Yeah, I trust you guys but I do not like that fall. You can’t even see Nym, it’s just falling forever into puffs of white. I’ll wait up here.” 

“You can’t!” Emelina jumped over. “No one will believe me if I say I found an angel. They think I’m some sort of hippy-dippy flower child that can’t be trusted to be serious. You have to come down, Sora.” 

“I agree. They need to see you and I don’t like the idea of you up here alone when the rest of us are deep underground. We need to find a way for you to get down there comfortably.” 

Arwen leaned over, his own face cringing at the view. Ozani and Aratazz joined us before leaping back away from the edge. 

“Let me take care of that, one moment.” 

Thankfully, I had attached my chirp to a vine to wear around my neck. I pulled it up and blew into it, letting the music reach Marakin so she could reach us. 

It didn’t take long, a few minutes or so, until Marakin could be seen. Guided by my music and hand motions, she landed right by the edge, kneeling so we could ride her. 

“She can only take two, maybe three at a time so we will make a couple trips. Sora and Arwen are first.” 

Sora jumped on Mara, Arwen taking his time, clutching at her saddle. She flew up before diving back down to where they entrance was. We waited for them to get off and soon Mara was back to get Ozani and Aratazz. 

They left easily and I turned back to Emelina. 

“I’m fine with my vine. It doesn’t sit well with me to leave the ground; even on a fine creature like Marakin.” 

She jumped, a vine leaping out to catch her and take her under. I followed, meeting Mara at the entrance.  

“Hello there again! Is this yer fine creature, miss? Quite a beauty, innit she?” 

I smiled at the kind man once more, petting my dove.  

“Yup, she’s all mine. Though, she won’t be joining us.” 

He let out a loud laugh, shaking his stomach. “Ye got a point there, a creature o’ the skies innit meant fer bein’ underground, eh?” 

I blew into my chirp, letting her go rest in the forest. She knew how to take care of herself and hopefully the goblins would leave her alone. In the worst-case scenario, she could go back to Home Tree and wait there, though I wasn’t sure if my chirp could reach that far.  

Mara left and I touched down in the cave, the blonde woman turned and lead the group further inside. I was glad she was leading; I had no idea where we were with all the turns and switch backs we made. 

Eventually, we reached an opening that led to a large room, full of several races. From what I could see there were several wizard robes, lots of humans, a handful of shorter bearded men and even a Naga. Seeing as they were inside, they were trusted, though I wonder how long they worked to be here.  

“Boss! I brought friends!” 

A few of the humans sighed, one stepped forward; a man with dark skin and short curly hair. 

“Emmy, we do not want to see your pet or keep it here. Greers, Raus and even Kangkees all belong up top.” 

“Not this time Dom. Trust me, Boss!” 

“Dominic?” 

The man turned to Arwen, his frown turning into a smile. 

“Arwen! Man, I knew you would end up down here.” The two hugged as they greeted each other. “Is Emmy here telling the truth this time?” 

“Actually-” 

Gasps could be heard as Sora stepped into the room, me at his side. With his hair and my wings, they all knew that we were not of Volar. 

“Emelina, I have never been happier to see you, child.” 

The crowd parted as an older man made his way to the front. He was like Gramps, with grey hair and walking with small steps. He was dressed in wizard robes; using his staff as a cane also. 

“Master.” All the wizards bowed to him as he stopped in front of Sora. 

“What is your name, son?” 

“Finally!” I couldn’t hold back my laugh as he threw up his arms. “You are officially my favorite human. I’m Sorata White Willow and I’m, I guess I’m an angel.” 

He partially unfolded his wings, showing off his evidence of his divinity. I could hear the rebels whispering to themselves and I smirked.  

“I guess you are. Well, we welcome you and your friend,” He paused, looking over at me. 

“Yasmin White Willow.” I hovered for effect, also showing off. 

“Yasmin. You two, please come with me so I may hear your story. Dominic, you may take care of your friends and make sure they have room. Hastrini and Strozumer, please make sure the creature that Yasmin brought is safe in my quarters. Dismissed.” 

Dominic pulled on Arwen, leading the wizards away. I watched him leave, my heart pulling. I shook my head, turning to find who would be helping Mara. 

“Yasmin?” My name didn’t fit his accent, it almost sounded like yosman. 

The man from earlier walked up, another with him. They seemed short with the humans, but they were actually my height, maybe a little smaller. It was actually kind of nice to see eye to eye with another person for once. 

“I’m Hastrini an this here is ma husband, Strozumer. We will be takin’ care of yer creature for ye. Any advice fer us?” 

“I actually have an item.” I took off my chirp, passing it to Hastrini. “Blow into this and it will catch her attention. She might get upset, thinking you stole it from me but her name is Marakin. Let her reach you and keep an eye out for her horn, it’s deadly.” 

“Thanks fer that, wouldn't want to get hurt that far from camp. We’ll be off so she can rest tonight. Mar sin leat!” 

The two walked off and I prayed that Mara wouldn’t hurt them. 

“Hastrini is a woman, did you know that? Because I didn’t until I said ‘him’ when I was referring to her and she corrected me. Dwarves, making everything complicated. Just letting you know.” 

Emelina skipped off, leaving me to my thoughts. 

I glanced around, suddenly questioning all the bearded people in the room. There were no major differences between Hastrini and Strozumer. They both had brown hair, long and frizzy but well kept. They both dressed in heavy cloth with armor on their shoulders and arms. With each of them wearing a flat breastplate, you couldn't see any difference with their bodies. I think I even saw both of them wielding an axe. 

So, note to self, all dwarves grow beards and are now to be referred to by their names. Great, at least I didn’t say anything to their faces.  

Sora waved at me and I flew over, joining him and the old man in another room. 

Time to meet the rebellion.  

 * * *  Meanwhile...  * * * 

“An angel, you say? How very interesting. Those foolish goblins were actually useful for once then.” 

The man’s voice was deep, his wings shifting as thoughts filled his head.  

It had been too long since he had last killed one of those vile animals. This could be fun. 

“Tell my son to gather his generals. I think it’s about time Tuvon had his first kill. Those wings would decorate our castle perfectly.” 

The tiny gnome quickly ran away from the dismissive hand, willing to get as far away as possible. The man slouched on his throne, a smile growing on his face. 

“Yes, this will be fun.”