Page 48 of Raven's Dawn

“See? I’m getting the hang of things.” Graham’s tone took on its usual giddiness. “All that to say, the Elves and the Fae separated culturally around the time Caeda became queen. The division she has caused between us all just makes me like her less.”

“And that’s the opinion of most Fae,” Rain said, confirming.

“Some are more spirited in one way or another, but mostly, yeah, that’s how most of us feel. But, like they said, I don’t think that the Elves are a threat. We just don’t look at life the same way.” Now only a few strides from the rest of the army, Graham gestured to the other soldiers. “I just hope they can bite their tongues when we arrive.”

So did I.

The dome that encased the city, Iliantha explained, was a shield. No Angels could enter. Neither could anyone else, unless someone with authority gave them permission. Unfortunately, that included us.

We were instructed to stay quiet as we walked toward the barrier, and to remain that way when we arrived at the gates. I never had much trouble doing as I was told, so that was no problem for me. Warren never minded staying quiet. Graham understood the gravity of the situation, so he bit his tongue. The biggest concern would be Rain, but she kept her mouth shut and didn’t ask about every new species we came across. At least, not out loud.

Is that a bunny? she asked Graham, pointing to a rodent like creature tucked away in a pile of twigs.

Unlike I was used to back home, it wasn’t afraid of us. We all made direct eye contact with the little thing. I couldn’t make much out in the dim light, but its eyes glowed yellow, pointed ears perched high atop his head, little buck teeth glinting in the moonlight.

I think it’s in the same family as a bunny, Graham said into the telepathic group chat. But bunnies won’t hurt you, right? Because that little bugger has a bite like a rattlesnake.

That had gotten both me and Rain’s attention. Turning that way with wide eyes, I said into his mind, You’re serious.

Yep.

Should we run? Warren’s voice. Or warn the others?

Nah, it won’t mess with us unless we mess with it.

Suppose mothers say that on every dimension, I thought.

Shortly after, she thought to us all, Graham?

Yes?

Why hasn’t the sun set yet? A glance at her watch, reading 11:35 p.m. Or is my watch wrong?

That one, I could answer. Oh, it’s the Midnight Sun. It’s because, the higher north we go, the closer we get to the Arctic Circle.

Aye, Graham agreed. Where I’m from, even higher up north, we go weeks without a sunset sometimes and weeks without a sunrise.

Oh, yeah, I remember learning about that in school, she thought. With a smile, she gazed up. It’s so cool.

It was, until it set entirely another half hour into our walk.

A few moments later, we walked past a green bush. Nothing particularly special about it. Just a bush with some yellow berries growing on its stems.

Can we eat these? Rain asked.

Are you constipated? Graham asked.

Her nose scrunched up. It’ll give me diarrhea?

Yep. Great to have around if you’re backed up though.

Curling her lip, she continued ahead. Yummy.

I chuckled. To Graham’s mind, I said, Like prunes? Or like a laxative?

Like, five minutes after you’ve eaten a berry, expect not to leave the blackwater stream for at least five hours.

Interesting.