Chapter 14: Stone Hold

Cassiel Silverwing was hunting for insects in the forest surrounding Stone Hold, the roost for the Silverwing colony males, a very large and comfortable cavern. Everybody was expecting their mates and children from Tree Haven to meet them when the moon would rise again. Everyone was also waiting for the Silverwing colony's elder, Ariel, to arrive in order for the entire colony to be reunited to migrate to the south. However, with Shade absent from Stone Hold, it was uncomfortably quiet. No one knew whether Shade lived to find his son or not.

Cassiel had been very concentrative ever since Shade left the males. He barely spoke to anybody and could only hope to himself constantly that his son was not in danger or hurt in any way, although he knew that it had been a very long time and yet Shade still did not arrive back safely from wherever he went. Many times he felt that his son was in severe danger, yet his hope built up in time.

Last year his mate, Ariel, tired her best to give him hope, but still he could not hold a conversation very well and could only dwell painfully in the haunting thoughts that swam around in his head. He finally met his grandson, Griffin, and Shade's mate, Marina, two years ago. Griffin told Cassiel about his entire journey in the horrid underworld and how Shade gave his life for him and his friend, Luna.

From then on, Cassiel fell into a void of devastation and sorrow for a whole year, Cassiel keeping the horrible news to himself, and well as Ariel. However, he still felt Shade's presence and had a feeling that he was not really gone after all. This strange feeling lasted for another several months, then Chinook, messenger of the Silverwing colony and "brother" of Shade Silverwing happily reported to Cassiel that he saw Shade nearby Tree Haven, alive.

Although the great news somewhat cured Cassiel of his depression, the thoughts in his head still remained. He had a painful feeling in his stomach that Shade was still in danger somehow, and he could not reach out to help his son. Still Cassiel kept the news to himself.

Cassiel soon ate his fill and roosted on a tree just next to Stone Hold. Chinook saw him from inside the cozy cavern and roosted next to him falteringly.

"At least Shade is coming with his family, hm?" he said playfully to a pensive Cassiel. Cassiel let out a grunt, nodded with a weak smile and did not look at Chinook. Chinook smiled back. This was the first time he had heard Cassiel let out a sound in months.

"I do feel funny though," Cassiel responded ruefully. Chinook gave him a puzzled expression and cocked his head.

"Whatta you mean?"

"Shade. I don't think he is coming."

"You're letting your head give you doubt again, Cassiel – just like last time. Didn't we tell you over and over not to do that?" Chinook said, poking Cassiel's head with his claw gently. "Come on, you know I'm honest. That's a main key to being a messenger, you know? Shade is coming, don't worry." Chinook nudged Cassiel desperately trying to cheer him up. Cassiel eyed Chinook with a seemingly brighter smile.

"You are right. Shade just may come." He said. Chinook gave a sarcastic sigh and flew back into Stone Hold with Cassiel behind his tail.

The very next night, all the male bats stood as a crowd in front of Stone Hold, anxiously waiting for their families to arrive. The most anxious of all was Cassiel. After two years, finally he could meet his son again. He did not know it, but a big grin was planted on his face. Chinook came from behind him and patted his shoulder heartily.

"Hey there, sunshine. Can't wait to meet your family?"

"Hardly," said Cassiel, his grin not leaving his face even when he talked. He could see the Silverwings flying towards the waiting males at an exuberant pace with Ariel leading them. The first to rise and fly to the Silverwings was Cassiel, and then others quickly started to follow Cassiel's lead and flew toward their mates and children. In a matter of minutes the entire colony reunited happily and gathered into Stone Hold to rest briefly. Cassiel and Ariel nuzzled each other lovingly in Stone Hold.

"Where…is Shade and his family?" Cassiel asked. When Ariel bowed her head sorrowfully, Cassiel felt like somebody knocked the air out of his lungs completely. His heart felt as cold as ice. He frowned and knew something had happened.

"Cassiel, it is a long story. Our son is the One the prophecies of Nocturna states." Cassiel gasped quietly and stared at Ariel, completely baffled at what he just heard.

"You mean to say that, Shade is the very Warrior of Nocturna?" Ariel nodded slowly. "How can this be? Out of every bat in the world, Shade had to be chosen."

"Well, Cassiel, Shade has saved the world and fulfilled the Promise. Who else would Nocturna judge truthfully?"

"You may be right, but what about…"

"Both of them are chosen ones as well. They will obviously not be migrating with us either, as well as-" Ariel had a forlorn look in her eyes. "Stay here for a second. I must talk with someone." Cassiel nodded in understanding, but felt extremely uncomfortable. Where were Shade and his family anyways? Ariel spread her wings and took off to roost next to a female bat beside a strong-looking male, hugging each other with confused looks in their faces. The female noticed Ariel perch next to them.

"Ariel Silverwing, what is it?"

"Hello, Roma. I am sure you do not know where your child, Luna, is?"

"Yes, we had to leave without her. She never came back to me to tell where she was going." Roma said, her eyes starting to get teary. Ariel placed her claw on Roma's back.

"Luna is one of the chosen stated in the prophecies of Nocturna." Roma and her mate stared at Ariel in complete bewilderment.

"Why our daughter? Why is she chosen?" The male asked Ariel.

"I am wondering about that as well. Luna must have some relation with another chosen one. Otherwise, she has not accomplished anything worthy of Nocturna's trust." Ariel explained hastily. Roma placed her head on her mate's chest as he wrapped her in his wings.

"You are a strong bat, Roma, as well as you, Julius. Keep your hopes up. She is protected by Nocturna's wings and I am sure that she will return to you in one piece." Roma nodded her head in thanks and smiled as she cuddled against Julius and fell asleep peacefully. Julius and Ariel smiled at each other, Julius nodding in thanks as well. Ariel nodded back and lit from her roost and flew back to Cassiel, who was fast asleep. She perched next to her mate and nuzzled his neck softly with her nose.

"Goodnight, Cassiel." She said just before she fell into a deep sleep.

When the moon took over the skies once again, the Silverwing colony prepared for the next flight that would lead to the next landmark, the barn. The entire colony was gathered in a circle in the middle of Stone Hold.

"Silverwings!" Ariel started. "Please make sure you have found your mate and your child. We shall head on to our next landmark in just a few moments. Remember to stay together and not wander off for any reason. Get ready, now." In a few seconds Ariel lifted a wing and lit from her roost and out the cavern, the colony flying behind her.

The colony made an opposite turn, facing south, and started to fly at a leisurely pace over the vast, blue ocean below them, painted a streak of white on the horizon by the moonlight. Cassiel beat his wings at an abnormal pace, frustrated by the confusion in his head. He never understood the prophecies fully anyway. What would really happen to Shade? He noticed Chinook hovering skillfully beside him.

"Don't lose that smile. You pretty much made the whole colony happy." Chinook reminded Cassiel as he beat his wings faster, catching up with Ariel. Cassiel could not help but let out a laugh, following with a new smile.