Chapter nineteen:

As the next morning rolls around Michael blinks as the tent is brighter due to the sunlight.

Gavin shifts next to him as Michael sits up.

Michael rubs the sleep out of his eyes and can hear some birds chirping as though greeting the day. He wonders if they are ignoring whats going on or are blissfully unaware of the mounting danger that is going on. He doesn't ponder on it for long as he turns when Gavin groans. His eyes meeting that of his sleepy partners own. "Good morning." He greets flashing a smile. "We should probably get up and get ready to head on out."

"Okay. Just another minute." Gavin stretches raising his arms straight out as he does so before lowering them. He blinks a few times then finally shifts to sit up while Michael is opening the tent door to head outside.

Michael breathes in feeling the crisp morning air hit his tongue. He begins packing up everything he can as he leaves the tent and its contents for last. He doesn't want to force Gavin to get up before he is ready to. He is almost done when the other joins him outside.

"Brr it is a bit cold." Gavin mentions with a slight shiver as he stands in front of the tent.

"Yeah it is a little chilly." Michael heads over and starts taking things out of the tent in which Gavin starts helping with packing up those items. He finds that with their teamwork they soon have everything all set to go. He turns as a shadow falls over him only to see that the other is in his large familiar form. He can read the others look that his partner wants to get going so they get help sooner. He makes sure that everything is placed where they should be so that way they won't fall during flight. He then climbs up onto Gavin's back and pats his neck. "Okay. Let's get going."

Gavin spreads his wings only to take off taking himself and Michael into the air. He stays there for a moment as Michael checks where to go. He turns to look the direction that his partner points. He flies off in that direction speeding knowing that Michael will be okay. He keeps alert for anything that he needs to dodge while flying in the sky. He will keep going until they reach the castle or have to take another break. As he flies he notices that some of the clouds up ahead are a bit darker though they don't look like full on storm clouds. He flies past them continuing on as he hopes that there isn't a storm coming. He decides that if there is he will attempt to outrun the storm.

Unless Michael tells him that they need to stop, or if it is noticed that the storm makes it too dangerous to fly.

In the meantime Ryan is brought out by the lady he had met who tricked him into coming to this place. He continues to pretend to be under control as he stands outside in the cool air.

"Let's give him a little test shall we?" The lady suggests rubbing her hands together as though she is about to enjoy something really good.

"Are you sure about this Darcy?" The male who brought Ryan out questions the lady looking up at Ryan who doesn't look back to keep up the illusion. "What if he is one of those familiars who can't fully control himself?"

"Don't worry. He has so far been very well behaved." The woman, Darcy, waves off the idea. "And even if he is it looks like the spell is strong enough to keep him under our control." She moves closer until she is standing next to Ryan. She looks up at him. "Alright familiar lower yourself and let me on."

If this was any normal day Ryan would have snapped and snarled at her for the idea that she isn't Ray yet she thinks she can get on him. He however knows that his witch's life is at stake here. He has to put up with it even if it is only for Ray. He forces himself to lower down and out of the corner of his eye Darcy seems pleased. He wills his body to remain still while the other climbs onto his back.

"Now lets see how well you fly." Darcy commands and there is a huge hint of a smirk in her tone.

Reluctantly Ryan spreads his wings promising to himself silently that when this is all over he will make sure that he takes Ray out for a fly with him. He flaps his wings taking off into the air. He at least can get a better view of the surrounding area. He can see some other familiars working with some witches on some battle techniques. He also notices that it seems to be only the group in the area. He doubts that this is some random farmland that they took over and their neighbours don't know anything.

Unless they are too far away.

Darcy leans close, so much so that Ryan can feel her warm breath brushing against his scales. "And just in case you do have troubles with control, if you try to throw me off I will shoot you with my wand. Making you regret it as you fall out of the sky. Then you won't get any food today as an extra punishment."

Just great there went Ryan's idea of maybe throwing her off from up high then trying to run. He doesn't doubt her abilities if she can make familiars so loyal to her and her group. He starts to fly heading to circle around the barn for right now. He also hopes that she'll let them land sooner so he can get her off of him.

"Hm." Darcy hums quietly to herself sounding rather pleased. "Yes. I do believe that I will ride you into the battle. It'll be so grand. Lets try a few more things before I let you rest. After all tomorrow we will be on the move."

Tomorrow?! Ryan is going to have to warn Ray about the attack. He tries to seemingly remain calm as he tells himself that he will tell the other the first moment that he can.

"Can you breathe fire?" Darcy questions then glances around only to tug on Ryans neck towards a cloud. "Shoot your fire, or other element at that cloud."

Breathing fire… Ryan hadn't even thought about his ability to do so. He isn't even sure that he even knows how. He opens his mouth trying to search the magic within himself. He finds some smoke comes out of the edges of his mouth as he struggles to ignite the fire. He really sure how he is supposed to do so, so he can't get it done.

"Hm. I see room for improvement. Though we can't do much if you can't achieve that at the moment." Darcy mentions so Ryan closes his mouth stopping the smoke. "Take us back down to the ground."

Ryan takes a turn barely missing the cloud with his wing as he faces the direction that he needs to. He heads for the ground trying to not show his excitement about getting Darcy off of him. He manages to land decently enough and lowers himself letting her off.

Darcy does indeed get off of him letting him raise up after she has made it safely off. "Send him back. He's inexperienced but it will have to do."

With that Ryan is lead back to where he remains when he is not being taken out. He goes in cooperatively and hears the door getting closed then locked behind him. He closes his eyes trying to reach out to Ray and after a few moments he is transported to where he was taken when he and Ray first made contact. He sees Ray and hurries to him. "Ray! They are planning to go on the move tomorrow!"

Ray's eyes widen in horror upon hearing this. "There has to be a way to warn them!" He tries to think of something though he cant as he only comes up with nothing.

Ryan isn't really sure either though he gets an idea. "I could try to escape and fly to warn them." He suggests to Ray who looks worried at the idea. "I will be careful to not get caught leaving. Ray this might be the only way that we can get the word out about what is going to happen."

After a few moments Ray nods his head. "Okay." He hugs his familiar who hugs him back. "Try to be safe. Please."

"I promise." Ryan assures him and after a moment the two step back. He places a soft kiss to Ray's forehead making the other blush. He smiles more at the sight. "I will rescue you with the others."

"Good luck." Ray kisses Ryan's cheek then they let themselves wake up from this. He glances to Burnie who tilts his head curiously. "There is a plan since tomorrow they will be on the move." He tells him quietly. "Just trust us." He glances around worried that it'll ruin the plan if he reveals it.

"I have faith in the both of you." Burnie assures Ray who gratefully smiles to him.