Starflinger glided low over the water, then angled herself upwards a little. She dipped down once she was above the shore, and landed with ease, folding her wings loosely. She was followed, moments later, by her siblings.
Onyx sniffed the air, and looked around, her yellow eyes wary. "Are you sure it's safe here?"
"ONYX!" Starflinger nearly barked. "For. The. Last. Time-"
"Okay. Sheesh."
Spirit rolled his eyes, and moved slowly along the beach, his paws leaving so little of an indentation in the sand that it was almost as though he really was what his name suggested.
Moonshadow followed him, jogging a little to catch up. He glanced around, feeling his characteristic nervousness catching up with him. "What do you think, Spir?" he asked, to break the silence. "Do you think we should be here?"
"Doesn't matter," Spirit answered. "We're here now."
The two brothers were joined after a moment by their sisters, and together, the four Night Furies ventured into the thick forest.
They skirted around the majority of the woods, keeping close enough to the edge that they could see the shore, and the ocean beyond, but far enough away that they were hidden from anyone who might happen to be watching. And so it was that, in this way, they moved unnoticed through the underbrush toward the village.
They stopped about a quarter mile from the village itself, planning to stay there and keep an eye on things. Starflinger went on alone, and crept to the very edge of the village, taking care to keep out of sight.
Outside a large house, built onto the side of one of the island's mountains, she could see Pheda and the girl they'd found. Starflinger moved as close to the ground as she could now, taking smaller and smaller steps. Peeking through the tall grass, she watched with interest.
"I said no and I mean it," Pheda was saying. "It's risky, and having a child along only complicates things."
"But. . . but. . ." the girl said, sounding desperate.
Pheda softened a little, but only for a moment. "Everlynh, I know this is important to you, and I'll do my best, I promise. But you can't come along. I mean it."
Looking crestfallen and heartbroken, the girl - Everlynh - turned and started to walk away. She looked up, then glanced in Starflinger's direction. The Night Fury froze for a brief instant, then dropped to the ground, out of sight. But Everlynh had already seen her, and was walking toward her, moving as discreetly as she could.
"Why are you here, and not there?" she hissed, ducking into the shadow of a nearby house.
Starflinger started to speak, then remembered that Everlynh wouldn't be able to understand her. Rotten talons.
"Did you. . . did you sneak here?" Ever asked after a moment.
Starflinger cocked her head. How did she know?
"Can you. . . help me, maybe? I'm looking for some people who are important to me, and Miss Kint isn't available to help me find them."
Starflinger perked up, her ears standing on end. Was this. . . a mission? Grinning the way that only a Night Fury can, she presented her back, and hoped the Everlynh would get the message. She did, and grinned back, clambering on with childlike eagerness.
Starflinger ran back into the trees, away from the village. When she was far enough in, she spread her wings, and launched into the air.