Chapter eleven:

Suddenly beneath Near's own foot a twig snaps causing the Barens to stop where they are.

"Someone's here." One of the Barens speak as the group begin to look around.

Near has ducked into hiding behind a tree trying to calm down his breath.

"Search the area. It's probably one of those Feather Freedoms." The Baren that seems to be giving the orders demands.

Near can hear the many footsteps around him as the Barens begin their search of looking for him. 'No. No, No, No, No, No, No, No! This can't be happening. I have to get out of here. I can't let it end here.' His thoughts echoing loudly in his head. He glances around as his eyes search for a way out. He however finds a Baren on either side of him.

The Barens are looking the other way but it's only moments before they turn their heads to look in his direction and spot him.

Near has only one chance of escaping. He's going to have to make a break for it. He is going to have to use his expertise in the area to lose them. He turns to face forward, closes his eyes and takes a quick but deep breath. He opens his eyes and bolts running as fast as he can.

"There! After him!" A Baren shouts and many footsteps are heard chasing after the small Feather Freedom member.

Near keeps running hoping and praying that he will be able to get away. He keeps his eyes open knowing that a little area is coming up that he should be able to use. He spots the tree that marks a path hidden by a bush. He turns and ducks down into the small space between the thick bush and a large tree. He crawls along the small path like area. He keeps his pace quick hearing the Barens slashing at the bush behind him. He makes it to the other side, clothes a bit dirty from crawling on the ground, and he hurriedly gets up only to keep running.

"Don't let him get away!" A Baren's shout is heard. "He WILL warn the others! Our sneak attack will be RUINED!"

Near doesn't look back as he runs using the small path made of a line of dirt with no grass growing on it to lead him. He is well aware of where this path will lead him to and he believes he should be able to lose his pursuers. He however has to skid to a stop almost running into another Feather Freedom who turns to him.

"Nate?" The other questions in shock that turns to worry at seeing the look on Near's face. "What's wrong? What's going on? Please tell me."

"Jason. There's some Barens that are after me." Near quickly explains to the other. "I think they came into the territory to attack everyone. But then they saw me and began chasing me." He slightly turns hearing footsteps starting to draw closer. He is suddenly gently pushed towards a tree. He turns back to the dark brown almost black haired man with two Purple-throated Mountain-Gem feathers in his hair.

Jason's hair and two feathers slightly lift as he swings his head around. His bottom of the ear length straight silky hair settles back down as his head turn finishes. "Go. Up the tree. Now." He orders the younger male as his violet eyes look in the direction the footsteps are coming from with determination. "I'll take care of them." He pulls out his retractable knife ready to face them. "Go. Now!"

Near quickly climbs up the tree disappearing into the leaves. He stops on a sturdy branch only to lean against the trunk of the tree. He looks down upon the sight below. He isn't easily seen from the ground but he can at least see Jason from up here.

The Barens slow to a stop surrounding Jason.

"Well what do we have here? Where'd that brat go?" The lead Baren questions glaring at Jason.

"I don't know what brat you're talking about." Jason lies glaring around himself at the Barens all around him. "But if you dare think that you are going to hurt any of the Feather Freedoms, especially someone who could be young, you've got another thing coming!"

"Kill him." The lead Baren demands and the other Barens charge.

Jason swings his knife at them getting a few hits in… He however is outnumbered and tackled down. He has a sword stabbed into his back right into his heart.

Near has to quickly cover his mouth at the sight to keep himself from making a noise. He watches in horror as the group back away from Jason's corpse.

"We've wasted enough time." The lead Baren speaks glaring down at Jasons body. "Let's get a move on to make sure we make it to their base. We'll be late if we look for that brat."

All of the Barens hurry off.

Near stays in the tree for now as he stares down at the horrific scene below him. He still has his hand over his mouth scared to move it away. He fears that if he makes a sound then the Baren's will come back to kill him. He is shaking where he sits as all he can do is stare at the bloody scene.

A ghostly Purple-throated Mountain-Gem bird appears hovering over of Jason's body. It lands on his back wings spread open.

Near watches wanting to see what happens in death of one of his kind.

The bird lays down on Jason's back. It's body fades leaving the wings that grow seemingly attached to Jason's shoulder blades.

Jason's ghostly form that has the wings attached floats up out of his body to hover over it before fading away.

Near goes limp against the tree trunk letting himself cry silently for a few moments. He finally manages to calm himself down after this and wiping his eyes with the back of his shirt sleeves. He makes it down and hurries to take a path away from the direction the Barens went off in. He has to get home before those Barens find it. He only glances back once over his shoulder as he gets further and further away from Jason's body. "I'll let them know where you are. I promise." He whispers then turns his head away to continue heading off.