Chapter 4

Nod and Ronin got back to the house just as the storm was beginning to lighten up. They had been very careful when they were flying so that they wouldn't get knocked off their birds by the raindrops. Nod and Ronin walked into the house to find M.K. pacing impatiently and Cloud leaning against the window frame, looking out the window and tapping her foot. Both Nod and Ronin could tell that something was wrong.

"M.K. what's wrong," Nod asked going up to her and putting his arm around her waist.

"Ben and Emily are missing," she said. Nod's heart dropped and he pulled M.K. close and wrapped his arms around her.

"Don't worry, we'll find them," he said reassuringly.

"We need to wait until this storm lets up first," said Ronin looking out the nearby window.

"Cloud will you still be able to track their sent after the rain lets up," M.K. asked. Cloud nodded in response.

"I've done it before I can do it again," she replied.

/

Emily and Ben had been huddled on the tree branch for a while, when the rain finally stopped. Ben looked around noticed that he couldn't see the house. The sun was setting as well which made it worse, since he couldn't tell which way the house was. Ben looked around and noticed that there were some lightning bugs flashing in the distance.

"Come on Em, maybe those lightning bugs can tell us which way Moonhaven is," Ben suggested with a smile. He was trying to keep his little sister from worrying. They leapt from branch to branch in the direction of the lightning bugs. When they reached them they saw that there were five in total, and that they were all flying around an old Jinn with a staff.

"Maybe he can tell us which way Moonhaven is," Ben said to Emily. "Come on let's go ask." They leapt down from the tree that they were in and made their way over to the old Jinn with the lightning bugs.

"Look out," yelled one of the lightning bugs, and with that they scattered in different directions. The old Jinn whirled around staff raised, but he lowered it when he saw Ben and Emily. He shook his head and looked around.

"There is no real threat boys, just a couple of kids," the old Jinn said, and slowly the lightning bugs came back.

"Excuse me sir, but could you tell me where Moonhaven is," Ben asked.

"Moonhaven," said the old Jinn in surprise, "you're pretty far away from Moonhaven." He looked at them and then looked around again. "Where are your parents?"

"We got lost when the storm started and are trying to get back home to our parents," Ben explained. The old Jinn nodded then looked up at the sky.

"Well I can take you to Moonhaven, but it is too dark out to do it now. Why don't you come with me and I can give you a place to stay for the night," said the old Jinn. Ben was quiet for a moment while he thought, but he eventually nodded.

"Thank you sir," Ben said.

"My name is Thistle Berry, but you can call me Thistle," said Thistle.

"Thank you Thistle," said Emily with a smile. Thistle smiled back and led them through the trees. After they had walked for about five minutes, a small village came into view. There were lamps that lit the streets, and small cottages lined the sides of the streets. Thistle led the way to a small cottage in the center of the village.

"This is my house," he said opening the door and leading them inside. "May, we have guests."

"Coming," answered a voice from the kitchen. An old flower Jinn came from the kitchen.

"Hello, I am Mayflower. But you may call me May," she said with a smile.

"I'm Ben and this is my little sister Emily," said Ben.

"Found them in the woods," explained Thistle to his wife. "They got lost from home in the storm so tomorrow I am going to take them back to Moonhaven." After he said this Emily yawned.

"It looks like someone had a long day," said May. Emily nodded in response. "Follow me dears." She led them to the living room where there were two couches. May got pillows and blankets for them each and got them settled down for the night. When they were asleep, she turned to Thistle.

"You will have to be careful when you take them home tomorrow. I do not know what the force will do to them if he catches them," said May.