“Off to the celebration.” Blaze took my hand and stepped off the platform.
Instead of the anticipated drop, we walked on air. Well, it was not really air,
but more of an invisible walkway that shimmered with soft rays of colors. Below
us, I could see all of Starten, easily finding my home.
The windows were lit, and I imagined my grandmother fussing about inside.
She’d be cooking and cleaning in between checking on everyone. I dismissed the
thoughts of my family. I knew they were safe and together. Turning my attention
towards the row of lights in the northern mountains, I tugged on Blaze's arm.
“Is that the Drygen's mansion?” I whispered.
Her response was only a quick nod.
I stared at the spot that seemed to grow larger. The Drygen's property was a
fortress.
How am I going to save Meg? Is she crying and scared, right now? Are they
treating her well?
Breeze stepped next to me and forced her magic around me. I smiled and
tried to brush away my worry. I concentrated on the energy around me. I would
figure out how to get my sister back when I was home.
The ground below us became less opaque and turned cloudlike. A mist grew,
and we were encompassed by it. Ahead, the elementals began to disappear. Fear
filled me.
Suddenly, I was jerked away from Blaze and greeted by an animated Bay.
“This is the best part…well, almost the best part. We are just about there.” Her
excitement washed away my anxiety.
I was swept up by the anticipation. The closer we got to the vanishing point,
the clearer it became. The elementals weren’t disappearing. They were going
down a steep slide. However, it was no ordinary slide – it was a colorful rainbow.
“We are next.” Bay squeezed my hand and pulled me onto the slide with her.
I landed hard, and the colors around me blurred as I glided downward. The
sound of Bay's laughter was contagious. After a short journey, we fell in a soft
bit of white fluff. My side ached from our giggles.
Bay stood and brushed herself off. Twirling around me, she cried, “And now,
the celebration begins.”
The rainbow slide ended in a softly lit room filled with hundreds and hundreds
of twinkling lights. Bay led me to the rows and rows of tables piled with colorful
food. She handed me a plate and began to load it with bright vegetables,
crackers, and cheeses.
When we reached an area of pasta and bread, I tried to stop her from adding
more food on my dish. “Bay, there is no way I can eat all this.”
My sister flashed to mind. Meg would have been overwhelmed by all of the
