The Endërland Chronicles: Book of Daniel

Sunshine had just managed to creep in through the one window of the small shack, when a not so gentle knock on the door shook the entire room. Daniel woke up startlingly. He opened his eyes to find Hëna sitting by the stove, staring at him.

  ‘Good morning,’ she said smiling, her eyes piercing through him with a strange light. Daniel felt slightly uncomfortable, as he always did in her presence. He got up, his hand immediately on his stubborn hair.

  ‘Have you been watching me all night?’ he asked sheepishly.

  ‘It’s kinda hard to see through walls from up there,’ she replied, her smile now turning into a grin. ‘You talk in your sleep.’

  ‘I do?’ Daniel felt his cheeks grow red hot. ‘Did I say anything?’

  ‘Oh, nothing I’d be embarrassed about,’ she said now, getting up and looking away from him, but still grinning. ‘You on the other hand…’

  She stopped there, letting his imagination run wild with thoughts and theories. He followed her with his eyes, suddenly wishing he could read minds. He really enjoyed this playful side of her; maybe he liked to think it meant something.

  The second knock on the door was much stronger and this time it waked Nemo up too. Without waiting for a reply, the door swung open and the bulky wingman from the night before walked in, while four others waited outside.

  ‘Good morning,’ he greeted flatly, directing his words at Hëna only. ‘I would like you to get ready, please; our Chieftain is expecting you.’

  Hëna looked at Daniel and Nemo still rather unpresentable, and answered for the three of them.

  ‘Of course; give us a moment to refresh ourselves, please.’

  The wingman nodded with his head and walked back out, closing the door behind him.

  ‘Well, boys, time to get some answers. You ready?’

  ‘Not really,’ Nemo answered, yawning. ‘I could do with a bit more sleep, before facing more angry wingmen.’

  They both smiled.

  ‘Ready,’ Daniel answered in a single word, after he had finished washing his face.

  They walked the distance from the small secluded shack to the center of the village in silence. The leader of the group walked before them with two of his men beside him; the other two trailed behind them, their hands constantly on their weapons. On either side of them grew thick and strong trees, upon which were built numerous nests. It was nothing as artful and majestic as Sky-City, but it made an impression nonetheless, especially to Daniel, who had not yet had a chance to visit the city of the wingmen.