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GAR 

It all happened quickly after that. The crowd began to bubble with noise as the Protectors and Guards discussed what was happening and began to organize. Gar was grateful that the Guards, while clearly annoyed, still assisted the Protectors—some of them that had thought they were flying even helping the others carry bags or leaning in to advise about flying comfortably.

But when they'd started moving away, Gar once again found himself in a position to have to say goodbye to his beloved family with an audience. Even the idea turned his stomach. His skin itched with resistance to it, but there was no time. They'd gathered to leave, they'd determined who was going. Now they all had to lay down in the hammocks and let the birds do their work.

As everyone spread out, calling to their flying partners, or rushing for last farewells with family under the trees, Elreth was already busy issuing orders and clarifying details with Tarkyn.

"Are you… ready?" Rika whispered quietly to him.

He shook his head. "I just need a couple of minutes."

Reece hovered on her other side and even though that made his claws want to come, Gar knew it wasn't the male's fault that he had no connections here.

"Our birds are in that corner," he said, nudging Rika and Reece, pointing to the hammocks that had been set aside for them, and squeezing Rika's hand. "Don't let them take off until we've spoken first," he rumbled.

She nodded and squeezed his hand back, then led Reece over to where Gar had pointed.

When Gar turned around, Elreth was nodding to Tarkyn and one of his Lieutenants. Then, as the males turned away and trotted across the clearing, Elreth took a deep breath and turned, her eyes slipping up to meet his.

Gar stepped over to stand in front of her and found, despite the terror tingling in his veins, he couldn't help smiling. His sister had seen him and his people clearly. She'd stood for them. He'd never been so grateful.

"Thank you," he said. "Thank you for seeing what my tribe can do."

She nodded, but there was no answering smile. Not even irritation or anger, which was her usual default when she was uncomfortable. She just stared at him.

"I hadn't thought about… about having to say goodbye to you, too," she said quietly and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "I didn't want to send them, but I knew… I knew they were strong enough and… I didn't think about you, too."

"I'm going to be fine, El." His smile crumbled at the fear in her eyes.

"Come back, Gar. Please, just… promise me you'll come back. I know I get bitchy and annoying, but please… please come back."

He stepped up and folded her into his chest, tightening his arms when she dropped her head to his chest. "I'll come back," he whispered. "But that means you have to promise not to go roaring into enemy fire if they show up here. You have to let your people protect you so you can continue to lead."

She nodded against his chest but didn't lift her head. "I'm so scared, Gar," she whispered.

"Me too," he whispered back, rubbing her back. "I don't think I've ever been more scared in my life," he croaked.

Elreth's arms snaked around his waist and she hugged him so tightly he almost couldn't breathe.

"Promise me. Promise you're coming back. You… you have to. I'm dominant, and I say so."

"I promise, sis. Geez. Power-hungry much?"

They both chuckled through pinching throats, but it did the job he'd intended and broke the tension. Elreth straightened and he let her go and they just looked at each other for a moment.

"I'm really glad… about Rika," she said softly. "I'm sorry we didn't get to talk about that. When you guys get back, I'll be nice to her. I promise. She's my sister now."

Gar nodded. "Thanks."

Then Elreth's face went serious again and she put a hand to his face. "Creator bless you and keep you, Gar. I'll be praying. I'll be praying the whole time. Please… please stay safe."

"You too," he managed, though the words were strangled. They leaned in and embraced one more time, then Elreth turned away and hurried in the same direction Tarkyn had taken.

Aaryn, who Gar had forgotten, stepped forward to clasp his arm and put his other hand on Gar's shoulder. "I'll stay at her back," he said, the words holding the gravitas of a vow.

Gar nodded. "And let her watch yours," he rasped. "You need to get through this too, okay?"

They hugged, thumping each other's backs, then straightened, both looking over the dozens of Protectors milling around the clearing, connecting with birds and checking bags one last time.

"We did it, Gar. We really did it."

"I know. It still doesn't feel real."

Aaryn shrugged without looking away from the crowd. "Now we just have to hold them together."

Gar turned and offered his arm again, and Aaryn took it. "I'll watch mine, you watch yours. And I'll see you back here when this is done." He swallowed. "We're going to tell Elreth and Rika there's some… tradition, or something. Then we're going to get shitfaced drunk and make asses of ourselves and forget any of this even had to happen. Deal?"

"Deal," Aaryn grinned. "But don't tell Elreth, for fuck's sake."

Gar snorted. "She wouldn't expect any better from me."

"It's not you I'm worried about."

Elreth called for Aaryn then, and they both sighed.

"This isn't goodbye, Gar," Aaryn said. "It's just, 'see you later'."

Then he hugged him one more time, then walked away.

Gar took only a few seconds to watch his brother—by flame, by blood, it didn't matter, Aaryn was family—return to Elreth. He saw her turn with wide eyes and reach for his hand, gripping it as together they listened to whatever the next crisis was, and then he turned to walk to his hammock, letting that picture of them together soothe his heart.