Coming To Terms With Guilt

Father left the cabin three months ago, he said he would be back in a months' time. But I haven't heard from him since.

Three years ago he vowed not to keep anything crucial from me, but this time he did. He refused to tell me where he went off to, as well as what he does most of the day. His excuse was that I would follow him, and he's right, I would.

'I mean who wouldn't at this point. The man's been missing for two months!'

I explained as such to Eset, embarrassment gripping my heart. How would she look at a big brother who could not handle being away from his parents? Pity? Patheticness?

Yet, what I failed to consider, was that she did not care about my insecurities or faults. She only cared about me, and that I lied to her of course.

[But you said he would be gone for five months…Did you lie to me?]

Adding insult to the injury, Eset was quick to pick up on the crumbs of my falsehood.

I was hesitant to answer, she caught me there. For one, I did not want to worry her.

'What older brother shares his burdens with his younger siblings?'

The second reason was quite silly of me, I won't mention it, But definitely has nothing to do with convincing myself of a lie to feel better.

'Definitely'

But more important than pondering about my little big white lie, I have to unclog Eset's talons out of my arm. Maybe I should start by not tuning her ou..

"OUCH!"

[HMPH! That's what you get for ignoring me and LYING TO ME!]

Clogging the fountain of blood gushing out of me arm I looked at her aggrieved. Okay maybe it was barely a graze but let's play on her conscience

"Eset! Quick! Get me a cloth. There's blood, so much blood. OH GODS!"

Rolling on the bed clutching my arm, I threw Eset a side glance and watched her play right into my ploy

'Muhaha I know you too well little birdie'

Laughing my evil laugh I continued with my act as Eset spiraled into panic.

Normally, as one would expect an owl, Eset had terrific vision, and terrific senses over all.

She could have easily spotted that there was no blood at all, not even the rusty stench of it was not present. However, this adorable little sister was much too trusting of her older brother. And this older brother was much too immature on the way of bonds to cherish such beautiful minute details.

[Where! It's okay y-you'll be fine I promise! J-Just show me the wound so I can help]

Tilting towards her slowly, I waited for her to get into perfect grappling distance before I grabbed her feathery body and tousled upon the bed.

[L-let me go! This isn't funnyyyyyy!]

She stretched out her words as I put her through a rollercoaster. She fought back a lot at first, but soon it became a little game. A wonderful childish game that brought back a smile to my face and laughter to my voice. Soon she joined me in a fit of laughter, foregoing any past grievances quickly.

[AHAHAHHAHAHA, Elias enough AHAHAHAH, I'm going to be sick!!] Through a distorted voice as if the wind from the twisting and turning was affecting the connection, she voiced out her very 'insistent' complaints

"I will not buckle or yield foolish one! This ride must go on"

With valor and bravery I denied her request. How dare she order this honorable knight!

[I'll vomit on your books.]

"A-Alright, I think it's enough playing don't you?"

What is a knight in front of a very strong headed maiden? Yeah that's my excuse.

Releasing her from my clutches, I acquiesced to her demand of freedom and let her fly away to her perch.

"Thanks Eset, really"

[D-Don't thank me. I haven't done anything…idiot]

Smiling wryly at her shy reaction to gratitude I laid down on my back and stared at the ceiling, a very therapeutic position once you get used to the boredom.

I think a good few minutes past and the sun was already on the verge of setting, it was then that I finally cracked under the weight of my conscience.

"Hey Eset, wanna go apologize to those kids?"

The minute I said those words I could have sworn her face smirked, if that's even possible for owls. Maybe our relationship is that good?

[I knew you would. Let's go, the sun is about to set, we might not have a lot of time]

Nodding, I wore my gear quickly and exited the cabin with Eset right in tow.

"Alright get in place, let's try out this spell"

Reluctantly Eset held on to the leather pauldron on my leather vest and voiced out some complaints just for the heck of it.

[Don't crash us. I don't want to deal with a mess]

"Yeah, yeah it's not going to be like last time. Just hang on.

{Rock Fall}"

The spell mimicked falling boulders off a mountain, molding the earth into a giant rock with two mechanisms. A bottom part that rotates on an imaginary axis, and the upper part that fixes my legs upon the rock keeping me stable.

This was my second time attempting the spell, and hopefully the first successful one as well. It was one I found in the tome, not my idea thus not as hard to perform.

The magic circle passed through the rock and then there was stillness.

'Anticlimactic much'

Turning to my trusty feathery friend I asked for her input

"Any idea how to operate this thing?"

[I don't know, try leaning forward]

'…Like a hover board'

With baited breath and crossed fingers I leaned forward ever so slightly.

Nothing happened.

'Not enough?'

I leaned more an..

"AAAAAAAAHHHHHH"

The sphere of earth bolted across the ground like sailing through water.

It was fast, very fast. Even faster than my highest speed.

The wind slapped my face, throwing right hooks and south paws all Elias bound. My hair ruffled wildly and I was deafened by the loud wind. Craning my neck with a bit of difficulty I could see that Eset was struggling all the same.

It took me a minute to get used to the feeling of it and the pain in my legs from holding on, but what I felt after wards was pure euphoria

"WOOOOOHOOOOOO"

Shouting like a wild animal, I stretched my arms into the air and let myself go, feeling all the mental exhaustion peel off me like dead skin.

I rode off into the setting sun letting it swallow me in its fading orange light and all I could think about was the absurdity of my life these past eight years.

'Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to a day in my life in a fantasy world'