Flights of Death and Glory

Glad you could join us for the next flighty episode of Elliot’s Adventures. If you’re new here, you can catch up by returning to the beginning, and reading really fast…

The Alliance’s call to retreat rang out beneath the approaching shadow. All land and air forces, except the Freelands bees, pulled back to the Hive tree, beating away the closest attackers to defend and hold the royal residence to their deaths if necessary.

Ripping away from its parent darkness and speeding toward them, a smaller shadow became Sam and Clifton leading their company in a desperate race to reach Central Fen ahead of the growing darkness. Sweeping past the swarm still tormenting the enemy vulture, Sam yelled, “Retreat! Run! Get back to the Hive!”

“Captain,” Clifton called, “those are Freelands bees—”

Sam whirled to find their leader. “Andre—? Andre, you have to get everyone away from here. Follow us. Now!” They streaked to the Hive tree.

Stillness fell while the enemies waited for orders. The marauding vulture shrieked with laughter. “Your border is broken. The General comes now with his victorious army. It is done. Fen is ours.”

Captain Avery dropped to a branch between the enemy and the Hive. “Never.”

“You old fool,” the scavenger jeered, “Look around. We have won. You have lost. What is left of your precious Hive is ours.” Amid the raucous cheers of The Arids troops, he flapped his wings to rise from the stump, and advanced on the Dark of Night Captain.

Captain Avery screeched and dove straight at the vulture, crashing them both to the ground as the shadow blotted the sky overhead and the air turned sticky with inescapable death.

Openmouthed, Barry watched hundreds of pairs of Alliance Flyers drop layer upon layer of custom woven webs, steered to their most effective targets by frogs like his best friend. “Hey, Trev — look at doze guys.” He turned to share a smile. “Trevor?” he called. “Where are youse?”

To be continued. . .

Previously, on Elliot’s Adventures ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Next time . . .