Fight for Freedom

Standing up, She looked around her for any birds. Spying some, hiding in the trees, she closed her eyes and projected her thoughts to the birds. Nothing happened, the birds did not come to her. She was confused, the bear had come to her, why not the birds?

Ann started to shiver; the rain was making her feel cold. Closing her eyes again, she concentrated on Han’s face. Then she sent this image to the birds instead. On hearing all the birds call, she quickly opened her eyes. The birds had started to sing the song that she had heard others sing to Han previously. Then they rose as one, from the trees, and started to fly away from her. She set off at a run after the birds, feeling sure they would take her to Han.

*******

Later that evening, Han was sitting stroking Cat in front of a warm fire. He had sat many an evening, since Ann had left, wondering how she was.

He had begun to feel his age of late, especially weak when it came to trying to free his friend.

Unexpectedly he heard birds singing outside his house. Jumping up, forgetting about Cat who landed with a thump on the floor, he ran out of the front door. Standing in the rain, he peered out across the meadow outside his home. Presently he saw a slight figure staggering out of the woods. Han could not see clearly due to the heavy rain. Unsure who it was, he gradually walked towards the figure.

As he drew closer, his heart leapt. Running forward, he caught Ann just before she fell in front of him.

Smiling he said. "You look a sorry sight."

Han got a slight smile before Ann passed out.

Ann woke feeling warmer, and much drier than the last time. Looking around herself, she recognised the welcoming living room of Han’s home. Cat came and sat on her chest, purring and dribbling. "Hi Cat, good to see you to," She whispered.

"I am pleased you have finally woke up," said Han.

Ann looked over in the direction of his voice. She realised she was lying on the floor in front of the fire, with Han sitting in his favourite chair at her feet.

"You had me worried there for a while," he continued, "I thought you had caught a bad chill out in that rain."

Ann nudged Cat off her chest and sat up. "I didn’t think I would find you. It wasn’t until I remembered the birds that I found a way."

Ann tried to hide her concern when she noticed how tired Han looked. He still had a shock of white hair, but he looked thinner than when she had first met him.

She suddenly realised, under the blanket that was keeping her warm, all she wore was her underwear. She gave Han a startled look.

"Surely you didn’t expect me to leave you in those wet clothes," said Han.

Ann relaxed, "Sorry Han. Of cause you couldn’t."

Ann noticed her clothes in front of the warm fire. While she felt her clothes to see if they where dry, she asked Han about Serge.

Han did not reply to her question, instead he rose and walked over to the window. With his back to Ann, he watched the heavy rain outside. Ann felt fear wash over her. Jumping up, she wrapped the blanket around her, and went to Han’s side.

"What happened to Serge?" She repeated.

Han turned, giving her a sad look. "Serge became one of Draken’s, special, pets."

Ann clutched the blanket around her, putting her head down so that Han would not see her tears. Serge was one of Draken’s pets. Tears streamed down her face as she remembered those poor beasts.

It had been a couple of days since Ann had returned to Han’s cottage. He had reassured her that Draken would not be able to find her here. He had a magic shield around his cottage and the meadow. She realised there was a chance Draken would have been aware of her presence during the hours she had travelled through the woods to find Han. That was a chance she had to take, she needed time to think on her options.