Seducer of Souls - Chapter Five - Eight

Sensing that matters could quickly get out of hand, Han came up with a suggestion.
"Will he meet us half way, in those woods above us?"
Gec paused to consider his request.  Accepting the compromise, he instructed his companion to deliver Han's appeal to their elder. 
As the second Kinnera flew off towards their cliff top home, Gec walked off towards the mountain woods, leaving the trio to fall in behind him.
 
* * * * *

The group had grown impatient since arriving near the centre of the woods, especially Serge who paced around the area like a caged animal.
Han was about to ask Serge to stop his incessant marching when Gec snapped his head upwards.  High in the trees white figures floated down to the ground.  Han was realieved when he recognized the old elder among the approaching Kinnera.

When they landed, Han said, "Thank you for agreeing to me us here."
The elder fixed Han with steady eyes. "I had no choice.  I needed to warn you of the peril we all face now."
Han noticed his own confusion mirrored in his companions faces.
"What peril is that?" he asked.
Trying to repress his irritation, the elder said, "The red headed girl that accompanied you during your visit to our home, she is the peril I speak of.  She will bring death and destruction to all that stands against her."
Han's jaw dropped in astonishment. "What are you talking about?"
The elder let out an exasperated sigh. "She has the power of fire.  I sensed this when I met her and later saw her power with my own eyes."

For a moment, everyone stood silent, struck dump with shock.
Eventually Cull said, "You mean the mirror of secrets showed you her power."
The elder nodded. "Now she as fallen into the hands of Draken we are all in great danger."
"I worked with Ann for a while and felt no evil in her soul, " said Cull.
"She is not free now. Her soul may already be twisted and blackened," snarled the elder.
"What is it you want from us?" said Cull.
"Since it is obvious that you go to seek her freedom.  I would ask that you consider killing her instead," said the elder.

Serge and Han went ridged with disbelief.  But Cull kept her composure.
"That would be our last resort," she said.
"You will seriously consider this request.  If she as been twisted beyond redemption, you will kill her?"
"Yes," Cull said softly.
The elder's shoulders sagged with relief.  "I am pleased you appreciate my concerns.  The girl knows the location of our cliff top home and we don't have the ability to defend ourselves from her destructive power."

With that final word, the elder nodded to his men.  Before leaving, the Kinnera bowed to the others then gracefully lifted into the air flying in the direction of their homes.

When he felt the Kinnera where out of hearing range, Serge vented his anger on Cull.
"Man of few words," he snapped sarcastically.
Cull weather his rage with sad resignation. "They are the last of their kind.  He expects us to protect them from extinction."
"Does that mean we kill Ann?  I thought this was a rescue attempt?" said Serge.
"It is a rescue, but I have to agree with the Kinnera.  If Ann as become twisted and her soul filled with evil we have to make that difficult decision."
Han interrupted. "Do you really think Ann would want to kill her friends or innocent people, Serge?"

Serge did not reply, instead he stomped off in disgust, determined to give Ann every chance to prove them all wrong.
Cull looked at Han, no words where needed, their feeling of anguish where obvious.  Slowly they followed the retreating Serge to continue their journey.