Alright! Adapted from Chapter 2 in Draft 1:

 

Chapter 4

 

“Tell me exactly,” Emerald said, “Why is he here?”

Flix smiled kindly.

“He hasn’t told us yet.” Sky explained, “He’s been waiting for you.”

Emerald narrowed her eyes, before sitting down to let Flix speak.

“Well then,” Flix cleared his throat. “Ashkeep is very intent on a specific mission. One about the Galeshards.

“It’s a bit difficult to explain, and I can’t say I’ve had to say this to a group of children before.” He paused. “Have any of you three ever seen an island decay before?”

Sky and Porter shook their heads. Emerald spoke. “Once. When I was very young.” 

Aia spoke up in Emerald’s mind. I’ve never heard about that. You’ll have to tell me about that sometime.

Emerald nodded, but didn’t reply to her.

Flix continued. “It has been a long term goal for Ashkeep to find out how to protect cities from falling to the Dead World below.”

Sky spoke up now. “And your findings?”

“Something connected to the Windstorms, damaging the Galeshards. It is something that we have yet to figure out how to prevent.”

“It’s like the protective coating for the grapples,” Sky noted, “It helps a little, but only just delays it.”

“Exactly!” Flix said excitedly, “Every Windstorm, the Galeshards wear down, just slightly.”

“No way to prevent it?” Porter asked, sitting back in the corner of the room, hardly noticeable.

“Not that we’ve found.”

“And we’re supposed to find one.” Emerald folded her arms.

“Not exactly. The Ashkeep Palace is trying to find a solution for that part. What we’ve all decided is that more important than finding a way to slow it down, is a way to repair the crystals themselves.”

Porter paled. “That hasn’t been done by the most brilliant minds! Why… why us?”

“Simple.” Flix said, “Brilliant minds aren’t considered brilliant until they make a breakthrough, not the other way around. We need as much help as we can get.”

“And we’d get to go to Ashkeep?” Sky sounded eager.

Flix froze.

“No. I’m afraid you won’t be leaving Windspire.”

Emerald already understood. “You’re recruiting us to save Windspire.”

The only confirmation was a grim nod.

Sky opened his mouth to speak, but Emerald interrupted. “What are you going to have us do?”

Flix was silent for a moment, “We need you to investigate another island during a Windstorm.”
Sky slammed his hands on his desk. “What?!” Ven almost became visible in response to the action, appearing for a moment as a blink of light.

“Not because we don’t know,” Flix ignored Sky, “but because we need you to understand what happens. What it looks like. While you are there, try to figure out what you can.”

Porter went pale. “And then?”

“I wish I knew.” Flix said, “I can-”

“Hold on,” Sky said, rising from his seat, “we’re just supposed to survive a Windstorm in the middle of nowhere?”

Silence.

“There are others I want to bring to your aid. Mostly Windcallers, to protect you inside the storm.”

“How many?”

“That, unfortunately, depends on how many are willing to volunteer. Windcallers can be difficult to work with.”

“Why are they allowed to volunteer, while we are all just forced?” Emerald glared at Flix.

“Because unlike the Windcallers, you are the only other people in Windspire who are qualified to help.”

“So how many Windcallers are willing?”

Flix froze, then reluctantly, spoke.

“Just one.”

“Bah!” Emerald threw her hands into the air. “It’s suicide!”

“I’m afraid we don’t have any other choice!”

“You’re just going to have us go to our deaths!”

Flix started to respond, but Porter spoke first.

“When do we have to go?” He was quiet.

Flix took a deep breath, and spoke solemnly. “The next Windstorm happens in three days. We’re sending you out in three days.”

The room fell silent. None of them dared say it. 

Worlds below! Two Windstorms so close?

Emerald drew in a deep breath.

Three days.

As always, let me know what you think!