When Connie awoke, she was alone, and wrapped in Col's dry clothes. Skylark was asleep; she had been resting on his flank, which was wonderfully warm. She sat up, letting Col's shirt fall, and almost screamed; she was only wearing her underwear. She quickly tugged on the shirt- which was too big- and wrapped her legs in the jacket.

"Universal?" Skylark's sleepy voice entered her mind, giving the pegasus equivalent of a yawn.

"Skylark," Connie smiled, giving the pegasus a hug. "You saved my life. Again."

Skylark nuzzled her cheek.

"What has become of the Leviathan?" he asked. Connie's smile faded as the sadness over the Leviathan's death returned.

"He is dead," she said, her eyes filling with tears. "He killed himself. But he confessed to me why he had done these things to me. He has been without a companion for two centuries; the loneliness drove him mad. He felt that his only chance was to make a companion out of me, or George, by severing our bonds to other creatures, so that he would never be abandoned."

Skylark bent his head low.

"A terrible tragedy," he said. "I was angered when the Leviathan took the child, and for hurting you, and yet now I see his reasons. I cannot be wholly judgemental of his actions. Sometimes I take for granted that all creatures have companions, or herds of their own. He was truly alone."

Connie fell silent, as another, more worrying thought occurred to her. She was still horrified at how willing she had been to accept Kullervo's judgement- that killing the Leviathan was the only way to restore her bonds. It had been easy to accept his words, to carry them out like a soldier following orders without question. Killing had seemed acceptable because it was a necessity, an only method. But this episode had a greater significance. Could she still resist Kullervo? Or was it that she was really resisting herself, the darker side of her that was capable of murder?

Her bleak thoughts were broken when she heard a noise from the cave entrance. A shirtless Col was making his way inside, a bundle of clothes in his hand.

"Tried to dry them," he said, sitting down beside Connie. He laughed when he saw her wearing his shirt. "My, don't we look fashionable."

"Can I just have my clothes back?" Connie asked, trying not to stare.

"Of course." Col laid the bundle by her side, before turning away. "I won't look."

"Hardly matters, you've already seen," Connie said quietly. She did not see Col's blush as she pulled on her still-damp trousers and soggy top. She handed back his shirt, which he quickly shoved on.

"Are you alright?"

Connie let out a slow breath, before relating her last meeting with the Leviathan.

"That's…That's so sad," Col whispered. He never thought he would feel pity for the creature who had abducted his brother and hurt his best friend. "And he chose to die, rather than wait any longer?" Connie gave a slow nod, and gave a choked sob. At once Col wrapped his arms around her, letting her cry on his shoulder.

Eventually Connie regained control and pulled away.

"We should get back," she said, drying her eyes. "The others will be worrying about us."

"Yeah." Col put his arm around her, and she held it there. He turned to Skylark. "Skylark, it's time to go."

Skylark shook his forelock in agreement, before getting to his feet and stretching his wings. He trotted to the cave entrance, Col and Connie behind, but then stopped.

"There are people down there," the pegasus said. "How am I to fly without notice?" Connie stepped outside, peering down to the cove below. Sure enough, there was a small family playing by the shore. The children were splashing in the tide, while their parents dozed in bright deck chairs, screened from the sun by wide straw hats. An abandoned beach towel lay rolled up to one side, and it gave Connie an idea.

"Col, you think you can get that towel?"

Col looked at her, confused.

"Look, ask if you can borrow it. We can drape it over Skylark's wings, until we can take him past them, and then give it back."

"Genius," Col said. It was so simple, and yet perfect for their needs. "Okay, wait here."

He slipped out of the cavern and hopped down the cliff path towards the beach. Connie could not hear the exchange, but soon Col was carrying a bright red and yellow sheet towards her and Skylark.

"They're English," he reported, as he helped Connie tuck the fabric around Skylark's wings. "But definitely not companions."

Skylark disliked the towel material- it itched- but he did not complain as Col led him down the steep path. Connie followed behind, keeping an eye on the children. They were far too busy chasing each other in the waves, and so they easily slipped into the forest. Once they were deep within the trees, she removed the towel, and Skylark gave a hearty flap.

"Such an abomination!" he declared, eyeing the red and yellow sheet with disdain as Col folded it up.

"Okay, I'll give this back, and we can be on our way," he said, heading towards the beach again.

When he returned, Skylark was raring to go. Col mounted him, helping Connie sit behind. Skylark unfurled his wings, but Connie reached over and tapped the pegasus' shoulder.

"You can't fly in this daylight," she said. Skylark snorted, irked. "I know it's a pain but the camp isn't far."

"You owe me, Universal," Skylark said, letting his wings drop.

"I'll pay you back with interest," Connie said.

Col smiled, before leaning down against Skylark's back.

"Ready?" he asked. Connie squeezed his waist- Col decided that he would take her flying more often. "Okay Skylark, back to camp!" The pegasus cantered through the forest, annoyed that he could not rise above the trees, but happy to share the feelings of his companion and the universal.

*****

"I think I see them!" shouted Mack, who had been scouring the cliffs since the sea companions had been washed up the previous night. He then looked to the water, which was still and calm. "No sign of the Leviathan."

"Then the worst has happened," Kinga said.

"No," countered Morjik, who was standing beside his companion. "I can hear the Universal- her connection has been restored!"

Connie was almost overwhelmed by the dragon's greeting- it had come to her so suddenly- but returned it with equal fervour. She was delighted that she could speak with Morjik again. Col guided Skylark towards the forest edge, slowing the pegasus down. Skylark did not care for discretion and flung out his wings, gliding from the cliff to the tents, and landed between the campfire and the sea. At once Society members crowded round, eager to hear of what had happened.

"We will speak with Connie and Col first," Kira Okona said, pushing through the onlookers and dismissing them with her sharp tone. "We will debrief you all later."

There were groans, but the crowd did as they were told. Col and Connie dismounted, relieved that they would not be swamped with questions. They were led to Kira's tent, where Evelyn, George and Mrs. Clamworthy were already seated.

"Connie!"

"Col!"

The guardians embraced their respective charges. George gargled, and Connie gave him a tight hug. She sensed his gift, and was overjoyed- his lost connections were back.

"Connie," Kira spoke. "Please tell us what happened." Connie looked to Col, and between them they recounted their story. When Connie came to the part about the Leviathan's demise, the Trustee gave a solemn nod.

"A great loss," she sighed. "The Leviathan would have been a strong ally."

"He was lonely," Connie said, looking down at the ground. "He didn't like being the only one of his kind, without a companion. He was tired of waiting."

"We will mourn the Leviathan's death," Kira said. "He will not be remembered as a villain, but as a lonely creature. We will be certain to restore his reputation."

She left the tent to speak to the other campers. Connie sighed.

"You did what you could," Evelyn said, placing her hand on her shoulder. "I'm just so glad you're safe- and George- both of you. I feared so much that the Leviathan was going to take away my two dearest children." Connie was moved, and gave her aunt a fierce embrace. "But I can't understand it- why did the creature want him? He's just a baby."

"Well…" Connie looked to Col, who shrugged. She may as well tell them. "You're not going to have to argue with Mack over George's gift anymore."

"What?" Evelyn was puzzled.

"He's going to be a universal."

*****

By evening, all the tents had been packed away. Ruby was boxing up the last of her electronic equipment as the campers started to bundle the kit into the hire truck that Andre had driven down to the beach.

"So, we're on the evening flight," Mack announced, handing tickets to Evelyn, Mrs. Clamworthy, Horace, Jessica and their selkie companions. When he attempted to hand a pair over to Connie, she shook her head.

"And just how do you proposed to get home, then?" Evelyn asked, shifting George in her arms as he tried to snatch the ticket from her.

"By air," Connie said slyly. "Just…not conventional air travel. We should be home tomorrow afternoon."

"We?"

"Me and Col, of course. Oh, and Skylark."

Mack's jaw dropped.

"He can't fly that far!" he protested.

"Dad, I flew here," Col retorted, walking down from loading the truck. "I know the way back."

"But you'll be seen…"

"Not at night," Connie countered. "And we'll be back in time for school."

"Where will you sleep? Where will you stay?"

"We've got it covered," Col said.

"If you think you're going to…"

"Mack, leave them," Mrs. Clamworthy stepped forward and tugged on Mack's arm. "You went to all sorts of places at their age."

"That was different!" Mack protested. Mrs. Clamworthy tutted.

"Oh was it now?" she challenged. "I believe those two have earned a little break. We've spoiled most of their holiday. I trust Col to look after Connie."

"But…"

"Let them go, Mack."

Mack fell silent under the glare of his mother and wife. Col laughed; he would have to get used to his father not having the last word any more.

"Come on, Col," Connie said. "We'd better pack some food before they stick it all in the truck." Col nodded, taking her hand, and they walked to the stores, picking out a few essentials. With everything neatly packed into a backpack, they walked to Skylark, who was eager to get going.

"Are you sure you want to come with me?" Col asked, mounting the pegasus.

"Don't be silly," Connie replied, hitching up behind him. "You need someone to give you directions."

Col chuckled, as Skylark flexed his wings.

"Back to Mariabella's, Skylark," he said simply.

"Who's Mariabella?" Connie asked.

"You'll see," Col grinned. Skylark neighed, before he trotted along the sand. He increased his trot to a canter, and then they had left the ground. Connie held onto Col a little tighter as they breached the clouds.

"Hang on," Col said. "This is going to be the ride of your life!"

*****

"Hey, Connie!"

Connie turned from the school gates, and spotted Anneena waving at her. If it were possible, she looked even darker than usual.

"I haven't seen you all summer!" Anneena gasped, hugging her friend. "Typical- the minute I'm back from India you fly off to Spain! We must have crossed at the airport."

"Oh, well it was quite an unexpected trip," Connie admitted.

"I hope the floods didn't spoil it," Anneena said, as they walked inside. "Bit scary, all this wild weather, isn't it? We just don't know what might happen next."

"No," Connie said, taking to heart her friend's words. Yes, no-one knew what would happen next, not even the universal companion. Her next adventure could be waiting right around the corner, or many years into the future. Only time would tell.

"Connie, Aneena, over here!"

Col and Jane were waiting inside the main building. Connie and Col shared a smile that was not unnoticed.

"You two have been up to something, haven't you?" Anneena asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

"Not much," Col said. "We had a whale of a time in Spain."

"You went with Col!?" Jane exclaimed.

"It all makes sense now," Anneena grinned. "I wondered why you were being so secretive about that trip. Spain isn't that far from Ibiza, you know."

Connie listened to her friend conjure up theories of late-night clubbing and seedy hotels, laughing like she hadn't done in weeks. She felt good. For now, she could put aside her worries for the future. It was the present that mattered, and she was going to enjoy it.

"Anneena, don't be such a gossip," she chided. "We didn't go alone, and anyway we went south to Marbella…"

Jane said nothing as she watched Connie slip her hand into Col's; she just smiled.

THE END