The Princess's Feathers

Tempered light shines through the canopy of the forest, illuminating my feathers in a patchwork of midday sun. Scurrying through the undergrowth, I raise my head from the ground and sample the air, warm and moist, just as it should be for warmwing. Between the familiar scents, the pleasant odor of an unsuspecting jimbal passes through my nose. just a little bit further, and he’ll be mine.

I refold my wings and tread silently through a depression in the ground created by the uprooting of a great tree. As I pass the mass of tangled roots, I sense something has changed — something nearly imperceptible to my senses. Confused, I raise my head and scan the forest. Though I rarely hunt these lands, everything appears to be normal. Did a branch fall somewhere? Perhaps it was a squirrel or some other prey-animal trundling along the forest floor. A gentle breeze passes around me, reminding my senses of the sleeping jimbal. I shake my head and decide to press onward. I’m hungry and eager for an easy prey-kill.

The scent of the jimbal grows as I stalk around a cluster of bushes. I can sense it lying in its den, blissfully unaware that a proud Kin is stalking it. I lick my chops and tread lightly through a patch of ferns. One talonstep too heavy, and I could awaken my prey.

Then, something catches my attention: A shimmer of dazzling light at the edge of my vision, something unlike anything I’ve seen before. I raise my head to face it and feel a branch crack beneath my left talon.

“Erk!”

I gaze down at the shattered branch. It’s so big! Where did it come from?! Off in the distance is the sound of prey scurrying through the undergrowth.

I open my eyes.

The room before me is dark, muddled by the scents of decaying wood, leaves, and Dragons. I’m in a tree den somewhere in Felra — it seems I was dreaming just now. With my head still foggy, I raise my head slightly and taste the scents. Unfortunately, one of them is the unmistakably vile scent of Enyll. Disgusting. But the other… it smells unfamiliar, yet wonderfully pleasant. Who’s scent is it? Did another Kin join us yesterday? Rumbling to life, I raise my head to discover my wing draped across a sleeping Dragon curled together. Slowly, the memories from yesterday flow back to me like water in a river.

This Dragon… she is no ordinary Dragon.

She is the Farlander.

This blue-plumaged drakaina calls herself ‘Asha.’ She claims to be a Lemur from the Farlander territory of Ellyntide, the one watched by the prey-deity Etain. After Enyll and I saved her life, Asha told us she was a ‘Princess’ from the ‘Kingdom of Ellyntide’ who was mysteriously transformed into a Lithan. I thought it was the most featherbrained tale I’d heard in my life until an airship-prey appeared, and she ordered it to leave Felra. To everyone’s shock, it left without attacking the flock’s territory.

Honestly, how are we going to explain this to the rest of the flock? What is Grandmother going to think about her?

I suppose it’s a problem for tomorrow.

I rest my head against the ground and readjust my wing, ensuring Asha is warm. We must bring her to White Mountain so Keuvra can decide what will happen to her. I have a feeling tomorrow is going to be a very long day.

Slowly, I close my eyes and allow sleep to return.

…

“Blue skies, Daughter-Of-Mecali.”

My eyes open as wide as Maki.

My head shoots up to discover something incredible: Standing at the den’s entrance is a small, glowing red prey-bird. Enamored by a dazzling light — the same light I saw in my dream — long shadows are cast from the bird, painting an incredible show of colors against the floor of the den.

This bird…! I know this prey-bird!!

“Y—you…!” I gasp, quickly covering my muzzle with my wing. I cast about to see Enyll and Asha still asleep despite my noisy reaction.

“It’s good to see you again,” the bird speaks candidly in the voice of Kin.

I turn back to find the bird still standing at the entrance. I blink, tilt my head closer and ask, “…Strange prey-bird. You can speak to me?”

“Quite so,” he says, shuffling his wings. “Despite the appearance of prey, I am perfectly fluent in the words of Kin.”

For a silent moment, I watch him, still unable to believe my senses. How is he emanating light? Why can’t I smell any scents on his feathers? “You led me to her, didn’t you? Who are you?”

The bird takes flight unexpectedly, causing me the wince. He flies into the den and lands on a twisted root near the edge of the trunk. “I do apologize for rousing you from sleep. Unfortunately, this was the only time we could have a discrete conversation together.”

His tiny eyes gaze past me and fall onto the Dragons sleeping in the center of the den.

“A conversation? I whisper. “Um, should we leave the den? I don’t—”

“There is no need,” he replies in a normal voice. “I have taken steps to ensure they will remain asleep.”

Can he really do that? How? I curl my tail around my foretalons and feel my crest flattening. Should I really trust this strange, glowing creature? “What’s your name?”

“My name is of little consequence,” he says, preening his chest. “But, if it would put your mind at ease, you could think of me as a friend of the deities.”

“The deities?!” I gasp. “What does…”

My voice dissipates as understanding washes over me. The Farlander. He’s here because of Asha! I swivel around to find her at my side, sleeping peacefully.

Yesterday, while hunting with Enyll, I encountered this same prey-bird perched atop a tree. I thought it was strange to see lights outside the Grandfather Tree and descended from a thermal to investigate. The bird took flight as I approached, leaving a glowing light trail as it raced along the treetops. For some reason, Enyll claimed he couldn’t see it. I thought he was lying and decided to pursue the prey-bird, if only to prove him wrong. After a short pursuit, I found myself over a clearing where two Dragons were fighting: a False-Kin, and Asha. It’s because of this bird’s guidance that we were able to quickly intervene and save Asha’s life. It’s because of this bird’s strange appearance that I decided to trust the Dragon he led me to and allow her to speak to the airship-prey.

“You’re here because of Asha,” I say, gazing down at her. “Aren’t you?”

The prey-bird nods in acknowledgment. “In her Kingdom, she is someone of tremendous importance. As you can imagine, it caused quite a stir among the deities when she took the form of Kin.”

“Wait…” I say, curling my talons. “You mean, it took them by surprise? Keuvra didn’t transform her?”

The edges of the prey-bird’s beak curl into a frown. He looks away and warbles, “It would seem someone mortal is responsible.”

A mortal…? Did someone mortal change Asha?! I was convinced it was Keuvra! My eyes are drawn to her, still soundly asleep. How could a Farlander have the power to change a Lemur into a Lithan? Who would even do such a thing?

Is this bird for real? I feel my thoughts being pulled apart like a warm Litsha pelt. “But, how…”

“You have eyes for her,” the prey-bird interjects. “Don’t you?”

“What?!” I squawk in surprise. “How did you—“

Behind me, Asha stirs. I flip around and find her adjusting her head into a more comfortable position past her tail. She exhales a soft rumble and returns to a deep sleep.

The prey-bird ruffles. Glowing feathers fall from his dainty little body and dissolve like snow into the ground. “I’ve seen how you look at her, Daughter-Of-Mecali. It is plain to see.”

A deep sigh flows past my fangs. Somehow, this ‘friend’ of Keuvra must have been watching me yesterday, even after we saved Asha. He knows things about me that I’m afraid to admit. “But, she’s a Farlander…” my voice dissipates as conflicting emotions become overwhelming. “How could I…”

After a silent moment, the prey bird twitters, “You’ve been lonely for untold seasons. If I could make an observation the rest of the flock will not… the Brothers, they do not interest you, do they?”

Silence stretches across the den.

How could he possibly know so much about me? Especially that? Slowly, I frown and shake my head. “No. No, they do not.”

“Then it is only natural to feel a connection,” he replies. “You saved her life, after all.”

I frown and ruffle slightly — this is not the way I was expecting this conversation to go. Should I really trust him with my innermost feelings? My most intimate desires and fears? Perhaps it doesn’t matter. He’s been completely right about everything so far. There has to be a reason he’s leading the conversation this way.

“She’s…” I gaze down at Asha, sleeping peacefully. This is what I’ve always wanted, right? A drakaina for a mate? I can’t help but smile at the thought. “I’ve never seen a plumage like hers before. Bright blue, like the clearest sunwing day. And when she smiles, it’s just as brilliant.”

After a brief moment, the bird remarks, “In her Kingdom, it is not unusual for females to mate.”

“Really?!” I gasp aloud.

“Kuro,” The prey-bird takes flight and crosses the den to land on one of Asha’s horns. “I know which way the winds blow. This child of the Goddess is destined to spend time in Felra. A long time, perhaps.”

A long time in Felra…? Surprised, I gaze down at Asha’s expression.

The prey-bird continues, “She’ll need guidance and protection in the coming seasons. Provide it to her.”

Whoa, really? He’s asking me to help Asha? “But what if she doesn’t want my help?” I ask cautiously.

“She does,” The bird nods. “As does Keuvra.”

I gasp, immediately understanding the implications of involving our deity: It’s a Divine Flight! To be chosen for a sacred task by our flock’s leader is the most special event that can happen to a Kin in this life! Oh, I don’t believe it! Out of all the Dragons in Felra, Keuvra chose ME!

…

He is surely watching us at this very moment; I could stand to look a little more dignified before our leader. I flatten my feathers and say, “Yes, I understand.”

“Good,” The prey-bird smiles. “Keuvra’s smile shines upon you.”

I beam at his words and can’t help but ruffle a little in satisfaction. “And what about Asha? Does she…?”

The bird’s expression moderates. “Only she can answer that question, I’m afraid.”

…Oh. Well, I suppose even the deities have limits to their understanding.

“But,” the prey-bird continues, “Should you succeed in courting Asha, Keuvra will support your union.”

At hearing that, I just about flutter my wings with joy. “Thank you!!” I say, dipping my head before the prey-bird. Keuvra will support me having a drakaina for a mate!! I don’t believe it!! I don’t think I’ve ever felt so happy in my life!! “Oh, thank you, thank you!!”

“There’s one more thing, Daughter-Of-Mecali.”

“Oh!” I chirp, raising my head promptly. “Um, yes?”

The prey-bird’s face turns suddenly stern. “Under no circumstances may you disclose my existence, the nature of our meeting, or what we discussed tonight. Not to the elders, your Grandmother, and certainly not to Asha. This is a Divine Flight between you and Keuvra alone.”

“O-of course,” I sputter, caught off-guard by the sudden change in tone. “Wings mantled, I won’t tell another Dragon.”

“Good!” he chirps, spreading his wings. He flies from Asha’s horn and returns to the ground behind me. “I appreciate your cooperation. I have been able to carry out my duties over the seasons with very few incidents. I would prefer to keep it that way.”

“Your duties?” I cock my head. “Are there others—“

A sharp noise from behind me causes my feathers to stand on end. I flip around to see Enyll shifting his wings into a more comfortable position — for some reason, the featherbrain released a loud growl in his sleep. Dunglicker!! Can’t you see I’m talking to someone far more important than you’ll ever be?!

I growl and turn around to find a darkened den. The divine prey-bird had vanished without a trace.