Sunkissed Feathers & Severed Ties

by Kellie Doherty

  “Well, that’s…confusing,” Dylori replied, in a tone that suggested disbelief.

  “Right?” The word flew out of Misti’s mouth, louder than she anticipated. “How much soul could they have left after all the things they’ve done?”

  Dylori leaned back a little, resting against the wall behind them. “You did say they treated you with respect, with all those parental gestures when you were at their village.”

  “Yes, they stroked my hair. And I don’t think they wiped Zora’s memory the last time I sent her to them. Zarious mentioned that it was him and he sneered at me. Don’t ask me how he did it.” Dylori frowned at the mention of her ex-mentor, but Misti rambled on. “But my parents also said they murdered people, and I don’t understand how Char could see them as anything but bad.”

  “Well, I don’t know of any Vagari crafting that could wipe a creature’s memory, but it seems like we’re dealing with a lot of new abilities these nights.” Dylori looked at their clasped hands and sighed. “But murderers or not, I have to admit, it did appear that your parents helped Zora when she was in that cage. And you just said they might not’ve hurt Zora before. And they didn’t kill us when they had every chance to.”

  Misti thought back. At the cage her parents had touched Zora. She remembered her sudden panic, the intense fear when she noticed Zora wasn’t breathing. The fear was so great that Misti glanced at Zora now, still sleeping peacefully on her pillow, just to be sure she was okay. After they touched Zora, when Char pushed Zora inside Misti’s cage, Zora had breathed. Had they helped her somehow? Char said they had, but she wasn’t specific on how, and Misti just couldn’t be sure.

  “They didn’t kill us because they needed the pendant,” she reminded Dylori.

  But Dylori shook her head and pointed at the scar on Misti’s neck. “They needed you for the pendant. They could’ve killed me and Dis anytime.” She shrugged. “But they didn’t. Maybe that’s what your sister was trying to say.”

  Misti couldn’t believe what Dylori was saying. She had always had a strict moral compass… But now she’s suggesting my parents might not be evil? Even Misti couldn’t believe that her parents could be good. “But they’re worshippers. They’ve murdered people. They said they did everything in Ponuriah’s honor to make the world better for us, for Char and Danill and me.”

  Dylori scoffed. “That sunbaked Lights teachings again. How could a wasteland be better?”

  Better. Better for us? A memory surfaced in Misti’s mind. “They even said they didn’t care if I died!”

  “What?” Dylori leaned forward, her features hardening. “When did they say that?”

  Misti hadn’t even thought of that after her sister had died, but now it rushed back to her. The ache of hearing her parents didn’t care crashed back, and anger crushed her confusion to dust. “When they spoke about their plan to make me come to them,” Misti spat. “They didn’t care if I died.”

  “Well, then screw them,” Dylori muttered, shaking her head. “Char was probably confused. Been fighting them too long.”

  “She did put up a good fight.” Misti squeezed Dylori’s hand.

  “She did. She was an amazing sibling and one you should be proud of.” Dylori’s eyes glinted in the afternoon light, crinkling at the sides with mischief. “And I hope Danill’s leg really bothers him.”

  A vicious surge of pride rushed through Misti. “Me, too.” Misti took a deep breath and whooshed it out, trying to relax herself. “I accepted Dis’ life-energy, by the way. He said you gave him permission again, and I wanted to thank you for it.”

  “I did, and you’re welcome,” Dylori replied lightly. “Did it help?”

  “More than you know, but I think I’ll stick with only crafting with Zora from now on. Dis’ desert-heat is…a bit much for me.” Misti chuckled. At least now I know what a neades’ power feels like. Scorching like the desert sun and an irresistible urge to move. “A bit too much.”

  Dylori laughed, a deep rumbling sound that Misti loved to hear. “Desert-heat, huh? That does sum his energy up.”

  Kiss her, girl! Firegnats darted in Misti’s stomach. Be brave! She wrapped her hand around the back of Dylori’s neck and pulled her in for a kiss. It was soft and simple, a thanks all its own, for now. Dylori’s hands gripped Misti’s tighter at the sudden contact, and Misti’s skin tingled in return. All at once Misti wondered what it would be like to deepen this kiss, to move their relationship to something more intimate. From the way they had both blushed just sleeping together it seemed like quite a jump, and Misti wasn’t quite ready to take it. Not yet, but soon.

  When they pulled away, Misti was glad that the heat on her own cheeks matched Dylori’s under the palm of her hand. She smiled at Dylori and drew her hand up to kiss her on the knuckles, not quite willing to let go.

  Mischief tugged at Dylori’s lips. A flash of orange and yellow beside them caused them both to turn. Zora was stretching her wings, her blue and orange eyes staring at them intently.

  Dylori’s grin widened. “When we actually do this, she’s going to stay outside.”

  Misti rubbed Zora under the chin and laughed at the dark orange tips of Dylori’s ears. It was cute that she was so easily embarrassed, especially since she was so much more experienced. “I don’t think she’d mind. Come on, let’s send the letter out and see how the Silverstone sisters are doing today.”

  They got dressed and gathered their things before heading downstairs. Zora flew after them. After eating a quick meal of rough grain and sweet fruit, they walked outside. It was well past afternoon. The sky had gone from bright blue to a darker, richer shade, slashed with the pinks and yellows of the slowly setting sun. Folk bustled about, doing business despite the hour, and again Misti reveled in their bravery. The simple bravery of common folk who didn’t care about the sunshine, who stepped into it instead of hiding. Her throat tightened and tears scratched her eyes, but she blinked them away. Rustling around in her pocket, her fingers brushed the tooth and the pendant, and then finally brushed against some coin. She bought some fine charcoal dust for Zora, a gift Misti knew she’d enjoy.

  Dylori checked in on Dis first, who had wandered a little to find more room. He munched happily on a nearby patch of grass and huffed when Zora headbutted him. Misti set down the bundle of dust and opened it, chuckling as Zora zoomed down and rolled in it. She paid special mind to her wings, making sure the dust got on them before sitting nearby preening them. Dis flopped over as well, the bag of dust tiny next to his bulk, and rolled around, mimicking his friend.

  Dylori laughed out loud at that and bought some more dust from the merchant especially for him. Then Dylori patted Dis on the side and took the lead, heading toward the mailstables. Misti hoped to send the letter off quickly so they could get back to the inn to meet up with Arias. She had forgotten to apologize for losing the sword and wanted to do that as soon as possible. Dylori seemed to be in a rush, pushing past people in her haste to get to the stables.

  The narrow barn rose higher than the nearby buildings, and when they made their way inside, dust and wet earth hit Misti’s senses. A blue daygem brightened the interior with a peaceful glow, and buckets of clean water and barrels of food sat in the corners of the shop. She craned her neck to see the roof where a wide circular hole let the evening light in. Vulnixes of all shapes and sizes flew this way and that, some perched on the rafters, some snoozing in divots in the wood. Others sat gracefully on the countertop next to a thin, black-haired Vagari.

  Misti was busy staring at a white one with pink wings sleeping in the corner when Dylori tapped her on the shoulder, tilting her head to the door. “It’s done. We can go back now.”

  “Already?” Misti turned to Dylori.

  Dylori chuckled. “The owner said it would take three nights for the vulnix to get to Juu. It’s the closest Moon Knight base with enough people to do anything. And you were distracted by that little white one.”

  “Well, it’s cute.” Misti slipped
her hand into Dylori’s and gave the owner a wave.

  The Vagari nodded. A purple vulnix by the Vagari’s side stretched its sleek black wings and flew out the hole on the top of the building. Misti watched it disappear into the sky as they continued outside. Three nights seemed like an eternity. So much could happen. The worshippers could have moved by then, picked up their whole village and left. But what can I do about it? She bit her lip as they made their way back to the inn.

  “Well, Juu is right on the outskirts of the Ravenlock Woods, so they’ll head down as soon as they get my message. And I’m sure the city guard will do something sooner. We did tell Gilmoer, and he has ties all across the city.” Dylori nudged her, seeming to read her thoughts.

  “I hope so.”

  “What else can we do?” Dylori watched sparks fly off a sword in a blacksmith’s shop as they walked past. “We’re only two people. Ex-Moon Knights, sure, but I think the best thing we can do is follow your sister’s wishes and tell people about Ponuriah.”

  “Yeah,” Misti replied quietly. She almost wanted to shout a warning to everyone in the city, but that would just cause mass panic and confusion, or folk would think she fallen off the wrong side of the neades. It would be better coming from a source they trusted, like the city guard.

  They had reached the inn, but Misti looked down the street and to the edge of the city. “Should we go to the guards? Tell them what we saw?”

  “No need,” a familiar voice replied. Misti turned just in time to see Arias arrive, beaming and pulling her pack higher up her shoulder. “We told the head guard this morning, and they’re going to check the Ravenlock Woods themselves.” Arias gestured to her sister standing just behind her. “Orenda insisted.”

  “One of my many jobs is to protect the city,” Orenda replied gruffly. She scuffed the dirt with her boot and yanked her own pack up a little. “I certainly don’t want to live next to some crazy worshipper hideout, do you?”

  Arias hugged her sister. “No. You’re always so thoughtful, sister.”

  “Come on, then, you said we’d get food in here. I need bacon.” Orenda rolled her eyes, pulled away from Arias, and headed into the inn.

  Arias laughed, but Misti gave her a look. “Is she in a…better mood?”

  “Yes, she is actually. Caeda, the head guard, looked at her like she was crazy, but they have a good working relationship. Caeda trusts Ren and will do nearly anything to protect her city. I worried that Ren wouldn’t want to see you two, but she said she had something to talk to you both about.” Arias grabbed both their hands and, walking backwards, pulled them into the inn. “Let’s go find out what it is!”

  Orenda had already claimed a table by the fireplace and was staring daggers at the barmaid. The place was moderately busy with customers, so the barmaid looked a bit harassed, her tunic stained with some green liquid and her brown bun spilling down. When Misti, Dylori, and Arias sat down, the woman came to their table, her brown eyes glinting, and asked for orders. Only Arias and Orenda ordered, but the barmaid came back with four heaping plates of eggs and bacon and four steaming cups of cider. Misti rubbed her nose at the meat and eggs, but the cider did smell quite good—warm and sweet—so she took a sip. The spices hit her mouth first, then the sweet berry, and she took a longer sip, enjoying it.

  Orenda shoved a forkful of bacon into her mouth, leaned back, and sighed. “That’s better.”

  Remembering how protective Orenda seemed of the blade, Misti turned to Arias. Maybe her sister wouldn’t be so mad now that a day had passed. She doubted it. “Listen, I wanted to talk to you about the sword you lent us,” she began, but a loud thump interrupted her.

  The Shey sword, shiny and whole, clattered onto the table next to Misti’s plate. Bits of egg spilled over the side. Orenda let go of the pommel and swigged a giant gulp of her cider, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. She stared at Misti with a challenging look in her dark-green eyes.

  Misti stared at her. “How in Ponuriah’s tits did you find that?”

  A smile lifted Orenda’s lips. “Call it a seventh sense. We can always find what’s ours.”

  “Or,” Arias said, “we stumbled upon it while we raced to get you. Dis took the path he was familiar with.”

  Of course, Misti thought. He’d follow Dylori’s scent.

  “Nearly broke the sword when he stepped on it,” Orenda muttered.

  “But he didn’t.” Arias slapped her sister on the arm. “Worry not! We’re just happy to find it. At least, Orenda’s happy about it. I prefer my bow.”

  Dylori leaned forward and clasped Arias’ hand. “I’m so sorry about losing it. We fought this four-headed beast and it was just…gone.”

  Arias waved her comments away. “It was under some black substance. Easy to overlook. I heard you were injured after that battle.”

  “Still.” Dylori gazed at the sword, the reverent look in her dark eyes back once more. “I apologize. We should’ve gone back for it.”

  “Yes, you should have.” Orenda shook her head, her black bushy hair, so like her sister’s, dancing around her shoulders. As if just noticing this, she twisted a piece of cloth off her wrist and tied her hair back. If not for their different eye colors and strikingly different clothing, they could be twins.

  “Ren, be nice,” Arias chided. “You had something to tell them?”

  Misti leaned back in her chair and watched the siblings, enjoying their gentle ribbing. She remembered how she used to do the same with her own sister, and it made her a little sad. She’d never be able to do that again. She pulled Dylori’s hand into her lap, twining their fingers together, enjoying the closeness of it all.

  “I do,” Orenda replied. She scraped her plate clean and pulled Dylori’s over, starting on her uneaten eggs and pointing her fork at Misti. “I wondered…well, I wondered if you wanted me to look for your sister.”

  Misti’s eyes widened. “Look for her…how?”

  “I am a trader, and I have a pretty keen eye for finding things. I know she disappeared into that white light and all, but it sounds like just the challenge I’m looking for. After we visit our family.” She nudged Arias with her elbow.

  Dylori leaned forward. “It would be dangerous, considering who Char is with now.”

  Orenda smirked, leaning back in her chair. “I wouldn’t engage with those worshippers you spoke of. Or with her, honestly. I’d simply note their location, trail them for a little bit to see where they’d gone, then report back. You two would take it from there.”

  “Yes,” Misti blurted. She had wanted to do more, and this was just the thing. She’d never know where to start looking for her sister, but she could find a scribe and tell them what Char told her—and maybe ask some questions in return, like if anyone had seen worshippers nearby—while Orenda searched. They’d come at it in a two-pronged way, and maybe, just maybe, they’d find her. Her heart fluttered a little. I do want to see her again. Regardless of what she looks like, of what she is.

  “I’d be happy to for a fee.”

  Misti’s heart sank. She had some coin saved up, but surely nothing as much as Orenda would charge.

  Arias slapped Orenda’s arm. “Ren, you told me—”

  Orenda raised her hand. “I kid. I’ll do it free of charge. But only because you got my sister to me, unharmed.”

  Misti nodded. “Thank you. Thank you so—”

  Orenda slapped her hand on the table, startling Misti to silence. “I’m not done yet. Arias also told me you need a job.”

  Misti’s jaw slackened. “Yes. I do.” She tilted her head at Dylori. “We both do.”

  Arias sipped on her cider, eyeing them over the mug’s rim. “You’re not a Moon Knight anymore, Dylori?”

  “No. Not since Zarious and some…other reasons,” Dylori murmured, scratching her left horn.

  “Because you don’t want to kill anymore. And because you kept putting her in danger?” Arias pointed at Misti.

  Dylori nodded once and wrapped
a protective arm around Misti’s shoulders, pulling her chair closer.

  Orenda barked out a laugh at Misti’s shocked expression. “Annoying, right? She used to do it to me all the time. Notice the little things. Every gussa detail.”

  Arias smirked. “It’s because you’re horrible at it.”

  “You never cease to amaze me, friend,” Misti replied, shaking her head in disbelief. She leaned into Dylori’s embrace and turned her attention back to Orenda. “So…jobs?”

  “As you know, I have an in with the city guard.” Orenda pushed the now-empty plate away and gave her a hard stare. “I do odd jobs for them every now and then, and they’re always looking for new bows and swords to protect the city. Now more than ever, since the Ravenlock Woods incident. I could introduce you to Caeda, put in a good word. They could use good women like you.”

  Misti pulled her lip between her teeth and glanced at Dylori. She had one arm on the table, tapping an irregular beat with her fingers, but she didn’t look at Orenda. Her gaze was on the fireplace and the flames within.

  “Dylori would make a good guard,” Misti said. “No one can match her ability with the sword. And I’m good with daggers. But…we’re not archers.”

  Chuckling, Orenda pointed at her. “You could be after you’re trained up a bit. It’s the perfect job for a vulnix bloodline like you. Superior vision and all. If you’re interested in protecting people, that is.”

  “I am!” Misti replied a bit loud, surprising even herself. Her sister was a fighter. A warrior. She had fought back with everything she had. And in her honor, Misti would, too. Heat crept up cheeks at her sudden outburst. “I mean, I never thought of myself as an archer, but if it means I can protect people from the suncreatures, from banished folk, from the sun goddess worshippers, from Ponuriah herself, whatever that may be, I’m willing to learn. But…” She turned to Dylori. “Do we want to live here?”

  Only then did it occur to Misti that she had said ‘we.’ She already found herself linked with Dylori enough to let that word slip.