Return of the Crown

by Millie Burns

  “I see no change,” Giallag snorted.

  “Nor did you see one when we first began to communicate. Trust me, it is done.”

  “I will not lower my guard, Princess. If she moves, I will spear her,” he growled, glaring at the unconscious creature.

  Retrieving the water-skin Ravyn splashed cool water on Medina’s face.

  Eyes bulging wide, the harpy cried in frustration unable to twitch even a feather.

  “Speak if you can keep a civil tongue, wretch,” Giallag snorted.

  “What did the great fleck of phlegm say?” Medina croaked.

  Giallag lowered his horn, menace evident in his intent.

  “He said speak civilly. Now what is your name so that we may address you properly?” growled Blade, trying hard to remain a gentleman.

  Medina sized up Blade, taking in the aggressive posture not to mention the sharp sword in his hand. “I’m Medina,” she said. “Why ask my name if you’re going to kill me? Get on with it. Jedro is gone, I failed, life isn’t worth the living anyway.”

  Ravyn squatted down in front of the harpy, “It is not my desire to end anyone’s life. The Light surrounds everything making all life precious. Zelera stole Jedro. She is your enemy, not I. She’s my enemy as well. She stole my family from me, and I am going to Veris to get them back.”

  Medina stared at the dark haired girl. Why didn’t the girl let the unicorn or man kill her? For the first time in her life, the harpy had nothing to say.

  Staring back at the bedraggled harpy, compassion stole over Ravyn. A beautiful creature was hiding beneath layers of filth and muck.

  “I’m just going to take these twigs and things out of your hair,” Ravyn said, reaching out and pulling stray leaves and twigs from Medina's long auburn hair.

  “What are you doing? Stop that!” shrieked Medina.

  “I think you’ve got lovely hair. If we straighten it up a bit, you won’t look so frightful.”

  “A harpy’s hair is her crowning glory,” Medina squawked, “I worked hard getting it this way. It is just the way I like it. Stop!”

  “I’m cleaning you up. If you don’t like the way you look when I’m done, you can just dirty yourself up again.”

  She set about washing the harpy’s face and feathers until they gleamed in the afternoon sunlight. Untangling all the snarls in Medina’s frightful hairdo took time, but when she finished Medina radiated beauty.

  Giallag muttered under his breath the whole time. Blade looked on in interest.

  “Do you have a mirror Blade? I think Medina would like to see how she looks,” Ravyn asked as she finished curling a lock of Medina’s hair around her finger. Auburn curls framed the tan face. Bewildered green eyes searched the faces of her captors.

  “No mirror, but will the flat of my sword do?”

  Ravyn picked up the sword, holding it in front of Medina.

  The harpy turned her head away. “Harpy’s have no reason to look in mirrors. We are not beautiful, never have been, nor will we ever be.”

  “What are you afraid of? Look, Medina, and see for yourself.”

  Medina turned her head looking into the sword’s polished side; she winked one eye, then the other. She pursed her lips, the image in the blade copying her every move. “What magic is this? That cannot be me. Harpy’s are ugly freaks of nature.”

  “No magic was used at all, Medina, that is the real you. You hide under layers of dirt and twigs and leaf litter. This is what the Light meant for you to be.”

  A tear slid down Medina’s cheek. “I, I am leaking fluid from my eyes.”

  “Those are tears. That is a normal emotional reaction. You’ve never cried before?” Ravyn asked astonished.

  “Harpy’s do not cry. The only emotions we feel are hate, jealousy, and anger. This feels…strange.” A river of tears continued falling from the forest green eyes.

  “Medina, I would like to free you. But, I must have your word that if I do, you will not harm my companions or me.”

  Medina sniffed softly, tears coursing down her bronzed cheeks.

  Giallag looked at Medina, uncertainty showing in his face. “She is beautiful. Faugh, I never thought to see a harpy I could admire,” he softly trumpeted.

  “What did he say?” Medina sniffed.

  “He’s admiring your beauty,” Blade murmured, “and so am I.” Each feather glowed in the afternoon sunlight.

  Medina looked to Ravyn, “Release me, and I pledge myself and my flock to your service. I wish to show the other harpies they are beautiful. This is something we never dreamt possible but have secretly longed for. We will accompany you to Veris and help you fight Zelera. We will rescue Jedro, instead of doing her dirty work to get him back.”

  “No, you must stay and care for your young. You must learn to put their needs in front of your own so that more will survive. If you take proper care of the hatchlings, many males will reach adulthood, and you won’t have to fight over them. I have to go to Veris to return the crown to my parents. I also have to return an egg to a dragon. I’ll just add Jedro to my list of things to return. All right, I’m releasing your bonds now.” She envisioned the knots unraveling, and Medina pulled herself up erect.

  Bowing, Medina pulled a pinion feather from her wing, handing it to Ravyn. “Please accept this feather as a token of my gratitude. It allows you to weather any winds. Harpies can fly a true course, even in the most severe weather.”

  Ravyn accepted the feather. “Thank you for the gift; it is most gracious. We are setting across the Dirfawr Mountains soon. Who knows what kind of weather will fly at us up there.”

  “What pass are you taking? I’ve flown over the mountains time and again. I know the passes well.”

  Ravyn looked to Blade.

  Rubbing his scruffy chin, Blade stated, “We’ll skirt the Crest Trail. It shouldn’t be heavily traveled this time of year.”

  “Only by thieves and smugglers,” Medina exclaimed, “And Zelera’s got a new station set up at the peak. No, that’s no good.”

  Medina turned to Giallag, “Do you know of the hidden trail? Can you guide these folk to its entrance?”

  Nodding his head in affirmation, Giallag rumbled, “But it passes through the wolves’ domain. I’m not sure that’s safe.”

  “He knows the way, but there are wolves along the way that might harm us,” Ravyn translated for Giallag.

  “If you encounter wolves, show them my feather. While we are not truly friends, we have an understanding with them. We allow them into our section of the forest to hunt, and they allow us to gather pine seeds from their trees without interference. They should let you pass unharmed.”

  “Thank you, Medina, you have aided us greatly. Now return to your clan. May the blessings of the Light be upon you.”

  Medina rose up in the sky, like an angel. Circling once, auburn hair streaming behind her, she headed east, returning home.

  Dull throbbing in Ravyn’s shoulder reminded her that wounds needed tending. After digging in Blade’s pack for a few moments, she pulled out the salve he’d rubbed on her ankle. “Will this work on cuts?” Ravyn asked, holding up the little green jar.

  “I believe so. It will clean the wound, helping it heal quicker,” Blade said, taking the jar from Ravyn’s hands. “Let me take care of this.”

  “Take care of Giallag first. His wounds are deeper, and the blood staining his beautiful white coat breaks my heart.”

  Giallag snorted. “What is that stuff? It smells funny.” He pranced in place as Blade dabbed the wound with water.

  “Don’t worry, it’s special herbs that heal what ails you. It was given to me by a Master of the Light.”

  Giallag sighed as Blade finished rubbing the ointment into his torn flesh. “Oh, that feels good. Blessings of the Light to you and this Master of Light.”

  Blade turned to Ravyn who was sitting on the ground, head resting on her knees. She was snoring softly. Pulling the torn cloth back, he exposed several lacerations on her
arm. Blade dabbed at the wounds with a wet cloth, trying to clean out any debris without waking Ravyn. She opened her eyes, staring up at him. Blade wished he could dive into those blue pools and never emerge. Dabbing the spicy ointment into her wound, he bound it with a clean cloth. “That should do it; we can head on now if you’re ready.”

  Giallag kneeled down for Ravyn and Blade to mount. “I will take you to a good place to camp. There is a fine deep pool, filled with many fish. I imagine they are good eating. Of course, I don’t really know that as unicorns do not eat flesh.” He rose to his feet. “Do you fish, Blade?” he trumpeted.

  Blade opened his mouth to reply, but they were already off racing the wind, a white streak flashing past the green brown blur of the forest. The mountains loomed ahead of them. Their sheer size made Ravyn feel small, like an ant. Before reaching them, Giallag slowed, and then halted.

  Ravyn eyed the sun midway down the sky and asked, “Can’t we make it to the pass before dark?” She slid to the ground, feet slipping on the pine needles that littered the ground.

  “Aye, we could. But, the hidden pass should never be traveled in the dark. The way is narrow, and the turns many. Better you eat and rest, starting fresh in the morning. Besides, this is the nicest camp at the base of the Dirfawr.”

  Her eyes adjusted to being steady once more, the world snapped into focus. Surrounding a beautiful pool were towering pine trees. Fish leapt clear of the water, snapping at dragonflies hovering above the pool. Their rainbow scales glimmered in the afternoon light. Fragrant white flowers grew wild around the pool, their spicy sweet fragrance filling the air.

  Picking up a fallen branch, Blade began whittling its tip to a fine point. “I’ll catch dinner if you start a fire.”

  Giallag grazed the soft grasses growing at the edge of the pool. Ravyn stooped down, gathering kindling and logs for the fire. “Is it safe to light a fire?” she asked.

  “There are not many things in this forest to fear when I am with you. The wolves rarely leave the mountain, and if they do, the fire should keep them at bay,” Giallag lifted his nose from the grass for a moment before returning to the tender greens.

  A tremendous splash turned their attention to the pool. Mumbling under his breath, Blade’s eyes darted across the surface of the pool. He brought the spear up high, then lurching forward he slammed the spear down into the water. The spear came up empty.

  “Damn,” he growled.

  “Having difficulties?” Ravyn giggled. “You’ll soon be soaked to the bone.”

  “These fish are slippery. They dodge just as I thrust. If I had a pole or a net, this would be easier.”

  “Would you mind if I give it a try?” Ravyn smiled all innocence.

  Giallag chortled, spraying flecks of grass in the air. “You couldn’t possibly do worse.”

  Blade handed the makeshift spear to Ravyn. “I’m handy with flint. I’ll get a fire going. Good luck, you’ll need it.”

  Rolling her pant legs up to her knees, Ravyn turned away from man and unicorn. Stepping gingerly into the water, she caused nary a ripple. Blade glanced at her shapely calves before turning his attention back to the fire.

  She waded into the cool water standing still as a statue, spear poised, eyes following the glittering fish near her feet. The spear slid down through the water, returning with a big fat fish wriggling on its point.

  Giallag guffawed, his big barrel sides heaving with laughter. “Better get your fire going, Blade.”

  Returning to the shore, Ravyn rummaged in her pack for a ball of twine. Stringing the fish, she then returned to the water. Before Blade finished constructing a spit above the flames, Ravyn returned, several large fish dangling from her line.

  Blade smirked, “You caught them, you gut them.”

  “Not a problem, sir. If you would be so kind as to hand me that knife, I will take care of this directly.” Ravyn flounced back to the water’s edge.

  Giallag watched the two teasing each other, amusement filling his eyes and flowing out of his horn in a brassy chuckle.

  Blade watched Ravyn squatting alongside the water cleaning the fish. He wandered into the woods, locating some wild onion and fresh berries. They would compliment dinner nicely. He wandered back to the campfire, grabbing his pack.

  He fished out a small pot to heat water for tea. The campfire crackled warmth and reassurance as he held his hands out to the flames. Blade watched Ravyn cleaning the fish, his esteem for her continuing to blossom.

  Ravyn returned tossing the fish at Blade, a saucy smile spreading across her face. “I caught and cleaned, you cook. I’ll contact Connor while you prepare our feast.”

  Giallag finished munching the sweet grass and found a comfortable place to lie. Ravyn pulled out the scrying bowl dipping it into the pool. She sat down beside Giallag, leaning into his soft sturdy back. She placed the bowl in her lap. Centering herself, she cast her aural thread, following it up into the sky. Over the snowy mountain peaks she flew, dropping down to the forest on the other side. She headed toward the river, searching for the green-gold thread. Latching on to it, she traced it to the village where Connor, or Cornelia had been. She sighed, he was safe.

  Connor noted a gentle tug on his aura. She was refining her skills; her attention getting was more subtle.

  ‘Cornelia, you still fare well it seems?’

  ‘Aye, for the time being. Zelera is honing in on me though. She’s been harassing this village with her thugs the past few days. Trying to draw me out, to come to the rescue. Yesterday, soldiers were about to burn the village down. I couldn’t let that happen. But, lucky for me, Captain Joff arrived with his men, driving the scum away. I’m moving out again on the ‘morrow. I can’t bring harm to these poor folk; they’re a decent lot.’

  ‘Please be careful.’ She paused, ‘So, we are near Hidden Pass. We have a unicorn friend named Giallag who has made our journey through the forest swift.’ She wanted to rub her aching bottom. ‘And, we befriended a harpy named Medina, who gave me a feather. She said it’s a token of safe passage through the wolves’ territory.’

  ‘Well, well, well, you have been a busy girl. I know where Hidden Pass comes out on my side of the mountain. It will take you about ten days traveling the mountains on foot. It’s still early; there shouldn’t be any storms. Now, you lay low with the magic. Zelera is tracking you, but she will have a harder time locating your exact spot it you do not use magic.’

  Ravyn sighed, ‘About that. I did use some magic to free Giallag from a trap, and it did come in handy after Medina attacked us. I know I wasn’t supposed to use it, but it seemed wrong not to.’

  ‘Ravyn, I know you will be tempted to use magic, but you must understand that Zelera can find you when you use it. Promise me you will think it through before you use it. Zelera continues gathering strength. The fear and chaos she creates in Aigerach is feeding the Darkness, creating more fear and chaos. It is a dark time indeed, and I need you to stay safe until we can counter her evil plans.’

  Ravyn closed her eyes, fighting back tears of frustration. ‘I don’t want my people to be harmed anymore. This is taking too long. I wish there were another way. Zelera is destroying Aigerach. If I don’t use my magic, people will be hurt. If I do use magic, she can find me, and I’ll be hurt. So many people’s lives are in my hands.’ Fatigue washed over Ravyn and she fell back against Giallag. ‘I’ll try not to use magic. I’ll talk to you soon,’ she whispered as Connor’s aura slid from her grasp.

  Giallag turned his head, facing Ravyn. Tears slipped down her cheeks. He caught one, glistening on the tip of his horn, “Bad news, Princess?” he asked, concern in his eyes.

  With a shuddering sigh, Ravyn brushed away her tears. Princesses do not cry. “No worse than before,” she fluted low and doleful. “It’s just the future of Aigerach rests with me. I keep trying to pretend this is just a happy lark through the countryside. But, while I am here, resting in this lovely grove, Zelera is causing grief and pain to my fellow citize
ns. They are hurting, and I am so far away. I know so little about the power of the Light. It’s all just pressing in on me, and I’m not feeling very strong.”

  Crossing over to Ravyn, Blade squatted down, putting a comforting hand on her shoulder. “Rav, it’s ok. Things are going to work out. I have seen Zelera’s work firsthand. She’s made it hard on the honest hardworking population, but they continue struggling against her any way they can.” Squatting down he looked into her eyes. “There was a time, when I’d lost hope. You were lost, and Connor and I were hiding. Then Captain Joff came and I traveled with him, learning to be a knight in the service of the Light. In all my travels across the breadth of Aigerach, I never saw people undone. People still believe in King Bryant and Queen Lareina. They know you live. Captain Joff has been traveling all these years, preparing the populace for your return. Yes, you are our hope, but you are not alone.”

  Ravyn sat a little taller, shoulders back, head erect. “Thank you, Blade. I needed to hear that. I try to be strong, not to cry, not to worry, but at times it seems I can’t keep the fears at bay, and they overwhelm me.”

  Giallag rubbed Ravyn’s shoulder with his head. “Never have I seen such strength of character as I see in you. If anyone can undo the evil that blights the land, it will be you, Ravyn, that returns the crown to its rightful place.”

  Encircling Blade and Giallag in her arms, Ravyn smiled brighter than ever. “How can I fail with two such wonderful champions at my back?” Sniffing the air her stomach rumbled, “Exalted chef, is that meal ready for consumption yet? I’m famished.”

  Chapter 12

  Zelera’s bony arm swept across the ebony alter, sending the scrying bowl crashing to the floor where it shattered. The stupid harpies were not looking for Princess Ravyn. Instead, they were actually caring for their hatchlings and themselves. She began pacing across the threadbare carpet, her fingers bunching the expensive velvet of her robe into a crumpled mess.

  She stopped in front of the huge oak doors. She threw them open, sweeping down the castle corridors to the dungeons below. Grasping hands reached from the cell door windows, only to recoil in horror when the occupants realized who was passing.