by Natalie Erin
Casiff made a grumpy face and grumbled, “Well, obviously it’s too early in spring for it to bloom, anyway.”
Keota walked out of the house. Noticing the closed bud, he said, “Don’t worry. You don’t need to know any of that fairy stuff, anyway.”
“What do you mean he won’t have to learn it?” Kia stood with her hands on her hips, her dirty gloves staining her dingy apron.
“Kia, we talked about this. He’s an Accompany, isn’t he? Once he’s sixteen he’s going to Nesting’s Haven, where he belongs,” Keota insisted.
“Only half Accompany. He’s half-fairy too, remind you, and he’s heir to the throne! He belongs here in the Lands!”
“I don’t want to...” Kennu’s voice came out small and faint. He wondered if anyone wished to ask what he wanted.
Casiff stepped in. “Doesn’t anybody care that Wyntier’s trying to take over everything again?”
“NO!” Kia and Keota responded simultaneously.
Casiff raised his eyebrows and exclaimed, “The Kia and Keota I knew always cared about what was wrong with the world.”
Kia’s eyes darkened. “That was long ago, Casiff. Wyntier can do whatever he wants so long as he’s far away from us.”
“That means it’s okay for him to hurt innocent people?” Casiff said in disgust. “The Kia I remember was always ready to defend what she believed in…and the Keota I knew would have never backed down when lives were in danger. Don’t you care about what’s going on at all?”
“I care about keeping my family safe. Shouldn’t you?” Keota growled.
“And what is that supposed to mean, you fool?” Casiff’s white wings fluttered visibly before vanishing in the light.
While the fight escalated, Kennu quietly snuck away into the forest, disregarding his mother’s orders to stay around the house. As the screams grew louder, he tried remembering a time when his parents were as Casiff described them. Usually, Kia and Keota got along excellently, when they weren’t making out on the counter or something. Since Wyntier had returned, they’d barely spoken a kind word to each other.
Ionan and Allie came through the trees. Ionan shook his mane and said, “Perfect timing. Now your father and I can start your flying lesson in good speed.”
“I don’t think Dad will be up to teaching anything at the moment.” Kennu jerked his head back to where the yelling was.
Ionan bared his teeth. “Those two are going to scream us out of house and home. Sounds like Casiff has gotten in the argument as well. Oh goodness.”
Ionan headed towards the fighting. It was clear he expected the other two to follow, but Allie and Kennu just looked at each other.
“Shouldn’t we go after them?” Allie asked.
“I’ve been stuck in that house for days. I want to get out,” Kennu complained.
“But Wyntier’s out there.”
“I don’t care. I just want to get away from Mom and Dad.”
“I guess you’re right. He’s probably not even in the area. With all the scouts Ionan sent, we would’ve caught him by now. But won’t your parents come looking for us?”
“They’ll be fighting for hours,” Kennu said. “They won’t even notice we’re gone.”
“I suppose you’re right.” Allie turned around and extended her wings. “Shall we go for a ride?” she asked.
Kennu clambered on her back. “As long as it’s far away from here.”
Allie took off almost immediately, and soon the world below couldn’t touch them. They were freely soaring above the treetops, without anything to bind them. Kennu took a deep breath of fresh air and Allie spread her wings joyfully as they climbed into the clouds. They hadn’t flown together in what felt like forever.
“Where shall we go?”
“The seashore. We haven’t been there in a while.”
A few birds got in their path and Allie nipped at them playfully, giggling.
“Dumb teenagers!” a goose snapped at them as Allie nearly missed his left wing. She laughed and tried to nip him again, but Kennu punched her playfully in the side and said, “Be nice.”
After a while, a rocky cliff appeared below them. They descended, quickly landing on the abrasive rock above the coastline. Kennu peered over the cliff curiously, noticing something was different.
“Hey, look at that.” A new house had been built on the beach, a short distance away from the shore. The house was different, constructed in a way that Kennu had never seen before. It appeared otherworldly, made out of some sort of strange metal instead of wood, built in a boxy, square fashion.
Allie bowed her head down to get a closer look. One of the doors opened. By instinct, Allie cried “Get down!” and knocked Kennu’s feet out from under him with her wing.
Lying on their stomachs, they crawled closer to the edge to get a better look. Out of the house came a man in a long white coat, with dark skin and crooked glasses.
“I didn’t know we had any new fairies coming to live here, did you?” Kennu asked. Allie shook her head.
The man in the white coat pulled out a small pad of paper, scribbling something upon it and appearing deeply concerned.
“What’s he doing?” Allie whispered as the man looked at the sea.
Kennu peered closer. “I don’t know.”
Allie’s next question was halted as someone emerged from the house. What Kennu saw next made his mouth drop open.
It was a girl, and she was his age! She had blonde-brunette hair that fell in ringlets around her shoulders, and dark skin, like the man in the white coat. She was dressed in strange clothes, dark pants and a short-sleeved shirt. Her windswept, fierce look was enough to make even the bravest of men cower. She strode up to the bespectacled man, whom Kennu supposed must be her father, and began yelling at him.
“Is everyone in this forest pissed off? Or is it just me?” Allie laid her ears back. Kennu didn’t answer, just leaned over the side of the cliff and watched eagerly.
Allie got up. “Let’s go. If I want to hear arguing, we can listen at our place.”
Kennu glanced at the girl a few more times before climbing on Allie. He watched the girl stride back into the house and slam the door before she slipped out of sight.
Allie took to the air. Once Kennu’s eyes were back in his head, he exclaimed, “Somebody new! We should come back and introduce ourselves, especially to that new girl.”
“I didn’t like her.” Allie ruffled her feathers. “Her pants were too tight.”
“Is that all you noticed?” Kennu laughed.
Allie sniffed loudly, and Kennu grinned.
They turned towards home. On the way, a dark column rose up to meet them mid-air and they both began hacking uncontrollably, mouths filling with toxins.
“Smoke!” Allie heaved, her nostrils flaring. They descended to find part of the forest completely destroyed by flame. Allie touched down to earth
“What happened here?” Kennu asked, confused.
There was a badger nearby. He walked up to Kennu, avoiding the small flames that were still smoldering in the ashes. “We’re leaving, young prince, so we’re burning the woods, so Wyntier doesn’t get his hands on it.”
“This is my mother’s land. You don’t have the right to destroy it!” Kennu said, and Allie kicked some ash with her talon.
The badger kicked his feet. “If two Ortusans and a pair of insane lunatics running wild aren’t bad enough, I’ve got a queen in power who doesn’t know what she’s doing. Nothing against your mother, child, but she will not aid those who need her help the most.”
“My mother isn’t like that!” Kennu protested.
The badger shook his head. “You do not see what you wish not to, young prince. There’s bad in the Verinian, so we’re leaving, and that’s that. Besides...” The badger turned away, taking his leave into the darkness of the destroyed trees. “Why take your chances when there are humans about?”
Allie and Kennu looked at each other simultaneously before saying
in unison, “Humans?”
Lyrica rose with the sun, which beamed bright, warm rays of light into her bedroom. Her window was wide open to the plains of the unicorns, and she watched as the herd outside frolicked and fed on the spoils of the land. She saw her mother, Vixen, tenderly stroking Dragonstar before climbing abroad his back and running into the forest, going out to look for Wyntier.
The fairy smiled as she said good morning to the things she loved. A musical flute and a pretty harp leaned against the foot of her bed, while sheets of music were scattered around the room in her pretty, cursive handwriting. Besides her instruments were many hand drawn pictures on the wall. Her cousin Kennu had done those, each a portrait of the people she loved.
Kennu was the best artist Lyrica knew. Of course, she only knew one, but she was sure if she knew more Kennu would still be the best.
She folded up her nightgown and put on a long-sleeved shirt and breeches. Today looked like the first day she wouldn’t have to wear a jacket. She eagerly skipped down to the kitchen and grabbed a muffin for breakfast, humming a tune as she did.
Her father stumbled in from his bedroom, half of his blonde hair sticking up on the side of his head. He yawned and said, “Where you going today, honey?”
“I’d like to walk around in the forest,” she said.
Casiff rubbed his face. “I don’t like you out in the forest with Wyntier hanging around. It’s bad enough I have to worry about your cousin, and he’s nearly sixteen.”
“The unicorns will protect me if I get into trouble. I won’t wander far. I promise.”
“Very well,” Casiff mumbled reluctantly, kissing her on the head. “Stay close by.”
She cheered as she ran out the door and straight to the forest. Lyrica, inspired by the beauty of the blossoming trees and the melting snow that would surely be gone by noon, began to sing.
“Here we are.” Sunset landed next to a river. “The Verinian Forest. Watch your step, now. I’m not sure how safe we are here.”
Xiuh crashed down in the river, splashing water everywhere. Mirabelle landed gently, like a dancer coming down from a jump. She looked around and asked, “Where do you think my father is?”
“I don’t know, my dear. Here somewhere.” Sunset laid down and began to close her eyes, tired from the long flight. Xiuhcoatl followed her lead, curling up by one of her large legs.
“Mother!” Mirabelle exclaimed.
Sunset’s eyelids flickered opened and she said, “Oh, go on now. Your brother and I need rest. We’ll catch up to you later.”
At these last words, both dragons sank into a deep slumber. Mirabelle sighed, turning away from them.
Mirabelle weaved through the paths in the forest, captivated by the beauty of the Verinian. She couldn’t see how a place so majestic could be so deadly. The closer she got to the center of the woods, the more animals she could hear chattering. But when she had been flying for quite some time, the chatting changed to singing, and she listened closer to the song of the birds and whoever was leading them in their chorus.
“The road is long and broken
Frail hearts beat a restful song
Every raindrop tells your story,
In every patient sunrise you belong…”
Whoever it was had a lovely voice, the prettiest Mirabelle had ever heard. Unexpectedly, a tremor shook through her body and she whispered, “Lyrica.”
Her blue eyes widened in surprise. What had she done and why had she done it? She opened her mouth again, and out came once more, “Lyrica.”
She flew down to the forest floor and began rushing through the trees, intent to know what was going on.
Maybe it’s an enchantment and I’ve fallen under a spell. I could be made into dragon stew by a witch! she thought wildly. But whatever was happening to her didn’t seem bad. It seemed good...very good. Unable to resist the pull, she raced forward until she was standing nearly face to face with a young girl, very close to her age.
Their eyes met and Mirabelle sang again, “Lyrica.”
The girl looked at her strangely, though she appeared unafraid. “Who are you? How do you know my name?”
Mirabelle blinked. “I don’t know.” Then she joined in with the other part of the song;
“…Much anger stems from impatience,
But you’re in every nation.
I’ve gained ten times what I have lost,
Through your love and adoration...”
Lyrica’s face lit up. “You know that song?”
Mirabelle giggled. “Of course. I know most songs. My name is Mirabelle. I love to sing.”
“I love to sing, too!” Lyrica said, excited. “Where do you come from? I’ve never seen you around the forest before.”
“I came from the desert. I’ve been looking for my father with my mother and my brother,” Mirabelle said. She didn’t know why she was spilling everything to this stranger, yet Mirabelle trusted her. It seemed right.
“I live here. My mom is the protector of the unicorns.” Lyrica smiled. “You want to go see them? It’s not far, and afterward I could help you look for your father! I know this place better than you do!”
The hatchling squealed. “Really? Thanks a lot!” She jumped up and down. “Hey, do you want a ride? I could fly you there.”
Lyrica gasped. “Would you?”
“Why not? I’m rather small for a dragon, but you’re just my size,” Mirabelle said. “Get on.”
Lyrica clambered onto Mirabelle’s back, fitting perfectly into the groove between the hatchling’s shoulders. Her legs molded to the body underneath her wings and she whispered, “This is weird. It’s almost like we were made for each other.”
“Lyrica and Mirabelle, best friends forever!” Mirabelle cheered. Then she soared into the sky, far above the cover of the trees.
“It’s gorgeous up here!” Lyrica exclaimed.
“We’re not even that high yet. I’ll show you what it’s like looking through a dragon’s eye, just like my mother showed me.”
Lyrica began singing a song happily and Mirabelle joined in. Their combined voices rang out in a harmony that had never been heard in the Lands before, two parts of one piece that had finally been united.
“Be careful, Jade. You never know what’s poisonous or not out here until you check.”
Lottie watched her niece gather various roots in her mouth. Jade ruffled her brown fur and tried not to roll her eyes. She spat the plants out and said, “Don’t fret, Aunt Lottie. I’m a healer. I should know this stuff by now.”
“A newly trained healer,” Lottie reminded her gently. “It’s common sense to not stick to your nose into places where it may be toxic.”
Both wolves looked up as howls rose from across the plains, over the expanse of the hills.
“Looks like you have another chance to put your skills to practice. Animals are getting hurt.” Lottie perked her ears up at the sound of wails and screams. Both wolves ran to the top of a hill, where Jade’s brothers and sisters were standing. Below, dozens of wolves and unicorns battled each other, in yet another fight over territory.
“It’s a frenzy out there!” Shadowin cried as he looked down at the fight.
Snapfoot bared his fangs. “I’ll show them whose land this is.”
He went to leap off the hill and into battle, but Lottie caught his fur with her teeth. “Oh, no you won’t. You heard your father. His pack is to take no part of this.”
“Then why is Mingan getting kicked in the head?” Midnightstar whispered.
They all cried out in sorrow as a unicorn galloped away from their pack mate, Mingan, who quivered once against the ground and was no more.
“No!” Jade ran down the hill to try and resuscitate him, but she knew it was too late. Snapfoot fought with Lottie about wanting to take part in the fight, while Shadowin and Caini just sat down and shook their heads.
Midnightstar, unable to take the fighting anymore, rose up on her hind legs to call to the battle below.
“When will this cruel war be over? When will it end?”
The soldiers below, wolf or unicorn, did not hear her, so she bolted into the battlefield. “Midnightstar!” Lottie cried, but the she-wolf paid no attention to her aunt and charged into the fray.
Midnightstar jumped out of the way of hooves lashing at her body. A stallion tried to bite her but she ran away, spotting an old friend fighting with the mare who had killed Mingan. Midnightstar jumped between them and yelled, “Stop!”
The mare kicked out with her front hoof, and the wolf lunged for her throat. Caught in the crossfire, Midnightstar ducked.
Somebody grabbed her scruff, dragging her to the side of the battle. It was a huge gray she-wolf, younger than she, with gray eyes and a scarred face.
Rabika let her go and shouted, “Are you crazy? Do you want to get killed out there?”
Midnightstar gasped for breath. Beside Rabika was a very small, red she-wolf with tiny paws...Adelaide. Her black eyes were filled with worry. A black male beside her growled, his tail bristling.
“What were you thinking? You can’t stop them,” Tatl said, shaking his head.
Midnightstar blinked sadly. “I had to try.”
“Is it worth getting killed over?” Rabika snarled, the scars on her face shining as her hackles rose.
“I understand, Mids. This war between us has going on for over ten years. You want this to be over.” Adelaide licked the fur between Midnightstar’s shoulders.
Midnightstar sighed. “I just feel like I’ve got to stop it.”
“I think you’ve been reading the stars too much,” Tatl barked. “It’s not that important.”
“It is important!” Midnightstar jumped up. “I have a feeling that I’m supposed to be the wolf to end this war. I don’t know why, but I feel like ending it is worth dying for.”
Adelaide gasped and Tatl snapped, “Well, like it or not, we’re not going to allow you to become a martyr. You can’t stop anything if you’re dead. Now come on. We’re taking you back to Mom.”
The wolves slunk along the edge of the battle, trying to stay as concealed as possible. Adelaide stuck close by Midnightstar, making sure her best friend wouldn’t try to sneak back into the fight.