To Live In Revelry

by M L Adams

  The Keeper screeched like metal against stone, its wings folding at its back as it dove for him. Micah side-stepped and ducked, bringing his knife up and over his head to strike at the Keeper. The beast screamed its annoyance. Micah had caught its leg, but it was only a nick.

  The Keeper's face morphed into teeth as it snarled, beating its massive wings angrily upon the stagnant air of the Golden Fields. Wave after wave of wind forced Micah to step back from the brutal onslaught. The barley was whipping about him fiercely, leaving rising welts across his exposed skin. He had to find a clearing. Not daring to take his eyes off the creature, Micah began running backwards away from the oak tree, knowing that the barley had to end. The Keeper screamed in outrage, seeing its quarry getting closer and closer to what it had vowed to protect.

  The beast landed on the ground with a resounding thud, choosing to chase Micah on foot. Before Micah's eyes, the blazing sword seemed to warp and lengthen. That was new, he had time to think, moments before diving to the floor, avoiding a savage thrust of fiery steel. He sprung back to his feet and continued running, still not turning his back on the creature. Chilly water from the ground below, mixed with hot blood from his head wound, dripped down his shirt, causing him to shiver.

  The Keeper charged again. This time he forced Micah to stop and thrust his arms up to protect himself. Amazingly, Micah was able to divert the blazing sword off its trajectory by angling his much shorter blades. Using this to its advantage, the Keeper rammed one of its wings into Micah's right side hard enough to crack ribs. Micah gasped in pain, only for that breath to light him on fire from the inside. He didn't dare lower his knives for a second. He tried curling his body over, offering his ribs what little protection he could, but this left his face wide open.

  He knew another blow was coming.

  He felt a cushion of air touch him before a crack splintered across his jaw, all the way to the top of his skull. Micah spat blood and teeth. He couldn’t help but groan in pain. The Keeper grinned. They were close enough for Micah to see the triumphant glint in its cold, deadly gaze, and it ignited something deep inside of him.

  Gathering his strength, Micah shoved the Keeper back, sending it falling at his feet. The blazing sword landed out of reach. Micah shouted his own cry into the air. Years of hiding and regret added pain to his immense fury. He was an angel — a fallen one, admittedly, but an angel nonetheless. Never would he be looked at in such a manner! Never!

  His side was on fire, the wound on his head threatened to split further, but the cut to his thigh was growing blissfully numb. Micah forced himself to take shallow breaths before addressing the Keeper, who was still strewn on the ground before him.

  ‘I demand passage! Leave me be, or I will have no choice but to end you.’

  ‘Never!’ the Keeper cried, kicking out its leg, hoping to catch Micah by surprise.

  Micah had been watching out for that move in particular. He jumped to avoid it with ease, using the momentum to plough his own foot into the Keeper’s skull. A sickening crack came from the creature’s neck. Without another thought, Micah turned and ran deeper into the field. He knew he would be at the opposite border soon.

  The Unknown was no place for the faithful.

  Chapter 7

  ‘Be like the bird, who, pausing in her flight

  awhile on boughs too slight,

  feels it give way beneath her and yet sings,

  knowing she hath wings.’

  — Victor Hugo, The Bird

  The first of the morning light was bright against Eden’s eyelids. Shades of peach and green caused her vision to dance before she slowly rubbed the sleep away. The sweet call of a skylark filled the air and her heart. The sound was so beautiful and clear, the purest declaration of life and hope; it made her think of home and how much she missed all its noise and movement, and the unexpected moments of wonder that life brought.

  Once again, Eden's sleep had come at a price. Her dreams were still plagued with the twisted, jeering faces of those she loved. They mocked and taunted until she woke crying, before falling into another restless sleep. Tall trees appeared and then vanished as she reached out to them, leaving her empty and broken upon a solitary green hill. Possibly the worst thing of all was that Delilah had still not come. For the past two nights, Eden had hoped for some kind of signal, a word, but her guardian angel had chosen to remain silent. Eden could only hope that meant she was on the right path.

  Eden shook the night’s disturbing images from her mind and instead focused on the softly swaying leaves of the great oak tree above her. She stretched her body and grimaced at the noisy pops along her spine. What she wouldn't have done for a hot bath right about now! She sighed at the mere thought of soaking in the warm water. She wasn't at all surprised to find a few new bodily stresses and strains had added themselves to her growing list of complaints. She'd put her body through a lot over the past few days, but it would all be worth it if it brought Luca back.

  Filaments of light broke through the dense sea of green to touch lazy patterns upon her body, stirring memories of the previous day when the sun had begun its slow descent towards the looming blue mountains ahead.

  She and Mokoto had left the forests far, far behind them and travelled east, just as Delilah had originally instructed. They had walked and walked and walked, her big toe throbbing with every step. She feared it wasn’t going to be as straightforward as just growing back another toenail. The pain had soon turned from a dull ache to a sharp and constant sting.

  Mokoto had been unusually quiet. Eden hated not knowing what was going through her friend’s mind, but she didn't know what to do to help him. She had decided to be patient and give him time; he would talk when he was ready, and she'd be there for him when he did. Eden had filled the day singing songs her mother had taught her, hoping the pup would find them soothing.

  Still, they had both marvelled at the magnitude of their world, seemingly unending in its vastness. Another marvel was Mokoto himself, who, ever watchful and alert, had grown swiftly before Eden’s eyes, and his body seemed less gangly and awkward now. She couldn't carry him in her arms any longer unless she ignored the groaning protest of her back muscles. Instead, she tried to arrange lots of mini-breaks, so he didn't push his developing frame too soon.

  The land had echoed with abandonment all around them as if every soul had just upped and left their lives behind them, but Eden couldn’t deny she felt as if they were being watched, assessed.

  Eden shook herself back into the present and sighed. It seemed she was sighing a lot lately.

  The sooner they found the Tree, the sooner they could return home and back to normality — but how many families had faced the same decision as Picta and Tamerin? How many families had been torn apart? She was gazing up into the multitude of leaves when a thought hit her: did her own family know she was safe? Were they out there right now, trying to find her? Micah said he would send a winged one to bear the news to her family, but she had to get a message to them herself — and fast.

  Eden sat up and began her morning ritual of raking her fingers through her tangled hair before binding it in a loose braid. With no comb, it had become quite an unruly nest. Eden rubbed at her arms and legs, trying to dispel the sharp pricks that pinched at her skin. She could only assume she’d rubbed against something she’d been allergic to.

  The sun had not long risen, but Eden noted it was unusually bright. She saw the way the wall of barley radiated the early rays and highlighted the soft mist that hugged the ground, making her favourite time of day all the more beautiful.

  Mokoto appeared beside her and wrinkled his nose.

  ‘I swear, Moko if you say I smell you will regret it,’ Eden warned, and playfully jabbed a finger at him.

  Mokoto tried to disguise his snort of laughter with a shake of his head. ‘I wouldn’t dare say such a thing,’ he protested, his face solemn but his eyes twinkling.

  ‘Good!’ Eden couldn't hide her smile. She was, however,
in dire need of a wash. ‘How long have you been awake? Did you sleep okay?’

  ‘Not really,’ Mokoto said, the laughter slipped from his eyes.

  Eden stopped packing. ‘Did you have a bad dream?’

  Mokoto nodded solemnly. ‘I saw my family leave me again and again. It was so real… I would wake up only to fall asleep and have the same dream over and again, but the last time my brothers, sisters, and father were missing, and my mother was crying.’ He shook his head, and his amber eyes bored into her. ‘What do you think it meant?’

  Eden drew his warm body onto hers and tucked his head under her chin. He sunk into her body with a tired sigh. She knew just how cruel dreams could be.

  ‘It was just a dream, Moko. You have nothing to worry about. You’ve been through a lot for someone barely out of his den, and your worries are plaguing you. I think it’s this place… I can’t quite put my finger on it, but it almost feels like the land doesn’t want us here. It sounds strange, but I think this big oak has protected us more than we’ll ever know. The air itself seems hard to breathe; I feel it’s itch upon my skin.’ Eden could see it had the same effect upon Mokoto too, judging by the way his flesh twitched along his body.

  The distant boom of a brewing storm rumbled behind them. She hugged Mokoto a little tighter and decided they should still eat quickly before heading off. Maybe the storm would tire itself out before it advanced upon them… She could only hope. She wished there was a way she could make Mokoto feel safer.

  ‘Have no fear, my friend,’ she said soothingly. ‘Everything will work out — and if it doesn’t, I’ll make it.’

  The pup turned in her arms and stared up at her. His little eyes glinted with the certainty of her promise. He nodded once.

  A deal had been struck.

  They ate a brief breakfast of starchy oats and gathered berries. Their water pouch would need filling soon, but Eden saw no reason for rationing themselves just yet. The crop nearby would demand an abundance of water; she reasoned a stream or lake had to be nearby.

  Their belongings hardly took any time to pack away. They had found a smooth routine between them as they went about their preparations for leaving camp. The song of the skylarks highlighted the beauty of the day and helped to dull the unease they felt in their bellies. She hoped to catch one of the larks’ attention — maybe they wouldn’t mind carrying a message for her in exchange for some food?

  Eden secured the last knot of her knapsack and hefted it up to her shoulder. She noted how much lighter it was compared to when they had first set off. They had yet to replenish the rations they had shared with Mokoto's family.

  Eden's fists were balanced on her hips as she regarded the barley with wary eyes. ‘Moko, would you mind if we walked along the field for a bit? I want to see if there’s a break in the crop before we're forced to make one.’ She frowned. ‘I can’t help but feel we aren’t supposed to…’ She trailed off, unsure of what exactly she was trying to say.

  ‘I don’t mind,’ Mokoto said as his body brushed the side of Eden’s knee comfortingly. ‘But we don’t have to spend too much time here, right? This place makes my skin crawl.’

  Eden nodded; something did not want them there. ‘Agreed. We shouldn’t stay here any longer than we need to.’

  They thanked the oak for its protection and left it to its duty.

  ‘Maybe it’s the crop… Could it be giving off an irritant of some sort? My father and Micah haven't ever planted barley in our field, so I don't know much about it.’ Eden pulled her throw tightly about her shoulders. For such a sunny morning, the heat failed to reach her.

  Mokoto’s skin twitched. ‘The sooner we make it through that stuff, the better. Who knows how long it continues for? It looks like it goes on for ages!’ His whined.

  Eden laughed. Her brothers hated walking for long distances too. Running, skipping and chasing were no problem, but walking — Heaven help them. ‘There has to be an end to everything, my impatient one,’ she told Mokoto, ‘but we only have to find a break —’

  A flurry of wings and feathers momentarily cast shadows against the sun. She blinked to find Quill and Flit bowing before her, and then her eyes came to rest on a strange package lying at their feet. Startled by their sudden appearance, Eden bobbed a curtsy too and hinted for Mokoto to do the same. He managed to extend one paw in front of the other before lowering his head to his forelegs. The motion would have looked elegant if it wasn’t for the look of disapproval etched on his face.

  ‘Greetings, my lady — and her trusty companion,’ Quill croaked.

  ‘It’s just Eden,’ she corrected him, stepping out of her brief curtsy and self-consciously brushing out her makeshift clothes.

  ‘If you insist,’ Flit agreed, shuffling his wing feathers.

  ‘Who are they?’ Mokoto asked bluntly.

  ‘Moko!’ Eden chided. She smiled apologetically at the magpies. ‘I’m so sorry for my companion’s bluntness. He is still very young.’

  The Mocking Brothers motioned acceptance of her apology, but Eden caught the lingering look they bestowed upon her friend.

  ‘Mokoto, I am pleased to introduce you to Flit and Quill,’ Eden continued. ‘They are the magpie brothers, and well known throughout Revelry. Flit, Quill, please let me introduce you to Mokoto. He is a son to Tamerin and Picta and a dear friend of mine. We are sharing each other’s company for a time, before Mokoto is, once again, reunited with his family.’

  The brothers broke into another deep bow as Mokoto looked on mutely.

  She ploughed on resolutely. ‘It is always a pleasure to see you both, but what has occurred for you to come greet us so?’

  ‘We would visit just to look upon your radiant face, but today we also come with a gift to bestow upon you,’ Quill preened.

  ‘The gracious angel, Delilah, has sent us forth in search of one worthy of her aid,’ Flit continued.

  ‘Worthy? Who is this Delilah?’ Mokoto demanded. A line of calico fur stood to attention, forming a ridge along his back.

  Eden shot Mokoto a look, silently begging him to quit talking. ‘What Mokoto meant to say was that the angel Delilah could not have chosen any better equipped at delivering this aid. We are so very thankful —’ she looked meaningfully at Mokoto again ‘— that she has chosen to bestow this boon upon us. Aren’t we, Moko?’

  Mokoto grumbled his agreement under his breath.

  The birds seemed appeased enough. Flit lifted the package in his beak and hopped over to her. On each hop, his wings caught the light, treating Eden to beautiful hues of blue and green. He dropped the parcel on the grass at Eden’s feet, and she crouched down to inspect it. Delilah had said she would send friends to aid her, but this was not what Eden had had in mind.

  The parcel was small, about the size of her palm, and was carefully wrapped in large waxy leaves, tied carefully with twine. Eden reached out for it, but Mokoto’s restless movement beside her caused her to hesitate. ‘Did the angel have any other news for us?’ she asked. ‘Anything we should watch out for?’

  Quill came to stand with his brother. ‘The angel only wished for us to congratulate you on how far you have come. She says your journey is almost over. Soon you will be able to return to your family again, and all will be as it once was. This is but a gift to make your journey easier.’

  Eden picked up the unexpected offering and dropped it into the pocket of her shirt. The magpies tried to hide their disappointment. Eden knew how curious they were by nature, but she had no idea what manner of object was contained within the waxy covering. If it were some clue as to the whereabouts of the Forbidden Tree, the magpies could not know of it. It would spell the end of their quest. She liked the brothers, but she did not fully trust them.

  She shrugged her knapsack to the ground and rummaged through it. ‘I have a favour of my own to request of you... Are you both willing to send a message to my family? I have food to offer you, and this…’ Eden pulled out a small stone she had spotted glinting in the sun
, back at the Opal Courts. It was rough and fairly unremarkable on one side, but the other, where it had been broken by an unknown force, was like nothing she had ever seen before. The only way she could explain it was if a drop of milk had one day come to contain all the colours of the rainbow.

  Quill made a show of inspecting the stone. ‘We would accept this with thanks. What message would you have us relay?’

  A wave of relief filled her. ‘If you see any member of my family, could you tell them that I am safe and well? Tell them Mokoto is with me and we hope to be returning home soon. Tell them I’m sorry — sorry, but there is something I must do... And lastly, please tell them that I love them and I miss them, more than I ever thought possible.’

  ‘And so it will be,’ Flit and Quill said in unison. Flit took the stone from her palm before they both took to the sky.

  ‘I still don’t trust them. And who is this angel Delilah?’

  ‘Firstly, Moko, I am not going to ask you to ignore your feelings, but I am going to pick you up on your manners. A little courtesy from time to time will cost you nothing. You might not understand yet how much words and actions can affect a person, so try and keep them kind and civil.’ She ruffled the fur on his head and smiled. ‘I’m not saying you shouldn’t stand your ground or listen to what your soul tells you. I’m just saying there may, sometimes, be a better way to go about it than being sharp-tongued. That’s all! Your mother and father would be proud of the individual you are becoming. You are intelligent, honest, brave and loyal. You are also my friend — someone I couldn’t imagine being without.’

  Eden shouldered their provisions before starting off again. Their footprints walked a dark trail in the dewy grass. She was beginning to think this barley was impenetrable.

  ‘You ask of Delilah? Well, she is not so easily explained,’ she continued. ‘You know I have spoken to you of a cure I must find for Luca?’ She looked for his nod. ‘Well, she was the one who mentioned it to me. On the night we found you I had a dream where an angel approached me. She told me she was my guardian angel, and she wished to help. She was the one who told me to walk east, and that is what we’ve been doing ever since.’