by Liss Thomas
“They’re friendly. They have no scent of their own, so they borrow what they can smell and change colors to match the scent,” Charlie said.
Sure enough, the flowers nearest to her turned a rich golden color. She looked at the ones near Charlie and saw them change into a midnight blue.
“They are so beautiful, Charlie, so magical.”
A birdsong floated down to them from above. Missy glanced up to see a magnificent yellow bird perched high in a treetop. He had the appearance of a finch but with the size of an eagle. Missy whistled to him and laughed as he responded in a melody of tweets and chirps. Charlie coaxed Missy toward the gazebo.
“There’s so much more to see, but first, dinner.” Charlie seated her at the table set for two and then took his own seat. He smiled widely as he laid his hands on each side of the table. The blue light shot up quickly and when it faded it revealed a table filled with a gourmet meal of roasted game, fresh vegetables, a creamy bisque, and fresh bread with homespun butter. Their goblets were filled with a delicate sweet drink. It reminded Missy of the nectar they’d drank as butterflies.
She chattered away about her upcoming quest and all she’d learned from Sir Alastaire and Vrag, eager to get started on the next assignment. Charlie listened and laughed at the stories she related from Sir Alastaire. When their cups were empty, a large buttercup like flower wrapped around the top of the gazebo, bent low and refilled their drinks. Missy thanked the enormous plant and laughed in amazement at the wonder of the place. Charlie loved the sound of her laugh. He took her hands in his and leaned in, kissing her mouth. He lingered there for several minutes, licking the sweet nectar from her lips then kissing her deeper.
“Dessert?” he whispered.
“Maybe later,” she told him, her eyes closed, leaning into his kisses.
“Come with me, my love,” Charlie said, finally disengaging his lips from hers. He pulled her chair back and held his hand out to her. The giant golden finch appeared again perched now on the railing of the gazebo. He tweeted and sang to them. Missy caught a whispered request.
“I think he is looking for food,” Missy said as she turned back and pulled the bread from its basket. She tied the napkin around the pieces, knotting the top.
“What are you doing?” Charlie asked.
“Can’t you hear him? He is looking for food for his family.” She moved away from the table. “Here you go, take it.”
Singing with joy, the finch scooped down and snatched up the bread with its claws and with a final song, soared through the invisible ceiling towards home.
“We’ll have to explore this gift of yours. No one in our clan has the ability to communicate with animals,” Charlie commented, still in awe.
“I can’t explain it. I felt a little freaked about it at first, but now, it’s kinda cool” she said with a shrug.
“Very cool,” Charlie agreed. He led them from the gazebo and toward an ivy covered path. The large silky leaves wove themselves to create a natural canopy above them. The grass beneath their feet felt so thick and lush, it reminded Missy of carpet. She removed her shoes and let her toes wiggle into the luxurious grass.
“It’s so soft, not like grass at all,” she commented. Charlie removed his soft skin boots as well and they walked along barefoot. When they came to a spot where the canopy opened briefly to show the starlight, they stopped, and sat beneath the stars gazing heavenward. Charlie let his gaze fall to watch Missy. She sat smiling and inhaling deeply the scents around her. Charlie stared at the way a stray lock of hair fell over her almost bare shoulders, curling around her face. He reached over and tucked it behind her ear. She leaned into him resting her head on his shoulder. Another sigh escaped her.
“Missy, I love you, so much. Nothing will ever change that. Even if you weren’t becoming a monster, my feelings for you would never change. I want you to be mine forever. Would you do something for me before your next quest?” he asked.
“Anything,” Missy said.
“Join with me.”
Missy sat up to face him. “Joining is like marriage?” she asked.
“Yes, to join is the joining of two souls, mated for life. It is a simple ceremony,” Charlie said.
“Aren’t we too young to … join?” Missy asked. Panic showed in Charlie’s face. He swallowed hard and wiped his palms on his leggings.
Without making eye contact he asked, “Do you love me?”
“Yes! Of course I do Charlie,” Missy assured him.
“Will your feelings for me change during the course of time?”
“No, I’ll always love you, you know that. It’s just that, I’m not sure I’m ready to, um, well … I’m soon to be sixteen Charlie, I’ve only just started to live and experience life.” She trailed off not sure how to put it delicately. “I’m not sure I’m ready to … well, you know.”
“Oh, you are not ready to … mate. Is that it?” Charlie asked.
“Yes, I don’t know if I am ready for that.” She hoped she didn’t hurt his feelings.
“Joining is not the same as mating. We join as a symbol of our devotion to each other. We can decide to mate later. I’m only seventeen by your years. If you want to wait until you finish your quests that would be alright with me.”
“Really? Oh, Charlie that would be wonderful! Yes, yes, let’s join,” Missy said as she flung herself into Charlie’s arms. He fell backwards and rolled Missy to her back planting another kiss on her. Missy wrapped her arms around his neck holding him tight. The kiss blurred into several more and before long the moon’s position indicated they had been there for hours. Charlie looked up to check the time.
“It’s well past midnight, close to the third hour.”
“How long can we stay here?” Missy asked.
“All night, but I think your trainers will object to skipping tomorrow’s session.
Missy moaned. He was right. Charlie reached down and pulled her to her feet.
“Besides, you have a joining to arrange,” he added.
Walking back through the gardens, Missy sampled the scents of the flowers around her. They detoured once to let the sniffing flowers smell them again. This time they both turned the flowers blush pink.
“Ah, they know our secret,” Charlie said. Missy laughed and stroked the large petals before leaving them to fade to white again. Strolling through the empty halls, they spoke in hushed tones about the arrangements. Atian and Sophie would find them an apartment inside the dwelling. The head bull at the cooking fires would arrange the food if Missy provided a menu. Missy thought back to the fabrics Sophie had presented earlier, her mind already formulating a dress pattern. They would have the ceremony in the courtyard; it was the most exquisite site. They reached Missy’s quarters all too soon. Charlie gathered her into his arms one last time for the night. He toyed with her hair as his lips teased hers before kissing her. He pulled away as he felt his appearance changing. Before she shut her door, Charlie looked like his true self again.
Missy turned from the door and started. “I didn’t expect you to be here? she said.
“How was your night, dear one?” Elyen asked.
“Wonderful, Elyen, perfect. He asked me to join with him. I said yes of course,” Missy said as she started to undress with Elyen’s help.
“You will be a beautiful bride for the ceremony. I suggest we have it a few days before you leave on your quest. That will give you time to get used to living together and to mate,” Elyen said.
“We’ve decided to wait until after I finish my quests to mate. We are still young, Elyen.”
“Yes, you are quite young for the ceremony but everyone can see you are in love.” Elyen helped Missy into her sleeping gown then sat behind her to brush the curls down from her blond locks enough to braid them. “Waiting will not be as easy for him as it will be for you. Remember that if he seems restless or impatient at times. When will you reach your sixteenth year?”
“In a few months actually, that would be three m
oons cycles I think,” Missy said.
Elyen smiled and continued the long French braid. When she finished she stood and put the brush away.
“I will tell Vrag to start your training later. Rest as long as you like,” Elyen said as she made her way to the door.
“Elyen, wait,” Missy said.
“Yes, dear one?” Elyen asked turning to her.
“I may need your help preparing for the ceremony,” Missy started.
“Yes, of course, I will help you,” Elyen offered.
“But I don’t have my parents here with me. Maybe you could stand in as my Mother?” Missy asked.
Tears spilled from Elyen’s large doe eyes. She crossed the room quickly embracing her. “You honor me with your request, Missy. I would love to be your Mother!” Elyen said between sobs. “And Vrag will stand in as your Father, even if I have to drag him,” she added.
Chapter 13
The finch fought the frigid air currents, banking hard to miss a sudden gust from the right. When his home came into sight, he relaxed and prepared for his final approach. He lived nestled deep inside an enormous oak. With the skill of experience, he reached the opening and dropped the bread into the hole. His mate watched curiously as he pecked at the napkin to reveal enough food for several days. He selected a piece and carried it to her as she sat patiently on their three eggs. She chirped to him in delight, and then ate the meal. While she ate, he set out again to collect water for her. He used his beak to pick leaves covered in frozen dew. A gust of air hit him from behind and he sank low to shield himself. A hyena’s laugh chilled him worse than the arctic winds. Before he could escape, large paws pinned him down. The hyena’s teeth grazed his feathers as he spoke.
“I followed you from the Bullclan territory. You came from their magic meadow.” The hyena’s bark of laughter brought two more animals.
“Go up in that tree and make sure the other one stays put,” the leader cackled. The smaller of the two looked up and shook out his wings. His awkward flying looked clumsy and out of sorts but he made it to the nest. He sat on a large branch and peered into the hole. The female finch puffed up her feathers and chirped indignantly at the intrusion. On the ground, the male finch chirped and pecked at his attacker.
“Relax. If you give me useful information about what the Bullclan is up to, we won’t harm your family. Was the human girl child there?” A low affirmative whistle, barely audible above the howling wind, issued from the distressed bird. The hyena smiled a toothy grin that dripped of saliva. “Good. She is questing to become a monster yes?” Another low whistle. “Where is her next challenge?” he asked. Chirps of indignation rang loud from the captive. “If you won’t answer me, I know someone you will answer to,” the hyena spat. “Keep watch here,” he told the others. With that, he clamped his teeth around the bird and made off toward the west. After a few galloping strides, the hyena shook out its massive wings and took elegantly to the sky.
“How long do we have to wait here?” The hyena asked from the ground. It had been hours since their leader left. His companion still sat in the tree peering at the female finch on her eggs. She stared without moving at the intruder outside.
“We stay until we are ordered to move,” he sneered.
“I’m hungry,” the other whined.
“What about eggs?” his companion laughed as he eyed the large eggs under the finch. The female finch screamed her horror as she pecked at the snout of the hyena. With one massive paw, he pinned her against the side wall and mouthed the first egg. He tossed it below as his friend gulped it down before it hit the ground. The hyena snatched up the last two eggs for himself before releasing the grieving female. She righted herself slowly and stared at the floor of her dwelling. She didn’t bother looking at the nest. Her eggs were gone.
Chapter 14
The morning brought another day of clear skies and bitter winds to the Bullclan territory. Missy watched from her window as Vrag, and Sir Alastaire prepared the training grounds for the day. Despite being up late, she’d awakened early with excitement. Sophie returned with fabric swatches for the gown. Along with Elyen, they spent five hours discussing each fabric and formulating a design to the dress. By noon they had a plan. Missy dressed now in heavy leggings and a wool tunic that felt surprisingly lightweight but warm. She walked to the training area and began stretches as Sir Alastaire laid out the day’s activities.
“Why don’t we practice in the courtyard?” Missy asked as they started sparring. the cold already numbing her hands.
“It will be cold when you fight. You need to learn to fight in all types of weather. Now try using the shield against me,” Vrag said as he swung a massive paw near her head. Missy threw up her shield and stopped the assault. She jumped back and used her staff to put The Devil on his back. “Good!” he roared. “Again!”
Elyen rescued Missy from the training after two hours. Inside the compound, they made their way to the cooking fires for refreshments and also to talk to the head cook. The old bull sat across from several spits of meat, adding herbs and salts as needed. Sophie sat beside him. She stood as the others came near.
“Missy, this is Dredge, the head cook. We have a wide variety of game to choose from, is there anything you particularly like?”
“Well, I wonder if we could have fish. I haven’t had it here and didn’t know if it was available,” Missy said.
The old bull perked up. “I haven’t had a request for fish in a while! There are waters near here that offer a wide variety of fish and crustaceans.”
“If it’s not too much trouble, sir,” Missy added.
“Not at all! I get tired of the same old game.”
“What about cakes or dessert?” Missy asked.
“Cakes?” he asked.
“Normally, in my world we have a large cake for dessert. It’s made from flour, eggs, sugar. Topped with a sugary icing to make it look pretty,” Missy said.
“Ah, sweets. I think I can come up with something,” he said.
The discussion lasted a few minutes more before Elyen insisted Missy eat and rest before the evening’s activities began.
After ten days of planning and preparation, the special day arrived. The ceremony was set to start at dusk. Missy’s schedule had made it impossible for her to see the courtyard prior to the start of the ceremony. Sophie assured her it would be gorgeous and left it at that.
“Should I be this nervous?” Missy asked.
“Of course, child,” Elyen answered as she adjusted the straps on the gown. Sophie had truly created a masterpiece. The thinly strapped white silk gown was form fitting around the bust and waist. It flared gradually down the legs into an elegant short train. The hand crafted lace appliques created a stunning design of butterflies across the bust line, down the right side to the back and down the train. Elyen held out a gossamer thin overlay made of a fabric similar to tulle for the dress.
“What’s this?”
“Oh just a little magic for the ceremony. It will enhance the gown once we reach the courtyard, really make it sparkle.”
“You’re being mystical and mysterious again, Elyen,” Missy chided.
When, at last, they stepped from the room, a servant stood waiting for them.
“Everyone is in place, Madam Doe.”
“Thank you,” Elyen acknowledged. They walked to the courtyard in silence. It took less than ten minutes to reach the arches.
“It took much longer last time,” Missy remarked.
“Your Charlie must have taken you through the outer corridors. He knows how to stretch out his time with you,” Elyen answered on a laugh. Dusk started to settle as they crossed through to the courtyard. Soft music played from an unknown source. Vrag stood at the entrance. So used to seeing him dressed in battle gear, Missy giggled at the sight of him in formal attire.
“What?” Vrag growled.
“You clean up well, Vrag,” she said taking his arm.
Elyen fluffed the back of Missy’s gown
and fanned out the overlay. The night seemed to come alive as thousands of fireflies ascended from the invisible ceiling. They floated down and affixed themselves to the delicate overlay of the dress, twinkling and sparkling like the stars. Missy marveled as the small creatures created the magic Elyen had mentioned. A giant white moth ascended with the fireflies and circled the gathering. When the fireflies settled into place, it made its way silently down and latched onto the back of the dress, creating delicate white wings on the bride.
“It’s time, dear one,” Elyen said. She turned Missy around. Charlie stood in front of the gazebo with his parents and the old bull. Vrag walked Missy slowly toward them. Atian and Sophie were dressed in regal reds and purples. They also wore crowns.
“Vrag,” Missy whispered. “I didn’t know.”
“They like it that way,” he whispered back.
Vrag nodded to the royal couple, and then presented Missy to Charlie. He stood before the gazebo in human form, dressed in regal garb indicating him as the crown prince of the Bullclan. Missy shook her head and smiled to herself as Charlie took her hands in his. He leaned in to whisper in her ear.
“You look surprised.”
“Just a little,” she whispered back. They turned their attention to the old bull from the cooking fires. He dressed now in elegant black and white formal robes. He began as soon as they found their place.
“Today we celebrate the joining of this young couple before us. The bonds forged here will be eternal. The ties are symbolic of the true bonding strengths that keep a couple together.” With that, he stood back as Atian and Sophie came forward with their ties.
