The Goddess's Gift

“How far do you think the stream is from here?” Lear asked her as they made their way through the forest again.

“Mm, maybe an hour’s walk.”

“How about we fly, instead? It’ll go faster.” he flashed a grin at her.

“Can you fly while holding another person?”

“Have faith in me!” he snorted. “Of course I can! Besides, you’re not heavy.”

Winna studied him, “That wasn’t a yes.”

Lear rolled his eyes, “Yes, I can fly and carry you with me. But why would I offer if I couldn't actually do it?”

“Fair point.” She shrugged.

“Let’s fly, then.”

Winna chewed her lip apprehensively. “I…I don’t know.”

He took her hands and pulled them to his lips, kissing them gently. “I promise I won’t drop you, Winna. And it’ll go much faster. Besides, we’ll be able to get home a lot sooner if I do.”

“Oh, alright. But…don’t make fun of me if I scream. I’ve never done anything like it before.”

“No worries.” they fey man chuckled, pausing to scoop her up like a bride, her arms around his neck. Using his magic, he pulled his wings out, and extended them out, “Ahh. That’s nice.” he stretched a little.

“They’re pretty.” Winna murmured softly, her dark eyes studying them over his shoulder.

“Do you want to touch them?” Lear asked, smiling at her.

“I…can I?” her face heated.

“Of course. It’s just like my arm.” he snorted, shifting his hold on her to one arm, and pulling one of her hands out to touch his feathers.

The young woman giggled in delight, “They’re soft!”

“Well, they are feathers.” the fey man snorted.

“I mean, yeah.” she muttered, embarrassed. “But what do I know? They might have been sharp, or something.”

“I understand.” he smiled again. “Alright, ready?”

“As ready as I’ll ever be, I guess.” Winna told him, letting her hand fall back into place, and setting her head against his chest.

“This is nice though.” he muttered, then shook himself, “But we should go.” Lear knelt, then launched them both up into the air with an easy leap.

A shriek tore itself from Winna’s lips as they soared up into the air, and she buried her face in his shirt. His wings caught the air, and he flapped them gently, hovering upright for a few moments.

“You can look, love. We’re not all that high, and I won’t drop you.” he told her gently, not wanting her to think he was making fun of her in any way, because he wasn’t. It was understandable that she’d be scared.

The young woman slowly inched her face away from his shirt, her eyes were squeezed shut. Bit by bit, she opened them until she was squinting, then her brown eyes opened wide, and she gasped as she stared out at the world stretched out beneath them, “Whoa!”

“Not so bad, huh?” He smiled, turning slowly in the air so that she could get a good view of the entire area.

“No.” she murmured. “It’s pretty.”

“It is.” he agreed, then bent and kissed her briefly, “I’m glad I could share it with you.”

Winna sighed softly, “Me too. thank you, Lear.”

“I love you.” he grinned, “So much. I’ll share whatever I can with you. Especially the beautiful things.”

“I love you too.” She told him, “But…don’t hesitate about the bad things, either. I’m stronger than I look.”

Lear blinked, then smiled, “I know.” He hovered there for a little while longer, then asked, “Shall we go?”

“Yes. As beautiful as this is, I know we need to get to the willow tree for a chat."

Without another word, Lear launched them forward with an almost lazy flap of the wings. Winna clung to him more tightly, but didn't shut her eyes this time.

“It’s so pretty up here.” she murmured.

“Yeah. We could fly more often, if you want.”

“I’d be okay with that.” Winna smiled.

Soon, Lear spotted a thin line twisting across the landscape in the distance. “I think that’s it.” he nodded.

“Yep, probably. I wonder if anyone saw us up here.”

“I’m sure we’ll hear about it if so!”

“I wonder what they’ll say.” she mused, then squeaked a little in surprise as he tucked his wings and dove down, back towards the ground.

“It’s alright.” Lear assured her as he leaned back, snapping his wings out in time to slow the descent.

“Well, now I can say I’ve flown.” Winna said as he landed easily, then put her down. “I imagine my hair is crazy, though.” she started brushing her fingers through the unruly curls.

“Just a little out of place.” Lear reached out and helped her comb everything back into place. “There.”

“Thanks!”

“You’re welcome.” he wove his fingers through hers, letting his eyes linger on her hair, then shaking his head, and sighing, “Gods, your hair is lovely.”

She wrinkled her nose, “It’s messy.”

“That doesn't mean it’s not gorgeous.”

“You really like it?”

“Winna, I love every square inch of you.” He paused, grinning wickedly as he added, “Or I’m sure I will, once I see it all.”

“Lear!” her face burned bright red as she tried to cover it with her other hand.

He gave a low chuckle, and stole a very brief kiss, then changed the subject as he nodded in the direction they were walking. “That looks like a willow tree right there.”

She peered through her fingers, then let her hand fall, “Yes, that’s it.”

They hurried along towards the old tree.

“Hello!” Winna called as they approached, then frowned, “I don’t know what to call her.”

“Let’s see…” he paused, then addressed the tree in question, as they drew nearer. “Lady willow, we respectfully request a word!”

There was a pause, and then the leaves of the long, trailing arms fluttered as if some breeze was blowing, though the air was relatively still. The loose leaves and twigs swirled around, taking the vague shape of a woman.

“It’s been many, many years since I’ve spoken with a human. And I’m unfamiliar with you, young man.” the hamadryad addressed them in a rustling voice that creaked with age. “But as you know I’m here, and are keeping company, I suppose there’s no harm in it.”

“I’m Lear. This is Winna.”

“You may call me Sagebark.”

“How do you do, Sagebark?” Winna bowed.

“Very well, little one.” the willow replied, tone warming perceptibly. Clearly she was pleased by the politeness.

“You…probably don't remember me, but I used to come fishing in the stream with my father when I was a kid.” The mage’s voice was full of the fondness. Clearly they'd been good times.

The leaf-y face shifted into a smile, “I have a good memory, for a tree! Of course I remember. You and your father played hide-and-seek beneath my branches.”

The young woman grimaced, “I hope that wasn’t disrespectful in any way.”

“Not at all, child, not at all.” Sagebark assured her. “Now, I assume you didn’t come to just reminisce with an old tree?”

“Unfortunately not, though it is wonderful to know I can actually talk to you, now.” Winna replied.

“We’re after some information, and thought you might be able to help us, given how long your memory runs.” Lear said tactfully.

“It is long indeed. What do you seek to know? I hear many things from the birds and the beasts of the wood." The hamadryad’s tone was conversational. She drifted towards the overhanging branches, “But come into my branches, it’ll keep the cold away a little better. I do not feel it, but I’m certain that you do, as a human, little one.”

“Oh, thank you.” Winna bowed a little, and they both followed the leaf-figure.

They ducked into the area beneath the willow tree’s leaves, and settled down on roots there, at Sagebark’s direction Knowing that Winna was still likely a little chilled, Lear reached out and pulled her against him, then extended one of his wings out around her.

“Thank you.” she smiled, shivering a little and leaning gratefully into his warmth.

“Now, what information do you seek? I’m happy to help as I can. It’s rare indeed that I get to talk to anyone, so few humans I deem to be safe come by my stream anymore.” Sagebark asked in a businesslike tone.

“That’s sad.” Winna murmured.

“It’s just a part of life. And I do still have speech with plenty of fey folk and animals. They bring me the news of the world, and the gossip.” she shrugged, smiling.

“We’re after information about Winna’s family. We’re told they used to live in a manor house that was in this area, but it burned down a while ago and was never rebuilt.”

“Oh! You’re a Starling?” Sagebark clapped her leafy hands together in pleased excitement.

“Um, yes, that’s my family name.” Winna nodded, smiling a little.

“I recall your family very well, child.” Sagebark told her happily, “I had no idea you were a Starling! I’d have spoken to you and your father all those years before, if I had. They were great friends to us hamadryads, and long protected the forests and fields and rivers in these parts. Indeed, their ancient protection still lingers over this land. That’s why it remains so peaceful and safe here.”

“Oh?” the young woman blinked, “Ancient protection?”

“They brought it with them when they came over the mountains and made this place their home.” the hamadryad nodded, gesturing at the general area.

“I thought we lived in the manor.” Winna was clearly puzzled.

“Not always.” Sagebark gave a rustling chuckle, “Your family came here when I was little more than a sapling. They were a family of great power and wisdom, and were welcomed with open arms in these parts. They were long revered, and spread their peace as far as they could. This area was dotted with small farms and homesteads before they came, but the towns that exist now were able to grow thanks to their influence, especially the one nearest to the manor, which is the town closest to where we are now. Many fey came into the area in the years after your family arrived. They were all mostly peaceful fey, they'd heard word that this was a place to live where they could keep to themselves.”

“O-oh my.” Winna seemed a little taken aback. “First I learned we lived in a manor, now this! Where did we come from? We were healers even then, right?”

“Child, your family used to be far more than just healers.” Sagebark said gently, “The power has waned over the years as they married the locals, who lacked any magical abilities. Although there was never more than one, maybe two children at a time, so your family never got very large. And then it seems that tragedy often befell them, and they usually passed far too soon...But yes, once upon a time, your kin would have had nearly the same sort of power as your fey companion here. You come from a long, proud line of powerful mages.”

Winna stared at the hamadryad, stunned. “H-how…what?!”

“How do you know all this?” Lear asked. The tree was an absolute wealth of information.

Sagebark smiled, “Much like you and your father liked to come fish in the stream, your ancestors did as well. There was a young woman named Awenna who I was particularly close to, she was the daughter of the lord who first came to these parts, and built the manor. She told me much about her family. You’re named after her, if I’m not mistaken. The name has changed over the years, but Awenna to Winna, that’s not a large stretch.”

“Y-yes, Winna is a family name.” The young woman looked stunned.

Sagebark nodded, “Languages themselves change over the course of so much time, as all things do. It’s only natural.”

“So when they came here, they were fully-fledged mages? Not just healers?” Lear asked. If they’d once been powerful mages, there was far more to the story than he’d guessed.

“Yes. I was aware of it because I knew Awenna so well, but as far as most outsiders went, they kept it pretty well under wraps. I believe they worried that if the knowledge of their great abilities were known, it might put them in some kind of danger. I never did understand exactly what danger that was, but I don’t doubt that they had their reasons, and I was happy to keep their secret. In the end, I think they only spread the knowledge of their healing abilities about. Though I understand that’s now the only ability available to you at all, yes?”

“Yes. My brothers don’t have any magic at all, and I’m fairly weak.” Winna murmured, looking disconcerted by all the new information.

“We understand her family was blessed by a goddess, apparently seemingly before they ever came to these lands, going by what you've just told us. Do you know which goddess it was?” Lear asked. Truly, this tree spirit was a wealth of knowledge, and they’d been lucky the faun family had suggested they speak to her. They’d already learned far more than he’d hoped.

Sagebark frowned, “I’m afraid I don’t. They never spoke of her often, to me anyways, and when they did, they only ever referred to her as 'the goddess'. I think they wished to keep who exactly their goddess was something of a secret, and I don’t blame them because again, they did seem to have some reason. But when they did speak of her, it was with the utmost reverence."

Lear sighed, shaking his head, “That’s how information is lost though. I have a feeling that eventually someone assumed that the next generation knew everything, or more than they did, without realizing everything had never been explained in full.” Lear murmured. “It happens.”

“Yes, I think that’s what happened. There was a large bout of a terrible sickness that even your family had trouble healing. Many of the elders passed away from it, I suspect before they’d shared their knowledge. It was a terrible time.” Sagebark said sadly.

“So we were told.” Winna murmured. “We’re looking to see if we can find the goddess’ name so we can ask her to restore the power to the familiar she also gave to my family.”

“I see.” the hamadryad nodded. “That would be the cat, yes?”

Winan blinked, smiling in surprised delight that Sagebark knew about her kitty. “Yes! Diana. Do you know her?”

“No, but many of your ancestors spoke of her very fondly. I know Awenna was very fond of her.” Sagebark laughed, then asked, “Does she not know the name of her goddess?”

“I…I never thought to ask!” Winna frowned.

“I think that’s not the kind of thing she’d know.” Lear interjected, “Diana is very wise, but she’s still just a cat. I’m sure she knows your name, Winna, but…things like that are less important to cats. They’re flighty and inherently a little silly, just by nature. She might not be as silly as Lou, but she has her moments.” Lear thought of the times he’d seen the usually prim and proper Diana go bursting around the cottage in an attack of the zoomies.

“Well, we can still ask.” she shrugged.

“Yes, we can.”

“We’ll have wasted a bunch of time doing this, if she does know…” Winna grimaced.

“It’s not a waste. It’s been interesting to learning all these new details about your family.”

“Very interesting.” the young woman muttered. “A little overwhelming.”

It was quiet for a little while.

Lear broke the silence, “Sagebark?”

“Yes?”

“How long ago was it that Winna’s family came to these lands? Right now, I just know it was more than three hundred years ago.”

“Oh, let’s see.” Sagebark thought for a while. “It was…a very long time ago. Long enough for humans to forget that the Starlings didn't always live here."

“Five hundred years?” Lear guessed. That was a good, long chunk of time for humans, and not an insignificant amount of time for fey folk.

“I think…closer to seven hundred.” the hamadryad replied.