The Princess's Feathers

As the Elders turn away from the crowd, the hum of conversation grows across the aerie once more. I watch them fly away from the gathering stone in a daze, still attempting to process the enormity of everything that’s just occurred. Of everything I’ve just accomplished.

I did it. I really did it. Even without Keuvra’s help, I’m one of them! And Kuro is going to be my mentor! I can hardly believe that everything’s worked out!

Kuro’s wing brushes against my flank and pulls me back to reality. “Asha!!” she’s smiling as wide as I’ve ever seen her. “Come on! Everyone’s waiting to see you!” I gaze down at the base of the rock we’re perched on. While plenty of Kin are taking to the air to leave, a crowd of noisy onlookers has formed, with more flying in from other parts of the aerie. The object of their curiosity is me.

“Hi, Asha!”

“Jump down, Asha!”

“Come talk to us!”

I loosen a smile. Even in Felra, my celebrity status follows me. I’d like to have some time alone with Kuro so we can talk about our training and my plans to communicate with my family... but I suppose it can wait. Even though I’ve found a way into their flock, it’s clear there are plenty of Kin who don’t entirely accept me. I think it would be worth it to spend some time with a crowd and try to clear the air about who I really am.

“Sure, let’s talk to them,” I tell Kuro. “Could you clear a spot for us?”

Kuro gives me a stiff nod and leans down to command the crowd. “Alright! Everyone, form an opening!”

As the Dragons part, my attention is drawn across the aerie to the rock where Relmoon was perched. He’s since returned to the ground, caught in an ambush by two fledges hovering just above his wings. A peat colored drakaina bounds forward, and the two embrace each other with an affectionate kiss and head rub.

So, Relmoon has a family. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised since it’s a requirement in the flock. But how can someone difficult like Relmoon be mated while Kuro remains single?

With a clearing formed, we lope down and enter the fray of wings and feathers. Questions fly in my direction as soon as my talons touch the ground — about my transformation, what it’s like to be a Farlander and my encounter with the Beatrix. I answer them one by one while Kuro stands to my side like Calypso often did while we were out and about in Ellyntide. Because I was never formally introduced to the public, I never had to worry about talking to journalists like mom routinely did. But I was trained how to do it, and for all the moon, this feels exactly like what I was conditioned for. Who knew my first real-world experience would be in front of a crowd of Dragons?

As I talk, I notice a copper-plumaged drakaina slide her way into the crowd of Kin. Unlike the others, her interest seems to be drawn to Kuro. As she reaches the front, I sense Kuro shift uneasily next to me. When I finish answering a question about feeling pain while I transformed (I didn’t,) she brushes her wing to get my attention before I can choose the next question.

“Asha,” she speaks softly. “The woman who just approached.”

Understanding her request, I turn my gaze to the Kin in question. “Yes, you who just walked up? Hello, did you have a question, too?”

“Oh!” she squeaks like a cat, wavering her wings. “Well, um, I actually needed to talk to Kuro.”

I glance up at my mentor, who seems quite rankled. She exhales and settles against her haunches. “Kuky. I think I know why you’re here.”

“Yes, that’s exactly right, Kuro. You told me you would mentor my daughter Frope the next time you took apprentices. I’m here to remind you of that promise.”

Did she make a promise to mentor two Lithans at a time? Is that even allowed?

“Reminding me isn’t necessary,” Kuro replies in a steady tone. “But Frope is a fledge and hasn’t come of age. Asha and I will be talking about many things she isn’t allowed to hear.”

“Well, I know that. That’s why I spoke to your grandmother before I flew over here. She wants us to meet so we can all discuss it.”

Kuro’s head pulls back slightly. Clearly, she didn’t appreciate Kuky going to her grandmother first. She turns to me and asks, “Will you be alright by yourself for a few minutes? I’ll get this sorted out.”

“Would another apprentice slow us down?” I ask wearily. “Kuro, you have to train me as q—“

“I know.” She says, rising to her talons to join Kuky at the crowd's edge. The two greet each other and slip through the mass of Kin to find a spot to take off.

Well, this is concerning. I had no idea Kuro had preexisting commitments to train someone else. I suppose I can take this to mean that training two dragons at a time is allowed, but what does that mean for me? I have to learn everything I can as quickly as possible before the crossing to Sarlain becomes impassable. I can’t afford to be slowed down by another Dragon who doesn’t have the weight of a life-changing deadline.

An older drakon speaks from the front of the group as Kuro and Kuky take flight behind them. “Pity you’re not a boy, Asha.”

My feathers rise. “I beg your pardon?”

“Kuro’s never taken a mate,” answers the man. “Nobody takes this long to decide. Instead of mentoring, she needs to be raising a family. It’s bad for the flock’s survival that she hasn’t whelped any kits.”

Oh.

Well, um, I’m charmed that you think I’d make a good enough guy. To date Kuro. I guess. But mating and starting a family is the last thing I’m looking to do during my visit to Felra.

“Oh, Agith,” A woman next to him chides. “Everyone Kuro mentors becomes fabulous at hunting. And you know it’s just as important to feed the flock as it is to populate it. I’m certain she’ll find someone she likes, eventually.”

“She’s taking too long,” Agith growls. “Far too many seasons. When I was her age, we had already brought three healthy kits into the world. An indecisive sister deserves to have the elders decide for her.”

I retreat a step. “Decide a mate for her? That’s barbaric! The elders wouldn’t really do that, would they?”

Instead of responding, the crowd exchanges sullen glances between themselves. “What? What is it?” They’re all keenly aware of something on the tip of their tongues — something they’re unwilling to share with me. Why?

“Asha,” a tawny drakaina speaks up. “Could you please tell us more about your old life in the Farlands?”

And now they’re trying to change the subject! I fold my wings flat against my sides and wonder if I should press the issue further before quickly deciding against it. I wanted to talk to the crowd to improve my image in the flock, not make it worse by accusing them of hiding things from me. It’s not like I need to get involved in their politics, anyways. I may have become a member of their flock, but I’m still just a visitor to Felra. I’m only planning to be here for a short while.

“Well,” I say, forcing myself to relax a little. “My Den in the Farlands was huge. For a Lemur, I mean. Over seventy Farlanders can sleep in it…”

“Hi, Asha! My name is Frope, Daughter-Of-Kuky!”

The pure white fledge mantles her delicate wings and dips her head low before me. Having just landed on top of the gathering stone, I need a second to catch my breath before I can craft a response to this surprise introduction. “Oh! Um, pleased to meet you, Frope! I wasn’t expecting to meet you up here.”

“Asha,” Meldi stands across from Kuro and me, rasping with her cantankerous voice. “We thought it would be rude not to invite you while we discuss Frope and what she means for your training.”

“Well, thank you for including me.” It seems like a reasonable explanation for why I was called to the top of the gathering stone so suddenly. I was in the middle of an explanation about ‘locomotive-prey’ when I found out I had to wing up here and join them.

Enyll grumbles, “And why am I here, exactly?”

“Someone had to get Asha,” Kuro grunts. “But more importantly, Kuky wants me to train Frope alongside Asha. There isn’t enough room in my Den for three adults, and one fledge.”

“So someone has to leave,” Kuky adds.

Faster than a lightning bolt, faster than possibly anything I’ve ever witnessed in my entire life, Enyll’s demeanor flips. His eyes go wide, and his muzzle curls into a shocked smile. “R-Really?! You mean I can return to Flat Rock?!”

“Don’t leap without wind,” Meldi warns. “This is Asha’s decision to make. She’s the one who’s trying to return to the Farlands as quickly as possible.” She flicks her eyes to Kuro, whose expression remains steady. “And should she return, I suspect you’ll be paired with Kuro again.”

Enyll’s face changes again, staring at me like a dog begging for table scraps. H-hey!! Dude, don’t do that!

“Well,” I chuckle to myself, “I appreciate you looping me in on the decision.”

“Kuro told me you needed to be trained as quickly as possible,” Kuky says. Standing beside her daughter, she angles a wing over Frope. “She’s a good kit, and I promise she’ll be able to keep up with you.”

Frope’s wings droop, “Mom, I’m not a kit anymore…”

"You’re young enough,” she scolds. “And none of your friends are being trained yet, are they?”

“Well, no…” Frope says, rolling stones under her talons. “Not until greenwing.”

“Then I suggest you be grateful to Asha and Kuro for this opportunity. It’s not every day someone is allowed to start their training to come of age in the middle of harvestwing!”

Frope stares at me and forces an unconvincing smile. “Umm,” she stumbles. “I really wanted to train with my friends in Greenwing, but—”

Kuky loosens a growl, and Frope flinches. “Ahh, I mean! I would very much like it if I could train with you and Kuro. I loved hearing your story about the airship-prey, and it would be so cool if you could tell me more stories about the Farlands, and tell me all about—“

“Frope,” Meldi deadpans. “Remember what we discussed. You have not come of age.” She swivels her eyes onto me. “Asha won’t be able to share any stories with you.”

Point taken. That is totally fine with me, though! My priority is to learn how to hunt, not tell stories to children.

“Ah, yeah…” Frope’s wings droop once more, and she looks awfully downtrodden. “But that’s okay! Because I’m still going to come of age before my friends! And I can boast about how I trained with Asha!”

Kuky dips her wings expectantly at me. “Well, Asha? What do you think?”

So, it’s my decision to make. Should I allow this mildly petulant fledge to join us while Kuro trains me?

Obviously, I need to learn how to hunt as quickly as possible. But it’s also important to foster a good relationship with the flock. No matter what happens while I’m in Felra, our relationship with Dragons will never be the same again. If I don’t leave a favorable impression on them, then it could cause problems later. Suppose I do make contact with my family, only to discover I can’t turn back to normal. If I’m stuck as a Lithan for the rest of my life, then I’ll probably need the flock’s help as I age.

At the same time, if I don’t learn quickly enough, the window of opportunity to contact my family may pass. I wasn’t lying when I told the elders I had some ideas for talking to them, but they’re time-sensitive. If I have to wait until spring, then certain conditions may change, and the chance to reunite with my family may disappear forever.

I guess it all comes down to speed. “Kuro,” I say. “Will training Frope slow you down?”

She shakes her head. “She won’t. I’ve trained fledges like Frope before. I know how to teach them.”

Okay, then. Next question. “Have you ever trained more than one Kin at a time?”

“…No,” she exhales, appearing frustrated with herself. “But the lessons I teach for hunting in the Farlands don’t require a lot of personalized training. As long as there’s enough prey for you and Frope, there’s no reason to think we’ll be slowed down.”

“Hmm…” I stare at the ground in contemplation

So, it sounds like I should be alright if we take Frope in. I’m a little worried about her lackadaisical demeanor, but I was a teenager once before, too. Behavior like that can’t be helped when you’re that age.

Besides, the alternative to having Frope in the den is having Enyll, and he’s arguably an even more significant risk. He and Kuro have been at each other’s throats the entire time I’ve known them, and a brawl nearly broke out between them after they saved my life. Few things would slow down Kuro more than a wound inflicted during some petty squabble with Enyll.

That’s what Kuro would want too, right? To no longer have Enyll in her den? She was so crestfallen when Bonello told her she had to share her den with Enyll for another season. Gosh, she must really want me to invite Frope to train with us, right?

I glance up at Kuro and find she’s staring at me intently for a decision. I can see it on her face – she wants me to say ‘yes.’

So, I will. “Alright. We’ll bring Frope with us.”

Everyone present exhales, pleased with my decision. Kuky’s wings perk, and she looks pleasantly relieved. Frope is smiling from ear to ear, and Kuro is trying (but failing) to appear modest about it as she averts her eyes and stifles a grin. Enyll looks like he could begin crying with joy.

“Very well, then,” Meldi says quickly. It sounds like she’s ready to move on from this discussion. “I’m not going to repeat myself about the important relationship between mentor and apprentice. You’ve been through this plenty of times, Kuro. And Frope, do you remember what I told Asha earlier?”

Frope smiles proudly. “Yup!”

“Good,” Meldi continues. “It can be daunting to train more than one at a time, but if anyone can handle it with grace, it’s you, Kuro.”

Kuro nods, “Thank you, grandmother.”

“Well!” Enyll chirps, shaking his wings out. He’s acting like he just won the lottery. “If there’s nothing else needed from me, then I’ll be on my way to Flat Rock! Warm currents, Kuro!”

Kuro’s face grimaces like she just witnessed rotten carrion. “Um, sure, whatever,” she grumbles.

With a spring in his step and a tune in his throat, Enyll spins around to saunter toward the edge of the stone and take off. But before he can disappear, there’s something I need to ask him. “Hey, Enyll?”

He freezes in place. Agitation creeps across his face before quickly being stifled. He glances over his right wing and asks in an artificially chipper tone, “Yes? What is it?”

“Why did you vie for me in front of the flock? You told Ykuvi you weren’t going to at the campfire last night. What changed your mind?”

All the enthusiasm in Enyll’s face drains away. His wings droop, and he stammers, “It—it’s all Fra’s fault! She forced me to do it!”

Frope lets out a resounding scoff. “Don’t be so ashamed, Enyll. We know you have a crush on Asha.”

Eh?! Frope…?!

My head whips around, taken by surprise at Frope’s sassy little out-of-character remark. At the edge of the stone, Enyll’s body flinches, and he appears even more shocked than I am. Pale skin turns beet red, visible through copper facial feathers. “What?! N-No, I don’t! Why would I have a crush on a Farlander?”

Oh, man. That’s your defense, Enyll? You know you at least have to say something like, ‘While Asha is pretty for a Farlander,’ right?

Kuky looks similarly unimpressed. “Well, you are single, Enyll.”

“And have been for many seasons,” Meldi adds.

“You could’ve moved out of my den much sooner if you had taken a mate,” Kuro doesn’t look the slightest bit amused.

The copper drakon retreats a step and nearly tumbles off the side of the rock. He checks behind his wing and quickly repositions himself a few steps forward to a safer position. “But, that’s not…!” he glances between us, understanding he’s vastly outnumbered. “This is absurd! Asha, don’t you agree?”

Sorry, Enyll. I appreciate what you did during the gathering, but you blew this one. “Why do you care what I think? I’m just some ugly Farlander.”

Enyll recoils like someone punched him in the gut. His face twists, and he curses, “Damn it!” before stumbling to take flight from the edge of the stone. He ascends quickly, nearly crashing into another Kin mid-flight as he flies straight to the opening on the far wall that leads outside.

As Enyll leaves, I see Frope’s muzzle curl into a devious little smile. On second thought, I think she and I will get along just fine.