Queen Asna- Goodbye to Meego

“I can’t believe I’m leaving my home tomorrow.” Queen Asna says stressfully.

“You will be fine; you’re just having a little anxiety. You will enjoy being on the road.” Roasa replies.

“Easy for you to say, your people live on the road, the furthest I’ve been from home is the docks. This place, and these people are all I’ve ever known.”

“You will miss home; I know you will, but you are about to embark on the greatest journey of your life! You are going to change the Kingdom! I for one am excited about tomorrow, to see you in your first steps on the mainland.”

“Tomorrow is a big day; I have dreamed about the mainland all my life. To finally see grass, and animals running free…”

“And trees!”

“Yes, even trees. But it feels like I will never see this place again, or my parents and sister. When we step onto the mainland, there’s no turning back. It will be ten years before I could have an opportunity to return. My life as I knew it, is ending tomorrow and it’s scary.”

“My Queen, all I have ever known is change. My parents were on the road, and then Jose and I were… A new place every day. Each day different than the last. I miss it. Meego has been what’s been different about my life. This is the longest that I have ever been in one place. I thought I would hate it, but it has been one of the best experiences in my life!”

“We let you kill a bunch of men…”

“Not that. I thought that Jose was going to be my only family, and when I lost him, I thought I would be alone forever. But look at me now, I have brothers and a sister. Meego changed my life, and I will always cherish this time; however, the seasons change and there is work to be done. You have a Kingdom to restore.”

“We do, and I am ready for that but tonight is a little bittersweet. To begin this new faze of life, my old life must be locked away.”

“The girl becomes a woman! The story that will be a testimony for Meegan women for all time.”

“Not just Meegan women, but all women. I hope the stories of how women are treated in on the mainland are grossly exaggerated.”

“They aren’t. They are all true.”

“Then we will change the kingdom, women will be treated as equals of men!”

“Equal? Is that what you want? Because you have the King wrapped around your finger.”

“True, but honestly just between us, I am the same way with him.”

The women share a moment of bliss. It’s rare for a woman to find true love.

“I am going to spend a few hours with my parents, I will meet you back at our place. This may be the last time all five of us are together.” Asna says.

Roasa agrees and leaves her Queen’s side. There is no need for protection here.

Asna spends most of the evening hours at her childhood home, not as the Queen but as a daughter. Her family tries to cram a lifetime of memories into an evening. For them everything changes now. Two children will depart for the mainland while one remains in Meego. Both Father and Mother struggle through telling their children everything they want to say but they do their best.

Late into the night, Asna returns to her husband to spend the final hours in her homeland.

About midmorning the next day, Asna is standing barefoot in grass for the first time in her life. Lieutenant Rain stands guard as Roasa speaks with the Queen.

“This is grass? It’s so green and squishy!” Asna asks Roasa.

“Yes, and those are trees.”

“What kind?”

I don’t know. Maybe Rain knows.”

“I do not. These trees do not grow in Bellum.” Rain responds

“Bellum! Are we close? I can’t wait to see where you grew up.”

“We will pass the Cagle Crossroads and enter Bellum by the end of the day.” Rain replies.

“This is so exciting! What are those?”

“Birds.”

“What kind?”

“We don’t know.” Roasa replies

“Well I want one!”

“A bird?” Rain asks

“Yes!” Asna says excitedly.

“A bird would make a horrible pet. You would have to clip its wings or keep it in a cage.”

“Oh… It’s just so strange, to see land animals. We had bugs and snakes in the cave, and we kept horses in stables and a very select few livestock animals, but we didn’t have all these strange animals. I just want to have one.”

“I bet when we get to the Crossroads, we can find a proper pet for you.”

“I hope so. An animal of my own would bring me comfort. It would allow me a distraction. The closest thing to a pet that I have is Aero, and I’m not sure he will let me rub his belly.”

Roasa laughs as she does, she glances at Rain. “You smiled! You liked that joke!”

“Actually, I was thinking that the Queen needs to bathe her pet before she rubs his belly. He has a lot of blood to get off him.”

Both the Queen and Roasa laughs hysterically. Their laughter gets the attention of the men of the camp.

“What’s so funny ladies?” Says King Aero as he walks up.

“Rain told a joke.” Roasa answers.

“What? No way! What was it? I must hear it.”

The women peep at each other and laugh again.

“Well… What was it that’s so funny?” Aero asks again.

The Queen looks him in the eye “You need a bath.”

“I know, it was a busy morning, but can you share the joke?”

The women laugh again, this time drawing even more attention amongst the camp. Something that embarrasses Aero somewhat. He feels that he has become the punchline of an inside joke between the ladies.

“That was the joke, my love.” Asna says as she leans in and kisses Aero.

“Oh… Good one Rain… I’ll go wash off now… Enjoy the grass…” The King says as he walks off.

The women can’t control themselves and laugh again. This time Rain smiles even larger, something unheard of from a disciplined Bellumi warrior.

A few hours later, the three women are perusing the shops of the Crossroads. The main security force diverted around the community to avoid being spotted. The Queen convinced everyone that the women could enter the town undetected because no one would know to look for them. It’s the first time she has used her authority as the Queen to get what she wanted.

“Look, these are all different types of dogs, Asna.” Roasa says while addressing the Queen by her common name. Another command she gave to Rain and Roasa while entering the town.

“Ooh! They are all so strange yet so cute! Would I get a big one or a little one?”

“The bigger the dog, the more work it will be.” Roasa responds.

Asna looks over each puppy carefully. Though she really liked a couple of them, she doesn’t pick any of them. They continue to look. Roasa shows her all kinds of pets. Everything from cats to pigs. Asna wasn’t a fan of the pigs at all.

As they look through the shop, Asna comes across an animal in a cage.

“What is this? It’s so fluffy!”

“That’s a rabbit. It would be easy to handle.”

“What does it do?”

“Like all pets, it eats, sleeps and poops. Oh, and this one hops.”

“It hops? I must have it!”

Roasa calls the shop keeper over. He explains that it’s a female snow bunny. It’s from the northwestern region of the Kingdom. They have it because they have become popular pets for the high-born class. Trappers send them throughout the Kingdom. It’s very expensive.

Without hesitation, Asna pays the fee in silver.

A short time later, she is in her armored carriage riding with Roasa and Rain in the middle of the Meegan security force.

“Look at her! She is gorgeous! I will call her Princess Fluffs!”

“That’s a great name, my Queen.” Roasa answers.

“I can’t wait to show Aero when we stop.”

“You must make sure the King washed, or Princess Fluff will be red.” Says Rain.

The women share a laugh together yet again. The convoy stops. They must have arrived at the gate of Bellum.

Asna looks down at her new bunny. It has already given her a great distraction and some stress relief from the sudden changing season in her life. Today was a big day, and she knows they just get bigger each day.

She is reminded that every second that she travels, is another added to the distance between her and her home. It is also another step closer to the Capital and the biggest fight of her life.

A Gathering of Owls

About a four-day horse ride southwest of the Capital, along the southern coast sits the port city of Orlea. It is one of the oldest cities in the kingdom. The city has been under Broussard family control for over two thousand years.

In that time, the Broussa’s as they are known on the streets have amassed great wealth from its control of the ports, and their less than reputable business dealings. The Broussa’s run the city with an iron fist, squeezing out every piece of gold, silver or copper that they can. The family has a band of “adjusters” who ensure that the Broussard family gets their cut from every transaction in their city. Since Orlea is one of the most prosperous cities, the people pay without much complaint. The one’s that have complained in the past, have all disappeared without a trace.

 It’s these practices that has elevated the Broussa’s to one of the richest and most influential families in the entire kingdom.

Today, Broussard Castle is abuzz with workers. The old castle was once a fort to defend the port, but was converted into a lavish home for the Broussa’s long ago. The castle sits on a manmade hill overlooking the port. The entire area is near sea level, so to give the soldiers an advantageous tactical position, a magician long forgotten had elevated the ground that the castle sits upon.

The workers are busy because the castle has visitors from across the kingdom coming. The castle is getting a deep cleaning. Every ornamental black onyx and golden amber stone has been polished and polished again. Every Trident Leaf, the family symbol, is cleaned to a bright shine. The old girl must look her best for the honored guest.

The Broussa son, Marco returned late last night from the Capital for this meeting. For Marco, the city is a welcome relief from the stresses of running the Kingdom for an absent-minded King. Here the family has been so deeply rooted in the city for so long, that the money seems to find its way to them without much effort. But in the Capital, Marco must be very coy about how he gets his increase.

The Broussa’s hold a feast for their guest that last into the mid-night hours. Wine and fine meat flow freely amongst the affluent visitors. A good time is had by all, until Marco’s father, Leonardo bids the women and children a good evening. To which they promptly leave; they know that this moment is the real reason they are here.

“A half hour, gentlemen.” Is all Leonardo says.

After a half an hour, Marco stands in the corridor to his family’s secret hall. A hidden place deep in the bowels of Broussard Castle. He is waiting to be called in to give his report.

After a few minutes of waiting, the door to the hall opens. Marco steps through. This is the third time he has been allowed inside these chambers.

He walks into a room with six men inside. Once he steps in, all of them turn to reveal their golden owl masks. Each man is wearing a black cloak that covers every part of their bodies, which draws attention to the masks. Each mask is different, each mask is of a different type of owl.

“What is the status of our plans in the Capital?” The lead owl asks.

Marco looks to the owl who asked the question. Even though her knows it’s his father, he must address him by his title.

“Great Overseer, the Coven’s plans have been accelerated in the last years that I have been in the Capital. As of today, I am working diligently to ensure that Prince John Henry will be named heir. As you know, I have successfully recruited him to our ranks.”

“How did you do that?” The Red eyed Owl asks.

“It was simple. He is the second born son; I used his jealously to ensure his loyalty. In exchange for getting him the crown, he has pledged his life to our cause. In private, the future King has bowed to me.” Marco says with pride.

“It was a dangerous gambit to reveal us to a member of the crown! How do we know that we can trust him?” Asks the Snow Owl.

“Because he is well aware that to betray us is death. He knows that with his sister, we could marry one of our families into the throne. He also knows that we have no qualms about putting an enemy to death.”

“Bah! That cross breed princess girl? None of my son’s would want her!” The Red eyed Owl responds.

“She would be but a means to an end. I assure you, every one of our son’s would take her for the power that the crown wields. Besides, as I can assure you from my experiences with the current king. The Queen is just a figure in public. The women that he has in private are top quality commoners.  Every man would enjoy a harem like that.”

“But what about Prince David? He is next in line.” The Screech Owl shouts.

“I had eyewitnesses see him enter into Meego with his brother, Aero. I assure you; he is either dead or will be soon. If not by Meego’s hand, then by the one thousand loyal knights I sent to kill him, and Aero should he return. They are stationed at the Old Palace by the Dried-up Sea now, waiting to strike. Once the Meego Light returns and the door to Meego closes, John Henry will be heir.”

The Owls whisper amongst themselves, Marco is enjoying this. The official agenda that was handed down to him was way more modest than the work he has already completed.

“What about the crown now?” The Great Overseer asks

“King William is a very easy man to manipulate, just give him a couple girls and he will do whatever we want. Hell, I have been cycling girls in and out of a rotation lately. It’s amazing how little he truly sees. Most get a haircut and a new name, then they are back with him and he doesn’t notice.”

“What if he does find out? Then what?”

“Then, I will blame it on the girl wanting to return to a life of luxury then kill her. All the girls are under our thumb, they know to obey. Plus, they really do get to live an easy life aside from whoring for the King.”

“What of our finances?” The Snow Owl asks, changing the subject.

“When I arrived in the Capital, the Crown had no debt and was running the kingdom fairly well. Over time, I was able to overthrow all the advisors to the King that were in my way. Today, the crown owes us, six million gold. The crown is in debt to us, and the King is so distracted that I dare say this now- the Kingdom belongs to us.”

A round of applause is given by the owls.

“Finally!” Shouts the Pigmy Owl.

“To Marco!” Shouts the Snow Owl.

The Great Overseer holds out his hands to calm the owls.

“So the crown is indebt to us, we have a King who can’t see beyond the breasts in front of his face, we have successfully eliminated two Prince’s and set the third up to be the King that kneels to us. That ties everything up except for one thing. What about the Royal Blade? I know that we sent Aero on the guise of retrieving it, but that was just to take him off the board. I hope those sand dwellers do their jobs again. The Coven wants to add that sword to the ranks of our other mystical weapons cache. Is there a chance to that we get it within our grasp?”

“Great Overseer, I took it upon myself to send Underbridge Assassin’s into Meego to retrieve it. Not just one or two. I specifically asked for every available assassin. I don’t know if that’s fifty or five hundred, but every time we have ever used them, they got the desired results. The price will be steep, but I will have the crown pay for it. So I suspect they already have it, and it should be on its way to us soon. Also, Ser Robert, sent a report from the Old Palace. There is a second magic weapon in use. It’s a battle axe. It was wielded by a man riding a Halo Bear. I have about two hundred men searching for him.” Marco replies.

“Excellent! Even if we do not get the sword, Marco… You have done more work for the Coven in the last ten years than this court has completed in two hundred. The Coven will now adjourn to my office to speak in private. Remain in this room until we return.” The Great Overseer commands.

Marco sits in a chair before the massive table. He looks above the mantle and sees the secret vigil of the Coven, two glowing owl eyes with a beak slightly cracked open in the middle. Ever since he became of age, he has worked for the Coven at the behest of his father.  His entire adult life has been to further the goals of the secret society. He hopes that they return with a reward of some sort, but he can’t be certain.

He did make several power plays without the approval of the Council. Perhaps they will punish him to put him in his place for such arrogance.

The Council is gone for some time with allows Marco’s mind to race at the thought of what comes next.

Finally, as his nerves begin to get the best of him, the Owl’s return.

Marco stands as they enter.

“Marco, after convening with the Council about your actions in the Capital, and all of your victories on our behalf we have decided to reward you for all your hard work. Approach the bench to receive your reward.” The Great Overseer says

Marco steps to the table directly in front of the Overseer, his heart is beating out of his chest. A punishment could be veiled behind the idea of a reward. He knows this and has seen it. The Overseer slides him a black box.

“Open it.”

Marco opens the lid to the wooden box to find a golden owl mask.

“By the right of this Council, we bestow upon you the moniker of the ‘Horned Owl.’ Just as the Horned Owl hunts other birds of prey, you stand in the Capital and hunt down other predators and win. Welcome to the Inner Circle of the Covenant of the Whispering Owls.”

Marco picks up the mask in shock. He thought this was an honor for much older men. He looks over the beautiful mask that shows off the details of a Horned Owl’s face. He looks back to the box and finds a black cloak.

One of the other Owls helps place the cloak over Marco. As Marco places the mask over his face, the overseer takes out a dagger and hands it to Marco.

As he slides the blade across his hand, he says the words “In public we whisper, but soon our screech will be heard.”

The others repeat it.

“You have all the makings of a Great Overseer. Keep up our great work for the Kingdom.”

The magic dagger that shed just a few drops of his blood oath has already healed his hand. Marco has arrived.

Around the Kingdom #1

-Nunley the Hunter

“Ser Nunley! I’ve finally found you! I’ve been searching for months.” Says a young Capital official riding up to him.

“Go away, I’m on the hunt. I don’t have time for any political bullshit.” Nunley dismisses.

“But Ser, I’ve been travelling for months. I have a very important mission for you.”

“What could the King possibly want from me?”

“Not the King, the Coven. I was sent to find you from Marco.”

“They are all the same to me, I’m not interested. I’m hunting an ostrich.”

“He said you would probably try to get out of it. He also told me to remind you that you owe the Coven dearly, and that this one mission would clear your debt. He also said that if you refused the call, then you would become the hunted. The Coven would use every resource to bring you in for punishment.”

Nunley knows enough to not stand against the secret society. He knows if they are putting this much muscle on display, then he better pay attention.

“Fine, what is the order?”

“It’s a sealed order, to be opened by your hands only.” says the official.

“Ya, and we both know that there are ways around that seal. So, cut to the chase and tell me what the order reads.”

“You are to hunt down a Fin.”

“Aero? They want me to take out a prince? I met him years ago; he is scum… sounds like an intriguing offer. To hunt down a prince, another knight would be a great quest. Where is he?”

“When I left the Capital, he was on his way to Meego.”

“That far East? No, I’m not going to go. I’m too busy with my hunt.”

“I told you that the Coven demands it. You need to reconsider.”

“But all of that depends upon you finding me.” He unsheathes his sword. “It looks like robbers killed you before you could find me.”

He stabs the official in the chest. He waits on the official to die, then he robs the body to make the appearance of a mugging. Nunley walks away without a second thought of the man. He has a wing to collect.

-Kobi and Ayepex

“Two weeks ago, you said that they should have returned, but they haven’t. Are you concerned?” Kobi asks.

“I am, but there is nothing I can do about it. If they were found, I can’t go patrolling for them because people would be on to us. We didn’t want the mainland to know we were on it. A random Skyman can claim to be lost, but another would be proof that we are back.” Ayepex replies.

But you’re not back, not yet any way.”

“Yes, but more human interaction would compound any move we make at this point. It is best to be careful and give them more time. Perhaps the conditions have changed that has slowed them or maybe the old-time standards of our forefathers were off some.”

“They were also times for Skymen who had flown the routes many times. I hope it’s because Betta and Zyno have never flown the routes before.”

“I agree, we can hold out hope for a little longer. I will fly back to the island tonight to update the elders and return in the morning.”

“Okay Ayepex, if you have any more Skyman armor for me to purify, bring it. It would give me something to do while we wait.”

-Marco and Gerwin

“Gerwin, I must leave out tonight to return home. I will be leaving you in charge of attending to the King.”

“Yes sir, is anything wrong back in Orlea? You don’t spend too much time away from the Capital.”

“Everything is fine. My father has several of the old Birds in for a meeting and wants me to give a firsthand report of our interest here in Blue Water.”

“The old Birds? Together? This sounds a little more important than a report. Maybe you will be promoted for all your hard work.”

“Gerwin, I doubt that. These Oldtimers like to hold onto their seats of honor until death.”

“But that has to change once you get John Henry on the throne.”

“I imagine it will, but we have to get King William to name him his heir. If you get an opportunity while I am gone, make sure you send him that hint.”

“I will try, but he doesn’t have the patients with me that he does with you.”

“Gerwin, remember this. If the King gets angry with you, distract him with a young beauty. Especially one of ours that will work all his anger out of him.”

“Will do sir.”

“I’ll be back within the fortnight. Don’t ruin anything we have built here. I mean it.”

-The next Gilbert Knight

John Henry stands in the King’s Court. He has become more active and vocal since David’s disappearance. He knows these moments ingratiate him to his father.

“Father, a rider from the west arrived today with a letter. It’s from the Gilberts. With your permission, I would like to read it to the court.”

“Of course, son, what does our closest allies have to say?” King William asks.

“To our beloved King, From the desk of his humble servant, the Duke of Gilbert. On behalf of my wife, I would like to send you the first announcement of our pregnancy. We are expecting our fifth and final son. We expect the baby in about six months’ time near the celebration of V-Day. Also, upon the eve of V-day, we will charge our newest knight to come of age. Our son Patch will be presented his hammer and armor. We invite the Crown to this time of great celebration in Gilbert.” John Henry reads.

“Well, that is great news. John Henry, I want you to make arraignments to attend that event on behalf of the family. This will be a great exercise in your public duties to our people. The Gilberts have been servants of the Crown for a millennium, and we will show them our support during this great time of joy in their city.”

“Yes Father.” John Henry responds.

-Betta and Zyno

“We have to keep moving!” Zyno says with urgency.

“Yes, I know. The hunter is looking for us, but we are so far away from him I need rest.”

“If he finds us, he will kill us.”

“Yes, but I have been carrying you for over a week. My wings are numb. We need a day of rest.”

“But I can’t rest. I won’t rest until we are out of the region. He is a monster! He is coming!”

“Zyno, I know you have been through a huge ordeal. I know you have trauma, but he can’t possibly catch us now. We are at least five days ahead of him, and we are not leaving a trail for him to follow.”

“It doesn’t matter! He will find us. I wish, he had just taken my other wing to begin with and been done with me!” Zyno says as he breaks down and weeps again.

Betta has had to comfort his friend several times since rescuing him. The shock that Zyno is experiencing is understandable but it makes travelling so much harder.

“Look, we are about a week away from the Forge. If we take a day to rest my wings, then we will fly twice as hard tomorrow and make up ground.”

Zyno knows his friend is exhausted, but he is so fearful of Nunley.

“Okay, one day. I will do my best to hold myself together.”

“No, you need to close your eyes and sleep. I will take the first watch; I will stay awake every second that you are asleep.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, sleep. You need it.”

-Aero and his secret mission.

Aero summoned Matthew and Ali to Dabir’s office. Upon arriving, Matthew and Ali immediately kneel before Aero and Asna.

“Matt, get up. You don’t have to kneel every time I turn around.”

“I’m sorry, I am just proud to have a King and Queen worthy of my respect.”

“I thank you for that, and I hope we live up to your expectations.” Queen Asna says.

“Matt, the reason I called you and Ali in is because as you know, we are days away from returning to the mainland.” Aero says. “Dabir has rounded up twenty-five hundred Meegan volunteers to escort us back as a security force, and Asna and I have named Ali as the commander.”

“Thank you, my King, my Queen. I will do my duty to the best of my ability.” Ali says.

“We know, but we called you in to offer you a special mission that you must take a vow of secrecy if you choose to accept.” Aero says.

“I do.” Matthew vows without hesitation.

“As do I.” Ali seconds.

“What I am about to tell you, must remain secret. When I tell you this, only five people in the world will know and it must remain that way.”

“Understood.” Matthew says.

“I did go into the Cave of Brintz. I met the monster in there. He goes by the name Crimson, and he is over one thousand years old. He is a sorcerer that is trapped in the cave.”

“I knew it!” Matthew exclaims.

“He will first try to intimidate you by surprise. He told me that he smelled my royal blood. Then, he will show you his size. He is massive. At least eight feet tall, his shoulders are as wide as you are tall. His skin is a dark red from the blood magic he used centuries ago to sustain himself. But don’t let any of that fool you. He is on our side.”

“What are we supposed to do there?” Matthew asks.

“He is trapped inside the cave by an ancient spell. So, I need you to take him this box. Inside it, is all the known magic artifacts from the spells that cursed Meego. I need him to look at them and see if they can be reversed. Once he tells you the answers, you will meet us in the throne room of Blue Water Castle.”

“Will it really take us that long? If there is just the three of us travelling, we should be well ahead of you.”

“Three?”

“I have a squire now; he must travel with us.”

“My son should not see the beast. He is not ready.” Dabir interjects.

“I will have him set camp and tend to the horses.” Matthew answers.

“Yes, you will be ahead of us, but you will understand when you meet Crimson why it will take so long. He is a talker. He will make you go into detail about everything that has happened since I left the cave.”

“Okay.”

“So, when the group exits the Dried-up Sea, you three will slip off from the back of the group and will ride west.”

“What about the knights? Don’t you want us to help fight them?”

“No, you need to be on your way. Hopefully, everyone will be distracted with them while you ride away.”

Both men agree and collect the box of artifacts. They have their mission and will see it through.

A Wedding in Meego

“I wanted Roasa too, but Rania claimed her for her personal guard.” Aero says

“You mean Asna…” Matthew rebukes.

“Right, I’m having a hard time with her name. I hope Stephan wasn’t upset that I didn’t name him to my personal guard but until Asna and I have an heir, David is the heir. So I thought he would best to continue to protect David.”

“I’m sure he understands. He’s had a lot of experience over the years with crown politics.”

“I wish I had more. I’m still struggling with this. Me the King? Everyone in the Capital will laugh when they hear the name King Aero.”

“Let them laugh, then put them under foot.”

“I will not be a tyrant, Matt. I wish I was as comfortable in this role as Asna is… She has a passion for the future.”

“You don’t?”

“I um… have a passion for her.”

Matthew laughs. “Well let’s get you married then.”

Both men begin getting dressed in the formal Meegan clothes that Dabir sent over.

Across the city in the Governor’s Mansion, Asna is getting ready as well.

“Azka dropped off our dressed about an hour ago. She said she was going to make sure everything is on schedule.” Asna says.

“You just love getting me into your fancy dresses. You must think teal is my color.” Roasa replies.

“You look good in teal, but it’s just for the occasion. You are my personal guard now; you should want to look nice for the wedding. Besides, the last dress I put you in is on display in the square.”

“Covered in the blood of my enemies… I know, you don’t have to remind me.”

“Well, you are the greatest woman in the history of Meego. You proved once and for all that women are equal to men.”

“I seriously doubt that I will be remembered in Meego because a greater woman came after me. Queen Asna.”

“I’m just a servant of the people, you are the one who makes dresses legendary.” Asna says laughing.

“I would feel better about it if you would order Rain to wear a dress too, she’s your personal guard too.”

“Roasa, you know Bellumi women don’t wear dresses for any reason.”

“They do if their Queen commands them.”

“Roasa, you’re awful.”

Both women laugh.

There is a knock at the door.

“May I come in?” Dabir asks.

“Yes.” Asna responds.

Dabir walks in.

“Everything is ready.”

He looks at his daughter.

“You are so beautiful! I wish your mother was here to see you!”

“You make it sound like she is dead, she’s with Azka, she will soon.”

“I know, I’m just so excited for you… for Meego!”

“Let me get married, then we can plan Meego’s future, Father.”

“Of course, my dear. Take as much time as you like, everyone is ready.”

Dabir leaves the two women alone.

“Queen Asna, what is your most important plan immediately following the wedding? The restoration of the kingdom, ensuring the future of Meego? Something else?”

“Something else, Roasa. My most important plan is to get my hands all over Aero. Eventually, we will work on the other stuff.”

The two women share another laugh.

A half hour later the ceremony begins.

In the new city square, the cave lit up so eloquently. All of Meego has lined up outside the square to pay tribute to their new Queen and King.

Several expressions of unity take place, from lighting candles together to Ser Matthew taking Dabir’s son Isa to be his personal squire.

“In the old days, a Magi would oversee this joining of royalty. For the past few hundred years, in Meego the bride chooses someone of honor to lead in the ceremony. Asna has decided that, I should do the honors.” Dabir says. “I am humbled to join my daughter to this man, Prince Aero. This is a day that all of Meego has been yearning for… a day of promise. For the rest of the kingdom, it’s the beginning of reconciliation; even though they do not know it yet.”

Everyone present suddenly realizes the gravity of the marriage. To Aero’s group, it has been simply the joining of Aero and Asna; but now they realize that there will be a lot of work to do in the near future.

“But today, we can set all that aside because this is not a joining of government, but of love. True love…”

Aero and Asna look into each other’s eyes. Aero cannot believe the whirlwind ride that he has been on since entering Meego, but now he sees the value in her eyes. Everything was worth the end result. Even if he still struggles with the role of being king. He found true love.

“Asna, you chose this man, Aero to be yours. Do you take him now?”

“Yes, I do.” Asna says with a smile.

“Aero, Asna has chosen you to be hers, do you surrender to her choice?”

Matthew cannot help but let a small chuckle out under his breathe. The Meegan custom is still foreign to the mainlanders. Matthew can’t help but wonder what the Capital elite will think of this strong-willed Queen.

“With everything in me.” Aero says returning Asna’s smile.

“According to this agreement, you two will be sealed for all time with one final expression of unity.”

No one went over this part of the ceremony with Aero. He has a moment of panic not wanting to ruin the moment.

He looks to Dabir, “Which is?”

Asna reaches up her hand to Aero’s cheek and turns his head back to her. He looks into her bottomless brown eyes and loses himself.

Asna leans into him, embraces him tight and kisses him deeply.

The guest clap, which causes the Meegan public to cheer outside the square.

Dabir holds his hand up to quiet the celebration.

“For the first time, I present King Aero the First and Asna, the Desert Queen.”

Then, he kneels. Everyone follows his lead. Aero can’t help but to feel out of place. Especially when his brother David is kneeling too. He has been dreading this part, he has always hated public speaking.

“We would like to thank everyone for joining us for this occasion. We will soon return to the mainland to begin our reign as King and Queen, an equal partnership between us. This is the old way, and we have committed to returning to the agreement of our forefathers. We will reunite the kingdom, but tonight we celebrate.” Aero says.

Claps, cheers and yells ring throughout the cave city.

For several hours everyone parties. The Governor’s family put together a party that will be talked about for years to come.

Late in the evening, Roasa toasts her “two favorite people.” She’s drunk. Aero looks to Matthew who is smiling. He did it, he got her drunk.

 Actually, its Meego. The city and its people have allowed her to feel comfortable enough to enjoy a drink. The people lean on each other for survival during the hard years. They have cultivated a community that is not found anywhere on the mainland.

Aero looks to his bride who leans in with a smile. “I want to take you somewhere before we go to bed. We need to try to sneak away.”

Aero agrees and waves Matthew over. “We want to sneak out, can you create a distraction?”

“No problem.” Matthew says. “Everyone, let me tell you the story of the Battle of Inland Docks!”

Cheers ring out, and Matthew walks away from his King and Queen to draw attention away from them.

“It was a dark night! Ali and I were enjoying a drink…”

Asna leads Aero out of the banquet, and the cave city. She leads him to the bench where they sat on their first date.

 They sit down, they are alone in the Old City.

Aero pulls her in, she lays her head on his shoulder.

“We finally made it.” Aero says.

They sit in silence as they think over how these past months has changed them. For Asna, her story will finally bring an end to the Diary of the Daughter. For Aero, he found that his destiny wasn’t death but life.

 Neither will ever be the same.

Aero kisses his brides head and looks up.

Something catches his eye. It’s the vague outline of the mountain like rock he saw when the Meego Light left. Their time in Meego is almost over.

Zyno #2

Zyno has been on the run for nearly a week since his second capture. Nunley caught him within a day of releasing him but didn’t enjoy the sport of the easy hunt and released him once again without further injury. In fact, Nunley dressed his broken wing stub to where it wouldn’t bleed him a trail to follow. He also plucked the loose feathers that have been falling from the good wing. Lastly, he gave Zyno his mace back to defend himself.

Nunley and his hunters released Zyno again with the promise that they would not show anymore pity on him. Nunley’s last words to him still ring strong in his mind- “take care of my wing until I collect it.”

These savages show no remorse for the brutality they force upon their victims. Zyno’s horror from seeing the sight of his wing carelessly used as a decoration for a man who has many trophies from other victims does not go away. It lingers in his mind, especially anytime he tries to close his eyes. They have pushed him to exhaustion, but he knows he cannot stop.

The Skyman has been running through a fire-oak forest for hours. It’s thick undergrowth and vines should slow the men with their horses. Perhaps they will lose his trail.

Either way he refuses to stick around to find out, he presses on.

The thickness of the shrubbery presses against his broken wing to remind him that he is still wounded. A man of the sky who will never touch it again. He doesn’t allow these creeping thoughts to remain though, his life isn’t safe yet.

He makes a final push through the denseness that spits him out into a field. He has stepped on to an ancient homestead. The fields are sprouting with fruits and vegetables of all shapes, colors, and sizes. In a few months the field would have provided great cover to move around out of sight, but the plants barely come to his knees now. He is exposed to whomever is in the area.

He instantly makes a move back to the forest.

“A Skyman! A real one!”

He looks to his right to see a very old lady. The wrinkles on her leather face fold over one another. She is smiling so wide; her eyes are almost shut and shows her lack of teeth.  She has such a tiny frame that she could not be even five feet tall. Her appearance disarms the panicked Zyno enough for him to speak.

“Please, I’m injured. Hunters are chasing me. I have to hide… please don’t tell anyone you saw me.” He says as he continues into the woods.

“If you need to hide, then I can give you shelter.”

“They are on my trail; they will come here.”

“Then perhaps I can have my son create a false trail. Please, allow an old woman to help you.”

After a short pause, Zyno agrees.

She takes him to an old barn in the middle of her property. Inside, she takes him into a stall and moves the hay around to reveal a hidden door. She takes him down inside.

“It’s an old hideout from the Great War. My family stowed away all sorts of people in here. Magicians, Minotaurs, Witches, Ghostfaces, Rhine, Tree Dwellers, and even Skymen. If Paul the Devastator couldn’t find it, I’m sure a few hunters will go by all the same.”

“My people stowed away in here?”

“They did as the war was pushed westward; they needed a place to hide. My ancestors chose the side of magic in secret but the side of the King in public. According to family tradition, we saved a lot of lives during the war.”

“Amazing.” Zyno says.

“As for your trail, can you give me a few feathers, and maybe a few strips of clothing?”

Zyno complies and hands the old woman the feathers and strips. “Thank you for doing this, my name is Zyno.”

“I am Ann. It is my honor. Makes me feel like I am apart of my family’s tradition now.”

“Ann, what if they come here? They are brutal men.”

“I will tell them that I saw you, but you ran in the direction of the trail my son will leave.”

“If they don’t buy it, they could hurt you. Even kill you.”

“Zyno, I am one hundred and thirty-five years old. If they come, I welcome death. My life has been nothing but toiling in the soil. This is the first thing I have ever done that gives me a sense of purpose.”

“What about your son?”

“He’s an idiot. He’s eighty-two years old and never married. Fifteen hundred years of our family plowing this land, and it ends with him. He isn’t worth worrying about. I’ll bring some blankets and food after I send my son off to make a trail.”

The old lady leaves the hideout, and Zyno looks at the walls of the place. There are old carvings and drawings in the walls. He sees a feather carved with a circle around it, with the words High Above written below it. It’s his family crest! His Grandfather stayed here. In a strange way, this gives him comfort.

The old lady returns and assures him that he can rest. He quickly eats before falling asleep. When he finally awakens, he finds a few plates of food were brought to him while he was out. He must have slept for days.

He carefully steps out of his hideout and looks for the old lady in the fields.

“Come on out Birdman.” He hears from behind.

It’s Nunley and crew, they have Ann.

“Before I collect the rest of my cape, you are going to watch me deal out some justice. Magic is illegal in the land and hiding a magic creature on your land is an offense punishable by death.”

“Run Zyno! Don’t worry about me!” Ann screams.

Zyno begins running as Nunley slices the old woman’s throat from ear to ear.

“No need in running now! We got you!” Zyno hears from behind.

He doesn’t stop, he runs and doesn’t look back. He will mourn Ann later, if he survives.

He ran directly away from the fire-oak forest, he enters a wooded area after crossing the road and keeps on running. Briars, and limbs and vines cannot stop him. He is bleeding all over from the scratches, but he doesn’t care. Death is behind him. He can hear them taunting him just a few hundred feet back.

Maybe this is it, maybe he has ran out of places to go. But he will run until they physically stop him.

Over the hills, and into the valleys he runs.

His superior hearing lets him know that he is pushing away from them, but he can’t stop now.

He runs out of the woods to the edge of a cliff. At least three hundred feet above a small stream. Too small to jump into. Is there a way down? He asks himself. No, he is trapped. His mace is back at the old farm. He is defenseless.

Nunley exits the woods with laughter, his crew in tow.

“You cornered yourself. Ostriches can’t run on cliffs. You’re a ground bird now.” He says as he throws down something at Zyno’s feet.

“The old woman’s scalp. She refused to help us. Her son wasn’t so stubborn when we found him out laying a fake trail through the middle of nowhere. Of course, he had to pay for his part in all this. I just didn’t bother to take his scalp.”

“Why…” Zyno begins before being cut off.

“I am an anointed knight of the kingdom, it’s my job to hand out the King’s justice.” Nunley says with a smile on his face.

The other two hunters begin to flank Zyno so that he will not have an escape.

“Tell you what Birdman, give me my wing without a fight and I will allow you to live. I’ll take you to Rhoan and put you in a cage in the city square for public viewing. Or you could fight me, and I’ll kill you, then cut my wing off your back. Those are your two options, choose now.” Nunley says with an evil grin.

Everything about Nunley is built upon intimidation. His dress, his speech, his gaze. Nunley has mastered the art of phycological warfare. He has expertly used this skill to break Zyno down.

Zyno tries weighing his options, but he knows he can’t be placed in a cage. He doesn’t want to die but being a wounded attraction in some human town is not a real option at all.

As he thinks things over there is a shout heard throughout the valley below. Sounded like some animal, the hunters don’t care. The only prey they care about at the moment is within their grasp.

“What’s it going to be Ostrichman?” Nunley asks.

Zyno opens his mouth and lets out a loud shout. To the hunters, it sounds like a cry of desperation.

“I know it’s frustrating, and a hard decision but you will make it! NOW!” Nunley demands.

At that exact moment, Coge is pulled from the ground. He is flown over the cliff and let go. About three hundred feet later, he is dead.

It’s Betta! How? Zyno wonders.

Zyno turns to Burn and leaps at him, pushing his sword out of his hands. Nunley tries to make a move for him but Betta lands between them.

He stands tall, and shows his full wingspan, a sign of intimidation and Nunley backs away. He doesn’t display fear, but rather an expression of assessment. It looks like he is sizing up the new Skyman.

Zyno lunges Burn off the mountain to his death. Zyno turns toward Nunley who is staring into Betta’s eyes. When he sees that he is alone against two Skymen, he finally shows fear.

“Stop!” Nunley shouts as each Skyman takes steps toward him. He stumbles away, running into the forest. They allow him to leave. The forest would put Nunley in his element and put the Skymen at a disadvantage.

“What happened?” Betta asks Zyno.

“We have to get out of here now, no time to explain.”

Betta grabs Zyno by his side and flies into the sky.

“Fly west, like we are returning to the island.” Zyno whispers.

Betta flies them away. As he does so, Zyno looks to the ground. His point of view has changed since he no longer has the ability to fly. Looking to the horizon, he has a newfound anxiety about being in the air.

Betta leads them west for several hours.

As darkness approaches, he finds a small mountain range, and lands near the highest peak.

“What happened to your wing?” Betta asks.

“The one that was left alive cut it off, he wanted the other to complete his cape.

“I saw it on the back, how could someone do such a thing?”

“He’s a monster, he climbed a tree and chained my leg while I was asleep…

… Betta, I only have one wing! What am I going to do?”

“I don’t know, the mainland is a strange place. I was at the Tree City when an old man told me you were in danger. Called you by name. He gave me a stone to rub, then instantly I was in an old magic temple near you.”

“I don’t understand how that could happen. We need to ask the witches about all this.” Zyno responds.

“Tomorrow, let’s make for the forge to meet Ayepex. Find out if anything has happened at the forge since we left.”

Zyno agrees.

Both Skymen have trouble sleeping through the night. Now they know that the return to the mainland will not be a simple or safe one. They have to tell the elders that there are things to fear here.

Zyno’s thoughts dwell on the savagery of Nunley. Every time he tries to drift off to sleep, he hears the sawing of bone, or he sees Nunley’s Underbridge mask in his mind and immediately jump himself back awake. He knew that this journey would change him forever, but this is not what he had in mind. He never dreamed he would become a useless flightless Skyman.

Meego #8

Despite his predicament and the seriousness of the upcoming judgment, Aero drifted off to sleep in the early morning hours. Even with the thoughts running through his mind, and the burdensome stocks the Prince was able to slip away. Maybe it’s the emotional exhaustion, or the possibility of death… an acceptance really, that given him these few moments of rest.

Prince Aero is awoken by the closing of his cell door. It’s time. Groggily he opens his eyes. As his gaze comes into focus, he sees a sight that he wasn’t prepared for, the dagger.

“Rania!”

“Aero.”

Aero looks up to see her face. She is looking down and away from him. Is she hiding shame?

“Oh…” Aero slightly gasps.

He wasn’t prepared for her. He has spent weeks trying to get her attention, and now here at the end she arrives.

“What are up…” Aero says before being interrupted.

“When I was a little girl… I was given a book. It’s called the Dairy of the Daughters. It was a collection of writings from every Meegan girl that has had to deal with a prince from your family. They recorded everything from their interactions, thoughts, and the aftermath of their experiences. It was meant to inform me of what to expect when you came.” Rania says before taking a pause. “Every woman’s thoughts, from how they fell for the princes to how they were all betrayed. Every single one of them wrote in detail, how they were betrayed and how they had to kill them for the good of their people. The most heartbreaking part is how each woman lived with depression the rest of their lives. Most of them never recovered.”

“How many?” Aero asks with sadness in his voice.

“Seventeen.”

“Including you?”

“No.”

Both of them remain silent. The moment seems too big for each of them.

“How were the women betrayed?”

“In one way or another,  but each of the men chose the sword over love.”

“I wish I could melt that damn sword down so that no one would ever go through this ever again.”

“Do you mean it?”

“Rania, I’ve been saying it since I picked it up. The sword ruined everything for me, I hate it.”

“It’s cost me too. Neither of us asked for this, but we are stuck in this story.”

“The same story, just different faces? Uh… My entire life is reduced to a few pages in a diary. Is every story really the same?”

“It’s not that simple.”

Both of them hang their heads in shame. Neither of them are looking forward to what comes next.

“I’ve been trying to tell you something for weeks and you have told me that I couldn’t. You would tell me either not here or later… But you never gave me the opportunity. I’ve had to talk to your father instead.”

“Father didn’t want me to speak to you until he got the whole truth from you. He thought you would sway me to get what you wanted. Tell me now.”

“It’s too late.”

“Aero, tell me.” Rania says.

“Rania, I am lost. All my life I thought I wanted to be a knight and serve the people of the kingdom. To serve justice in the middle of all the evil in the world. I did it too, for years. I thought I was fulfilling my destiny and was happy or at least I thought I was…” Aero collects himself as a lump in his throat forms. “I was wrong. My life changed the second I looked into your eyes.”

Rania raises her eyes to meet Aero’s. Both have tears forming in their eyes.

“Everything about me was rearranged in that moment. All I think about is you. When I was fighting the Underbridge Assassin’s, I was fighting for you. When you asked for the sword, I gave it to you. I would gladly destroy the sword to prove myself. I am utterly in love with you… To the point that I have no reason to live without you. If you can’t be mine, then go ahead finish our story for your diary… Make me number eighteen.” Aero says as he hangs his head and weeps.

With tears flowing down her face, she knows her entire life has led to this moment. She feels the weight of her decision; somehow, she knows the entire world feels it too.

She kneels before Aero to be eye level; she gently grabs his chin forcing him to look at her. “I am not yours.” She says while looking into his eyes.

Aero knows what comes next, the dagger…

But she lingers. “But…” she begins but is caught on her words.

“You are mine.” She says quietly as she leans in and kisses the prince.

Aero’s thoughts fade.

Rania pulls out a key and unlocks him from the stocks. They stand and embrace, Rania kisses him again before speaking.

“I do not know if you remember, but I told you of the Meegan custom of the first kiss.”

Aero pulls her close “I know, we are engaged now.”

“Yes, and we have everyone waiting at my father’s office to find out my decision.”

“Your decision?”

“Yes, my father insisted on making it appear it was his to make, so that you wouldn’t use our bond like some of the others tried to do.”

“All I have wanted to do is declare my love for you. I was going to do it that night on our bench.”

Rania hugs him again. “You can declare it every day for the rest of our lives.”

“I will, I promise.”

They spend a moment or two embracing. The emotions were high, they allow themselves a cooldown.

“Everyone is waiting.” Rania says as leads him out of the cell.

Aero and Rania exit the prison and are accompanied by the Governor’s personal guard to the Governor’s mansion. They enter the office and are greeted by cheers. All of Aero’s people as well as the Governor’s family, along with Ser Ali and Captain Brotou.

After all the cheers, Governor Dabir welcomes Aero into the family. “My son, I humbly apologize for everything that has transpired in your time in Meego. It’s a hard thing for a father to have to watch his daughter struggle with this generational curse. But, you have more than proven yourself worthy of my daughter. She chose you; she made the right decision.”

“Thank you Governor Dabir. It has been a trying time for all of us. I think none of us expected this. But I promise, I love your daughter.”

“I know my son, and as a token of my trust in you…” Dabir waves Brotou over who hands Dabir the Royal Blade. “This is my wedding gift to you.”

“Thank you, but I really don’t want it. I meant that.”

“I know you don’t, but…” Dabir says but is cut off by his daughter.

“The King needs his sword.” She says.

“But I am not the king, I would have to turn it over to my father.”

“You are the king.” She replies.

“No.” Aero says.

“Yes, you are.” Dabir replies.

“No I am not.” Aero insists

“Yes you are brother.” David interjects. “I know you do not know this, but the magic in the sword only works for the one worthy of being the true king. It didn’t work for me because I am not the rightful king, you are.”

“And not when your father dies, you are the King now.” Stephan adds.

“But I don’t know anything about ruling, I wasn’t educated in the ways that David was I’m really just a soldier.” Aero replies.

“But I have raised my daughter in governance. You two are restoring the unity rotation. You may be king, but she is the queen. You will rule side by side, together.” Dabir says.

“And I was trained brother, I will be a better advisor to you than I ever would have been a king.” David adds.

Aero takes this all in, to say he wasn’t prepared for this crowning moment would be an understatement. He has lived his entire life under the belief that he would never be king.

“I can’t be the king.” Aero says out of shock.

“Aero, you’re right. You are the least royal member of your family. You weren’t trained in their ways. You were trained in helping people. Do you think the kingdom needs another trained member of your family? Can the kingdom survive it? The kingdom needs you and Rania. You are the King! And I pledge my sword to you until my dying day, King Aero!” Matthew says as he kneels.

“He’s right. You are the one to wield the sword because you didn’t desire its power. Together we will restore the kingdom and return justice to the land.” Rania says. “That is our destiny!”

Everyone in the room kneels before the new king and queen.

“All hail King Aero and Queen Rania!” Dabir shouts.

Rania holds her hand up to stop the praise.

“This has been an unprecedented era in our history. In honor of all the daughters who came before me that had to struggle through this this, I have decided to take a new name. For the seventeen daughters that wrote in the diary, I take the name of the first one as my own. This is one way that I will honor them with my life. From this day, I am now named- Asna.”

Dabir gives a nod of approval with a tear flowing down his cheek. He is a proud father on this day, his daughter is so brave. “All hail King Aero and Queen Asna!”

The cheers rain upon the couple. Once married, they will be the rightful rulers of the kingdom; but that doesn’t mean anyone will accept them. Aero looks at Asna, as long as she is by his side, he feels he can accomplish anything.

Betta #2

Betta flew hard on his set path for just under two weeks before he arrives at Tree City. He arrives late in the night; with urgency he lands on the old platform at the top of the city.

Now that he has arrived, he realizes he doesn’t know what to do. In his rush all his thoughts were on arriving… Now what?

“You made it!” Betta hears a faint voice off to his side.

He turns to see an old man sitting at a desk of some sort.

“How did you know I was coming?”

“I gave you directions just under two weeks ago.”

“What? You’re trying to tell me that you’re…”

“Jackson. That’s me.”

“Jackson was a boy, you’re an old man.”

“Yes, the way you perceive me has changed, I have not.”

“If you’re Jackson, what are you doing here?”

“Two things, First I am on my mission to speak to the King. Second is to give you the information you weren’t ready for when we last spoke.”

“How do you know all this stuff?”

“I’ve told you, I’m the same person you saw on the plains. I’m the boy you knew as Jackson.”

Betta takes a moment to look over the old man. He has all the correct information, but he is clearly playing a game with him.

“Tell the truth old man.”

“The truth is your friend is in grave danger, you need to fly to him and save him as soon as you can.”

“What friend?”

“Zyno, the one Ayepex sent to Pensa. He needs your help.”

“How do you know any of that information?”

“I deal in information because the world is changing. Your alliance with the boy at the forge is ushering in a new era. Forces are already rising against you to make sure you are stopped. You must tread carefully.”

“You’re not answering the question!”

“And you’re not listening to what I am saying. I told you that your friend is in grave danger and you are his only hope.”

“What can I do? He’s two months away?”

“No, I can get you there sooner, but first I need to tell you the information you weren’t ready for two weeks ago.”

“What is it?”

“You’re a year early. You don’t need to be here now.”

“You or the kid couldn’t have told me that two weeks ago?” Betta says in anger.

“No, you were not ready.”

“How was I not ready to hear that? I could have been to Zyno by now!”

“No, the timing was wrong, you had to make this journey now.”

“WHY?!?”

“Because you had to know how to get here. A year from now you will need to race here and if you didn’t know the way then you wouldn’t have made it in time. But now you can; now you are ready.”

“What will be so urgent in a year?” Betta says in frustration,

“That I cannot tell you.”

“Why not?”

“You’re not ready for it.”

“You really are Jackson.” Betta says irritated.

“Yes I am.”

“I don’t understand.”

“It is not for you to know the details; you must play your part.”

Betta has felt uneasy since he first spoke to Jackson. He speaks just enough truth to hook Betta in, yet not enough details to have faith in him. His knowledge of the pact at the Great Forge is unsettling. Everything about him is strange. From his changing appearance to his strange speech.  

“We will see old man.” Betta responds.

“Old man, you’re over two hundred years old.”

Again, more inside information that this man shouldn’t know.

“You are forgetting the task at hand. Zyno, is in danger and you must get to him immediately!” Jackson says.

“So you say, but again he’s months away from here.”

The old man leans back in his chair and stares off into the night sky. “I can get you there quickly. But you must listen to me very carefully, understand?”

“I understand.” Betta says in a doubtful tone.

“When you pop into the temple, you must fly southwest for an hour. Once you see the rock face let out one shout and wait for Zyno to respond. Fly to him and rescue him.”

“Why can’t he fly himself away.”

“Again, details you must wait for.”

“Fine, how do I get there?”

“With this.” The old man pulls out a blue stone. “You will rub this until it is activated. You will then transport to a forgotten temple in the western plateau. There is a red bowl in the room, you must leave the stone in it. That is the most important part, the use of the stone takes a heavy price, but I have paid it in full. To take the stone would bring a curse on you. LEAVE THE STONE!”

“I understand.”

“I don’t think you do, but we will see.”

The old man hands the stone over, it’s clearly valuable and old. This stone must be one of the old relics from before the war, if it is a magic stone at all.

“Do I just rub it now?”

“No, you must leave now, it is time for me to complete my mission. Fly into the night sky, you can activate it in the air. Go now! He’s here.”

Betta flies into the sky, he quickly rises into the darkness but looks back down to the old man. Someone else is on the platform now. Betta watches for a moment as he begins to rub the stone.

“What is that?” the new person says.

“It’s the light of Meego. Beautiful isn’t it?” Jackson replies.

Betta pops out of the sky; he is standing in the temple that the old man said he would be in. He takes steps to the door quickly. Just before he steps out of the temple, he stops. He looks down at the stone in his hand.

“I’ll be cursed.” He says to himself.

Betta turns around and sees the large red bowl in the room. It is faded and dusty. No one has been in the temple for a very long time. It really is a forgotten place.

Betta steps over to the bowl. He looks inside and sees it is half full of stones. He pauses a second before he drops his stone inside.

He makes his way out of the temple, to his surprise it’s daylight, the early morning because the second sun isn’t visible yet. He finds his heading and flies as fast as he can.

Meego #7

“But Matt, you were shot in the shoulder with an arrow!” Aero laughs.

“See that’s the crazy thing, Rain sewed my wound up first!”

“Then she threw it on you!”

“Unlike any woman has before! She was aggressive… It was like we were fighting. She bit me several times.”

“What did you do?”

“I bit her back!”

“So you didn’t like it?”

“Like it? I loved it! I can’t wait for the next battle to get with her again!”

Aero laughs. He needs it to release some stress. It’s been a week since the fighting pit incident. The morning after the pit, Dabir came to Aero’s cell and removed his stocks and put him in a proper cell. One with a window, and bed… And real food.

“There’s just one problem Matt.”

“What’s that?”

“She’s the reigning Queen, if my father finds out you will be executed.”

“I’m not telling him, and you’re probably not going to be around to tell him yourself… so I think I’m good.”

Aero laughs again, Matt visiting is exactly what he needed to lift his spirits. Aero probably wouldn’t have laughed at that comment if anyone else had said it, but Matthew thrives in these awkward moments. It’s part of his charm.

“So have you heard anything from Dabir? Or Rania?” Aero asks.

“Dabir has called each one of us in for interviews. He’s called me in three times, Rania has been at every meeting. Other than hello’s, she hasn’t spoken. She seems to be burdened, like something is weighing on her heart.”

“What about Roasa? Has she said anything about her? Have they been together?”

“Roasa is staying with Rania now. She is the second biggest thing in Meego right now. Since the fighting pit.”

“And you’re the first?”

“No, you are. Your name is spoken constantly, everyone in Meego seems to be fascinated with you. But I haven’t heard from Roasa since the day after the pit, she can’t walk down the street without being mobbed. I imagine if you could walk down the street that you would be surrounded as well.”

“I can imagine, Meego already holds women in high regard, but to have one fight in the pit and dominate it like she did… It was impressive to say the least.”

“Yes, and she had a little help.”

“Of course, Matt you were my first choice because I knew that you would do what needed to be done.”

“I know, Roasa impressed even me; I get it. She deserves her praise.”

“So no word on what they are going to do with me?”

“Actually that’s why I’m here. I’m escorting you to Governor Dabir’s office.”

“Just you? They have relaxed their security.”

“Ali will be joining us; he should be here any minute.”

The two men speak for a few more moments before Ali arrives. They quickly bind Prince Aero’s hands and hurry off to the Governor’s mansion.

A security detail takes possession of Prince Aero at the gate, Ali and Matthew wait outside for his return.

Two from the security force takes Prince Aero into a room with no windows and a desk. They set him on one side of the desk and leave him. A few moments later Governor Dabir and a few advisors enter the room. Dabir sits in front of Prince Aero at the desk while the advisors disappear behind the Prince.

“So, Prince Aero…” Dabir starts “You have a loyal group with you. They have all sung your praises in my interviews this past week. Hell, even some of my people are doing the same. I would go as far to say that Ser Ali Saah is one of your men now.”

“He’s a good man, it was an honor to fight by his side at the docks.”

“If I may be honest Prince Aero, I wasn’t prepared for you when you arrived. All my ancestor’s writings spoke about how vile and single minded your ancestors were… all they cared for was the sword. But I admit, you have put on a good front to show that you don’t want it. You almost had me convinced.”

“Look, Governor Dabir, even if I did want the blade, I am honor bound to return it to the Capital and surrender it to my father or brother. If I may be honest with you, neither one of them deserve it. So keep it here in Meego, maybe someday a King will come along… one day hopefully… worthy to wield the sword.”

“Do you really believe that? You don’t want your family to have their sword?”

“They don’t deserve it, I mean it. Keep it here.”

“What about you, do you deserve it?”

“Me? No, I’m not the next King.”

“You could be… with the sword.”

“And murder my own family… No! And on top of that, I wasn’t raised to be a King. I wouldn’t know what to do any way.”

“But you’ve harnessed its power! Are you really willing to just give it away?”

“It’s not my sword to take, I’ve told you this.”

“You really don’t know much of anything do you?”

“Please don’t insult my intelligence Governor, I wasn’t taken into the royal academia, but I am not an idiot. I was trained to be a soldier, to help people. Don’t judge me because I can’t speak every royal decree of the line of Kings. That has never been a part of my life.”

“Prince Aero, I did not mean to insult your intelligence. It is just that you do not understand the situation at hand.”

“What do you mean?”

“You came here for the sword because you are honor bound to serve your father, whom you openly admit is a horrible King.”

“I didn’t say it like that.”

“Then deny it.”

Aero looks at Dabir for a moment before turning his head away and looking to the floor. He is ashamed he can’t bring himself to deny the statement.

“See?” Dabir asks. “I think you understand the situation more than you’re letting on. You are honor bound to return the sword, but you won’t because you know that your family doesn’t deserve it.”

“I don’t want the sword because it hasn’t been offered to me to return it. Never mind the fact that my family doesn’t deserve it. If I took the sword then what would happen to Meego?”

“Good question, but shouldn’t it be me that asks that question and you answer it?” Dabir asks knowingly. “What would happen to Meego?”

Prince Aero tries to compose himself for a flowery statement such as Prince David could give, but he isn’t him and he fails. “Meego would fall.”

“Is that right? Do you think we are incapable of sustaining ourselves without our light skinned masters?” Dabir asks in anger.

“No, not at all. It’s just…”

“Choose your next words carefully Prince Aero, they may be your last.”

“Fine, Meego needs the resources from the mainland to survive. If the sword is in the Capital, I am not sure my father would bother sending those supplies. So keep the sword here so that we don’t have to learn that truth.”

Dabir opens a drawer to his left on his desk and pulls out a large item wrapped in cloth. He unwraps it to reveal the Royal Blade. “You knew it was here didn’t you?”

Aero did, but he doesn’t admit that deep down inside him, he felt the blade calling to him. Dabir waits for an answer, the fact that he doesn’t get one infuriates him all the more.

“You’re telling me that this blade is what has kept us alive all these years?”

Aero notices his previous answer did not please the Governor.

“You’re twisting my words again. That’s not what I said.”

“Well then spell it out for me, because I feel like you’re insulting my intelligence now.”

“I didn’t mean to, I apologize.”

“Don’t apologize to me! Explain yourself!” Dabir yells.

“I uh…”

Dabir stands up and slams down his fist.

“Father, enough.”

Aero turns around to find that Dabir’s staff isn’t sitting behind him but Azka, Rania and Roasa have been this entire time.

“Rania! How long have you been there?” Aero asks.

“No! You do not get to talk to my daughter! Not now!” Dabir shouts.

“Father, calm down and let the man explain himself without fear of your outburst.”

Dabir stares at his youngest daughter for a few seconds before he sits back in his chair. “Fine, continue.” He says with a lowered tone.

Aero can’t take his eyes off Rania, whom he hasn’t seen since the Fighting Pit. She nods toward her father to direct Aero to continue.

“The sword being in Meego keeps trade with the mainland flowing steadily. I am afraid that if the sword was returned that the Kings of my family would forget the plight of Meego. My father only wants the sword to consolidate power back to the throne. I have seen the resourcefulness of the sons and daughters of Meego, I know how strong your people are… But in returning the sword, it would add a heavy yoke upon your people that would be so burdensome and unnecessary.”

“You may be right, but we will survive.” Dabir states as he stands up and begins pacing the floor. “Take your sword, get your people and get out of Meego by the end of the day.” Dabir states as he heads towards the door to leave.

“Governor Dabir, no!”

Dabir turns around just before reaching the door “Prince Aero, I have offered you the sword. I am sure by your honor; you will know what to do next.”

“Rania, speak to your father, please!” Aero begs.

“Do not speak to her! You got what you came here for, get out!”

“No! I did not!” Aero shouts back finally reaching his breaking point. “I may have came to this place under orders, but if you send me away now then I won’t have anything that I want!”

Dabir looks to his daughters, then back to Aero. The conflict on his face is evident. “If you want anything here… No more secrets, no more lying. You tell me everything from the beginning, leave nothing out. I mean nothing. Last chance!”

Aero takes a second to calm himself before speaking.

“Okay, but just the two of us, no one else.”

“No, Rania stays, that’s the deal.”

“Okay.” Aero agrees.

Aero begins with the dinner in his honor. His conversations with Marco and John Henry. He spares no detail- stowing away David, Matthew drinking his piss, to finding Roasa, and Rich’s betrayal. He tells of his journey through Bellum, and Rune and the Halo Bear.

Several times, Dabir stops him and asks questions, to which Aero answers honestly.

Aero continues all the way through picking up the sword that night in the vault. When he is done, Dabir is silent for several minutes. Rania doesn’t speak at all.

“Is that absolutely everything?” Dabir asks.

Aero slumps in his chair somewhat, he knows that he has to be honest, his life depends on it.

“No.” Aero states before taking a brief pause. “What… What do you know about the Cave at Brintz?

Dabir has a confused look on his face but doesn’t speak. So Aero continues and tells the story of meeting Crimson, and the advice he gave him. Again, Aero shares every detail. He leaves nothing out.

When Aero is finished, the room remains silent for a long period. Dabir staring at Aero, Aero staring at Dabir. The sword between them, neither glances at it. Behind Aero, Rania sits quietly taking everything in…

Dabir finally breaks the silence “Guards!” he yells.

“Take Prince Aero back to his cell.” Dabir commands.

As they grab Aero up Dabir speaks to him. “Get a good rest young Prince, you have given me much to think about, your sentence will be carried out tomorrow… one way or another.”

Aero doesn’t reply, he turns toward Rania, but she has already left.

The guards rebind Aero’ hands behind his back and bind his feet to slow any escape attempt. As he prepares to begin walking, the guards throw a bag over his head.

“Not this again.” He whispers.

The guards lead him out of the office and on to the streets. Aero tries to listen for Matthew, but he never hears him.

The guards lead him through the city. When they arrive at his cell, they take off the hood. He is in the inner cell, the heavy stocks waiting on him. He doesn’t resist at all; he allows them to place him in the stocks again. The guards leave.

Alone. Bound on his knees, all Prince Aero can do is wait.

Zyno #1

Zyno has been on his journey to Pensa for just over three weeks. Up until a few days ago he had followed the elder’s instructions for travelling. Travel above the clouds, or over forest, or at night if required.

Zyno has gotten comfortable in the air. His eagle eyesight has scoured the earth below him looking for anyone to notice him for the past few days. He hasn’t seen anyone. He is sure that if someone saw a Skyman flying it would make a huge commotion, but there have been none.

So, he has flown from daylight to dusk other than to take breaks.

It is just before dusk and he has been scanning the area for a good tree to sleep in for the last miles. These long days take a lot out of him. Zyno settles on a treetop in a dense forest about a half days ride east of the city of Rhoan. Before landing he circles the forest one last time looking for danger, but there is none.

Zyno lands on a thick branch about forty feet above the forest floor. He nestles himself against the trunk of the tree and swiftly falls asleep before the last sunset. Flying all day makes for early evenings.

Hours later he is awoken by a commotion in the tree. In a shock he looks around and he sees a man on the branch below him! He has a thick beard with strange dress.

“Got you!” He screams as he locks a chain around the leg of Zyno. He immediately scales down the tree to avoid an attack from Zyno.

Zyno grabs for the chain, but it is locked in. He needs the key. Zyno is suddenly pulled out of the tree by the chain. He is unable to brace himself from the fall. He impacts the ground with the greatest force he has ever felt. Dazed he tries to stand.

Two men jump on his back to hold him down.

“Careful men, don’t damage his wings!” The one that climbed the tree shouts.

Zyno struggles with all his might, but he is weakened from the fall. The men are able to subdue the Skyman by holding both shoulders and wings down.

The other man carefully steps over Zyno’s body, he then slips a steel collar around his neck and locks it into place with a huge chain. Then he locks his hands behind his back with binders.

“Drag him over to the tree.” The lead man says.

The other two men comply and drag Zyno against the tree and loop the chain around it and lock it. Zyno cannot escape now.

“See boys, I told you we would catch him.” The leader says.

The other men agree in excitement.

The three men take a moment to look over the Skyman now that he is bound. None of them have ever seen one, they are in awe of him.

“I’ve been tracking you for four days, birdman. You don’t belong here.”

The man awaits a response, but he doesn’t receive one.

“I see… I am Ser Nunley the Hunter. I am the apex predator in these parts. I’ve captured you. If you want to live, you will speak. What is your name, birdman?”

Zyno hesitate before simply saying his name.

“What are you doing here?”

“I am lost.”

“Don’t believe that, Nun. He knows what he is doing.”

“Don’t worry Coge, he doesn’t have to tell us. We can deduce it for ourselves.”

“How?” Coge asks.

“He is close to Rhoan, and has been travelling south for at least four days… And knowing the bird-people’s history, he was travelling to Pensa. Right, birdman?”

Zyno just nods in agreement.

“See, the trick is to find out where he came from. From the direction, I don’t think he travelled from their island. It’s more westerly than he was coming from. He came from the direction of that big Western Defense base.”

“Or the Great Forge.” The third man interjects.

“Not possible, Burn.”

“How do you know?”

Nunley pulls out his dark blade sword partially from his scabbard.

“I made the pilgrimage; the forge is lost my friend.”

“What would he be doing at the base?” Burn asks.

“He probably just used it as a landmark. Right, Birdman?”

Zyno nods again, hiding the secret of the forge.

Zyno’s vision is blurry from the fall, he can’t really make out any details about the men. He hears the ill intent in the men’s voices. As his head begins to clear, the seriousness of this situation begins to set in.

“What do you want with me?” He asks.

“That’s a very good question, Birdman. We are hunters, the best in the kingdom. We are all about the trophies.”

Burn and Coge ignite the fire that they had been setting up. Zyno realizes they have been setting up camp while Nunley was talking to him.

It takes a moment for his vision to recover in the light.

Nunley stands before him. He is a large man. Close to seven feet tall. Black beard hanging down from below a helmet that fits more like a mask. The Helmet is dark scaly skin-like material. He has several rows of necklaces that are filled with teeth of his prey. His clothing is of skins from animals, and he has a strange belt made out of some kind of hair. He is a very intimidating figure.

Zyno glances over to the other two. They are similar in dress but smaller men. One is a dark skin man, the other is overweight.

“See Birdman, the helmet is from an assassin that was sent to kill me. Have you ever heard of an Underbridge Assassin? They can turn invisible, very deadly. He thought he was hunting me, but I was actually hunting him. I’m sure he was surprised that I actually knew he was coming for me, but he didn’t know I sent them my name so that I could hunt one of them.”

Zyno has never heard of such animality in a human.

“My necklace is filled with a single tooth from everything I have ever hunted and ended. My clothes are made from the skins of the Rhine. Do you know the Rhine? They are mutated like you, instead of flying they live in the swamplands. They have thick skin that is hard to penetrate, it’s basically body armor. It’s a great thing to fight a Rhine warrior, they fight with bear hands. It’s a thrill to kill them.”

Again, Zyno is shocked by this man’s speech.

“You see this belt? These are the scalps of every man that thought he could stand up to me in battle. There are sixty-seven of them. But my question is, what should I take from you as a trophy?”

“You should pluck a few feathers to hang off your helmet.” Coge states.

“Maybe.” Nunley responds.

“No, not to hang off your helmet, they should be a centerpiece of your necklace.”

“That sounds good too. How about I think about it overnight? We don’t want to rush such an amazing prize.”

The men agree.

“Time for sleep Birdman. We don’t want you flopping around all night, so we are going to put you to sleep.” Nunley says.

“How are you going to…” Zyno starts to ask before Burn forces something into his mouth. It’s a liquid that he is forced to swallow. Within seconds he passes out.

Hours later… Maybe days…

“Wake up Birdman, all you have done is sleep.” Nunley says as he shakes Zyno.

Zyno wakes from the comma whatever the liquid has done to him.

“Birdman wake up. I need you to see this.”

Zyno tries to focus, but he is still drunk.

“Birdman! Wake up! I want you to see my souvenir. It’s my greatest prize! I’ve always wanted a cape!”

Nunley turns around to show off his newest trophy on his cape.

“Is that my wing?” Zyno shouts in disbelief.

Nunley has removed one of Zyno’s wings and sewn it onto a cape while he was out.

“It is! I cut it right off your shoulder! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!”

As Nunley laughs, the others join in. Zyno goes into shock. Nunley sees him start to fade away.

“No! Birdman, listen to me! I need you to get your shit together right now! This isn’t over… My cape is incomplete… I need that other wing.”

“What? Why are you doing this?”

“I’m a bad man, the top of the food chain. Everything else is my plaything, and you’re my favorite pet! I want that other wing, but I insist that I earn it just as I earned this one. I’m going to hunt you again.”

“Please no!” Zyno bursts into tears.

“I am, and you’re going to try to run and hide. You will play along, or I will kill you and we will wait on your friends to come looking for you… hunt them down instead.”

Zyno thinks of Ayepex and Betta who are on the mainland already. What if they send others?

“You going to be a good bird boy or what?”

Zyno nods.

“Excellent, you need to know the rules. I am wanting to give you a fighting chance.” Nunley says as he unlocks Zyno’s binds.

“You can go in any direction and do anything you feel necessary to survive. I am going to release you now, but I will not start stalking you until first light tomorrow morning. That gives you about thirteen hours to get away. Do you understand?”

Zyno nods yet again.

“Good, take care of my wing. Listen to me, your people think of yourselves as eagles but you’re an ostrich. Run ostrich run. Now!”

Zyno runs, he doesn’t even know the direction. Desperation, shock, and fear fuel each step.

Betta #1

Betta has been travelling east for the better part of two weeks now. Ayepex’s words have proven true, Skymen can travel during the day because most people don’t bother to look up. He has been able to travel at will, without worry since leaving the Great Forge. It also helps that his path has led him across some of the most sparsely populated regions of the kingdom.

Since the area is so barren from landmarks, he has difficulty with his progress. Surely Zyno is having better luck moving from landmark to landmark without the feeling lost. His desire to restore his people to their former place of honor has pushed him on these last days.

It’s a feeling that is shared amongst the entire Sky-people. Living on the island off the mainland is not fulfilling to any of them. It’s a disgraceful exile that has haunted them for these past few generations. Their ancient origins stem from a desire to be able to quickly move supplies and information throughout the kingdom. The magic that created them was approved from one of the early kings of legend. It was so long ago that the name of the king is unknown. The position of the Grand Avian was created to serve the King and Queen and coordinate the Sky-network that made ruling the entire kingdom easier.

These thoughts weigh heavy on Betta as he continues east.

Having not seen a landmark for days, Betta has grown desperate to make sure he is on the right track. Nondescript rolls of grassy hills after grassy hills has been his sight for days. As he flies, he rises to just beneath the clouds for a better vantage point. Using his eagle-like vision upon the horizon, he still sees no landmarks to give him a hint of direction.

He looks down to the ground, for miles there isn’t much of anything living. A few small animals here or there. Something does catch his eye a few miles ahead, a boy sitting on the side of the road. He looks to around the boy for miles in every direction, there is no one else.

Against his better judgment, he decides to fly down to speak to the boy. Perhaps he can give him some information.

Skymen have the ability to fold their wings around their waist to hide them under their tops. This doesn’t completely conceal them as a regular person, they still have their large eyes, backwards bent knees, and extreme height to give them away. But in desperation, he hopes this teenage boy won’t pay too much attention to him. Eventhough he can do this position; it is very restrictive and uncomfortable. He knows he needs to keep the conversation brief so that he will not put too much tension on his folded wings.

Betta flies down a few hundred feet away from the boy and prepares his appearance. It takes a moment for him to fold his wings around his chest, he must be careful in doing it. He cannot afford to be grounded this far into his journey. It would surely be a death sentence for him. Once he is finished folding his wings he walks up the road towards the boy.

“Greetings, can you help me? I seem to be lost.” Betta says as he approaches.

The boy turns to him. Betta looks him over, just an average looking teenage boy sitting in the dirt on the edge of an ancient roadbed. Nothing about him is out of order. Smaller frame, short black hair with dark purple eyes and a very dark tan from days of being in the suns.

The boy glances back at Betta but seems to be uninterested with him.

“You’re not lost, you’re just in the middle of nowhere.”

“Yes, but I want to get somewhere, and I don’t know how to get there.”

“Me too, I’m looking to go somewhere as well.”

“Where are you going?”

“To talk to the King. Do you know which way I need to go?”

“I have a map but it’s useless until we find out where we are, once we do then I can point you to the Capital.”

“How do you know the King is in the Capital?”

“I don’t kid, I’m just trying to help. If the King isn’t in the Capital, then where is he?”

“I don’t know, I was asking you.”

Betta senses the boy isn’t interested in speaking with him.

“I’m sorry, I don’t know much about the activities of the crown these days.”

“I didn’t expect a Skyman to know details on the King anyway.”

“You knew? You hardly looked at me.”

Betta has a moment of fear, even with just the boy for miles in any direction, he had hoped to keep his identity hidden, but the boy saw right through his disguise.

“I saw you flying before you came down. Don’t worry, the nearest person is about two days from us. You will be long gone by the time I could get to them. Plus, no one will believe me any way. Skymen don’t visit the mainland.”

“Thank you, I’m just passing through. I am known as Betta.”

“Jackson.”

“What are you really doing here, Jackson?”

“I was waiting for a Skyman to ask me directions.”

“No really…”

“That’s what I’m here for, we are in the middle of nowhere and I can’t tell you a direction until you tell me where you are going.”

Betta pauses for a moment. He doesn’t know if he can trust this kid or not, but he needs to know if he is on the right path. He doesn’t think it’s wise to tell him where he is going.

“I would rather not say, I had hoped to keep my identity a secret when I landed. I am lost and wanted directions. Since you know what I am, I don’t think it’s wise to tell you where I want to go.”

“Well then, it seems we have an issue of trust. What can I do to earn your trust?”

“I don’t think that’s…”

“You’re problem is you are trying to navigate the land with a thousand year old map. The world doesn’t look like that anymore.”

“How do you know that?”

“You’re a Skyman, you have old things.”

“I guess.”

“Look, Tree City is that way.” Jackson says pointing towards the east. “You will fly three days at the speed you’ve been going before you see a landmark. It will be the Horseshoe Lake, to the south of it is the road that heads east all the way to the old palace by the dried up sea. You will fly for at least eight days before the top of the trees are visible. You need to get there in under two weeks.”

“How do you know where I am going?”

“I’m a magician… Just kidding, your flight path has brought you from the old forge, you are going east. The most logical place would be Tree City unless you were terribly lost.”

“Okay, but why do I need to get there in under two weeks?”

“Did I say need to? I meant you would. You have nothing to worry about, the rest of your trip will be uneventful, there’s no danger for you. The northern regions of the kingdom isn’t a very dangerous place. Now if you had gone to Pensa, that would have been a different story.”

“What do you mean?”

“Your friend, he is safe for now but danger lurks around the corner. He really should not have gone alone on that journey. Everything you hope to build could be destroyed if he were to get captured on his trip.”

Betta is stunned, how does this boy know about their plans or Zyno’s journey? What danger could he be in?

“How do you know any of this?”

“Please Skyman, I’ve been waiting on you to point you in the right direction, there’s more information that you need to hear but it’s too early for it. You will hear it when it is time.”

“Who are you?”

“Wrong question my young Skyman friend.”

“What are you?”

“That’s a very good question, and you’re not ready for the answer.

Betta is anxious, he wasn’t prepared for this revelation.

“Skyman, you need to fly. The sooner you get to the Trees, the sooner you can return to the Forge.”

“What?”

“Fly, Skyman, fly!” the boy yells.

Betta spreads his wings and leaps into the air. As he ascends, he hears the boy yell something, all he was able to make out was the word fast. He doesn’t look back, he is too spooked. The boy is clearly something more, he just doesn’t know what.

Either way, he resolves to make it to the City in the Trees in under two weeks. Betta flies to a higher altitude than he usually travels. He flies into the clouds for cover but not too far as to not be able to see the ground.

As he swiftly travels east, his thoughts turn toward his friend Zyno, and what trouble he could be getting into on his way to Pensa.