Feathers of Bravery

Aihla

Two days and ten books later and I still not any closer to figuring out where I had seen those runes or what they mean. When Gladier had come in to check on me a day ago, he went to get Jess. Appearantly, I had given him and the bird who brought me these books quite a fright.

If I hadn't begged Jess to listen to me and sweared on our magick charm that I wasn't going crazy did she listen to me. I showed them my chamber, the runes that were in the corners. Gladier was tall enough that he didn't need to stand on a chair or fly up to see them. His rage was a fierce as mine when he confirmed that they weren't just in my chamber but in Jess' as well.

Jess was more confused than angry. Especially when Gladier knelt down and asked for my forgiveness. I had to explain again that I found runes in my chamber that weren't there before, that while I don't know that they mean I do know that they are dangerous. How, I don't know. Why, I also don't know. I expected her to question me about why I think Meylo was behind this even though he hasn't asked much about runes since the day we told him about them.

What I didn't expect was her to tell me about the visions she's had. As well as the new information she found on marbles. For second I thought she had lost hers but when she showed me the one that had been gifted to her, how it had lost most of its color, I was speechless.

However, now she was getting worried. Since the same set of runes were found in her chamber too, it was becoming a priority to figure out what they meant.

I was in the middle of reading the final page of the last book when Gladier came barging in holding the bird who brought me all these books by the back of the neck. One look at his eyes and I could tell just how angry he was. He threw him on to the table and shouted, "This little maggot has been keeping information from you my queen!"

If it weren't for his anger and the accusation I would remind him how much I didn't like his title for me.

"Release him, Gladier. Please."

"Tell her!" he shouted again.

The young Merlin was shaking badly but started to speak. "I-I- I'm sorry but I didn't think you should see..."

That got my attention. Soon it was me who was pinning the Merlin down. "Didn't need to see what, exactly?!" I dug my talons deeper into his shoulders, not so that I pierce his skin right away but if he tried to move away I would.

"The journals.... the ones the King.. Meylo's father had left him!" he cried.

I slapped his beak hard. "So Gladier was right, you have been keeping information from me!"

"I didn't mean to. My mentor gave me instructions that when the time came I had to give him the journals of his father. They were everything that he did and encountered, everything he learned to make sure his son had all the tools he needed when the war came. I'm sorry, I didn't think you needed to see them."

I wanted to slap him again. Gladier had to pull me off of him. I held my wings up in surrender, curling in my talons. That little... ugh I can't believe him. I asked for every book and he withholds some for me just because I'm an owl! I turned to him with a glare, "I need every book, and I need it now!"

In a rush, he flew off the table and went searching for them. He didn't take long to bring a total of six journals. I really expected more but part of me was relieved there wasn't. However, I can't believe I'm going to say this, but I am almost fed up with reading. I take them and hand the journals over to Gladier. Was it fair, probably not but my eyes are actually very tired staring at pages for the last two days. He will have a better chance at finding whatever it is we need than I would.

Instead, I have something I need to do. I have no doubt in Jess' visions, if it's a curse that has infected Meylo, then it must be from the dark mage that I encountered at the island. That dark mage must have somehow created the curse, just like it was created back then. History was truly repeating itself.

I just have to make sure that it doesn't have to end in so much bloodshed as before.

My chamber is out of the question for the forseeable future. Instead, I go outside to get some fresh air. I let the air fill my lungs, let what little breeze we have go over my feathers. Looking up to the sky, hoping to see some stars I'm greeted with the dome.

Right, we're still on lock down. That's ridiculous. I walk back in towards Gladier, "I'm sorry, I don't mean to interrupt but who is responsible for the dome? I think we should open it up again, or at least let me go outside." I tell him.

He instantly puts the journal down, "Um, there are four guards. Each one is responsible for a crank that brings up and down the sides of dome. Why do you want to fly outside? What if Meylo is just waiting for you to do so? What if..."

"Woah, woah. Easy there Gladier. Firstly, it's not about flying. I'm going to work on a spell on locating someone and the best way to do that is having natural elements at my disposal. You know fresh water, fresh air and light from the moon and stars." I say gently. When I see him looking doubtfully, I address his other concerns.

"As for Meylo, I really think he's long gone and far away. There's no reason for him to stay, which is something that will be very worrisome soon but as for immediate danger here, I don't think there's anything to worry about right now." It's a gamble, but it's logical. With how much rage he had, there's no way he'd stay close. There's no doubt though that he'll be back soon though.

He still doesn't seem sure but it's enough for now. But I have a feeling that soon I won't be able to brush my beak without Gladier being there.