The Princess's Feathers

Glistening sunlight reflects from the chiseled peak of White Mountain as Kuro and I ride the thermals. The snow across the mountain had melted somewhat, warmed by longer days and the approaching start of warmwing. Despite the warmth, the ice near the top remains stubbornly thick, a blanket of cold that will forever coat the mountain no matter how warm the coming season gets. It's this pocket of land forever locked in time that Kuro and I are flying to.

We approach the peak, catching a breeze that blows us clear over the top. Warmed by a brilliant blue sky, the winds are powerful enough that it makes descending nearly a challenge. If I were still the inexperienced Dragon that landed here in harvestwing, I might have to fly back to the aerie. But the past few seasons have taught me much about flying, among countless other things.

I'm the first to land, locating a rounded boulder free of snow. A few moments later, Kuro wings up beside me.

"I've been thinking about what you said," She announces, shaking her wings of built-up snow.

"Oh?" I ask.

"About roosting in the Farlands." Kuro approaches an ice-free cliff and gazes across the valley. "You may be used to living around Farlanders, but I'm not. Varecia will be an enormous change for me; the sights, the sounds, that terrible smell… to say nothing of being surrounded by prey all the time."

My wings droop a little. During our meeting with Keuvra, Kuro promised she would consider living with me in the Farlands after I restore Ellyntide. Besides the occasional coercion, I've been quiet on the matter, knowing that she would talk to me when the time was right. But I wasn't expecting her to bring it up here, of all places.

"Our ancestors adapted to living among Farlanders," I remind. "I think you can too."

"Perhaps."

Kuro gazes a moment longer before stepping away. She approaches the enormous ice wall that coats the horn of the mountain and gestures a wing towards a certain crevice. After scraping a few frozen ember roots into my jaws, I carry them towards the cliff overlooking the Great Valley and drop them among a pile of charred boulders. A blast of fire later, and thick smoke pours into a flawless blue sky.

"Perhaps I'll feel homesick or unsatisfied by the prey," Kuro says, approaching my side. "I still feel uncomfortable leaving Frida at the Grandfather Tree, and my Grandmother is one of the oldest Dragons in the flock. I don't know, Asha. Maybe I'm just not cut out for the things our ancestors could accomplish."

A sudden gust whips across the mountain, throwing a cloud of snow between us. Once the air clears, Kuro's expression has softened.

"But I'm willing to try."

Chirping in surprise, I leap to her side and nuzzle my head against Kuro. She's coming with me! Oh, I was so worried she would say no! Once again, Kuro proves she's the perfect mate for me.

"Thank you," I mutter, buried among her feathers. "Varecia is wonderful. I just know you'll love it!"

Oh, this is such great news! Ever since we became mates, I've been fantasizing about the day I could finally bring Kuro home and introduce her to the rest of my family. How will Mom react to meeting the newest Princess Consort, a Dragon from Felra? Could Sofl decipher the Lithan tongue and translate it into Goddess? Oh, I can't wait to tell them all about her!

Ah, but still…

"I just wish everyone else could join us."

Kuro looks down at me, her expression cool. "What you asked of them was very difficult."

"Yeah," I tip my wings. "But It was worth trying."

Despite saying these things, I somewhat regret asking them. I had no plan to offer, not even a guarantee of where I'd be asking them to risk their lives for me; I should have known it would have failed! It doesn't seem to have damaged my relationship with anyone, but I must be careful about asking for help in the future.

"Well," Kuro says, drawing her wing outward with a smile. "Only one thing left to do."

I gather my thoughts and rumble in acknowledgment.

Striding towards the cliff, I'm ready to accomplish the task given to me by the elders. The last time I was here, it was me who stood near the ice wall as Kuro called the flock. Back then, I was only a few days removed from my privileged life as a Lemur. But now… oh, just look at me now! I'm fully accepted as a member of the flock! I had a meeting with the Dragon deity himself! And I found a mate who loves me unconditionally, one I'm certain will be on my wing for as long as I live. So much has changed since that day last harvestwing.

And yet, there's so much more I need to accomplish.

I anchor my talons, spread my wings wide, and sing.

SKREEEEEEEEEEAK!!!

The mountain shivers, walls of snow loosening an icy grasp. My song echoes across the valley, and another voice joins the cacophonous chorus: an avalanche roars down the mountainside. Thermals catch and launch clouds of snow skyward, obscuring my view behind a veil of snow. As the rumbling subsides, the flock sings back to me.

ROOOARR!
RAAAARR!
SCREEEEEECH!

I wonder how many more things will have changed in my life the next time I hear the song of Kin? Feeling a rush of emotion, I can't help but call back to them.

SKREEAK!

Whatever the future brings, I welcome it. I embrace it! If I could survive Felra and everything it threw against me, then I can survive Sarlain. I can survive Nortane's assault and restore my Kingdom to its former glory. I will be successful!

As more voices join in, Kuro approaches my side. "Race you to aerie?"

"In a wingbeat," I reply. "I'd like to enjoy this moment a bit longer."

I may be Kin, but the future won't be easy. There will be heartbreak and sacrifice and unexpected events to grapple. I promise myself I'll be successful, but I must still prepare for the worst. I should savor these fleeting moments of clarity and wonder.

…

Okay, enough savoring.

"Psche!"

I leap from the cliff and drop like a stone down the side of the mountain. Somewhere far above, Kuro cries out and chases after me.

My name is Princess Asha Eloise Lordanou XIX. I'm twenty-four years old, and I was born in the capital city of the Kingdom of Ellyntide. I am a member of the royal family, and in my spare time, I enjoy reading and learning about plants.

I'm also known as Asha, Daughter-Of-Kelani. I wasn't born in Felra, but everyone knows I'm a Dragon. I am a huntress of the Snowfell Flock, and I enjoy spending time with my mate, Kuro.

Two Ashas, two bodies, two entirely different lives. Which one is real?

The crackle of flame reverberates in my ears, slowly drawing me back to reality. Stepping forward from the back of the gathering stone, I assess the aerie, packed to the brim with nearly every Kin in the flock. A representative from the Grandfather Tree recently informed the elders of their arrival, so the gathering can now begin. I steel my emotions and trod forward to join Meldi and Uma at the front of the stone.

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ROOOOARGH!!

Uma's roar echoes across the aerie, leaving a silenced flock in its wake.

"Blue skies, brothers and sisters. Recently, we called a meeting to discuss the conduct of Daughter-Of-Mecali and Daughter-Of-Kelani. As you'll no doubt recall, our leader returned to… set the record straight."

Unsurprisingly, it seems Uma is having some difficulty admitting their mistake. I wonder how difficult it was for Ashene and Khosa to do the same after nearly driving me to sacrifice my life? Everything turned out okay in the end, but it wasn't until this meeting that I found the strength to forgive them for what happened.

Uma continues, "We now recognize that Keuvra's silence was intentional. We recognize the harm we caused to Kuro and Asha because of his absence. It is never easy to admit one's fault, but we, the elders, must do so."

At that, Khosa, Meldi, Ashene and Uma all dip their heads and mantle their wings. This is the public apology, though before I sung the song of Kin, each elder personally apologized to me and Kuro. Understandably, Kuro was still rather cross about the whole thing, but in time she too came to forgive them.

"But that is not all," Meldi says, folding her wings. "As some of you are aware, Asha and Kuro were asked to appear before our leader, the first time such a request was made to those who are not yet elders. We have been asked to share with you what has transpired and what is yet to come."

With a flick of her tail, Meldi invites me to speak. Sometime during the past few days, Keuvra asked the elders to call a gathering so I could explain to the flock what had occurred during our meeting. I agreed to do it, of course. But after witnessing how my friends reacted to learning about my Divine Flight, I kinda wish Keuvra could appear and tell the flock instead.

Meldi gives me a nod of encouragement as I stroll past and come to stand at the front of the gathering stone. Once more, the curious stares of the flock fall onto me. Oddly, though, I'm not experiencing my usual pre-speech jitters. Is this how Mom felt when she stood before crowds of animals?

Perhaps Keuvra intended me a favor.

I project my voice forward and announce, "The restoration of my Kingdom, peace among ascendants, and serenity between Farlander and Kin."

I study the crowd's reaction; a few heads turn up, and other Dragons perk their feathers in surprise. If any Kin wasn't paying attention, then they are now.

"This is the edict that was given to me by Keuvra — my Divine Flight. When I landed in Felra last harvestwing, I couldn't have predicted…"

As I deliver my speech and explain the task before me, my mind wanders, ruminating on just how much my motivation has changed since the day I became a Dragon. Oh sure, I used to be that privileged little girl, the materialistic brat I once admitted to being. But in order to save the Kingdom I was groomed to lead, I must assume the destiny I once abandoned. It's ironic, isn't it? Even before tragedy befell me, I was always the lone animal who could save Ellyntide. Sofl was never really Monarch material; the task fell squarely on my shoulders. And as much as everyone knew it, as much as I will readily admit I was unqualified to lead, I understood what it entailed. I resolved that one day, I would ascend the throne on my terms.

…

Talk about a set of terms!

For as much as things change, some things eventually stay the same.

Soon, my speech comes to a close. I mantle my wings and turn to retreat to the back of the rock. I'm not sure how they took the news that Keuvra wishes for them to have friendly relations with Farlanders; there was whispering between Kin, but everyone remained cordial. Even if they're upset, I know they'll eventually come to accept it. They came to accept me, after all.

"Daughter-Of-Kelani."

My tail twitches in surprise. I turn to Meldi, providing her with a look of confusion. I was only supposed to give my speech, then step aside so the elders could conclude the gathering.

"You have a long flight ahead of you, one that draws you from your home in Felra to unfamiliar skies. We would be remiss to not acknowledge the effect your arrival has had on our flock, and bid you warm currents."

Meldi strains to raise aging wings far above herself. She roars in a discordant tone, dips her head sharply, and mantles her wings before me. To my supreme shock, the sound of shifting feathers nearly overwhelms my ears. I turn to see every Kin in the aerie with their wings mantled and their heads lowered in respect.

For me.

I always knew that one day, I would command a deep reverence from the citizens of Ellyntide. But to witness it from the Snowfell Flock leaves me utterly breathless.

"T-Thank you!" I say, fighting tears. "Thank you, everyone!"

Eventually, the meeting draws to a close and Kin take flight from the aerie. I find myself close to Kuro with her wing draped across me, reeling from the unplanned show of support. Supposedly, I was groomed to lead a Kingdom and expect adoration from the public. Why is this affecting me so much?

"Hey, Asha!"

A familiar face emerges from the thongs of skyward Kin. Tomcat wings forward, coming to hover above us. "Come on, you're not leaving without one last grooming pile!"

"Really?!" I squeal.

A grooming pile?! Oh, I haven't done one of those in ages! We take flight, waving goodbye to Meldi as we exit the aerie and pass through the tunnel to daylight. Warmth greets my feathers on the opposite side, cast down from a strong greenwing sun. This late in the season, patches of bare ground have emerged from their long slumber beneath the snowdrifts. It's in one of these snow-free areas I spot my friends.

ROOARGH!

Tomcat announces our arrival. Enyll, Nakino, Ykuvi, Gima and Fra all turn to greet us.

"Oh, there she is."
"Hi, Asha!"

SKREEAK!

I call out, happy to see my friends. After landing in the snow, we bound over a fallen tree and trot towards to the lounging group of Dragons.

"Did you really think you could fly away without a send off?" Enyll asks, his muzzle half-buried in Nakino's wing.

"I planned to say goodbye!" I laugh.

Me and Kuro originally thought to stop and say goodbye to everyone as we flew south along the Great Valley.

"But this is a lot better, isn't it?" Ykuvi asks, laying beside his mate.

"Yes, yes," Gima responds, smacking a talon across Ykuvi's flank. "Now shut up and stop moving."

We crowd around them, forming a tight circle to feed off each other's warmth, each Kin working to groom the feathers of the one closest to them. As Kuro works my chest and neck, I groom Enyll's feathers, something I never, ever thought I would do. Soft rumbles flow between the group as everyone relaxes to enjoy the moment.

And, as it often does, my mind begins to wander. It leads me back to the question I asked myself earlier: Who's the real Asha, anyways?

Certainly, this feels real: The warmth of my mate and friends, the Dragons I'll trust for as long as I live. But what about my Kingdom and my destiny? That's real too, right? Shouldn't I be rejecting all this?

Well, no. Of course not!

When I flew here, the only thing I wanted to do was turn back to normal. And if you'd told me I'd hesitate when offered the chance, I would've bitten your head off. But these days, I no longer think of myself in such narrow terms. Feathers and claws, predator and prey, thermals and infinite horizons… these are my new normals.

But it's not like I can fully escape my past, either. No matter which physical form I take, I will always be the Princess who grew up in the Lordanou Palace. I will carry the lessons Sandoz taught me, the ones that influence nearly every decision I make. I will live with the consequences of sneaking out of the palace, a decision which doomed me to house arrest. From birth, my parents molded me to be the Kingdom's Monarch.

I pull away from Enyll; his feathers are clean enough. After allowing a wingbeat for Kuro to finish my wing, I waddle to the next Dragon in line… Nakino. I hesitate, staring into jet black feathers in desperate need of a preen. I still don't particularly trust him, but in this moment I don't want to consider uncomfortable things. This is supposed to be a joyous occasion! Sandoz wouldn't want me tarnishing it with arguing and conflict.

I settle against the ground and bury my head into Nakino's wing. The larger Dragon's feathers tense before slowly relaxing. We exchange a contented rumble and the preening resumes.

Unexpected events in life are inevitable. We can choose to dwell on them, letting the negatives grow to define us. Or we can choose to overcome them, embracing the positive aspects we have control over.

There is always a choice, and I choose to make the best with the positives in my life. I chose to ignore the negative feelings that sometimes overcome me. I embrace the friends I made on this journey, even if those friends sometimes made mistakes. I'll never reject the trust they put in me!

Eventually, I get my fangs across everyone's feathers. By now, we were the only ones left on the side of the mountain; the sky painted orange as the sun yawns against the walls of the valley.

Gima rises to her talons and flutters her wings. "Fress, you'd better visit us once you finish getting your Kingdom in order!"

"Of course I will," I reply. "I'll be back in Felra as soon as I'm able!"

"And you'd better take care of her!" Enyll barks in Kuro's direction.

"Featherbrain," Kuro puffs her feathers. "I'll protect her with my life!"

Speaking quickly, Fra works to diffuse the tension. "My hatchlings will be waiting for you!"

After nuzzling each of the Dragons, we return to the snow and call for our takeoff.

ROOOARGH!
SKREEEAK!

We launch into the sky, catching a thermal that propels us high above the trees.

So, who's the real Asha?

Two Ashas, two bodies, two entirely different lives. Who am I? She is both. The past life influences her current. One can not exist without the other. She is the culmination of everything she ever was, and everything she has yet to be.

And yet, one life must end. You can't rest a talon on two islands, after all. And so I choose the life where I can protect those I love and restore the Kingdom I would lead. That is who I am: The Dragon Princess Asha!

With visions of infinite horizons, I soar through the air and give my friends a parting wave.

SKREAAAAAAK!!