The Princess's Feathers

"So, I guess this is it."

Wind whipped against Asha's facial feathers, revealing a face filled with resolve and determination.

After a long pause, Kuro tipped her wings and muttered, "This is goodbye."

Asha forced a smile and nodded in kind. It was the best response she could muster.

The two drakainas sat beside each other in silence, their eyes following the wind-whipped clouds drifting past Archer's Landing. Earlier in the day, Relmoon told Asha she still had a day's time before the winds at the crossing would become unsafe. The wayward Princess had finally completed her training and was content to enjoy her last night together with Kuro until a strange premonition gave her second thoughts. When Kuro learned Relmoon had given her advice, she was furious. She huffed, insisting they needed to leave for the crossing at once. But when she sampled the winds and discovered Asha had to leave immediately, her mood changed.

It wasn't hard to understand why. Though they hadn't known each other for long, the two Dragons considered each other friends unlike any they'd ever known before. For Asha, she finally found someone outside her family she truly, wholly trusted. She wasn't entirely sure what Kuro saw in her — perhaps she would've learned if she'd stayed in Felra longer.

But it was truly time for her to leave. After all, to return home after being trained by Dragons like herself had been her goal since the moment she landed in Felra. And boy, did she ever succeed! It was time to put the second part of her plan into motion. Everyone back home was counting on her.

Setting aside her emotions, Asha turned to her friend. "Thank you, Kuro. Since the moment you found me, you've been so wonderfully kind and.... well, I wouldn't be alive right now if it wasn't for you. I could thank you every day for the rest of my life, and it still wouldn't be enough."

Kuro was quiet for a time, but her muzzle eventually curled into a smile. "I'm glad you're finally heading home to see your family. I know nothing is guaranteed over there, so please be safe in the Farlands, okay?"

Asha tipped her wings. "I will. I promise."

She laughed to herself, and the two Dragons nuzzled their heads together. For a fleeting moment, it seemed Kuro was happy she was leaving. Perhaps Asha was simply misreading her emotions, as she thought she often did.

"I'll never forget you, Daughter-Of-Mecali. For as long as I live."

"Yeah…"

The two Dragons drew in each other's scent, committing it to memory. When Asha pulled away, she felt tears rolling down her eyes. Kuro was looking on, clearly forcing a smile. For a moment, Asha felt pity for her friend, but quickly stifled the thought and stepped away.

Asha faced the strait, its endless sea of roiling clouds beckoning her. Somewhere far beyond them was her home, her family, and her future. She drew a long breath and unfurled her wings, feeling an icy wind blow against her feathers. She knew what she had to do.

"Thank you for everything!"

With a commanding leap, Asha captured the breeze.

SKREAAK!

She soared quickly, gaining altitude against the powerful gales. When she reached a certain altitude, she banked around and tipped her wings to the Dragon who saved her life; her mentor, her friend.

"Goodbye, Kuro!"

Kuro stood and watched, her wings tense and her body stiff. She watched Asha soar into the area of calm winds and begin her long journey back to the Farlands. With a still-beating heart, she watched her friend, the only one she'd ever truly known, fly away from her. She allowed these things to happen. Somehow, she convinced herself it was for the best. She stood as cold as the winds around her as Asha slipped through a cloud bank and disappeared from Felra forever.

Finally, the guise shattered.

Kuro shrieked, wailing in misery as she collapsed to the ground, a mess of feathers and tears. With all her heart, she wanted to object, but how could she? She couldn't go with Asha to Ellyntide. She was a member of the flock, so she had to stay in Felra. She had no choice. She had to stand and watch as the love of her life, the only Dragon she ever felt comfortable around, disappeared forever.

How was this Keuvra's plan!? The red bird promised they'd be mates. He promised Asha would stay in Felra for a time, perhaps a long time. She wasn't sure how long that could be, but less than a season? Asha had only just arrived! Kuro believed something strange would happen and Asha would stay until greenwing. She could see it in her eyes — a season was enough. She thought they would be mates before the snow disappeared from the Grandfather Tree. How had everything gone so wrong?!

Kuro cried for hours, waiting long past nightfall, watching the clouds and hoping, pleading, screaming, that Asha would reemerge and return to her life. It wasn't until the sun rose again that she had the courage to leave Archer's Landing, return to her den, and attempt to resume her shattered life.

Early one morning, Asha's head shot up in surprise.

Footsteps on the periphery of her senses dawdled her from a restless sleep. She gazed past the canopy of the tree she was sleeping under and quickly silenced her growl. Two Lemurs, outlined against the dim morning sky, were patrolling the perimeter of her den and making far too much noise with their uniforms. As usual.

Asha exhaled, flattened her feathers, and curled up around herself. Irritated, she tried to recommit to sleep but found the exercise pointless. She shifted against the grass and instead pieced together the dream she had just had. Slowly, the memories returned to her: she was back in Felra, hunting in the forests south of the Grandfather Tree. The scents of autumn were alive in her mind, the taste of prey fresh on her tongue. And as it often was, Kuro was with her.

The punchline was wearing thin. In the months since Asha returned home, it seemed Kuro was always on her mind. Why did her thoughts always flow back to her? Sure, they had been good friends. Arguably, Kuro was the only good friend Asha ever had. But her decision to return home had been undoubtedly correct. She knew these things, and yet she struggled with them. What was Kuro up to these days? It had been a warm summer in Ellyntide. Surely the flock must be eating well.

Before she could ruminate for too long, Asha sensed animals approaching on the wind: A Ruffy, a Marten, and a Rabbit. Rumbling in displeasure, she raised her head to discover Commander Almandoz and two members of the guard strolling down the incline into the space beneath the elder tree, her makeshift home. In their arms were a chalkboard, a large roll of paper, and an oversized inkwell.

'Ugh,' Asha thought to herself. 'It's way too early for this.'

Duncan lifted his head and smiled, pleased to see Asha awake. He was in his usual morning attire: a purple vest around his chest and a folio at his side. "Good morning, Princess."

Burdened by sleep, Asha murmured in acknowledgment and tipped her head. What he spoke, she understood the meaning.

With that, the guard took their usual position before Asha and began assembling the equipment. They unfurled the huge roll of paper, spread it across the grass, and secured it with metal stakes. As they worked to uncap the Lithan-sized inkwell, Duncan flipped his chalkboard around and displayed a message to Asha in the Goddess Language.

'My sincere apologies for rousing you from sleep. Your Mother wants to know if you've reached a decision.'

Asha rumbled, causing the guard's tails to perk in fear. Mother was being impatient again. She went to Owen's Island last week, so why did she have to fly to Coleport again so soon?

Perhaps she should have expected this whole charade. Mother always had a penchant for the spotlight, and what better way to relish it than by parading around her daughter — the Lithan, the war hero? In decimating the Nortanian fleet, she cemented herself as the savior of Ellyntide, a legend befitting the tales of Ixshe herself. And although she felt pride in what she accomplished, it was all a bit much. The battle above the formerly disputed island was months ago. Asha was tired of being treated like a show pony for all to see.

By now, the guards had finished. They moved to stand beside Duncan and give Asha plenty of room to compose her response. She raised her talon and dipped a claw — a claw worn down in a particular way to be flatter — into the inkwell. Then, using the claw, she composed a message in the Goddess Language, careful not to puncture a hole in the parchment.

'Not this time.'

The Commander looked crestfallen, but inclined his head. He spoke something to the Ruffy, who turned to scamper up the incline and back to the palace. As he did, Duncan erased his old message and quickly composed a new one. He stared at it a heartbeat, quirked his ears, then flipped the chalkboard around for Asha.

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'I understand. It has been a busy schedule for us all."

Asha tipped her wings and loosened a smile. In the time since she returned to Varecia, Duncan had proven to be a stalwart ally in the face of her Mother's fantastical whims. As usual, she wondered where she'd be if she'd never fostered a friendship with the Commander on that cursed day last autumn.

With official business taken care of, Duncan shooed away the Marten in order to have a more private conversation with Her feathered Majesty. Asha had been looking forward to sleeping in, but now that Dunc was here, it made sense to have a quick chat. For the past few weeks, Duncan had been working with his family to secure a private retreat for Asha. An island to herself, somewhere far away from the noxious scents of airships and the clattering of heavy uniforms that kept her awake in the morning.

'We didn't get Ambassador Island. Mother thought it was a terrible deal. We're still looking.'

Asha frowned, flicking her tail impatiently. Didn't Dunc's family have money? Why were they so concerned about getting a good deal? Of course, none of this would have been an issue if Mother had simply listened to her concerns and had the Crown acquire an island on her behalf. But then Mother wouldn't be able to parade her around and—

Asha ceased, noticing Dunc staring at her with ears angled and eyes wide. His fear-scent was palpable — this wasn't the reaction she wanted to impart on a friend. She quickly flattened her feathers and dipped her head dolefully, muttering something akin to an apology. Asha may have been the Princess, but the battle above the disputed island had made her temper the stuff of legends. She had to be careful around ascendants.

She unrolled a new section of parchment and quickly composed a message.

'I appreciate everything you've done to help.'

Duncan smiled, then replied on the chalkboard.

'We will always be of service to your family.'

Camaraderie. It seemed like such a hard commodity to come by these days, especially in the aftermath of her return to Ellyntide. Just as it was before she left home, everyone wanted to attach themselves to the heir to the throne and get something out of her. To stake their claim in the storied Lithan who single-handedly saved the Kingdom from barreling into a war it stood to lose. In Felra, it seemed everyone was working together for the betterment of the flock — selfless actions to further their fellow Dragon. But in Ellyntide, the only things that mattered were power and influence, fame and glamor. It made Asha sick to her stomach. But at least the Almandozes were on her side.

Asha lowered her head, an action Duncan understood well. She nuzzled against his head, careful not to push him off his feet. If nothing else, the mutual tragedies they endured had brought them close.

Eventually, the Commander took his leave. Since the guard was nowhere in sight to retrieve her writing equipment, Asha decided she might as well rise for the day. Departing the relative comfort of the Elder Tree, she stepped beneath its branches and into the morning light, glimpsing the first rays of sunshine shimmering above a far-off horizon. After Asha returned to Varecia, workers hastily cleared the area around the Elder Tree, and the new layout was still a work in progress. Gone was the broad, grassy field that her Mother used for formal gatherings, replaced by a rocky landing strip that Asha could safely navigate. Horatio was awake, working with the grounds crew to continue the arduous task of transplanting sections of the Royal Gardens into areas more favorable for Asha. He called a greeting to her, and Asha responded with a friendly, "Rahh!"

It wasn't long before eager animals descended from the palace to tend to the Princess's needs, their chalkboards at the ready. For once, Asha had some good news: A rancher had phoned the crown to inform them one of his horses was gravely ill and wouldn't survive for long. Instead of accepting the usual offering of pre-butchered prey, Asha had the chance to hunt! A location was provided to her, Asha accepting the instructions with a tip of her wings. After everyone retreated to a safe distance (and covered their ears,) Asha called her takeoff and leaped into the sky, aflutter at the opportunity to sate her predatory urges.

As she banked around the Elder Tree, she realized her Mother was nowhere in sight. Normally, the Queen would visit her oversized daughter before she settled in for breakfast. Oh, well. She was probably busy that morning.

Asha soared, feeling the warmth of the sun against her feathers. Life on the ground was confusing, often leaving her frustrated and dejected. But here in the sky, she was alive. Sometimes she would leave the palace for no other reason than to experience flight — the sky had a strange way of cleansing her thoughts, making her feel peaceful and content. Though she wouldn't admit it to anyone but herself, It reminded her of her time in Felra and the total freedom she enjoyed.

As she followed the terrain, Asha had a sudden change of heart. The dream of hunting had left her restless — a lowly, famished horse could no longer satisfy her. She needed to stalk prey. Hunt it from the sky. Track it through the undergrowth and chase it until it was beneath her jaws. Unless she could bask in its fear-scent, she would not be satisfied.

So instead she banked for the mountains, navigating the gusts until she came upon a herd of deer crossing a field in the higher elevations. Plucking a doe from the group, she quickly flung it to the ground to disable it. The sound of prey squealing in pain brought her a macabre sense of joy, one she relished as she clamped down and put an end to the prey-animal's suffering. It was one of a handful of wild prey-kills since returning to Varecia, and it made her day feel special.

From there she flew toward Rhl, encountering a passenger airship along the way. Her spirits raised, she flew along the vessel and tipped her wings in a friendly wave. Through the tiny windows of the ship, she saw the passengers, delighted at the chance to view the hero Princess in her element. Though she loathed being paraded as a trophy, she found she enjoyed interacting with the public on her own terms. Why did she have to be an accessory to her Mother? She knew the reason, but decided it was something she didn't have control over. Best to focus on the positive aspects of her life, after all.

She flew the rest of the afternoon, gliding around the southern continent until the sun dropped below the eastern mountains. Musn't stay out too late, otherwise Mother will worry. She returned to the ranch she meant to visit in the morning and made quick work of the horse. As she preyed on it, the farmer appeared in the pasture beside her and gave an enthusiastic wave. With blood dripping from her muzzle, she called out, returning the gesture with her wing. Despite her surely monstrous appearance, the farmer wasn't at all bothered.

The sky was dark by the time she returned to Varecia. Soaring overhead, the airships parted to give her safe passage back to the palace. In calling her landing, everyone in the city knew the Dragon Princess had returned home.

But it seemed she had worn out her welcome. As the winds from her landing subsided, she was soon accosted by her new bodyguard, an Eternal who seemed bitterly upset that she stayed out so long. Asha wasn't certain, as she ignored the chalkboard that was shoved into her face and turned to retreat to the relative safety of her den beneath the Elder Tree. Her Mother had so fervently wished for her to engage with the public, and she had done that today. If the Eternal had a problem, she could take it up with the Queen.

Later that night as Asha worked to preen her wings, she sensed someone approaching. A Ruffed Lemur, young, and filled with anxiousness. It was, in fact, her brother, Prince Sofl! She spun around to see the young Prince descending the incline, his face downtrodden and a chalkboard in tow.

"Sofl?" she asked in the Lithan tongue.

He forced a smile and waved his tail. Sofl understood a few words, his name among them.

Something was wrong. Dreadfully wrong. There were few in the kingdom as relieved as Sofl was to see the seemingly dead Princess return to life. On her first night back at the palace, he was so insistent on staying at Asha's side that he fell asleep half-burried in her fluff. This was the first time Asha had seen him in a turbulent mood since she had returned. Beyond concerned, she folded her wings and repositioned herself to give Sofl her full attention.

He'd already prepared his message for her. Dolefully, he flipped the chalkboard around and looked away from her.

'Mom tried Communion. Still no response.'

The hole in Asha's stomach deepened. It had been four months since she had left a message in the Goddess Language at Ford Richter, reestablishing contact with her family. But in all that time, the Goddess had refused to acquiesce to her Mother in communion. Unbidden, her tail slapped the ground, and a quaking growl grew in her throat. Mother had told her to restrain her more baleful vocalizations, but such things were impossible with news this upsetting.

Unfazed by her sister's outburst, Sofl jotted another message.

'I won't give up until I find a cure.'

On second thought, perhaps there were some things that could quiet her. Sofl had been working tirelessly to scour the palace library, the university's archives, anything that might offer some kind of clue as to why Asha became a Dragon. But so far, he'd had little luck. The biggest problem was that books of a certain age just didn't exist in Ellyntide any longer, and what they knew of the ancient history of the kingdom was sourced from second-hand accounts and, ironically, books from Nortane. The occupation of Ellyntide cast long shadows that lingered to the present day.

Asha felt tears in her eyes. She could accept being a Lithan for the time being and the challenges it brought, but it was all so stressful. And to see the pain it brought Sofl… well, that was too much for her. She lowered her head, and Sofl rushed forward to hug her.

For a time they lay beside each other, saying nothing as Maki rose on the horizon. Eventually, when he grew tired of listening to the rhythmic rise and fall of Asha's breathing, Sofl stood.

"Asha."

She raised her head from her talons, gazing curiously.

"I know you can't understand me, but..." Sofl rolled his shoulders with a sigh. "Mom's giving up on you."

Asha stared at her brother, understanding only body language.

A bitter frown grew across his muzzle. Sofl kicked the ground and snarled, "She thinks it's the reason Etain won't talk to her! And we just have to give up and accept that this is some kind of punishment for being— oh, I don't know! Because you're actually a terrible Princess! Because you snuck out of the palace when you were a kit! Because... argh! Asha, it doesn't make any—"

Sofl huffed, interrupted by the forceful push of Asha pressing her head against him. Her body was shaking, overcome with emotion at the sight of her brother being so upset. Briefly, Sofl worried if Asha could understand the words in his tirade. But he quickly realized Asha was upset simply because he was upset. As it often was, Asha was trying to protect him.

Unexpectedly, she pulled her neck away and enunciated a word.

"Hhhuurrrruuu."

"Asha?" Sofl asked. "Asha, you—"

"Sssooofffrrrrrlll." Asha turned her head, flicking her tail in annoyance. "Groooowl…"

"It's okay, it's okay." Sofl assured her, making gentle motions with his tail. "We don't have to work on speech tonight."

He leaped to his side and grabbed the chalkboard, working quickly to compose a message.

'Sorry for getting emotional. I promise I'll never stop fighting for you."

Sofl knew Asha was trying to cheer him up, but such things were unnecessary. She deserved to know the truth, but he didn't have the courage to tell her. How could he, the family member Asha trusted the most, be the one who delivered the news that she would be stuck as a Lithan the rest of her life?

Again, Asha lowered her head and pressed it against Sofl, who responded in kind. Comforting her was the best he could do. It was perhaps the only thing he'd ever be able to do.

Eventually, Sofl said his goodbyes and departed for the palace. The lights shining through the windows dimmed and Asha finished preening herself with a reserved sense of hope. Despite her transformation, it seemed everything eventually put itself right. She returned to Ellyntide, defeated the Nortanian fleet, and reestablished contact with her family. She still had faith that the Goddess, or Sofl, would turn her back to normal. She just had to take it one day at a time, and things would work out.

There was always a choice. Asha chose to have hope.

She curled into a ball and laid her head down to sleep. That night, she dreamed of the skies of Felra and the spiced drakaina that saved her.