(2)

It’s been several days since the division. For yes, once the news of the Queen’s wrath was filtered around, several townspeople fled out of fear. And the fact that the once beautiful girl was now a great bird surely persuaded people to leave. It hadn’t taken much time for me to catch up with the Princess. I saw Clint tied to a frozen tree, just at the Southern tip of the North (where my birth city was located). In my loyalty to the Princess, I brought along red paint, and you know, I made an allegiant design on my face. With the color a dominate white, the splash of bold red striped over my eyes surely did bring attention. Princess Gabriella was hiding in the old dead tree, the very same Clint was attached to. She welcomed me with another hug, and although she hated the idea of my color inclusion (for she never wanted to be Queen, and now that there was a movement of RED supporters, it would appear to Queen Carmeilla that she was after the crown), she was still happy for a guide. The WHITE RIDERS would soon be on the hunt (if they weren’t already by that time). It wasn’t a surprise when just after a small supper, we heard the snapping of a twig outside. And suddenly, the rough cry of Clint. Princess Gabriella readied her hands while I pulled out my baby dagger. She poked her head out to a deserted timber. Nothing. I creeped my gaze out of the tree shelter too, and just as I did, I heard the quick SNIP of a string. An arrow whipped into the bark! Right by my face! Gabriella stopped the following arrow mid-air, and snapped it in half.

Her powers snatched the attacker, and suddenly a figure was approaching. He was upside down, and nearly naked! Which seems ridiculous given that it was so cold! He had an army of fireflies encircling him, little lights blinking and blanking. Finally, she dropped the man beneath her. The prisoner tried to stand, but was so intimidated by the magic he could only pant. He wasn’t a man from the village that I recognized. No, he was a Native. One of the first inhabitants of the North! That explained why his barely clothed body was okay (even comfortable!) with the freezing temperature.

“What are you trying to do here, Native?” she demanded, her hands ready for a lethal curse. I could only stare at the cloud of mini-lights dancing around him.

Panicked, the Native mumbled, “Forgive me, forgive me! I had not known you to be the Queen of Red! I beg your forgiveness, Your Highness!” And with that he collapsed into the snow.

I exited the tree trunk with a sudden confidence. I would destroy this attacker in honor of the Princess. I pulled out my knife and just as I pulled back to plunge the blade into his chest, she stopped me.

“No, Kyelout! He is genuine, I feel.” she insisted. And so, I obeyed without question.

“Your name, Native?” she bent beside him, who quivered in great fear still.

“Davidio,” was all he could muster.

“You will join us, no?” Princess Gabriella invited. He nodded quickly which flustered me some, for I still didn’t trust this attacker. Yet it wasn’t long before Davidio was actually a friend to both of us. And he surely helped get us South to the Kingdom of Tetop, and for that I am always grateful. For, you must realize, as I very quickly did, that the mighty powers of the Princess can only be created if she has the strength to do so. The powerful casting against her sister had taken much from her.

Days later, we had to leave behind Clint, for we were now South, where a massive desert dominated. Just before the sand, we camped on the outskirts of the snow. There, just beside a warming fire (which the Princess crafted), she explained the news to Davidio, who was already aware! Yes, Davidio was no stranger to the North Palace affairs! It was (indeed!) his father’s arrow which took the life of the Queen Danallia! Yet, no one but Davidio knew of this at the time.

“Your Majesty, why a bird?” I finally asked. She smiled, knowing it would be asked, and informed me that her sister had always despised the very look of birds. I couldn’t help but laugh, for what a curse! She told me though, that the curse was far from permanent. Only when Queen Carmiella thought of malice, evil, even revenge (which she certainly did now), she would grow the feathers and beak. Oh, what a night, and already a thrilling adventure!