Enmity's Lost Prodigy: Chapter 8 - Haven

Below them, all around them, the gateway had opened up to all their desires. Matilda was well out of the picture, as long as they closed the game out of sight, and stayed in the trees. They took to a higher platform, well above the crash site, and followed a upstream into a large pool that fed it. Here they stopped and rested. Farrah was very weak, shaking from head to toe. All her adrenaline had started to ware off and she was left cold. Talia couldn't help but jitter herself. She was high on the thrill of almost touching Matilda's breath in their nit and tuck escape. Petrified at first, but now exuberantly awakened. She couldn't stop laughing to herself.

“You crazy, crazy girl.” Talia astounded, completely ecstatic. “You took us out all this way past fire and brimstone and if I could guess I would swear that was exactly what we were walking on. All in hopes of a some illusive haven you only briefly read in a dying man's cell? What a crazy, crazy girl you are.”

Farrah brazed Talia's head with the feathers of her wings still unable to really speak herself. She didn't even mind the taste of the water, which was tracing sulphur and other impurities. Talia danced about, happy as a lark. Though, not all larks are happy people, Talia was exceptionally blessed. Farrah gasped for air, having just downed half a litre of water and cleansing her throat. She fell down and collapsed, still panting and recovering. “Never again...” She forced out, having issues talking.

“Never again? Why would we even need to? We're here, we actually made it, you did it Farrah!”

“Never...” Taking time to breath, rolling her head back to face the sky, and swallowing. “Again...”

Farrah laid there for a while. A long while. Time went on, and Talia calmed down, however it did not stop her curious nature from unfolding all over the pond and every nook and cranny that it held secret. The small cat plopped down beside her best friend and stared off into the pond. “What else do you suppose is out there?” Talia asked, waging her feet against the sand.

“I couldn't say.” Farrah rolled over.

“Everything here is really green. The trees are tall and the leafs are massive. You think they have cool places? Because it's kinda hot here.”

“I don't care if it's hot, I don't have to do anything.” Farrah replied sitting up. “You think they have cleaner water, because I rather not bath in that pond.”

“Yeah, the water does smell like someone heated it themselves.” Talia admitted. All seemed fine, except for the odd scuffle in the distance. She noticed it before but disregarded it as it went away, too small to be any trouble. Probably a forager out for berries and other fruit. She looked out for it, but couldn't seem to find where it came from. Out of the corner of her eye she saw a figure walk out from the bush to her right. He was tall, bird, and carried with him a bow and quiver. This despite the first theory was not a forager. Talia nudged Farrah, and “pst” her to her right.

Farrah looked over to notice the man walking up to them while keeping along the waters edge. Farrah was oddly stunned. She had never seen a winged folk of his type before with feathers so brown they could make pale a deep forest tree root, his eyes glistened. He had freckles of light and dark that splotched his side and wings with a dark tan inside that tipped the outer edge his fans. He was bold, tight bellied and strong chest and arms. The muscles developed by year of archery and bushwhacking. His beak had one scar along the side where it had been scraped, probably in a flying accident. By the time Farrah was done checking out the stranger, she realized he had drawn his bow and began to point it at her. “Whao, whao, we're not here to cause any harm!” Farrah flustered, holding her arms in front of her.

The man remained quiet, moving closer, and kneeling down to draw back farther on his bow. “Hey!” Talia shouted, “Let's not get irrational here!” but nothing stopped the man from veering down his sights onto her vitals.

Finally he spoke. His voice like smooth amber, however course and serious. “Girl, You need to come with me.”

“That's fine just don't shoot!” Farrah requested. In an instant he pulled his aim up and directed it to behind her letting the arrow take flight.

“RUN!” He exclaimed taking her hand, and dragging her.

Talia flying up to meet them, She looked into the woods to where the arrow had landed only to panic “Oh crud!” She exclaimed. “This is bad, this is really bad!” Farrah looked behind to see what Talia was complaining about saw a strange creature in the trees. “Matilda is back! And this time she looks more angry than before, now she's a unicorn!”

The remark made little sense, and wouldn't for some time. “A single arrow to the head won't kill that beast.” The man replied. He dragged them into the woods on foot. It was the safest, and miraculously it really great to hinder the raging monster behind them. They did not stop however. Matilda could weave through the trees, however slowly, but certainly threateningly. Over logs and dodging trees. Farrah kept speed with the strange man as, Talia was flying just fast enough to keep up. By the time she finally caught up and docked on Farrah's harbour, they fell into a crevice.

“Oh, darn it all!” Talia exclaimed.

“In here.” The man requested, motioning Farrah into a cavern. Farrah fumbled her landing and looked up to see Matilda fly over top, missing the crack in the ground. Her massive body made small tremors and shook down dirt from above. The sound was enough to frighten anyone. Farrah returned to her feet, following the man's beckon. Matilda then returning to the crevice to find the bowman ducking into a hole that was too small for her to fit. She was enraged even further.

Matilda had entered someone else's backyard but still craved revenge. Her new competition was the strange man who had outsmarted her. Perhaps she should have made the lunge at first sight of Farrah. Now it was too late, but no matter, the great Matilda could look for another exit. Her head games turned rash and thoughtless, searing a migraine against a shattered pride.

“Are you okay?” He asked.

“I think so, I didn't expect to fall like that.” Farrah replied.

“And no one could wait for me!?” Talia barked.

“Gregory the hunter, at your service!” The man announced gentlemanly.

“I'm sorry, I didn't have time to stop while we were being chased.” Farrah answered Talia, ignoring Gregory's announcement.

“You could have slowed down, I was right behind you!” Talia plopped down next to a rock. “I think I'm down to 3 lives now. I think that's probably also how many I've lost just today.”

“I have to know.” Farrah asked turning to her hero who was now sitting bow in lap “Why did you aim at me?”

Gregory replied confidently. “To make your predator think I was going to take you instead. Most of them are opportunists, if they see a fight, they'll wait until the end and take the hunter along with the prize. I'm sorry I had to scare you like that... If I couldn't get close enough to you, I don't think I could have saved you.”

“Okay pal,” Talia interrupted “Very glad you saved our tail back there, but how did you know to show up at the right time?”

He laughed and stated. “I heard the loud noise of that beast crashing though the cliff from across the valley and I went to check it out. I just so happened to have caught her on you.”

“Pretty lucky timing, too lucky... No, this is how I figure it happened.” Talia explained. “That was you I heard earlier poking around and when you saw us you just sat there peeping until you noticed big ugly in behind.” Talia said. A strange echo from above rattled the ground as the beast scowered for another entrance. Talia pointed up.

“Peep? No!” Gergory defended, “Besides, it would be rude of me to do so to such a fair lady as yourselves while you were undressed.”

Talia narrowed her eyes, and smiled. “A confession?” Looking at the man, she stared at the loincloth he wore and continued. “You ain't wearing much either.”

He sat back and assumed a relaxed composure. “Alright, you got me.” Gregory admitted, bracing his arms against his neck. “I didn't want to interrupt you two, least not until I saw what caused all that ruckus behind you two. That thing I could not let get you.”

“Thank you by the way.” Talia finally thanked.

“Now, while she is scurrying around up top, I should wait for her to calm down and take the other exit. Just so she gives up looking for it and guards this one.”

“Who say's she didn't find the other?”

“Well, for one it's buried in bushes. And two it's almost impossible to find once you exit. If we are lucky, we should be able to just walk out and leave completely unnoticed.”

“You know this place very well, don't you?” Farrah asked. Having been staring at Gregory for the last little while.

“Yes.” Gregory replied. “These are my stomping ground, though to be honest, I don't know them all as well as I should. This cavern and the way back however I knew quite well. It was fortunate I found you there and not at the cliff basin along the outer edge.” He seemed more earnest now, showing his flaws; his voice now smooth and natural. “Perhaps when I get you back to my place I can show you around.”

“Sure, that would be great.” Farrah exclaimed, finally quite uplifted to be around folk again who honestly saw her as anyone else. “Where do you live anyway?”

Talia rolled her eyes, “Don't tell me that you are actually falling for this guy, are you?”

Gregory laughed. He sat there returning his bow to his backside and rose to his feet still chuckling to himself. “Well, if you are, I stopped trying a while ago. Come on. Our unicorn friend is bound to return to this entrance when she's tired of looking for the other one.”

Farrah was quick to her feet to leave this place, and return to peaceful resting where danger was no longer lurking eerily behind her. Talia sat on her shoulder, The small cat did little to impair her friend even in her tired state. She figured Farrah's strength came from the cute satchel of feathers walking in front of her. Talia figured it was a matter of time, maybe Farrah should learn herself the joys of young men as Talia did; though in thinking, maybe this guy would be tolerable. It would be an easy guess that Talia's experiences had left her cold on the subject.

The cave twisted and turned, and in some places it got gravely narrow. Farrah could just fit through some of the places. It was a crazy mess, but even though there was nowhere to really get lost it didn't mean they weren't blind. Almost all light was missing, they went by feel and the memory of their brave hero. “Be careful” Gregory informed. Past the bend he continued “This part of the journey got to me once. I got stuck here for a long while until I figured it out.”

Talia took flight, and making sure not to accidentally get anyone, she proceeded to offer assistance. A dim, light came forth, slowly turning brighter. Gregory turned himself to face the odd light and was surprised. “Don't panic.” Talia informed, “It's just me, just my tail.” She said grabbing it and pulling it out into the open. “See?”

“How is that... Possible?” Gregory asked enchanted.

“It don't last forever bub, I suggest you find that exit so we're not stuck here for hours.”

“It's right here, I know it by heart now, you can put the light away.”

“I'm sorry.” Talia said apologetically, turning the tone of voice to how she actually felt “Was it pride, or were you just scared of it? Cause, I thought it was a pretty good idea.”

“Talia, hackles down.” Farrah intervened. “Sorry, she gets a little protective.”

Talia went to licking herself innocently

“Then you have a good friend.” Gregory answered.

“Best... Friend.” Talia finished.

“Where is the exit?” Farrah asked putting them back on track.

Gregory, still in the dim light of Talia's tail managed to point to the wall. In it was a fold where it took a one hundred and sixty five degree bend backwards up a two foot ledge. Down the corridor and over the large steps they manged to see light, the exit was in sight now. Standing below they saw many bushes and a lip that shot inward. It appeared to be a tight squeeze, but definitely well hidden. Gregory turned and motioned to shh them as he ascended to the top. Squeezing out, he looked around and beckoned Farrah and Talia to follow.

Outside was an enclosed clearing from the trees that was overrun with bushes of many varieties stagnant in the waves of light breaching the canopy. Gregory held Farrah's hand and pulled her along to communicate silently. He took any opportunity to do so. Really though, Talia saw through it, she had to give him one thing, he knew his stuff. Farrah falling into it but at least she was having a good time, even though she was too exhausted to think for herself.

Down the path between two plates was a natural dirt road made by sliding mud, now mostly bare rock, it was the first steps to finding their new home. Once sufficiently far away they took flight until the path took them to a rapid flowing creek with thick tree guardrails. The creek ran steep down the hill, cascading a cool brisk aura of fresh water. Gregory smiled and tested Farrah. He took the initiative and flew over her, rolling in the air and took the creek down. Falling down the rapids on his back, he motioned to Farrah, and flipped around to resume flight. Gregory narrowly almost skinned himself upon recovering, but Farrah didn't hesitate, she dove in to take him up on the offer. This once smooth escape turned into a white water race through the woods.

Farrah easily caught up to Gregory who was holding back, but he took it a step farther and accelerated. Farrah quick to match. She then tried to pick the speed up even more but could only barely surpass her limit. Gregory was impressed. A skilled flyer she appeared to be, gaining much respect as the rapids became violent and the rocks that the river ran became obstacles. Each dodge was fluent, each tree becoming more of a tunnel, each breath becoming more and more exhilarating. A cliff turned the stream into a bend with an island tree in it's pool, quick to follow Farrah turned on a dime. Farrah quickly embraced the ride, the race became a celebration of her free spirit. Talia, panicking as always with the unbelievable spinning.

“Always with the spinning with this one, always with the spinning!” Talia retorted, unheard.

Farrah spun about, slowly, gliding on her back and returning upright. Gregory was at an ends, he was being trumped by a crazier flyer than himself, and he thought he was pretty gutsy. Farrah on the other hand was fearless, and precise. Each rotation was a perfect movement, smooth as could be. She embraced the feeling of the wind, cutting through it, and defying the gravity that held her down. Seeming perfection, grace, and just a little more crazy than he was comfortable with. A fish that was a little too out of his league to catch, but that wouldn't stop him from trying. What a strange creature she was, rare too. If she were to come home, she would be the talk of the grove. Perhaps it was best that no one would be able to keep up with her. Without even knowing it, Farrah was well beyond his speed. A sparrow in the body of a majestic black white and blue masterpiece. She resembled a falling leaf in the breeze, floating and swirling without hinder.

At the bottom of the stream, it broke into a lake, a wide lake in fact. In the distance was a tall hill and a bridge connecting it to another cliff. The wide beach curled along the vast space. Sight of settlement and a small dock lined the cloud speckled getaway bay and the rest was surrounded by dense forest. Farrah skidded along the water, often checking to see if Talia was still attached. Talia pulled out to see the lake, looking back to guard their trail of anyone or anything following them. The clouds pulled off lighting the glitter ocean for a while before dimming down again. For once, the air was welcoming to the cat's prude nose.

Past the lake, a narrow pass through the hills ahead lead them to a ravine that they crossed on foot. The road climbed higher until they came upon probably the greatest sight of all. The path opened on the side of a cliff to a giant bowl. The trees up until now were tall and massive but now they met the true elders of the land. Towers could not compare to the ancient woods that held the land together. Dozens of trees could be seen, their roots lacing a marsh of healthy vegetation. The wide valley was massive and made them feel nervously small in comparison. Farrah wondered if this was what it was like to be a bug. Turning along the cliff side they noticed more of this haven, and closest to them, a cliff side running two streams off of it along the side of a massive tree. This titan was dug into the cliff and could be accessed by simply walking up to it. A door into the giant was carved on the cliff's height at the end of the path. Inside between two sets of curtains a settlement built.

Talia poked her head out to see what the commotion was about. The walking had bored her into a nap, but awaking she too shot up at the sight as she announced. “My great hallowed Messiah! These things are frik'n nuts!”

Farrah chucked at the response. “I know, I know. Aren't they beautiful.”

“Yes they are,” Gregory answered “This is our home. All that you see before you is our wonderland. We have ample supply of food year 'round, always something new to see, and the kids will always keep you busy because they are always bored.”

Talia narrowed her eyes. “Kids, why must it be kids, bored kids no less.” she muttered. “Always with the unpredictability, the goobers, and the funny faces.”

The path along the cliff side flattened and widened into the plateau that dug into the tree. Flowers adorn the edges in all varieties along the dirt road. The cliffs too were laced as vines scaled the walls and the lilies bloomed henceforth. Life had sprang off the edge to the ground below, all over voices could be heard. As Farrah and Talia looked up, they could notice houses built into the treetops. The canopy above was filled with walkways and houses hung, built on, dug in, and anyway they could fit them. Except for this one in front of them. It's only construction was midway, lone to one occupancy.

“I could get used to this.” Farrah uttered.

“It's very homely, I assure you, everyone is all so friendly.” Gregory informed. “Besides, there is someone I want you to meet. Rather, everyone meets. She's our elder. Though old Leanna might not be much of the spry young gal she used to be, she is a master of making people feel at ease. Everyone looks up to her for support.”

“Sounds like a nice gal.” Talia remarked

“Come inside...” Lifting the curtain out of the way, Farrah walked in carrying her friend, and soon following Gregory. “Lady Leanna... Lady Leanna.” He called

“There is no need to be formal.” Replied an old voice “I told you many times, just Leanna is fine.”

“I brought visitors. Quite special ones at that.”

“We're not really all that special.” Farrah said on her behalf.

“No, I'm pretty sure I'm special.” Talia added.

Out from the corner of the room behind a few objects was a seating area in which the old lady came form. Many little chairs sat there along side bookshelves as though to seat a kindergarten of young listeners. The Lady Leanna was a dark figure, rather, quite black all over, with white tipped wings, tail, lit face, and bossom. Along her sides were blue sheens that shined, and a long beak that found a way to droop with age. Farrah's eyes lit up. Talia couldn't hold herself in when she saw her. “Farrah... It's... It's one of your kind. It's another magpie.”

The elder looked on them and smiled. Her eyes lit the same as though to know the other, yet somehow they had never met. Farrah was almost speechless. Leanna came up to Farrah, inspecting her, lifting a wing and then wiping the hair from the young girl's one covered eye. Leanna smiled and taking a her hand to Farrah's collarbone she asked “You are certainly not from here, how far had you come young one?”

Farrah was still hard of speech. She was flustering inside, a hurricane of excitement building, just waiting to open her release valve. This was certainly the place, untouched and without prejudice. A home. A new life.

“Hello, anyone in there?” Lady Leanna asked.

“Yes!...” Farrah responded promptly.

“Good, now what is your name? Where are you from? Don't leave me waiting, I don't have all that much longer left in me.”

“I'm sorry,” Farrah replied. “I'm Farrah.” She stood there for a moment remembering the other part of the question.

“And where you are form?”

“Home, I mean, the homeland.”

“You don't mean all the way from the west do you?” Leanna inquired fearfully. Farrah took a moment to remember her directions on a map, then quickly nodded. “You have been a long way from home. I hear that bridging from here, the lands have been warring with another, and so young to travel them... How did you know what to find?”

“My father told me, well... He wrote about it.” Farrah announced, starting to feel the burden of of mentioning him

Leanna became quiet, her age had taken more out of her to think than it did in her youth. “Not many outsiders have come this far, nor decided to leave given their journey across the shadow downs. Who is this father of yours?”

“Daven... Daven Shaleen.”

Lady Leanna paused, she shut her eyes and smiled. “I should have known.” opening them again. “I should have known you would be his daughter.”

Farrah's world opened up with these words. She became hyper, nervous, stuttering at her words. “T-then, you kn-n-now him?”

Gregory was just as shocked to hear what he heard. “Yeah...” He answered. “Everyone here knew your father. No one can forget him.”

Farrah turned to Gregory in aw. “You, knew him?” She asked.

“Not personally,” He replied “I saw him many times, but my father was the one who really knew him.”

“Yes.” Leanna continued. “He was a spry one he was, gave me a run for my money to keep up with him. I miss the days of my youth, but I will never forget our friendship. He left to return home. He came again said he had a family. The last time I saw him was nine years ago. How is he doing? Where is he?”

Farrah paused, but couldn't stop the shaking. Now, bad vibes were billowing in her stomach. “Oooh.” Talia uttered. “That's not going to go over too well.”

Everyone turned to the little cat on Farrah's shoulder. Gregory was the first to break the silence. “What the heck do you mean?!”

Leanna held Farrah's hand up, looking into her then calmly retracted asking sombrely. “Yes... What do you mean?” Catching a whim of the reality.

Farrah couldn't give the news, she didn't want to accept the fact even now. She had all the time to come to terms with if but never the heart to face it. She was far too emotional to feel capable of surviving such a flood of tears a second time.

Talia figured Farrah couldn't handle saying anything, and the cat's little comment would end up forcing her to answer the rest in her stead. Talia sighed. “Well, as you can imagine... It's not such a happy ending.”

“What happened?” Leanna asked, “Last he said was homeland was in unrest.”

Talia felt saddened by having to give the news. Everyone was taken by the loss of Daven, most of all was Farrah, and she saw the pain it gave her. “A long time ago some things happened, people got upset, stormed the castle, took the throne, and now all magpies are considered exiled from existence.”

Gregory's eyes shot. He could barely hold the pit in his stomach. “Exi...”

“So it happened then...” Leanna bleakly hollowed. “And you... Farrah, what happened to you?”

Farrah couldn't answer, holding back gates of the last eight years and of the last few days. She wandered over to the nearest wall and collapsed, shutting everything out. Talia, comforting her.

“I think we've asked too much...” Leanna stated. “She will need time.” She went to Gregory and held his hand and followed him out to talk privately. “I will watch over her and make her well. I suggest you make the most of your time. Come back in a while, she will want to see you again, I'm sure.”

“I wish there was more I could do... I felt sad for myself, but I didn't think about how she...”

“Shh, it's alright. I imagined she too would have come to terms with this, but we all need time.”

“Are you alright Leanna?”

“Of course. I've seen many die before me, many friends of old age, and other not as lucky. I'm sad, but it is life. We must make loving memory his loss, he would rather be known for the joy he has given us than in grief”

“Indeed...” Gregory understood.

“Carry on... I'll see you in a while. I myself am one too many people to be around her.”

“I'll give her some space.”

Gregory left, he headed somewhere unknown, a place he went in times to think. Though he never knew Daven well, he had many fond memories of him and his father did too. By the signs of things, fate was far from favourable.

Leanna took to the poor weeping youth and comforted her with a blanket, then left.

“You know, you are a bit of a loose cannon at times right?” Talia said. “Too much load to take, and you are so unstable at times... Oh, go on, let it out.” She consoled “You've held it in ever since we left homeland.”

Farrah slowly let open the dams, but couldn't hold it and the rest came flowing out. After a while Leanna came back with a cup in hand, and steam rising from it. “I brought you some tea. Please drink it, It'll help you feel better.”

After a while Talia let Farrah sort things out herself and turned to Leanna who was outside. She held a bracelet made of vines, pondering on it, sitting in her favourite chair. “You could have...” Leanna muttered, Talia hearing it clearly beside her.

“So, any bit curious to what I am?” Talia asked, trying to lift at least one person's spirits. “Everyone does...” She flew around to try and more face the elder.

Leanna turned slowly to the little creature landing on the chairs arm. “But I suppose it was inevitable, wasn't it...”

“Oh... Not you too...” Talia lamented.

“No, I'm fine. Just going over old memories. It's all we have.”

“I can see that. What's this thing anyway?” Talia asked pointing to the bracelet.

“It's something Daven made. He said he was never good at making crafts because he didn't have the patients for it, but I have to say this looks pretty good. He'd never believe me though.” She took a moment longer with the item before setting it aside. “You are wise to know when to distract someone. So, what are you?”

“I don't really know, we have a weird name for it but that wasn't really the point. I don't know, I was just waiting for my grand welcoming too... Before everything turned sour. Sorry for opening my mouth.”

“No one is happy to hear of the loss of another, but it is unavoidable. She will need to deal with this in time.”

“If you want, I can get you up to speed.”

“No, I couldn't.” Leanna said looking off to Farrah. “It's her story, she should be the one to tell it when she is ready.”

“Yeeeah, I get that but, I can at least get you caught up with the politics. At least what I understand of it.”

Talia tried her most to explain the events of the kingdom's fall. The exile, and even spoiled a few parts about the imprisonment. Leanna understood, she was empathetic more than anything, she figured something bad would happen in homeland eventually, but it never really was 'her' homeland.

“Long ago...” Leanna explained “I was born here, my mother was a brave and adventurous woman. Back then the shadow downs were much nicer places to travel. She settled here, liking it a lot. There was one other magpie, though he was a grump and bitter old coot they eventually got together. I don't know how my mother put up with him. He had been there before the cataclysm... How he could be upset living here was beyond me. Ever since we were made an island, no one has had the desire to leave; though some did they soon found their way back or couldn't. I've thought about leaving once or twice, but I am far to frail now, and my wings can barely lift me. I don't dream of your homeland any longer.”

“Don't blame you, ain't much to see except pine trees and the same stuff you got here... Just a lot less of it.”

Leanna smiled and remarked “Maybe when I become a ghost and haunt everyone, I might have the opportunity to check it out. Not much an exile can do about a wondering spirit.”

Leanna came back inside to find Farrah who had finally quieted down. Her head was slack and leaning forward. The blanket wrapped her waist and thighs was discordantly tussled and showed great unrest. Her tears stopped, but her face pale and wet.

“How are you doing deary” Leanna asked, kneeling down to lift Farrah's head. As expected, she didn't want to speak. Leanna sat down beside Farrah, and Talia moved in too. “It's sad news for me too. Not much can be done about it now, all we can do is let him rest at ease and remember the great things he's done.”

“But it hurts...” Farrah mumbled.

“It hurts for a little while, but it can hurt for a whole lifetime left in misery. Let him bring you joy, even in passing.” Farrah didn't know how. This was a strange concept, one she never heard of. Finding joy in one's death seemed evil and disrespectful. Leanna tried to convince her more and explained how simple it was. “When you think back on him, you won't remember the pain of his loss, only the love you have. Most can't see that until they are my age, so don't worry if you can't get your mind around it... The important thing is to never give into it. Life is too short to live in loss.”

Leanna picked up the blanket around Farrah's waist and held it up and placed it on her shoulder. Reaching around the youth, she held on and shared her body heat. Farrah still didn't understand. “Every time I think back to remember him, I'm just so sad I can't be with him any more.”

“Do you feel this warmth deary?” Farrah nodded, Leanna continued “This feeling, does it remind you of him?”

“A little.” Farrah confessed

“When you feel hurt, this is how we heal. Did he snuggle you into bed?”

“Some times.”

“Did he tell you things that made you laugh?”

“Of course...”

“Did he always find a way to make you smile when you were sad?”

Farrah felt a warm spot in her, but she wanted to push it away. It had no place in her when she was sad and wanted to feel cold. Leanna brought her hand to Farrah's cheek which was about to cry more, brought it to see eye to eye and said at last. “These are memories we keep that make us strong. When you are sad, look on that warm feeling inside you, and bring it out. You become the feelings that you feed yourself, getting over someone is not a matter of crying until you can cry no longer, wouldn't you rather smile instead?”

“But I'm always going to be sad at some point right?” Farrah asked, grovelly sick in her throat.

“It's natural, but feed who you want to be. Don't you feel better?”

Farrah tried to feed that warmth in her, the small pit of joy she felt was getting in the way. It was an odd feeling, kind of a desire, a need to escape the pain. It didn't ignite very much, but she felt it, and she concentrated on that inner warmth before it faded.

“If you ever need to talk to anyone.” Leanna continued. “Everyone here is always happy to help, me myself included.” Farrah smiled at this. “What did you love the most about your dad?”

“I don't really know, I was too young to really think about it.” This was a bluffing answer. Farrah couldn't really think of anything right off hand, though she could have easily answered it eight years ago.

“Was it his eagerness? That was always a lovely trait I saw in him.”

“Eager... How? When he was at home he mainly sat in his study and wrote papers and documents.”

“I suppose he had a different side when he was on vacation... What about humbleness? Clearly you must have seen that.”

“Humble?... He was, I just can't remember how though.”

“Well, your father once told me that his servants were more family than anything. They were hired by the king, but he couldn't stand watch them pour over him all the time.”

Farrah did remember this, and it brought on some new emotions. “Yeah, Aunt Karine would always work in the garden. She loved tending to it. Dad would always tell her that she didn't need to work so hard, but she would always cheerfully tell him it was her favourite thing to do.”

“Was there anyone else he liked to treat so kindly too?”

“Yes, there was another 'servant', Uncle Artheour. He would work in the woods gathering food, flowers, herbs, and other things. He loved going for walks and my father would always accompany him in the evening. They would tag me along every so often and we'd go down to the stream to pick lilies and belladonna.”

“That sounds like a wonderful time.” Leanna said, retracting. “You and your father had a great time together.”

“For the time we had, yes. I loved him lots.” Farrah agreed, nodding.

“Then remember that feeling whenever you feel down about him alright?” Then jokingly Leanna said. “If you get too sad, he might just walk out of his grave to console you.”

Farrah was rather excited at the thought. She hadn't realized just how excited she got talking about her father again. Like before she had fallen into sadness, but the topic was an amazing spirit lifter. Farrah was like a child merely just waiting for her father to return home, as though he never left.

“Lady Leanna,” Talia finally joined in asking. “How many people did you loose?”

She glared graciously like the old lady she was. “Oh, I've seen my share. Being the elder, Everyone of my generation pretty much... And you know how I feel about being over formal.”

“Sorry, 'Leanna', It must have taken a while to become that wise. I mean, you just fully turned Farrah around.” Talia admitted guiltily. Talia could never reach Farrah the same way in all her attempts.

“It's not just age, it's experience... It's also our way out here, it's different from everywhere else. Our philosophy is special in spirituality is important for a healthy body.”

“Do you believe in ancestors who watch over you like my family does?”

Leanna pondered a moment “Can't say I've heard much about that belief.”

“Good, that one got on my nerves.”

Farrah laughed. Talia was feeling back up to snuff again now that Farrah was fine. She sat on her bird once again. Farrah discarded the blanket aside her, having started to overheat under them and her spirits were back to give her the energy she needed. Still sore, but she could worry about that for the next couple of peaceful days ahead.

“Deary,” Leanna said looking down. “You didn't finish your tea.” Farrah shook her head, embarrassed, but mainly glad that her fit didn't knock it over. “I'll have to make you a warm cup again so you can enjoy the nice flavour this one has.” Farrah agreed. She wasn't a fan of tea, but couldn't be rude.

“Set one on for me too, won't you Lady...” Gregory announced, having returned and noticed things were back to normal.

“AGHK! None of your lady business, you got Talia going at it too.” Leanna crowed

“Miss...”

“AGHK! No miss business either.”

“Miss Farrah...” Gregory grudgingly continued.

“Just Farrah will do.” Talia informed.

“Farrah, how are you feeling?” Gregory asked in concern.

“Much better.” The much cheerier magpie replied.

“Lad... Leanna sure can work wonders can't she. You can see why the whole village looks up to her.”

Farrah nodded. She sat there with Gregory, both being rather quiet. Gregory didn't know whether it was safe or not to mention his thoughts on the situation, or his father's old friend. Farrah, not sure whether to mention it or not either. Leanna came by soon with three cups of tea and a tiny one for Talia.

Placing them down, she remarked “Sorry Talia, this is as small as I have.” The small cup was meant for children, given Talia's fairy nymph size, it was a schooner mug. “Gregory, did you know how wonderful of a father Daven was? Busy with official paperwork and can still find time to take his daughter to the creek to pick flowers.”

“That's what I've heard when he used to visit.” Greg replied. Farrah smiled again, ready to continue chatting more, but would have to save that for another time. “You'll be staying at my place if you don't mind.” Gregory informed. “We have extra beds, and my Father would love to meet you. Er, if that's okay, he doesn't need to know about Daven quite yet if it's still a sore topic.”

Farrah opted out, not sure how she would take confessing her lineage. The tea was surprisingly sweet and powerful. Mint and other herbs that packed a punch, far from the Owl Gray Tea they were shipped in from the capital as 'special privilege compliments'. Surprisingly decent.

Farrah made a hard ascension to the grotto canopy, having wished the elder Leanna a good night. The trees were massive, and having flown up all the way, she realized just how much more massive they actually were. Just a few trees away they landed on the deck of a tree house. Four other houses laid along this side of the tree, all attached well and bridged along in a circle. Gregory lead the way and brought her inside to meet with his father. Farrah wandered inside.

“Who the heck is this?” The big middle aged man asked in a heartbeat.

Farrah jumped. “Father.” Gregory introduced. “This is Farrah.”

“Is she just another weekend relationship of yours son?”

“Another?” Farrah exclaimed

“Whoa! No, no, they left long ago.” Gregory defended.

“ANOTHER?!” Talia jumped out contributing. Her tail straight and her body ready to pounce from Farrah's shoulder.

“HA!” Gregory's father laughed. “I'm pulling your legs. I'm surprised son, you brought two girls home this time.”

Talia had pertained to a crouching pose and licking her paw with a more sinister glare than before “One girl,” She corrected, “I for one didn't fall for him.”

“Two, one, doesn't matter, come in come in. I'm Kalin. My wife is out with the girls, you'll see her later. She's Jayleen.” He got up to greet the girls “Good to meet ya. What is your name stranger?”

Farrah refused to reveal her name, knowing the instant association, especially with magpies being rare and all. “Talia!” Her feline friend reached out.

“Talia, and your friend?” Kalin insisted.

“Don't mind her, she's been through a lot just to get here. We were almost eaten...” Talia stopped to count. “Three times coming out here. She's really sore, and tired, and aching, and having to carry me all around. I don't suppose you have a place she can rest do you?”

Kalin chuckled, “I like you, alright, fair enough. Though I got to give it to my son; he sure when to strike when the iron is hot.”

“Yeeeah, quite the hero ain't he.” Talia remarked trying to sound nice.

“Right this way.” The father lead.

They were taken to a nice bed, one that looked much more decent than the cave bat bed they used the night before. It was reaching dark out, some of the stars could be seen in the distance when getting here, and the travel had weakened Farrah. She plopped onto the bed. “Thank you.” Farrah replied before just about clunking out. “I'll tell them tomorrow when I feel up to it.” Within a moment, she passed out. Talia was sorry that she sat around while her friend did all the flying. If there was one thing she was however, was proud. Proud and darned lucky.

“You did it Farrah...” Talia said taking roost in her spot. “You found the haven after all... Oh who am I kidding, you are fast asleep. I could say whatever I wanted right now an...”

Farrah swept Talia up in her sleep, just like she would normally do when Talia would get cynical and talk too much.

Talia peeked out from Farrah's arms. Gregory took to his own bed across the hall, glancing over for only a moment.

“Good night Farrah.” Talia whispered. “Greg, I hope I make you jealous.”