The Blessed City

A high-pitched shriek called out. Maleah watched, confused as every bird either raced to the far ends of the clearing or took to the sky. A pair of hands wrapped around her waist before pulling her out from under the belly of the beast.

With her back pressed against Arik, she kept her eyes on the bird as it descended. Its size was easily the largest of all the flock. Its feathers shimmered white as if radiating rays of the sun. Its beak shone like prized gold. Simply, it was the most majestic looking of them all. And it seemed to know it. Every bird bowed its head, but it gave them no notice.

Rather, its eyes found hers. Grey and silky as they stared right into her as if it knew her core. She wouldn't have torn her gaze away, even if she could. Entranced or ensnared, she couldn't tell which. But she was taken, completely and helplessly.

I have searched for you for near a hundred years. It lowered its head to her in an acknowledging nod.

Her gasp came quickly between untaken breaths. Her mouth was agape but no words escaped her. She heard a click in her head like a door clicking unlocked.

Do not be afraid, he said. We have a long journey before us. I am Varen.

She couldn't breathe. Couldn't look away. Couldn't move. Her body lay heavily on Arik, though she did not notice. Nor did she notice Penni as he ran up to them, a young nymph at his side.

"What is this?" the air nymph demanded.

"I believe he has chosen his rider," Arik answered.

"That is impossible." Dismay bled from Penni, seeped from his mouth, and smothered his face. He looked to the bird then to Maleah. Lost in Varen's gaze, Maleah paid no attention to their growing audience. All kinds of nymphs and birds gathered around the clearing, watching the two of them intently.

The young nymph looked to her leader. She laid a dainty white hand on his arm. "Penni, you must address them. Before their questions grow too wild."

"You are right, Ainne," he responded by interlocking their fingers. He addressed the people. "What a remarkable occasion. For us to witness the first bonding in nay a century. We are blessed, lest we celebrate!" When the crowd erupted into applause and bows, he turned to Ainne. "Send word to Rohan and Rowena. They will want to know immediately."

Nodding, Ainne left him, walking quickly through Éina. Penni stood silently observing them. It was Rhys who spoke first.

"What is it?" she directed to Penni.

"It would appear that your friend here has caught the attention of the Unbonded One. For as long as this flock has been with us, he has been with them longer. All the while, never taking a rider.

Nodding, she left him and walked away quickly. As the crowd rejoiced, Rhys was released from the protective wing of her phoenix. Appearing concerned, Penni stood silently observing them.

Maleah shifted, but Arik continued to hold her. "What is it?"

"I don't believe I'm the one to tell you," he jutted his head to Penni.

"It would seem, Maleah, that you have caught the attention of the Unbonded One. This one here has been with us for near a century. Not once has he taken a rider in all that time."

"And where would the significance lay with that?"

Penni frowned at Rhys, heaved. "For a halfling spawned of the wisest of the elves, you do not understand much. Fate plays many games. We may never know the significance, but we must value the occasion nonetheless."

Maleah only heard half of their conversation, for Varen's gaze had captured all of her.

Maleah, shall we ride the skies? She couldn't stop herself from nodding. Taking a step forward, she realized Arik still held her protectively. Maleah pressed her hand to Arik's, coaxed herself free.

"Maleah," he called after her.

"I will be alright." Quickly, she pulled herself atop Varen. Catching their concerned looks, Maleah nodded. "I will be alright," she repeated more assuringly.

Varen spread his wing, letting them grow as far as they could reach. Burying her hands in his feathers, Maleah held on as Varen lifted them towards the sun.

Swallow your fear. We will not go far. Just enough to build your trust.

Thank you, she said silently. Knowing, though, that he had heard her.

Lurching forward, they flew. Rising higher and higher until the clouds floated barely out of reach. Varen leveled them to their height and began to speak.

You need not fear the sky. I can feel it is as much a part of you as you are of it.

"I do not fear the sky. I am a naturalist. It is I who can command it if I want."

Varen shook his head, his feathers ruffling. You cannot command something that does not wish to be commanded. The air longs to be shaken. And when it is, you feel the wind. Just as the sea does not swim less it wants to reach the shore. Fire does not burn the ground unless it wants to wake from its slumber.

Just then, wind clapped her face forcing her eyes to blink to clear her vision. Varen leaned so that her view changed, too. Marveling at it, Maleah gazed longingly into the land beyond Sabhille. Grasslands for miles. Swamps to her left. The sea behind her and the city below.

He took her north of the mountain, towards the cliffs where they were taken. She saw where land dove to the sea in search of its mysteries and untamable company. All worry and fear dissolved in the illustriousness of it all.

Every year spent in isolated silence, pawning the ground and tear at the threads of her musty cot led her to this. Despite the deceit. Despite the danger. Despite the endless confusion and unanswered questions, it all felt as if it was meant to bring her here. Though she may never overcome the scarring of her stay at the borstal and the fear may never recede completely, she knew there was more for her to attain. Much, much more.

"What of the earth? How might that wish to change?" she inquired more excitedly than before.

The earth is always moving. Every so slowly, but it, too, moves. She heard it in his voice, the subtle pleased tone as if he knew what she had been thinking.

Maleah spared a glance back towards Sábhille as they flew over the sea. Out of sight and hidden behind a veil. Not a trace of the hidden city from above and none from below either.

You have an active mind, young one. Like a pendulum constantly in motion. He laughed a deep, hearty laugh. I wish to show you something.

Varen soared back to the rock and over its red surface. Blinking furiously, they passed through the veil and into Sábhille. Water cascaded down the mountains, trickling into the three rivers. Tiny sounds of axes and hammers drummed below. Mills creaked in turns around the farm fields.

"I can hear everything."

You can hear what I can. My senses became yours the moment we bonded. Whenever we are together, that is, you can hear and see as I do. It will serve us well when we are apart for I will be able to hear you call to me as needed.

Leaning down, Maleah peered into the towers of the castle. Atop a roof lay a bird in a large patted nest. It slept peacefully under the warm sun and its feathers ruffled as if it snored.

That is Kerwyn, Ainne's bird. But because Ainne is promised to Penni, Kerwyn serves him as well.

He aimed for the stars at a crushing speed. Clenching his fists around his feathers, she flattened herself for stability. His wings spread over the clouds as they shifted by, parting them as if charting a course. And when he leveled again, Sábhille was gone.

Safety is a fleeting thing. In time, I have seen lands gained and stolen. Farms ravaged and creatures torn from their birthplaces. In time, I will have lived to see the same happen to Sábhille. The veil cannot protect us forever and I fear our time runs short.

His riddle was clear with meaning. Casting her eyes over the clouds to where Sábhille once stood, she understood perfectly. "They still hunt us, Varen. He has only to fly over us to discover our location. And if we cannot protect ourselves behind the veil, then no one inside it will be safe."

Her heart fell as Varen guided them back to Eina. She slid off his back easily and stepped away.

I will see you soon, Maleah, he said and left with a single caw at the sky.

Rhys came up swiftly behind her. Her questions slid ungraciously off her tongue. "What was it like? Where did you go? How do you feel?"

Maleah didn't know whether to laugh or not, so she kept her face plain and nodded as Rhys began to dream of tales of riding off into the sunset. At which time, Maleah tuned her out and instead turned her attention to Arik.

"How was it?" He stood smiling against a wooden pin next to the stall of birds.

"It was . . . enlightening," she settled on the word with a hint of satisfaction.

"Well, while you were galavanting in the clouds, I did a bit of inquiring about your bird." Maleah raised her eyebrow at the halfling. With a wave of her hand, Rhys brushed her off. "You are not the only one who knows how to ask the right questions. Anyway, I asked a few of the riders what they and their birds knew about yours. Varen is his name. In the old tongue, his name means "of the celestial sky and ocean. He has not bonded with anyone since before most of these birds were born. That being near a century ago. Making him the eldest."

As Rhys went on about Varen, Maleah walked beside Arik from Eina. At the base of the field, Maleah sent a gaze to the sky. The day had grown old and the earth darkened under the dim light. Cold had coated the world below the clouds and outside the veil, but here inside it, warmth could still be found even in dawning twilight.

Arik escorted them to the dining hall. Maleah had scarcely eaten there with the rest of the city. But her absence did not scorn the celebration of a good, hot meal.

The hall was lined with tables. Several of them, both long and wide and slim and small filled the space. Along a mantel, miniature tables fashioned under candles were made for Sábhille's smallest creatures to dine with the rest. The feast table was peppered with platters and plates stocked with fruits and boiled vegetables. Stews and bread and meats were placed intermittently along the rows of food. People and fae gathered in lines to stuff their plates and bowls and cups with the kitchen's good cooking.

As she walked to the line, Maleah observed the patterns of the hall. Dwarves gathered closest to the feast table. Their stalky legs took homage at the short round tables built for their comfort. Nymphs flocked by the color around their taller, slimmer tables that rose parallel to the mantels where their faerie counterparts dined. Elves mingled among them, sitting valiantly and poised. And humans sprinkled themselves everywhere. Smiling and nodding with respect and laughing in companionship.

Maleah filled her plates with the foods, taking stock in the rumbling of her stomach. She picked a pastry that looked like bread rolls but smelled like sugar and ladled stew into a bowl. With enough food to last her to the next night, she joined her friends who'd made themselves at home among the people.