Nine–A

“We are what we are. Do not blame us.”

–Andis Hawkwing

In spite of what they had left, Friday found the night sky above the Forbidden Forest beautiful. Magical, though magic was something that she didn’t know much about. Andis had brought up a woolen coat for her from below deck. It was a wonderful thing to be flying through the air in a ship. Of all the things she’d read abot, this had never been one of them. How had the doctors kept something so huge such a secret? But here then, they were masters at that. Andis had said that there world was fraught with secrets, but as it was turning out, the world seemed made of them, constructed and cemented in hidden truths. Perhaps no one knew them all. But this was the domain of the Fantastics. Friday turned from her view on the deck to approach the queen who sat, wrapped in her black shawl near the frontmost balloon. The balloons floated massive above the deck, lit up like paper lanterns by the fires beneath them. Friday sat next to the queen, her eyes on Andis at the wheel, and Othniel who lured specter-like beside her.

“I don’t suppose you’ve ever seen the forest at night,” the queen began.

“No, your majesty,” Friday answered, “But I was just thinking how it seems magical.”

The queen’s voice was genuine. “It’s Aurora here, please. There isn’t much room for a Queen of Oriana in the forest.”

There was a silence and the sound of howling reached the ship. Andis laughed to hear it. Aurora smiled to and returned her attention to her young friend.

“We’re closing in on the Silverwind house. But we still won’t reach it until morning.”

“It doesn’t look as if Andis will leave the wheel. Will she stay awake that long, do you think?”

“We all will. We won’t be able to help ourselves.”

Friday looked at her. “Really? Why is that?”

“Necessity. Some might even say magic.”

“You know, I was just thinking that about the Forest at this hour. That there was something magical about it.”

“Smart girl. Yes, there is some magic here. It is not a word we use often and it is not a presence we are able to feel most times. But the night stillness helps.”

Andis approached them, stretching as she walked. Friday had always thought she had looked like a bird, and now finding out that she actually was one made her ever more appreciative what a remarkable situation she was in.

“Did you hear the wolf,” Andis asked as she neared.

“We did,” Friday answered.

“Not Silverwind, I think,” Andis continued, “One of the lesser houses, perhaps. We are above Fenris domain.”

“The Silverwinds are one of the great houses.”

“Aye,” Aurora answered in an amused tone, “and the Hawkwings. You walk among very important women.”

“And Andis and Raine are both nobility, I suppose.”

“We are by birth,” Andis answered, “but we gave up those privileges long ago.”

“Why?” Friday asked.

Andis’s eyes were soft. “To gain the right to be with each other.”

“The Lord Phoenix,” began Aurora put a heavy strain on Forest houses when he created and blessed the Kingdom of Oriana. There were those who thought he did wrong to give over the world of Fantasics to those who were once mere humans. The Silverwinds were among them. The houses of the bird ones sided with the Phoenix, including the Hawkwings. So, you understand, deep rifts were formed centuries ago, and they remain stiff and unchanging.”

“The the world of Fantastic and man are not very different.”

“No, but look.”

Aurora rose and looked over the bow of the ship, southward. “They may be satisfied now. See how the palace is lit like a bonfire in the distance. It’s been taken, and Oriana has fallen.”