She scowls at me, the tips of her Fae ears turning red. "This is no place for a princess." She pauses. Then adds, "Your Grace."
I grunt. "I've heard that before, but I'm a quick learner and not afraid of manual labor or getting dirty. I can clean, carry supplies, whatever you need."
She seems surprised at my tenacity, and cocks her head, studying me. "Very well then, we'll see how you do. Grab a bucket and start emptying out the chamber pots."
I nod and do as I'm told. It's smelly work, and not particularly pleasant, but I don't complain and that seems to impress her more than anything else. Yami, however, is not pleased. He sticks his head in one of the buckets and makes gagging sounds as he pulls out. I laugh and keep working, ignoring the awkward stares of everyone around me.
***
Time passes quickly in the Realm of Pride, as it is wont to do when one stays busy. My ribs heal in a few days due to the potions I take. I see Asher at dinner and sometimes lunch. He has work he's always off doing, and I spend most of my day at the healing tent. The Keeper finally begins to trust me and asks for more help. She even shows me different tools and their names, and eventually begins to teach me about the art and science of healing.
She shows me how and why to cut away rotten flesh, how to set a dislocated joint or broken bone, what creams to use to treat wounds and burns and how to make the simple ones. It's fulfilling work, and hopeful. Maybe if I learn healing, I will be able to save those I love. Maybe I could have saved Daison.
I haven't seen Kayla since I left Stonehill, and I wonder if Fen was right about her not being angry. I have my doubts, and they grow bigger the longer I go without a visit from her. I must remind myself we are at war with the Fae, under attack by the Druids. It's selfish of me to think that visiting would be Kayla's highest priority.
Three times a week, I return to the Crystal Palace as promised for my training with Varis. Most of the time we focus less on magic and more on history of the Fae, their customs and cultures. As the Druid works with me, Zyra trains Yami, and now my little dragon can fly for quite some time before he must rest on my shoulder. We are both growing stronger.
But today is different. Today, Varis forgoes our beginning meditation. Today, he hands me a warm cloak. "We must travel."
"Where?" I ask, wrapping it over my shoulder.
"To the Earth Tribe."
His words fill me with excitement. I've been to the Air Tribe, but not any other.
We leave the cavern and step onto the cold, snowy mountain. I turn to head up the steps towards the gryphon, but Varis does not follow. Instead, he whispers to Zyra, and the silver owl flies high into the sky, disappearing into the glare of the sun. When she descends, she is giant, larger than a gryphon, magnificent and fierce, her long talons and feathers gleaming in the light.
She lands before us, and the gust of wind from her wings nearly knocks me off my feet. Yami can't contain himself. He jumps off my shoulders and flies over to her, his wings a flutter of flurry and excitement.
"This is another form of Zyra," Varis explains. "Yami, you too have many forms that you will someday uncover."
Yami lifts his head higher and preens himself, pleased by the idea that he will grow big and mighty too.
"We're to ride her?" I ask. Varis nods, and a thought occurs to me. "Does that mean I will someday be able to ride Yami?"
Varis smiles. "Someday."
"I'm going to ride a dragon?" I jump up and down like a kid.
Varis chuckles. "Get on the owl, Arianna. Time for silliness later."
I try to contain my smile, and he helps me onto Zyra. Riding a giant owl with no harness is about as uncomfortable and hard as one might imagine. I wrap my arms around Varis and hold on tight, as instructed. Yami wraps around my arm and together we take off into the sky.
I yell with joy.
Flying on Zyra is different than flying on a gryphon.
I don't feel like a passenger.
I feel like the wind.
I become the air. I am the flight. The bird and I are one, and I feel bliss flow through me.
Time seems to stand still, and I do not know how long it takes us to reach the Earth Tribe. We land on a natural bridge that stretches over a canyon. A waterfall falls before us. Giant rocks jut out from the ground, covered in green moss. Vines of red flowers crawl up the stone. More bridges run through the canyon below.
We dismount, and Zyra ruffles her feathers, and they burst into a great gust of wind. The spirit is small once again and perches on Varis' arm.
I shake my head, amazed at this ability, trying to imagine Yami being able to do something similar. I can't wait for our magic to grow more powerful.
A group of Fae approach, led by a woman dressed in brown furs, wearing bones as jewelry. Their skin is copper, not as dark as the Water Tribe, but darker than mine. They fall to their knees before Varis and tap their fingers to their chest, a sign of respect to the Spirits— something I learned in my lessons.
"Druid of the Winds, what brings you to our lands?" the woman asks.
"Rita, I have come seeking Lianna and her spirit, Tauren. They have not shown themselves at the Crystal Palace."
Rita, the leader, looks to the woman on her right in concern, then back at Varis. "The spirit has not returned to the Palace, because Tauren never awoke."
***
Rita guides Varis down the path of the canyon, and I follow. The Earth Fae do not give me their attention, and I wonder if they know I am the Midnight Star. Perhaps they do, and that is why they ignore me.