Ha-HA-HA-HA! I LIVE! Don't mind me, I'm just drunk on overwork from my job, too much homework, and no reviews. Please, review. Seriously, I have nothing to go on if you guys don't review. I created this chapter out of pure spite that no one reviewed. And only 31 views... UGH! I must be off my game... Anyways, enjoy! Oooh, and the Au this is based off of? The Raven Queen by au-ideas tumblr!
Lilac had to race to keep up with Qrow as he led her along the grassy hills outside the castle. The young prince had shown her a door hidden in the tower's shadows that opened to the world outside.
The wild scenery was breathtaking. The fog from this morning was gone. The sun was shining bright, the sky a crisp feldbird's egg blue. Grass, heather, gorse, and other wildflowers rippled in the steady gale. Bees bumbled from flower to flower and grasshoppers popped out of the tall grass wherever Lilac stepped. Lilac's heart pounded as she bounded along, following Qrow and trying not to trip over any hidden rocks.
"Where are we going?" she asked.
The prince glanced back at her over his shoulder. "To a good place for me to take off," he said, picking his way down one of the steeper hills. "The wind is steady today, but I have to find a good spot to take off from. If I don't, the wind will blow me around like a rag doll."
"How can you tell if a place is good or not?" Lilac asked.
Qrow replied, "You can tell by the wind—if it's blowing and making the grass ripple, I won't be able to take off." They reached a valley in between two hills where the grass lay still. Qrow looked around, smiling. "This looks like a good spot," he said.
"Should I be worried?" Lilac asked "What if you run into a chicken-hawk or hill falcon? I don't want you getting injured."
Prince Qrow shook his head. "No," he answered. "The birds here all know me. A gift from the curse allows me to understand and communicate with birds. They all know I'm not food."
Lilac asked, "What about humans? What if they see you?"
Prince Qrow's smile faltered for a second. If Lilac wasn't so observant, she wouldn't have noticed. "It'll be fine," he replied. "All those employed at Castle Halatia are under oath not to reveal my feather affliction. No one can say, even if they wanted to."
"Lilac's eyes grew round. "An oath?" she asked. "I've never heard of one in real life. How on Remnant did your mothers get ahold of one?"
Oath—the sacred bond of your soul. In the kingdoms, after magic was bnned, oaths became the stuff of legends. There were a myriad of ways to create an oath—through your true name, official contracts, or even blood. An oath was always mutual between two parties. Since magic was permitted again, oaths became whispered in conversations once more.
Prince Qrow winked at Lilac. "My mothers," he answered, "paid a witch in the southeast woodlands a hefty price to teach them how to make an oath and use it. They taught Mrs. Greene how, so she could keep things running smoothly here."
Lilac nodded. "I see," she replied. "When shall I take it? My letters with Mrs. Greene didn't mention an oath."
"That's because of how the oath works," Qrow said. "The oath cannot be taken until someone is told of my curse. Mrs. Greene wouldn't have been able to tell you about an oath without raising your suspicions anyway."
"That's true," Lilac said, smiling a little now. "Anything else I should know about?"
Prince Qrow nodded, his red eyes glinting harsh. "Yes," he answered. "Just one thing—the oath requires your blood."
"O-oh," Lilac said.
"I'm…sorry," the prince replied.
"It's not your—" Lilac stopped herself from saying "fault." Since the oath was because of his curse it technically was his fault. Trying again, Lilac said, "It's not your burden. You shouldn't have to feel guilty for something I signed up for."
Qrow smiled at her, his teeth flashing white among black feathers. "Thank you, Lilac," he said. "I needed that."
Lilac smiled back. "You're very welcome," she said. "After all, I do get the experience of witnessing magic. I've always dreamed of seeing such a moment."
The prince barked a laugh. "Wait no more," he said. "We're in the perfect place for me to transform."
Lilac asked, "Do you want me to follow you as you fly? I—I know you said nothing would attack you, but to be honest, I'm still nervous"
"It's alright if you're worried." Prince Qrow answered. "Most people are when they learn I transform into a crow out in the open like this. We…could make it a race if you like."
"A race?"
"Sure," Prince Qrow said. "My friends and I race all the time whenever I transform. It's the best way for Summer to get her strength back. She, uh… She caught a flu over the winter and she was sick for a month. She's good now, but Tai and I still worry."
"I'm so sorry," Lilac replied. "I remember that flu—I caught it, too. I was in bed for a month and a half."
Qrow looked Lilac over. "That explains it," he said. "I was wondering why you were so thin and pale—you looked just like Summer did when the doctor let her up out of bed again. A race will do you good. You'll get some fresh air breathing into you finally."
Lilac asked," Speaking of the race, is there a specific course or track?"
"No," Qrow said, pushing back his bangs. "Usually I just lead the way and Summer or Tai try to follow me. We do have a finish line of sorts. When whoever in the lead makes their way back to the castle, that's when everybody scrambles to get there first. There's no keeping score or anything—but whoever wins gets to challenge the other racer to something."
"Sounds like fun," Lilac said. "All right, Qrow. I accept your declaration of war."
"War?" Qrow asked, chuckling. "You make it sound so serious—like a real national contest or something."
"What can I say?" said Lilac. "I'm a competitive girl."
Qrow grinned, fierce and bright. "You're on," he said. "If this is war, prepare to be defeated."
"That's tough talk coming from a nobleman," Lilac replied.
"Well city girl, I quess we'll find out if I can live up to it," Qrow answered.
Okay, I updated the chapter, but made it hella short. Please don't kill me for that. Anyway favorite, follow, or review please! Keep me coming back or else I forget to update!
