I have to keep my mojo going strong, so that's why I am going to devote my time to this story now.
As many reviewers have recommended previously, I will now be writing in 1st person. It's time I get into the heads of my main characters, no?
I'd like to give a public shout-out to Roarrk for providing me with an OC, and for motivating me to get this update out. /)
Enjoy the AU fic, everyone!
Chapter 3: Return to My Roots
I quietly awoke the next morning, stirred by my circadian instincts that alerted my mind that the sun was on its way to cresting the horizon. I yawned groggily and rolled onto my back, blinking my eyes several times and clearing my vision.
I stared up at the marble roof of the Queen's chambers… my chambers… my eyes tracing the rippling veins of gold and black. The bed beneath me was as warm and spongy as a summer cloud, the sheet draped over my body a thin layer of soft, exquisite silk.
The feel of the silk upon my plumage reminded me of a similar sensation from when I was but a chick, when my mother cuddled me into her stomach and massaged me with her wing. But I was no longer the ordinary son of an ordinary peasant; I was the king of the greatest empire on Earth – though the formal coronation ceremony had yet to be executed.
In that moment, I accepted my destiny and blew out a long, muted sigh.
There was no reason for me to feel estranged or uncomfortable, because I was living a dream that the common citizen could only imagine during their slumbers. I was beside myself with joy and gratification, which bubbled and spurted inside me like a natural spring.
I kept it contained, however, so as not to wake my divine queen.
I rolled carefully to the right and spied her head poking out from under the silk cloth, having only sunken slightly into the firm pillow. She was facing away from me, showing off the perky collection of short, curved feathers sprouting from the back of her head.
I slowly extended my wing to touch them without thinking, but then came to my senses and pulled my wing back.
Though I assume she wouldn't mind, I should not disturb her. She will rouse when she is ready.
Nonetheless, I whispered, "Good morning, Ambrosia."
I ruefully turned my body in the opposite direction and gently peeled the sheet back, sitting up on the edge of the bed as delicately as possible. I peered down and surveyed my feathers, noting that some had been ruffled out of place during the night.
There were a few small clumps here and there that pointed all different directions, akin to miniature mountains. Even though my plumage was free of dust and debris – something I would most likely never have to worry about in a pristine palace such as this – it radiated a faint-but-detectable sour odor.
One sniff was all it took to convince me that I needed to clean myself, and regular preening would not cure both issues. No, I needed to take a legitimate bath with running water.
I hopped down and waddled around the rear of the bed, only to pause as I passed the mirror and the robes that hung on the wall. The public bathhouse was not exactly meant for royalty, and as such, Ambrosia had her own private one that lay behind this bedroom, just past the golden doors a few wingspans away from the bed.
I had not used or even entered it before now, and so I felt it proper to ask for her permission. I would have to wake her, but I had no choice.
I strode over to her bedside and stood in front of her, lifting my wing. I froze my wing and couldn't help but watch as her sensuous azure chest pulsed in and out, the ruby embedded in it gleaming as the torchlight landed on it at different angles.
I was momentarily mesmerized, but I broke out of my trance as she stirred innocuously.
I brushed my primaries along her cheek once and called, "Ambrosia, I have a question to ask you."
She wiggled her body yet again, but remained trapped inside the veil of sleep.
"Find him… kill him… the traitor…" she muttered, her face creasing as if she was angry.
"I do not need… a king. I can rule… alone… with no one… to distract me…" she continued, and then snapped her beak shut.
It sounded as if she was dreaming about me becoming her enemy, which was certainly odd. I was glad that that was a scenario only capable of occurring inside her head.
I cleared my throat and repeated, "Ambrosia, I request your permission to purify myself in your bathroom?"
The audible stimulation proved sufficient this time, and she grunted and peeled her eyes open.
"Oh… hello… Nikomedes. Good morning."
She scrubbed her eyes with her right wing and parted her beak halves in a yawn, and then focused her alert gaze on me.
"Good morning, my queen," I answered with a small smile.
"What do you need? I heard you mumbling to me, but I could not understand you."
"You see, I have not done much to support my personal hygiene, and I would like to clean myself in your bathroom, if that is alright with you."
I hoped that she could not pick up my unpleasant perfume from where I was, and I took one step backwards.
"Why of course you can, Nikomedes. But in the future, you need not ask for my permission when it comes to things of that nature. Everything that belongs to me now belongs to you as well."
"I understand, my Queen. But as you know, I have a rather sensitive conscience. I don't enjoy making mistakes or stepping out of line," I admitted meekly.
"I understand as well. You do not have to act like someone you are not. But in all honesty, what is mine is now yours."
I bowed to her and widened my smile. "Acknowledged, Ambrosia."
I made for the double doors and prepared to heave them open with my mind. A thought crossed my mind before I did so, and I spun to face her as she lowered herself to the ground.
"Are you planning to bathe as well, Ambrosia?"
"Yes, Nikomedes. I do so every morning, and as many times throughout the day as necessary. I must always look my best in front of my subjects, and tidying yourself up routinely is a practice I shall encourage you to adopt in the future. But for right now, do so at your leisure."
I nodded to her resolutely and said, "I won't be long, my queen."
"There is no rush. Take your time, my king."
She urged me on with her wings, and I obeyed. I separated the doors with a minute amount of applied mental energy, stepped through, and then shut them. I caught a glimpse of Ambrosia studying herself in the mirror just before my line of sight was blocked.
Viewed from behind, her graceful curves and sleek tail sent my heart aflutter in my chest, and I exhaled a clipped, affectionate sigh. I then collected my wits and whipped around, walking over to the bath/shower assembly itself, which was nestled along the rear wall.
The sides of the floor-mounted basin rose up to my upper midsection, and had been crafted from the same ornate marble that served as the ceiling of our bedroom. It was in the shape of a rectangle with rounded corners, being at least one of my wingspans long and about three-quarters as wide.
There was some space left over to the right of it, where a few towels hung on a pure gold rod mounted to the wall. There was a small drain in the middle of that square space, the cover a disk of gold with an orderly pattern of holes cut into it.
There was no privacy-granting curtain of course, as no one would ever be in here to witness the queen while she took care of her personal business. There was a nozzle mounted to the right wall of the basin, projecting downwards and ready to deliver water.
A golden shower head dotted with an array of fine holes projected from the left wall that the basin butted up against, connected to a hidden plumbing system via a short pipe made of the same material. The head was angled just right to send its spray down into the tub, and there was a short lever beneath it to divert water to it from the spout on the other side.
In essence, I made history as I stepped over the marble boundary and set foot into the depression, being the first former peasant to have ever done so.
The marble was cool to my feet and as smooth as winter ice, and my claws clicked musically upon it. I went over to the knob with four stubby, egg-shaped protrusions that was to the left of the nozzle, turning it in a clockwise direction.
Immediately, water trickled and then gushed from the spout. It rose and ran over my feet, and I flexed my claws invitingly. It was very steamy and warm, but not unbearably hot.
I guessed the other knob infused cool water with the main flow to lower the temperature. I ignored it and wondered why the water had stopped rising, noticing that I had left the basin's drain unblocked.
I grasped the solid gold plug lying idly on the bottom and inserted it where it belonged. I relaxed my muscles as tendrils and puffs of vapor left the liquid behind and climbed upwards, inhaling those that wafted in front of my beak.
The water volume increased rapidly, submerging my legs and my tail within one minute. When it began to tickle my lower belly, I decided it was time to actively scrub myself.
I splashed over to the shower head and pushed the lever to the right. Everything went silent for a few seconds, and then a gurgling sound leaked from the head just before a multitude of tickling jets came shooting out.
I sighed blissfully as it drenched my whole body, and I performed a few revolutions to assure that not one feather was left untouched. The moderately potent needles of fluid were invigorating to my skin, and the sensation brewed up memories of when I lived in Corinth.
My family's shower was one of the most expensive things in our household, and it delighted me similarly to what I was experiencing at the moment. I then squared my shoulders and put my beak into action, nibbling away at my tail.
I fervently groomed each of the seven individual feathers, the water sweeping away any secret flakes and grime that had stowed away in between the plumes. Once I was supremely satisfied with my work, I shifted upwards and harmlessly attacked my back.
The larger surface area meant I spent an extra minute or two there, but I maintained my diligent pace. My wings were up next, and I spent a favorable five minutes on them due to their importance in regards to flight.
I groomed each primary on my left wing and then switched to my right wing, repeating the process for my even more numerous secondaries. My neck muscles were beginning to fatigue by this point, and so I wrapped things up by tending to my belly and chest.
My neck hadn't been unkempt, and so I left it alone. The water was still as refreshing as when I had first started, and so I soaked under it another sixty seconds more to give my neck muscles a break.
When I could swivel my head without them protesting, I flipped the lever to its standard position and shut off the water entirely. I undid the weighty stopper and hauled my sopping wet form out of the tub as the water was sucked away, burbling all the while.
I flung a towel to the wet floor and hopped onto it so I wouldn't slip, and then draped another around me. It was the perfect size to cover me completely, and I generously scoured myself with it using my wings.
I punished my shoulder muscles, and I was eventually forced to call off my efforts. Luckily I was thoroughly dry, all the moisture having been transferred to the now-heavy towel.
The fibers were too rugged to be silk, but they were nonetheless tame and respectful of my feathers.
I took one final survey of my appearance and declared that I "looked my best" in Ambrosia's words. I strode for the double doors that operated on unseen hinges and opened them away from me with a thought, sensing the strands of telekinetic energy reach out, latch onto them, and push.
I wandered into the center of the room and gazed to either side, bringing the pair of doors together. I grew puzzled, as my elite partner was nowhere to be seen.
"Ambrosia? Where did you go? I thought you were wishing to-"
"HA!"
The surprising squawk exploded from behind me, and I nearly jumped out of my feathers. My reflexes responded, and I whirled around faster than I thought possible.
She was standing behind me, glued against the wall where the door had been when I had exited the bathroom.
"Ahh! By the gods, Ambrosia!" I said with a gasp, my pupils no doubt shrunken to pinpoints. "I mean… well done… Ambrosia. Eh… you thoroughly… scared me…" I corrected, shuddering.
She bounded up to me and patted my left wing soothingly.
"I couldn't resist. But if I took it too far, I'm sorry. I wasn't trying to distress you, just have some simple fun."
I stuttered out in a half-convincing tone, "No need to apologize… my queen. I'm fine… I promise. Heh heh heh…"
She rolled her eyes. "As you well know, I am a playful queen. But I shall restrain myself when it comes to playing tricks on you."
She narrowed her eyes and peered into my own, her glacier-blue irises piercing me straight to my soul.
She said slyly, "I can sense that you are unnerved, Nikomedes. You can't hide your emotions from me. And truth be told, it doesn't take a magician to uncover your internal uneasiness."
I slumped, and a rush of air escaped my beak as I crumbled under her accurate divination.
"Alright, you win, Ambrosia. I am not one who enjoys being surprised in such a manner. Would you mind… holding back from now on?"
She phased back to her former mood and lightened up, donning a cheery smile.
"As you wish, my king."
She bowed to me for emphasis, and I rewarded her by grinning without thinking. An awkward silence persisted as we stared at each other, but she wisely shut it down.
"Come, let me dress you, and then I shall bathe myself."
She faced away from me and beckoned me with her wing. I trailed her to the pane of reflective glass, and she brought me to a halt by tugging gingerly on my tail feathers.
As she removed my flowing robe from its hook, she complimented, "You are quite handsome, Nikomedes. Your appearance is nearly flawless, dare I say. Oh, be still for one second."
She leaned in and targeted the back of my neck with her beak. I felt nothing more than a brief tingle, and as she drew back, I saw a short, stout feather caught in between her beak halves.
She set it free by blowing out a puff of air, sending it dancing and spinning towards the roof on turbulent mini-currents of air.
She then faced me and remarked merrily, "There. Now you are flawless."
I automatically blushed and affected an endearing expression.
"Thank you, Ambrosia. Your kindness is simply wonderful."
"You are most welcome, my splendid king. Hold still once more, if you please."
I complied and unfurled my wings, holding them straight out in front of me. She deftly slipped the clothing article over my back and threaded the sleeves over my wings.
"It's as glorious as the first time I wore it, Ambrosia," I announced, surveying my modified self in the mirror.
"I agree, Nikomedes. You look simply dashing. An eye-catching king if I ever saw one."
"I appreciate your praise, my queen," I answered without looking away.
"I must give credit where credit is due, my king. Now if you'll excuse me, I must tend to my feathers as you have. I won't be long. And then we shall discuss today's busy agenda."
At last I turned around and locked eyes with her.
"I shall be right here waiting, Ambrosia."
She nodded and retreated backwards between the polished slabs, and a low-pitched thud emanated from them as she closed them with her wings. Returning my attention to the mirror, I acknowledged that she was speaking the truth.
I did look regal and refined; all the better I was allied with a queen who was equally fabulous.
A stray breeze suddenly penetrated the room, bringing along the fragrant scent of wildflowers. Its source happened to be the sizable gap carved out of the right wall of the bedroom, and that was where I directed myself.
I leaned against the tepid marble and fanned my wings out upon it, glancing over the extensive landscape far below.
What did strike me as odd, however, is why this aperture had been cut out of the stone to begin with. The twin silk curtains folded up on their respective rods on either side of me were useless if adverse conditions came through.
How was this chamber defended against high winds, rain, dust, hail, and the like?
I was unaware of the climate and weather patterns in this sector of the continent, but I knew enough to assume that the wide-open plains favored the development of storm clouds and was also a place where fronts came together and instigated foul weather.
I made a mental note to ask Ambrosia, and set aside my confusion as drank in the vast flat-lands that seemed to go and on, right to the rim of the world.
Indeed I lost track of time, reveling in the scenery and occasionally tracking the myriad of bird species that sailed on by a good distance away. I wagered they were most likely headed to another part of the palace to tend to some matter that required their attention.
I was thankful I was a bird and could take advantage of the third dimension to get where I needed to go much easier than land animals could. This magnificent castle is so enormous that travelling within it on foot must take a fair amount of time and energy.
Not only that, but also a fair amount of brain capacity to remember the most efficient routes to shave off as much travel time as possible.
While I was ruminating in these thoughts is when Ambrosia hooked my attention, snapping me out of my distant stupor.
"Come here, Nikomedes," she called in her honey-sweet voice.
I spun firmly around, but what my eyes conveyed to me sucked the wind from my lungs. A veil of moisture lingered on her plumage, catching the light from the blazing torch in the far corner and making her sparkle dimly.
How was it that she managed to be breathtaking in a new and inventive way every time I saw her?
The closest answer I could come to is that it was due to her natural, deity-given beauty.
"Is something the matter, my king?" she asked playfully, cocking her head.
"Your beauty… it's unmatched, my queen. It's almost too overpowering for my mortal eyes. Did you… do that on purpose, if I may ask?"
She chuckled and responded, "Why yes, I did. It pleases me when you are pleased, Nikomedes. That is how it should be between us rulers."
I reclaimed all the air I had lost with a sharp inhale, coming to my senses for the third time.
"I agree, Ambrosia. I learn well by example, so thank you for demonstrating."
"Anytime, Nikomedes. You are my student as much as you are my king."
She then beckoned me with her wing.
"I would like for you to dress me, Nikomedes. It is a traditional practice that I have not had the chance to observe. Until now, that is."
I silently marched over to her, removing her robe off the hook and orienting it in my wings. She presented her back to me and unfurled her wings to accept the garment.
I shuddered as my wingtips grazed her warm, faintly damp coat, and then worked the robe onto her in the same way she had applied mine. She faced me and tapped my folded wing with hers.
"Nicely done, Nikomedes. Now we are matching."
I nodded discreetly to her, and then cleared my throat.
"So, what shall be doing today, Ambrosia? You said today will be busy, correct?"
"Well, not too terribly busy. Our only major task is to meet with my councilors and clear some issues up that have to do with your new status. After that… I am not so sure. If you would like to propose some things we may do together, I can ask for another day off from my royal duties. They will honor my request, of that much I am certain."
"Perhaps I shall think of some activities we could do later on. It would be a shame to let a day like this go to waste. Is the council meeting soon?"
"Gabriel will summon us when it is time, though I believe it won't be long. I prefer completing the council meeting before midday, and that is the schedule the cabinet members tend to follow."
"Ah. Very well then. I-"
A rumble reminiscent of thunder vibrated my eardrums, and it was not coming from Ambrosia. Her pupils dilated minutely as she darted her gaze to my belly, which I clutched with my wings thereafter, embarrassed.
My stomach vibrated for a few more seconds, and then wisely fell silent.
"You sure are hungry. When was the last time you ate, Nikomedes?"
"Um… I recall eating one apple before dueling you. The potion Kalogeros gave me must have suppressed my hunger until now. I haven't eaten since he healed me, you could say."
"Then the council meeting will have to wait! Surely you would like to eat right away and stuff yourself with the finest food and drink in Cydonia, wouldn't you? There is still plenty time to join the morning feast for my staff."
The combined urge to fill my empty stomach and the steadfastness of her words won me over.
"I would very much like that, Ambrosia. Perhaps it is time that I resume eating like a normal mortal should…"
She narrowed her pupils to their standard diameters and said, "A wise choice, Nikomedes. If I would have known you were starving earlier, I would have allowed you to nourish yourself much sooner, regardless if the potion was still affecting you."
"It's my fault for not speaking up, my queen. I apologize. But I truly wasn't feeling any hunger at all."
She released a lungful of air in a sigh.
"Yes, I see your point. Whatever the case, let us put this behind us and head to the dining hall. Pardon me for saying this, but each and every one of our fresh meal choices are to die for."
I grinned as I understood her figurative language.
"I wouldn't expect anything less to be offered in your royal mansion," I quipped.
"Then you should not hesitate to experience such unopposed cuisine. Come."
She waddled to the door, and I chased after her, being careful not to step on her tail. She made to open the doors before I could brandish my telekinesis, but she stopped as we heard a string of sharp taps originate just on the other side.
"My queen, my king, it's Gabriel! I have news to report to you! Hello? Are you both awake, or have I come at a bad time?"
It was the hyperactive hummingbird with the gallant voice who spoke almost too fast to understand. Ambrosia rolled her eyes in jest and heaved the doors flamboyantly.
Low and behold, there the tiny, flashy, living missile known as Gabriel was, hovering at eye level with us and trying hard to keep from bouncing around as he was inclined to do.
"Good morning, Gabriel," Ambrosia greeted.
"Hello, Gabriel. How are you?" I put in.
"Lively! In high spirits! Exuberant!"
She flashed me a look which seemed to say, "What else would he be?"
I grinned at her, and then we both faced him.
"What do you have to report, my friend?"
"The council meeting is set to begin in thirty minutes, my queen! They request both your presence and the presence of the king!"
"Would you mind advising them to postpone it for… say… another hour? Nikomedes here is eager to consume his first legitimate meal in the palace, as he has not eaten for quite a few days. If we finish early, we shall join the council and begin immediately."
"Yes, my queen! Understood! Until we meet again, goodbye!"
"Goodbye, Gabriel," we both answered, but he had zipped off so fast that he was out of earshot.
"Does he always zoom off without waiting for us to bid him farewell? He did that as well when I talked to him the day before. You were with me."
"Yes, he does. It's a quirk of his, but it is reasonable, given what type of bird he is. The rest of the hummingbirds here do it as well, but no one gets offended."
Ambrosia placed her wing on my back and led me forwards a few paces, then released my wing and shut the doors to our chamber.
She replaced her wing and said endearingly, "Let us walk to the banquet hall together."
We navigated the necessary tunnels and stairways that lie between us and our destination, with her as my guide.
Our trek took us through the communal baths first – where many species of animals were cleansing themselves – and then descended to the floor beneath, traipsing through the mildly-populated art gallery. In both places, all the animals that recognized us bowed and greeted us, and we returned the favor in kind.
Leaving that room behind, we arrived the banquet hall itself. From where I was positioned under an arched entry way, I guessed that every single chair at each of the three humongous solid gold tables was occupied.
Well, all except the queen's chair herself, which was located at the head of the middle table about thirty feet away. The atmosphere was drowning in the scents of all kinds of food, and a copious amount of laughing and talking from all the members of the crowd was blended in with the odors as well.
"Come, Nikomedes. Follow me to my seat. A servant will spot us in no time."
We made a steady beeline to her empty half-throne, the back of which measures slightly taller than her when she was sitting down. I stepped aside for her to climb into her seat, but she did not do so.
"No no no, you may take my spot, Nikomedes. I shall acquire a chair of my own in a moment."
Caught off guard, I asked, "Are you sure, Ambrosia? This will not be a breach of conduct, will it?"
"It's perfectly fine, Nikomedes. Go ahead."
"If you insist."
I hopped in and made myself comfortable, and she rooted herself next to me. A second later, the mass of animals paused simultaneously.
"Good morning, Queen Ambrosia and King Nikomedes! Welcome!" they chanted, pounding whatever appendages they could on the tabletops and sending booms of thunder echoing from the towering walls.
"Likewise, my friends! May the gods bless us all, and may the fruit of this planet which they created fill our bellies!"
The horde let loose two more bursts of bone-rattling noise, and then resumed gobbling down whatever was on their plates.
"My, that was quite exciting!" I declared.
"It always is, my king," she answered with a grin.
"Here, my queen! You may take my seat. I shall stand."
I spun my head towards the direction of the voice, and a wicked-looking hawk just diagonal to me pushed his chair up to Ambrosia. She backed off, and he maneuvered the chair into just the right position for her.
"Thank you, Simon. You are very kind."
"You deserve it, Ambrosia," he replied gleefully, using her first name instead of her title.
They must have a deeper connection than I first thought if they were so informal with each other. He dashed back over to his plate and neatly tore into a pig leg with his sharp beak, and Ambrosia situated herself in her borrowed seat.
"You two seem close. As friends, I mean."
"That we are, Nikomedes. His father, Actaeon, was one of the generals in my army during the Cydonian War. But since we are currently living in a time of peace, he now teaches war history and tactics to those who are interested."
"He must be very proud of his father."
"Quite, quite. He jokingly acts like a soldier around his father instead of a son sometimes, and Actaeon plays right along. It's amusing and very interesting."
"It sure sounds that way," I quipped.
In the walkway between our table and the one to my right, I spied a tawny brown eagle slowly meandering our way. When it caught sight of me and Ambrosia, the male Golden Eagle drastically increased its pace and dashed up to us.
"Welcome, my queen and king. What may I fetch for you both?"
Ambrosia started, "Hello, Orion. You may bring me my favorite dish. And instead of moonberry wine, I would rather settle for plain moonberry juice."
He bowed to her and squeezed his eyes tight for a few seconds, and then fused his gaze with mine.
"And for you, my most noble king?"
"Um… do you have oranges, by any chance? And instead of the whole fruit, can I have one peeled and sliced?"
"Of course, my king. Your order shall be followed to your exact specifications."
He stood erect and said to us in unison, "I shall return with your meals shortly."
He walked behind us on those menacing feet of his, his talons clicking audibly against the dense marble floor. Instead of watching where he was headed, I turned to Ambrosia, catching her eye.
"You savor moonberry wine? I have seen my parents drink it rarely, when they could afford it, that is."
"It is my favorite alcoholic beverage. I usually start off my day with a dose of it to relax my system, but out of respect for you, I shall refrain from drinking it."
"Oh. That is alright with me. It is your choice."
I snapped my beak shut, but then a thought crossed my mind.
I threw it open and asked sincerely, "If you are immortal, isn't it true that you do not need to eat or drink?"
"You are correct, Nikomedes. As my digestive processes have been shut down, everything I put into my body is removed through magical means. I eat and drink for the pleasure of doing so, and to feel more in tune with my fellow Cydonians here."
"I see. You give two valid reasons, my queen."
The concept of immortality set off a second, brighter burst of intuition, and I distinctly remembered informing her that I would give her my decision in the wake of the council talk. I hadn't considered whether I should do it or not, however.
Therefore, I made a mental note to tell her that I would have to postpone my decision either way for the time being. I shook my head as I stashed that note away in a safe corner of my mind, and then inhaled a breath loaded with the essence of fruit, meat, vegetables, and water.
My hunger flared up in response to this gripping stimulus, and my stomach croaked in anticipation. Ambrosia heard it despite the cacophony of noise and stared at me, chuckling.
"You shall be satiated soon enough, my king. Have a bit of patience, and you shall be rewarded."
I bobbed my head up and down in a nod, and she blinked in recognition. I lifted myself up and tugged my robe, as it had piled up behind my back and formed a lump.
A minute after doing so, Orion came to a stop to Ambrosia's right, a wide golden platter bearing our breakfast suspended in the air by his unseen telekinetic power.
He levitated one smaller dish and placed it in front of Ambrosia, locking down the food items and the goblet so that they wouldn't move around. He set mine down skillfully as well, and then tipped forwards in a lasting bow.
"Enjoy, my king and queen. Do let me know if any part of it is not fully satisfying."
He rose to his normal height, and Ambrosia replied, "It is always satisfying, Orion. I have never complained once. Do give Eli my thanks."
"As you wish, Your Majesty."
He took his leave, and I scanned Ambrosia's fare before diverting my attention to my own.
Her "favorite dish" consisted of twelve whole strawberries with moonberries piled on top, and a ring of peach slices arranged around the strawberries. Each fruit glistened, as they had been most likely spritzed with water to keep them moist.
A normal macaw such as myself could never could down that much in one sitting, but her immortal body had no qualms.
There were eight crescent-shaped orange sections before me, each one dabbled with a hint of juice.
"You take the first bite and tell me what you think," she pressured benignly.
I picked up one slice with my mind and ferried it into my open beak, then closed both halves and squished it. Acidic, tantalizing nectar squirted out as I mashed the chunk with my tongue.
I welcomed the sting, as only top-quality oranges produced potent nectar. I swallowed the mutilated slice and smacked my beak, then faced my partner.
"Mmm… it was perfect. It is as delicious and uplifting as I imagined it would be."
"It warms my heart to hear you say that. Let's eat now, my king, you and I."
She plucked a peach from the rim and sucked it into her beak, chewing soulfully. I quit observing her after she sent it down her throat, leaving her to dine in peace while I did the same.
Needless to say, I emptied my platter before she did hers. I didn't want to be intrusive, so I trained my eyes on my feet and leaned back while my stomach processed its contents.
I rocked my feet lazily and blocked out the constant droning of the others as much as possible. I could nonetheless pick up the sounds of Ambrosia munching and sipping from her goblet.
After fifteen or twenty minutes, she no longer made noises, and I realized she was done. I watched her swipe her tongue over her beak several times to mop up any excess liquid, and then she fused her gaze with mine.
"There are few things I adore more than a rewarding breakfast."
"I concur, my queen."
I sat up straighter and asked, "Shall we make our way to wherever the council unites and take part in the session? I am rather curious to find out what they have to say to me."
"Let's do just that, Nikomedes."
She dismounted her seat and went to stand beside me, conscious that I knew the path to the painting and sculpture exhibition room. She opened her beak and cut through the symphony of sound with her imposing voice.
"The king and I are leaving. Until we meet again, my loyal subjects, may the gods bless us!"
"May the gods bless us!" the dozens of beings repeated, sending us off with one reverberating slam.
We took our leave and trotted to the showroom, Ambrosia keeping pace at my right side with her wing upon my back. We then ascended to the grand throne room, Ambrosia ushering me on to the right side where a pair of uniform gold doors were entrenched in the wall.
"Here we are, my king. This is where important and sensitive matters are handled by me and my diverse team of equals. They require my permission to do certain things, and I require theirs to do certain things as well. It is a sensible system that limits my power, and it has been in place since the first ruling family pledged to safeguard and govern the young empire of Cydonia fairly."
"That is something I learned when I was able to go to school. In the near future, I shall be an influence on that very system."
"You're right, my king. I wonder how that will turn out. Anyways, we should proceed. You may sit next to me on the bench. It is large enough to accommodate us."
I followed her to said bench and powered up onto it with two powerful wing-beats. I faced forwards and noticed that we were the only two souls present. Ambrosia saw me narrow my eyes.
"We must not have spent that much time in the banquet hall. Don't worry, the council is punctual. They'll arrive soon."
"The most punctual out of everyone in this fortress, I'd imagine."
She answered simply, "Yes."
Five minutes passed, and no one appeared. Another five minutes ticked boringly past, and we were still alone.
After three more minutes, a small contingent of various creatures came striding in, the rearmost one closing the doors to ensure secrecy.
They arranged themselves in a loose cluster in the middle of the small enclosure and looked our way, then bowed.
Upon rising, the furthest animal on the right said, "Greetings, Queen Ambrosia and King Nikomedes."
"Greetings, my faithful subjects," Ambrosia answered with a bow of her own.
"Greetings," I said.
He then stared directly at me and added, "Allow us to introduce ourselves, and then we shall begin."
He, a flashy male scarlet macaw, stepped forwards two paces and said, "My name is Demetrius."
He stepped backwards, and the female barn owl moved up.
"My name is Elektra," she announced in a mature, attention-grabbing tone.
The female rattlesnake next to her, its rippling body blotched with light brown and black, hissed, "I am Xena."
The fourth bird's name I already knew, as he was an imposing hawk with several scars on his legs.
"My name is Actaeon," he said in a somewhat worn-out tone.
A lithe male weasel who was seated on his hindquarters darted forwards and rose up again.
"I am Stefan," he stated, blinking his left eye, as the other side of his face bore a long, fleshy scar that crossed over his right eye.
A female fox was next, and to Nikomede's eyes, she was sleek and lovely, but with an air of deadly grace about her.
Her razor-sharp teeth flashing, her sultry, rich voice said, "My name is Stella."
A male cat who looked very wild and seasoned declared, "Cyril is my name."
One more female remained, who was a large, ebony raven with intimidating eyes.
"My name is Pandora," said her sinister voice.
I spent a few seconds linking each name to its owner so I wouldn't get confused.
I then said, "Thank you for introducing yourselves. It is nice to know a few of the countless creatures who reside here. My only companion so far has been Ambrosia, and I am glad that you are helping to change that."
There was a pause, and then all eight councilors chuckled among themselves.
"A king with a sense of humor. A bird with a character such as that shall be a boon to us and this kingdom," the rust-red fox quipped.
"Indeed, Stella, indeed!" answered Cyril.
Actaeon then took charge and cleared his throat.
"It is time to begin this delayed union of great minds and creatures both old and new."
He tossed a friendly glance my way, and I smiled warmly.
"Wise words, Actaeon. Let us commence this all-too-important session, then."
"Agreed, Ambrosia."
He turned to the barn owl and said, "Elektra, you may be the speaker today."
She nodded to him, and then came forward.
"We have only one important order of business to sort out, and then we can answer whatever questions you have for us, Nikomedes."
"Fair enough," I said.
"The entire kingdom is abuzz due to the news of Nikomede's victory, and the local communities even more so. As a result, we all believe that planning for the coronation should begin today, and if possible, the actual ceremony should take place a week from today. Ambrosia, Nikomedes, feel free to speak your minds."
"I support your collective decisions, but I have to ask… will there be food?"
Stifling a burst of laughter, Elektra replied, "There will be a gallant feast, Nikomedes, as a large portion of those who live in the Capitol will be attending, as well as those from other towns and cities who can spare the time."
From the corner of my eye, I saw Ambrosia staring amusingly at me.
A predictable reaction, since all I can think about now is food.
I selected a more appropriate question and voiced it out.
"Will I be required to say a speech? I am… timid when it comes to speaking in front of large crowds."
"Yes, Nikomedes," came Cyril's reply.
I gulped and felt a foreboding hand squeeze me, and I gave a shudder of dread.
"Ambrosia will be with you to boost your confidence, Nikomedes. Just say what you feel in your heart and ignore any mistakes you make, and everything will be fine. You will be swimming in pride when the citizens rise in a standing ovation," said Pandora in a cordial tone.
"Thank you for your advice. I will follow it when the time comes and ask the gods for courage."
The weasel said, "Smart thinking, young king."
"I have a quessstion for you, my king," said Xena in her raspy tone, her tongue flicking in and out.
"What is it, Xena?" "Sssince you ssshall be ruling alongssside the queen, a throne ssshall be conssstructed for you during the coronation. Would you prefer marble or gold?"
"Hmmm… I choose marble. I don't want to disrupt the symmetry of the throne room, nor do I want to stand out. Ambrosia's is marble, so I wish for mine to be the same."
The serpent answered, "Good point, Nikomedes."
Pandora withdrew a rolled up sheet of parchment and unrolled it, then plucked one of her own primary feathers. She then magically birthed a pot of ink with a flick of her foot, dipped the quill in, and scrawled upon the parchment.
Demetrius the tricolor macaw then squawked, "Due to the great significance of the occasion, I recommend that new robes be weaved for the both of you. Do my king and queen agree?"
"Yes," she and I responded in unison.
"Very well. Would either of you like to specify the color of the robes and what ornamentation to apply, or will you be satisfied with what our designers decide upon?"
"No no, I'll leave it up to the designers. Tell them to surprise me," Ambrosia quipped.
Pandora jotted some more words down as Demetrius pinned his gaze on me.
"And what would you have our designers do, my king?"
"The same, Demetrius. I shall be satisfied with whatever style of robe I receive."
"Excellent. Pandora, have you written everything down?" she scribbled for two more seconds and then flicked her head in his direction.
"Done, Demetrius."
He nodded to her and spun his head our way.
"I suppose that covers the main topics we needed to address for the time being. We can handle the rest, but if we feel the need for your input in the days to come, we shall contact you."
"We need oversee the drafting of the invitations and start sending them out. We have so many thousands of citizens to notify," remarked Elektra.
"Do you have anything else to add, Nikomedes?" Ambrosia questioned.
"No, I do not."
"Then this meeting is adjourned. Thank you all for coming."
"You are most welcome, Ambrosia. You are exempt from your duties today, so that you may spend more time with the king."
She bowed to them, and the eight members of the team leaned forwards in return.
"May the gods bless you all," I said on a whim.
They all smiled knowing smiles and replied, "May the gods bless you and your imminent reign as well, Nikomedes."
They turned to leave, and Pandora went ahead and heaved open the doors with a dose of mind power.
Ambrosia jumped off the bench and held out her wing to me.
"Come, my king."
We pursued them out into the spacious throne room, watching as they caught Gabriel as he streaked over their heads and conversed with him.
"So, now what shall we do, my king?"
I scratched my upper back with my beak, and then held her jovial stare.
"Um… I'm not so sure…" I replied, the dilemma of whether I should choose immortality or not weighing on my mind like a block of lead.
The very walls around me seemed to close in and compress me with even greater pressure, and it was hard to think while feeling so confined.
"Is something wrong, Nikomedes? You appear tense, troubled."
"I'm just thinking about a certain choice I must make, and it's hard to do so in here. May we go to the courtyard? This is such a tranquil day, and the environment should help me think with a calm, clear head."
She nodded.
"We shall go right away, my king."
We walked side-by-side out of the throne room, between the wide open, hulking doors that were guarded by a pair of eagles. They dipped their heads as we waddled by, and we stopped and gestured to them the same way before continuing on.
"You did well in there, Nikomedes considering it was your first time," Ambrosia said as we neared the second set of doors that led to the exterior porch of the palace.
A duo of foxes secured the chains in their teeth and yanked on them, heaving the marble slabs open for us.
"Thank you," Ambrosia said as we left them behind.
The raspy grating noise preceded the low-pitched boom of them shutting, and I opened my beak.
"Beginner's luck, I'd say."
She giggled her ethereal giggle.
"That's one way to put it. They will become an integral part of your life once you settle into your new role, so get used to them now. Sometimes you will be forced to disagree with the council and debate with them, and things can get rather… heated."
"Do they? Then I shall work on steeling my will so that I am not frequently unassertive."
My eyes were glued to her, and not on what was in my path. Ambrosia quit walking, and then grabbed me with her wings a second later as I tipped forwards.
"Careful!" she chided, pulling me closer to her.
I peered down and saw that I had nearly tumbled off the first step of the super-tall staircase that led to the courtyard.
"Heh heh… thank you for saving me. I might not have recovered from a fall such as that."
"Don't thank me, thank my lightning quick reflexes."
I inhaled a mollifying breath and readjusted my lopsided clothing.
"After you," I said.
"No, after you, my king. I insist."
I succumbed to her charm and luscious eyes, and sighed.
"Very well, my queen. You win… for now."
It took us roughly three minutes to tromp from the first step to the last, and I hesitated to regain my stamina. Ambrosia was not tired the least, most likely because she was thirty times as fit as me.
The grassy lawn dotted with patches of wildflowers and dissected with marble paths was empty. Two statues sat on either side of the walkway, situated halfway along its length.
The one on the left was of an angel with its wings spread wide in a benevolent pose, while the one on the right was of Ambrosia herself, wielding the very sword she used against me in the battle arena.
In the middle of the courtyard, where the individual paths met and formed a ring, there was a three-tiered fountain with a mini figurine of Ambrosia at the very top, azure water emerging as two curved streams from her eyes and another from her chest.
The symbolism was apparent, and deep down, I felt moved.
"My feet are aching. Is there anywhere we may sit down so I may rest them, my queen?" I announced, trying not to sound like a complaining hatchling.
"There is a bench right there, my king," she said, pointing at it with her wing.
I fought off the protests of my feet for the time it took to reach the bench, and then I jumped into it. I exhaled a blast of air from my beak and began to massage my feet as Ambrosia sat down to my right.
After spending a minute tending to them, Ambrosia eyed me and asked, "Feeling better?"
"Oh yes. If it wasn't for this robe, I'd fly and spare myself the trouble."
"You survived, Nikomedes. That's all that matters, is it not?" she questioned.
"Yes," I answered with a hint of irritation.
She opened her wings slightly to part the robe down the middle of her body, and then nibbled at her belly. When she was done, she spit out the loose feathers she had plucked and refolded her wings.
She locked her enchanting eyes with mine, though I could see clouds of concern behind them.
"Is something bothering you? If it is not too personal, would you tell me? I'm here to help, Nikomedes."
I exhaled my most downcast sigh of the day.
And so it begins… I mused dejectedly.
"I am so conflicted when it comes to immortality. The thought of the pain you described to me chills me to the bone. But on the other hand, there are a dozen reasons why I should be changed. If we were destined to rule together until... um… others take our place… then it is clear that I have no choice. And what of my family? How can I possibly stand by and watch as my parents and siblings age and ultimately… pass on? Will I have to sway them into becoming immortal as well? If the benefit of life eternal outweighs the costs… why can't I say 'yes?' "
She opened her beak, but no sound came out. She snapped it shut and lowered her gaze, lost in thought. She blinked four times, and then lifted her head.
"Nikomedes, I'm not trying to force you into acting against your will, but… all you must do is brave the pain and see the transformation through to the end. The agony is a small price to pay if the threat of death is stripped from your existence in exchange. And as for your relatives… we can use the same argument when the time is right. I doubt they would refuse, because they would rather live on and on with their eldest son, who has altered the history of the very nation he was born into."
Her spur-of-the-moment speech was eloquent, and it stirred my soul like a cauldron of soup with its gravity and truthfulness. My reluctance crumbled like a weathered statue struck on its base by a steel hammer.
"I can't deny it any longer, and your words have sent me over the edge. I wish to have the change performed as soon as possible."
Ambrosia was taken aback and sat up straighter on the bench.
"Do you mean… today? But we do not know how long your recovery period shall last. Your body may be so traumatized that you will remain asleep for more than a week, and you will not be able to be made a full-fledged king."
"It is more logical to have it done… say… the day after. Yes… the day after."
She unwound and answered, "Alright, Nikomedes. I shall honor your wish. The council need not know until that day, as it shall not be interrupting anything."
I managed a frail smile, but it was a smile nonetheless. I fell silent and stared at the end of my tail, as the silk was draped over my feet, obscuring them.
Neither of us dared to speak as serenity blossomed in the air, Ambrosia gazing at the fountain that was crowned with her likeness. I finally felt at ease, and I emptied my lungs so that I could swell them with the scented oxygen all around me.
My mind wandered off into its own self-contained universe, and everything but Ambrosia and I melted away into nothingness. I lost track of the flow of time, but I was ever-aware of Ambrosia's aura of wisdom and elegance.
I actually felt at home… like this is where I belonged. But for some reason, the sound of that word in my head plucked a sensitive heartstring.
Home…
The Capitol was not my birthplace, and it was not where my kin resided. No… my home was Corinth… in the neat, unimpressive cottage that sat next to fertile farm… and was where my mother, father, and two darling sisters lived…
All of a sudden, my heart skipped a beat, and my eyes watered.
I blinked and wiped away the tears – with my wing, not the robe – but the longing sensation throbbed within.
"Ambrosia…" I said, holding back a sniffle.
"Yes? Did you need… wait… what's wrong?" she asked, her voice rising in pitch towards the end of her sentence.
"Corinth… I need to return to Corinth right away. I need to see my family, and they need to see me…"
Exasperated, her beak dropped open as I balefully looked at her.
"Nikomedes… I... I'll have to ask the council and make some arrangements. I have no problem with doing so… but…"
"But what? Will they disallow me from traveling so far from the Capitol? Or is it that you do not wish to accompany me?"
She shook her head.
"No, it's nothing like that. I… forgive me. You swiped my feet out from under me, as we tend to say. Wait here while I seek them out and speak to them myself. And of course I shall accompany you, my king. I would be delighted to meet your relatives."
My mood improved in the space of a few seconds, and I felt a flare of harmless heat come to life beneath my skin.
"I shall come with you, my queen. I don't want to be apart from you."
"Forgive me again. I shouldn't have even said that. I don't fare well when dealt mood whiplash…"
"You are forgiven, my queen," I said, chasing away my sadness and cracking an honest smile.
I slipped off the bench and helped Ambrosia to the ground.
"Thank you, Nikomedes."
"It's common courtesy, my queen."
I set my sights on the palace's daunting staircase and walked around the bench, but what my eyes saw next made me think my eyes were malfunctioning.
The air about a foot ahead was distorted, rippling like the heat waves above a piece of hot metal.
The waves' intensity increased, as if some portal to the afterlife was opening up. An instant later, a sapphire bird flashed into existence and fell a few inches to the grass.
"Aha, I've found you, Ambrosia! And you too, it seems, Nikomedes."
"Annabelle! My, what a surprise!"
Ambrosia and this random female macaw walked towards each other and met halfway in a hug, the lower part of Annabelle's body being swallowed up by the queen's garment.
They then parted, and Ambrosia nestled herself next to the other female as if they were sisters. But who exactly was this bird, who had materialized out of thin air and referred to the queen by name, as few did?
A golden, star-shaped talisman with an iridescent pearl buried in the middle rested against her chest, suspended by way of a golden chain that loped around her neck.
It was fancy and looked expensive, but what purpose did it serve?
"Nikomedes, I would like you to meet Annabelle, my most trusted messenger and easily the most talented bird of this generation."
"Hello, Annabelle," I said invitingly.
"Hello, my king," she said with a bow. "And a handsome one at that," she put in as she stood back up.
I blushed rosily and replied, "I appreciate your compliment. You're the second individual to tell me that today, after Ambrosia here."
"It is my pleasure."
"Why have you come, my friend?" Ambrosia queried, looking into Annabelle's amber eyes.
"I wish to spend quality time with my superiors, of course! I recently dismissed my advanced spell casting class for the day. Every one of my students is acquiring impressive skill."
Ambrosia nudged her – who by now I discerned was a female of my own species – and remarked, "Considering they have an exemplary teacher such as yourself, it's expected."
She answered proudly, "I shall not argue with you there, Ambrosia."
"An advanced spell casting teacher… does that mean you can perform magic as well? Is that how you appeared in the blink of an eye?"
The two females locked eyes, and dark smiles surfaced on their beaks.
Ambrosia stepped to her left and said, "Though she may not resemble one in the physical sense, Annabelle here is a phenomenal sorceress, the most brilliant one in all of Cydonia, in my opinion. She has mastered every school of magic taught here, and a few others that aren't directly related to actual magic. For instance, all she did to teleport was picture me with her mind, separate her body from reality, and then phase directly to me."
Annabelle's accomplished grin resembled a crescent moon, amplified by Ambrosia's praise.
"By the gods… how long did that take? And how were you able to harness such prowess to begin with?"
"I am twenty-five years old, and I began when I was five. Twenty years of practice, experimentation, failure, and yet more practice. I learned my entire set of abilities one at a time, and I only transitioned to another when I could best any written or demonstrative exam. Telekinesis, telepathy, and teleportation I learned afterwards, as well as mind-reading and manipulation of the weather."
"Nikomedes here knows telekinesis as well, but due to his upbringing, he hasn't been taught how to efficiently wield it," Ambrosia said thoughtfully.
"Hmm… there is a way I can examine your capabilities. Push against me as hard as you can with your mind, Nikomedes, as if you were trying to move a massive object."
She narrowed her eyes in concentration, and I raised my wing and did as I was told. My wing began to vibrate and my mind began to tire, as it felt like I was a mouse trying to relocate a mountain.
After ten seconds, she said, "Excellent. You may relax now, Nikomedes."
I folded my wing and sucked in a recuperative breath, gaining my mental strength back after fully depleting it.
"Well?" I said heavily.
"Do not take this as offensive, but your power is weak. However, you have the potential to tap much, much more with proper training, as I can sense a magnificent level of latent ability within you."
She drew in a breath and continued, "If you so choose, I wouldn't mind giving you private lessons, my king. I shall work with you as often as you would like… when my schedule is open, mind you. I can find others to fill in for my ninety-nice percent of the time, so I shall always be available when you wish for me to."
My pupils dilated, and I stared incredulously at her.
"I… I would love to, Annabelle. It would be an honor to train under you."
"Wonderful! I would be just as honored to take you under my wing and teach you everything I know."
She paused and preened an itch under her talisman, and then went on.
"However, as I am deeply fond of my current students, I would rather finish out the course so that my free time can be devoted to you. It ends two weeks from today, so you will not have to wait long. Do we have a deal, my king?"
I tossed away my shock and shook my head.
"We have a deal, Annabelle. Thank you for this opportunity. It is something I have wanted for my whole life."
"For you, my king, I shall do anything I can."
She bowed to me, and I bowed to her.
"All the better that it ends when it does, as Nikomedes here wishes to spend a week with his parents in Corinth."
"Homesickness is a compelling disease when you are separated from your abode and those who love you. When are you planning on departing?"
"Immediately, Annabelle. In fact, we were just on our way to request permission from the council to secure a carriage and depart. And they must also know that the coronation will have to be pushed back until the day after we return from Corinth."
Her eyes went as wide as an owl's before shrinking again.
"No need, Ambrosia! I shall convey to them the king's wishes and ask them for permission on your behalf. Wait right here!"
The air began to distort around her as she prepared to teleport, but acting on an impulse, I called, "Wait!"
The air settled down and became invisible, and she kissed me with her stunning amber eyes.
"Yes, Nikomedes?"
"Before you go, I would like to see you perform some magic. Enlighten me as to what you can do."
She smirked.
"Your wish is my command, my king."
She cleared her throat and gave herself a shake. Without a sound, four distinct orbs melted out of the air and began orbiting on a perfect circle like planets around a star.
There was a clear sphere of water, a ball of dirt, pebbles, and leaves, a round ember of scarlet flames, and a milky white blob of whirling air.
"This is elemental magic, my friends. It is the easiest class of spells to learn, and the first class to be taught to fledgling mages. Let's add a fifth type, shall we?"
There was a tiny burst of radiance, and a glowing ball of holy light that looked too hot to touch merged with the others, the ring enlarging to accept it.
"This is the magic of light. Very handy, but like the first four, it can harm the user mortally if they cause a spell to backfire. Now, here is the sixth and most controversial type."
A glob of darkness as black as obsidian appeared and joined the others, claiming a spot next to light, its opposite.
"This is forbidden magic, the deadliest of them all. It is taught last, but cannot be practiced outside of the mage's college here in the palace. Perform one of these spells incorrectly, and one may end up disfigured, soulless, or dead. The same can be said of the recipient of a spell performed properly."
I gasped and put on an uneasy smile.
"Why is it… um... not labeled black magic? That's what it was called… in all the magic guides… I've read."
Annabelle snorted and hardened her gaze.
"That is because our opinion of it here is different than it is across the rest of Cydonia. Just because it is black does not mean it is evil. That is a common misconception expressed by those who have not cast spells of 'black magic' and are afraid of it. It simply draws power from another potent source and merits effects accordingly, and that is why it is forbidden."
"Oh my, I've never heard it described in such a way. That is… a very intelligent standpoint."
I regained my composure and tore my eyes away from hers, settling them on the medallion she wore.
"Annabelle, what is that talisman for? Is it merely a piece of jewelry?"
"Oh this?" she replied, softening up her previous demeanor and holding it up to the light with her left wing.
"It is not just a piece of jewelry, Nikomedes. It is a seal I enchanted myself that prevents me from accessing no more than 1/1000th of the amount of magic I normally would be able to. I very rarely remove it, because magic is unpredictable by nature, and controlling it without the talisman robs me of a portion of my focus. And if I have to constantly focus on doing so, keeping track of everything else in my restless life is made that much more difficult. With it on, my magic is restrained, and I do not have to divide my attention."
Naturally, the next thing out of my beak was, "Can you grant an exception and dazzle me with a fierce spell of your choice?"
The look in her eyes told me common sense was warring with her desire to appease me. There was a tense pause where both Ambrosia and I eyed her – my queen openly curious to witness her subordinate let loose.
She exhaled an uncertain sigh and said, "As you wish, my king. I shall move away, as I am much too close."
She made the orbs vanish and then bounced at least fifteen feet away, checking her surroundings. She slid the talisman up and over her head with telekinesis and laid it on the ground at her feet.
She sealed her eyes shut and lifted her right wing, stabbing it unto the sky. She conjured up a huge sphere of water that hovered right above her wingtip, its surreal, sparkling shadow being cast upon her and all around.
The water sphere scooted to the left as an orb of fire equally as immense swelled into being. The heat pouring from the latter swept over me, and the moisture spread across my eyes was evaporated.
She pushed them even further apart, and then slammed them together at high speed. An explosion and an ear-splitting hiss assaulted my eardrums, and a cloud of steam billowed out and engulfed the entire courtyard.
A convenient breeze spawned by Annabelle skimmed through and dissipated all the steam, dying off once the air was made clear again. Annabelle teleported back to us, the amulet dangling from her neck.
"Bravo, bravo! You have made my day," I proclaimed.
"Oh, it was nothing, my king. I am always at your service," she replied, shaking her body as if to rid herself of clingy magical energy.
"I shall now go to the council and speak to them, and then return as fast as possible."
She was gone in a heartbeat, unshapely air left behind where she once was.
"She seems so likable… and her personality is magnetic. She is outgoing like Gabriel, but not excessively so."
"That is how I would describe her as well. It takes no effort at all to gain her friendship, which I believe you already have, Nikomedes."
"And a cherished friendship it shall be," I answered with a single nod.
In all of three minutes, Annabelle had deformed the air and appeared. She filled her lungs and spoke at once.
"Permission acquired! They have sent someone to deliver the royal carriage, and they wish you well on your journey."
Ambrosia said smoothly, "As I knew they would. It has been so very long since I have ridden in it. The plush seats… the intricately carved adornments… it will be a trip to remember."
"If it weren't for my current duty as teacher, I would have gladly come along. But sadly, I cannot. Not only that, but it is a more personal trip for you, Nikomedes. It wouldn't have been fair for me to go with you and be a distraction."
"You're no distraction, Annabelle, but I suppose I agree. I wonder if I am going to pass out first, or if it will be my mother. And my younger sisters… it is as if I have spent a month apart from them rather than a few days."
Both females chuckled, with Ambrosia's being the sweeter of the two.
The sorceress then said, "I can't relate, being an only child, but you must be dying to see them again. There is no bond on Earth stronger than the bond between family members."
"Well said, Annabelle. I do miss them dearly, as much as I miss my parents."
Annabelle perked up and shut her eyes, and then opened them again.
"I have been summoned to the palace, my king and queen. One of my students has contacted me through telepathy and wishes to speak to me. I'm afraid I must be off now."
"In that case, farewell, my friend, and do not worry about us."
"Farewell, Annabelle. If a thunderstorm tries to unleash its wrath here, you know what to do," I said with a grin.
"Nature is no match for me, Nikomedes. Until we meet again, goodbye. May the gods bless you and keep you safe."
"Likewise, my friend," answered the queen.
Annabelle bowed to us, and then she spirited herself away like a ghost.
I began to search in every direction for the carriage, and less than a minute passed before I spotted something. But it came soaring out of the palace's universal entryway, and it was not an object, but a bird.
I recognized the all-black creature with its wedge-shaped tail as Pandora the raven.
She flew straight on until she was high above us and then banked, spiraling to the earth. Clutched in her left foot was a crystal that shone with a faint inner light. She steadied her breath and flicked her foot, and our carriage flashed into view on the pathway in front of the fountain.
She handed the gem to the queen and said, "Here, take this. I enchanted the carriage to steer you to Corinth and then the king's home, and after seven days, the spell will fade. The enchantment I placed on this jewel will take over then and bring you home."
Ambrosia swiped it and replied, "Thank you, Pandora. You have been most helpful."
"I do what I must for you, my queen."
They bowed to each other, and my partner then said, "Until we meet again, may the gods bless you."
"Likewise, Ambrosia. Farewell, and keep our king safe."
The raven beamed a playfully dark smile.
"I shall, my friend."
With that, Pandora spread her large, black-as-midnight wings and rocketed off the way she had come. I inhaled a deep breath and gazed at Ambrosia.
"Are you ready, my king?"
"Very, my queen. Let us be off."
We walked down the warm stone road to where it sat, and Ambrosia braced me as I clambered inside. I helped her as much as I could by allowing her to pull on my outstretched wing, and she plopped down on my right as she was fond of doing. She let the jewel drop to the reinforced floor with a plunk.
I sank back into the comfy seat, awed by the glamour of the carriage's gold frame and burgundy accessories everywhere else. The roof was a velvet cushion, the sides were padded with velvet, and the floor and seats were made of that same material.
This shiny yellow and crimson red color scheme was very popular without a doubt, as they complimented each other well.
The carriage then began to move under its own power, trekking slowly forwards as it rounded the fountain and set a course for the gates at the end of the courtyard.
"What do you think?" she queried.
"It's so lovely and practical… now I can add this to the short list of royal items I have touched."
She held her wing over her beak and giggled.
"The council was right. A humorous king will be a boon to this empire."
"I have my moments," I answered, chuckling briefly myself.
The carriage slowed to a stop and I heard a squeaking sound, and then it resumed rolling again. A male fox that was guarding the lever used to open one side of the gate slid slowly by, and he recognized me and bowed.
I dipped my head only, as I did not want to lean out and be dragged to the stone path by gravity. Our vehicle rocked slightly as the gates squeaked shut, and we officially left the palace grounds behind.
I couldn't help but stick my head out and twist it around to peer at what lay in our wake. The entire structure that was the queen's embodiment of power shone dazzlingly under the midday sun, and was nearly too bright to look at.
I brought my head back in and felt a sense of release, as I was now on the way to returning to my roots, the mundane cottage I had lived in since I was a hatchling.
"Do you know how far it is from the Capitol to Corinth, Ambrosia? I have never measured."
She donned a knowing expression and replied, "Sixty miles, Nikomedes."
Stunned, I bolted up straighter, and then calmed myself abruptly.
"How… how long will it take us to get there at this rate?"
"We seem to be travelling at a fair pace, so I'd estimate about four hours. Go ahead and take a nap, and I'll wake you when we arrive."
"Hm… I suppose. There's nothing else to do to pass the time. Well… besides talking to you, which I honestly enjoy."
She smiled a heavenly smile, and my heart beat faster in my chest until I looked away. I leaned against the back of the seat and let my wings go limp at my sides. I sighed and closed my eyes, wiping my head clean of all thoughts.
However, I felt my wing brush against something… something fuzzy… like feathers.
I opened my eyes and turned to see Ambrosia grinning.
"You wish to hold my wing? I thought you weren't an adventurous one."
I glanced down and saw my guilty right wing primaries intermingled with those on her left. Hastily, I disengaged mine from hers and tilted my eyes apologetically.
"I'm sorry."
"Don't be. I didn't mind at all. If you wish, we may hold wings."
"Are you sure? Am I not crossing the line by-"
She placed one primary over my beak, shushing me.
"You are not crossing any line, my king."
Tentatively, she used her right wing to unfold mine partway, and then intertwined her left with it, as I had accidentally done before.
"There. Now we are linked in a careful-yet-powerful way," she said in a sultry voice.
I emblazoned a sheepish smile on my beak and banished the tension in my body, reclining against the upright portion of the seat behind me. I watched Ambrosia sigh and turn her head away to peer out at the scenery as it rolled by.
I blissfully clamped my eyes shut and set about freeing my soul so that I could drift off, as she had recommended I do.
Somewhere out there my family was waiting for me, the ones who had loved me and cared for me my whole life. Their four images waltzed around in my head, each as clear as the blue sky that was the dome of the world.
Drowsiness set in after five minutes, the music of nature and rhythmic swaying of the carriage a two-tone lullaby. Another five minutes came and went, and I could not remain conscious any longer.
Fittingly, I dreamed of my kin as if I was there in a time before I left for the Capitol.
We ate as a family around the dining room table, the heat of the hearth and smell of the bubbling cauldron above it kindling fierce nostalgia in me. My sisters played with their food instead of eating it, but obeyed my mother as she gently ordered them to behave and finish their fruit. It was where my heart and soul belonged since the beginning, and always would, even into the distant future.
The dream intensified incrementally as time flowed on, but a stimulus from the outside world proved too much for it. It receded into the blackness of my mind and I stirred, color flooding back into my vision.
"Nikomedes, we've arrived," whispered the voice of my queen.
I roused and glanced outside, spying a dirt road leading away from us into a thin forest a short distance away. To the right of the road was a sturdy fence that marked the boundary between it and large, fertile plot of land teeming with fruits and vegetables.
The arrangement was the same as I remembered it… as were the odors… and the corner post had always leaned to one side more than the other…
It was the very farm I had helped nurture… which meant I was home.
The light raining down from overhead was more orange than yellow, which meant it was drawing somewhat close to sunset. I turned to Ambrosia as sickening anticipation squeezed my stomach, and I welcomed it.
She exited the carriage and presented her wing to me.
"Come, my king. It is your time now."
I latched onto it and eased myself to the dry turf, and she realigned my robe. I turned to the left and cast my eyes upon the front door to the cottage, a circular window to the interior on either side.
I glanced up and saw a vertical stream of smoke issuing from the chimney, unchallenged by any breeze. I looked back at Ambrosia, and she urged me on by nudging my backside.
I suppressed the boiling emotions within me as I crept up to the door. I lifted my shaking foot and knocked on the dense wood four times resolutely. I heard a female voice speak unintelligibly from inside, and I nearly swooned.
Ambrosia sidled up to me, laying her wing on my spine. I held my breath as I heard a click, and my muscles seized up. The door then swung open with a squeak, and the creature responsible stepped into the doorway.
That was when I saw her, and my heart cracked like an egg inside my chest.
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