Step Two: Slow Beating of the Wings

Humans learn fear. Nothing is born with an instillation of a horrific experience that causes their hearts to stop and their breath to cease. But when a parental figure is presented with the same experience, fear has a new threat upon it. They will teach fear to fear itself. The forest was somewhere people would not go anymore. People had 'claimed' that spooks and other super naturals had entered the forest and were residing there. Narn had heard these tales but had ventured near it's edge many times. She had seen strange things but none had scared her. She always had Torme's firm hand in hers' as a guide. Now she had no warmth of a touch, save Purn's. She waited for Bredi to come. It was growing cold and Purn would not last long in the rags he was swathed in. She cradled him closer to keep him warm. Narn looked back at the horizon and watched the star's slowly dissipate. The final hours of her wait were drawing near and Bredi had not come. She had changed her clothes when she had arrived at the small pond near the edge of the woods. Now she was clothed like a hunter…possibly a rogue knight. Her hair was pulled back into a tight bun. Her arms were protected by bone guards and her hands were clothed in tight leather gloves with no cover for her fingers. She wore a leather tunic that was softly worn from many adventures. On down, upon her hip, sat her great sword in it's scabbard, tied to a worn leather belt. Also strapped to it sat her dagger, happy companion to the bow she had slung on her back with a quiver of arrows. Her breeches were that of a princess who had found them to terrible in color to wear. They were tan and had a few dirt spots on the knees where she had bent down to track a deer or two. Her boots were the normal riding boots, expensive to a normal villager. They were worn and flexed very easily now. Inside her stocking, she held yet another surprise, a shuriken. To top off her whole ensemble, a dark brown cloak was thrown about her shoulders and tied at the neck. The hood covered her head and hid her face very well. The piece of fabric was made for a big knight, so it draped off the horses' rump rather like a royal dress up would do. Narn was quite warm as the kitten came and curled near the babe in her arms to help. Narn smiled at the cat and looked one more time. The sky was becoming lighter with each breath she took. Her heart started yearn to go back. What if he was found…she thought. Then the inevitable came upon her. The soft glow of the sun started to peek over the horizon. She knew she had tarried to long. Her horse reeled on it's heels and stormed through the brush, into the forest. Thorn trees tore at her cloak but it was made from tough leather. It protected the horse as well. As they sped through, Narn thought she caught a glimpse of white. Her brave heart had told her it was probably a ghost. She was not afraid and urged the horse on through. She looked back to see if their trail was follow able. It certainly was a trail but something a human probably wouldn't follow. Something made her stop the horse and look around. She looked every which way. She looked to the day sky and knew. They were lost, deep in a wood she knew nothing of. Her only option was to dismount and try to find a game trail. The trees were so close together and the ground so heavy with underbrush that it was hard to find anything. Smiling, she looked at Purn's face, knowing he was hungry. So she went to her pack and took one of her clothed bundles out. She set Purn on the horses back for a moment and unwrapped the strange icicle like shape. It started to faintly glow a sea green when light was shown upon it. She took it in her hands as water was produced and dripped from her hand gripping the rock. She had found the rock near the forest edge and soon after, found out what it did. It produced large amounts of a nourishing liquid when none were available. She took the cloth it was wrapped in and held it under the dripping stream to catch some for Purn. She was hungry herself but would not waste anytime. She knew the guards would come find her because she was sure they had caught Bredi. When she had a handful, she formed the cloth into a cone shape and fed it to him like milk. He gladly drank it and went back to sleep. She replaced the rock in the cloth as it silenced it's glow and licked her hand, drinking what was there for now. She called the cat and he hopped down and intertwined himself in her legs. She promised him a fish from the mountain streams if he found a game trail out of the forest. The cat seemed to consider the offer for a moment. Narn waited for she had learned cats take their time on everything, so it benefits them the most. Finally the cat got up and walked in circles a bit, pawing here and there. Then it sat down and looked at her as if to say, "Remember…big fish." She mounted the horse, took Purn back in her arms and urged him forward. The cat jumped on as they passed him on the ground. They went at a brisk trot for three days, following the trail. It kept getting colder so she knew the mountains were getting closer. Every night, she took out a giant scroll and tried to make the most accurate map she could. The third day, it began to snow lightly. Narn drew her cloak closer around her and slowed the horse to a walk. Then she saw the same white flash again. On instant, she reeled the horse towards it and stared at it before it could go away. It was floating there, staring right back at her. Narn searched her mind for the name of what she was staring down. "Allip…" she murmured and the misty white shape made an eerie chime sound. It's eyes passed over the bundle in her arms and grew brighter. "What do you want…you have been following us for days now." It made another long chiming noise then a screech noise. Narn did not break her stare. Then something unexpected happened. Narn felt Purn trying to be ripped from her arms. The Allip was no longer in between the trees. She held onto Purn with a fierce grip. The screeching noise grew louder. The horse tried to reel around in circles but the Allip was still latched on. Narn took her free arm and drew her sword. She slashed at the air where the pull was seeming the strongest. Her sword met flesh of some sort and a high pitched chime sounded. Narn screamed and slashed again at the arm. At the sound though, the horse reared. Hands free of the mane, Narn fell off. She still cradled Purn in her arms, struggling to fight the grip the Allip still had. The horse did not run but tried to reel and kick the aberration. Then the cat, who had been hissing and spitting, leapt out in the air. Whether it could see the ghost or it was just jumping off the panicked horse, Narn would never know but the cat landed on the Allip's face. The cat dug it's claws into it as the chimes sounded again. It let go of Purn and became visible. Dark red blood was coming from numerous scratches. It's arms also dripped from the slashes. Narn acted just quickly enough to get a firmer grip on her sword before the Allip had its' hands on the cat. It pried the cat away from it's face. Before Narn could slash it's arms off, it tore the cat apart. Narn went pale again. She stared at it and then back at the Allip, floating there. She stood up slowly and held her sword tight. A tear fell down her cheek. She didn't have time to think before she plunged her sword through the blackness between its' eyes. The chimes grew higher as she pushed her sword clear through to the other side. "I will not fear anything…" she muttered as her hand that was attached to the sword went into the dark space. Narn quickly withdrew her hand. The darkness was so cold is burned her fingers. The Allip, hands waving wildly and chimes resounding through the forest, threw it's head about with the sword still through it. Narn sat down and watched as it slowly made less motions, then finally it's hands came down. It hovered for a moment, gave one last soft chime and the white misty cloak fell to the floor. The sword, blood stained, clanged to the ground. Narn looked back and shuddered at the pile of flesh that was her cat. She calmed her horse and laid Purn on his back. She spent the rest of the day digging a hole with her hands, and placed her friend in it. She sat upon the grave, one hand touching it, and cried. The forest had become silent once more, but it was night. The past three had been eerily quiet. Now, with the commotion that she caused, the forest would surely be disrupted in its' order. She climbed aboard her horse, picking up her sword and cradling Purn, all in one swift motion. They would not stop tonight. No rest would come for them. She began to wonder how vast the forest was and what possible dangers lay ahead. But still, something in her heart drove her to push forward. She knew she must find out what was over those mountains. They seemed closer everyday and yet, they never seemed to reach them. Winter was fast approaching and they would not find suitable shelter here. There were possible caves in those mountains…if they reached them before the end of winter.

Winter ended…and they were still traveling the game trail. Purn was growing stronger but Narn worried about him more and more. The surroundings had not changed in the last three months, save it was not white anymore. Narn had removed her cloak and was now using it for a horse blanket. It was already a week into a beautiful spring as they seemed to come upon a glen of some sort. Narn looked through the trees. The mountains seemed to be right above them. But she had really lost hope of ever reaching them. The game trail twisted away from the them most of the time. The horse was weary so they stopped for awhile. The glen was sunny, but it wasn't that big. She laid Purn on the soft grass, as she herself rolled in it's lushness. The horse started to graze on the new sprouts and seemed to be happy once more. Narn called for her cat to come out with them, but when no happy whiskered face came, she began to cry again. Her horse came over and laid down beside her. She cried into his side and said, "We'll never get there…I'll never see the other side…" Purn had crawled out of his wrap and was playing with a leaf. Narn watched him as her year old son played. He was sitting there playing and turned to smile. When he smiled…it almost broke Narn's heart. He had his father's eyes and his father's smile. She couldn't bare to look at him and turned her head every time. When she had choked back most of the tears, she looked back. He looked as if he was considering something. Then he tried to stand. Narn tried to go to him, but the horse put its hind foot up to barge her path. She fell onto the ground and watched as her baby boy tried to stand again. He looked at his mom and then stood for a moment. Then a wonderful thing happened. Purn started to walk towards her. The horse put his foot down and whinnied softly. Narn began to cry. These were his first steps. But she wasn't crying because it was a happy moment or because his father couldn't see it. She shed tears because he had taken his first steps in this god-forsaken place. As she cried, Purn walked and fell into her lap. His little fingers wrapped around hers as she hugged him close to herself. Then she noticed a creature at the edge of the glen spying on them. She set Purn down softly and drew her sword. The creature seemed frightened but it still was curious as to what these were. "What do you want?" "We's wish to knows yours businesses…" Narn seemed to know the creature by its' voice. It had visited her once and she had made friends with it. "Come out Mordekai," she cooed as she sheathed her sword. "Youses knows our name?" "Yes, it's me…the little girl from long ago." "You not little…" "I have grown up as you have to." The creature came out from the darkest shadows. It was a blue-ish colored Kobold with a bit of a scar over his eye. He smiled at Narn as he murmured, "I do knows you. You nice lady who gave me food when I was hungry. I still have to repay yous for that." Narn got an idea. "Mordekai, you live here right?" "Yesh, I lives here many yearses. What can I do for yous?" "Do you know how to get to those mountains?" "Mountains cold, dangerous and scary. Yes, I travel there many times. You want to go theres?" "Yes and you can lead us there, so please…for the love of all that is good, lead me out of here." "How long you been heres?" "About four months…traveling the same forest." "I will help you. Now, must get on your beast and follow Mordekai." Nodding her head, Narn grabbed Purn up and tied the cloth around him like a tunic. The horse bowed as they got on. The horse jumped up on fours as Mordekai pointed the way they'd be going. Then he ran off, at an incredible speed. The horse had to canter to keep up. The way was a lot less twisted and ran over smoother ground. Now, even though the spring was warm, it grew cold. Purn sat in front of Narn and held onto the horses mane as they jumped over giant fallen trees and splashed through streams. Mordekai looked back at them every once in awhile to see if they were still there. Then, when he did look back the last time, Narn had to call out to him. He skidded to a stop before smacking into an ivy-covered boulder. There had arrived. In less than a day…the forested journey was over. Narn slid down from her horse and hugged Mordekai. The little Kobold teemed with happiness. He hugged her back. "Thank you so much my friend. I do consider your debt repaid. More than repaid…you hath saved me and my son." "Just doing good." "Would you like to come with us?" "Mordekai must stay here. He must help others likes yourselves." He smiled as he walked away, waving a hand. She smiled as he disappeared into the dark forest once again. Narn took her 'map' out and sketch down the path they had roughly taken. Night was coming and they needed to find shelter. Mordekai had warned them of strong winds that blew here. She looked at her horse, standing proud. She knew he was not made to scale the mountains. She put Purn on the ground and removed her pack from his neck. She patted his head and fed him a small sliver of carrot. Tears began to fall as she smoothed his fur on his neck. She finally threw her arms around him and cried into him. Then she regained herself and tried to scare him away. Her horse only 'laughed' at her. She shook her head and slapped his rump. Now, he looked at her with a look of confusion. "Go home. You cannot go any further and we both know this." The horse drooped his head. "Oh…that's right. We have no home…but you cannot scale this mountain. So go…be free." Narn turned away and started up the mountain. It was pretty easy going. The boulders provided places for her hands. The ground was rough and her feet easily grabbed at it. Purn was even making his way rather well. HE had a special quality. Narn smiled at her son and he smiled back. It sickened her again. She looked away and climbed higher. Purn could not understand this. His mother could not look at him. But he loved her just the same. Narn did not look back, only helped her son up. Night fell and they hid behind a giant boulder, sharing a roll and some stale apple slices. Then they slept. Narn was happy. They had made it to the mountains and nothing was going to ever doubt her mind again.

The mountain proved to be more vile than the forest, naturally. It took 3 years for the two get up and over the mountains. Narn's horse ended up sneaking along behind them. He showed up two months after the day they separated. Narn was stronger and her heart held more love for Purn, now a boy of 4 years, almost five. His bright red hair had gotten to his shoulders and Narn had taught him much. He now claimed her dagger as his. Now, the three travelers stood at empty plain. It stretched for vast miles. But Purn pointed to something out to the east. She looked far and saw what his wise eyes saw. There was a little line of blue. "The ocean…" He looked at her, confused. "It's a giant mass of water my son, and we are going to go there." She smiled at him and hopped on Kai, named after her Kobold friend. Purn hopped on the horse by himself too. Narn didn't dare look at her son. She could feel his smile and she still dreaded it. She knew the plains were going to be dangerous but felt the mountains had prepared her for anything. They walked on down the grass covered base of the mountain and into the knee deep grass. Narn took out her map and traced their trail. Then she looked to the sky. They had seen no regal forms in the sky. This began to worry her. She did not know the dragons ways and assumed they had migrated. She replaced her map in her pack and let her fingers lightly touch the bundles she still had in her pack. They were her treasures and she would never let anyone know what they were until they had to be revealed. Looking back to the plains, she sighed and rubbed Purn's hair. He had fallen asleep, leaning his head on her back. They walked on all day until night and then they laid in the grass, well hidden. They did this same thing for another two years. Narn was tired of it by the time they reached the port town of Haden. She rejoiced at the site of a town, rising in the distance. Purn was a good deal taller and was showing signs his wisdom. He was now a boy of seven and a handsome boy. Narn was still beautiful as well. As soon as the guard spotted them coming, weary and dirty, they rushed inside and opened they gates. They were both welcomed with open arms. Purn walked the horse inside the gigantic gates as a doctor took his mother. She had a few scratches that had needed tending too. One of the guards recognized Narn and ran to her. "Narn! Oh thank God you're safe!" "Bredi?" "Yes, it's me Narn. I am here." Narn smiled up at him as the doctor removed her bone guards. He wrapped the scratches after cleaning them. Then he went away. Purn brought the horse to his mom as Bredi welcomed them to Haden Port. "We are hungry my friend and very tired. We have not slept in three days. We have not eaten in more then a week. Pray thee, do you have a temporary lodging for my horse and my son? I wish them to be taken care of first." "This…is Purn? My…how you have grown boy." He nodded towards Bredi. "Mariam, take Lady Narn and let her have something to eat, on me. Purn will join you shortly as will I Narn." "Thanks my friend." The four of them parted and when night fell, they all made merry and joy until Narn fell asleep. Purn was leaning against her in the booth, also asleep. When Bredi noticed, he and the other guards ushered people out and home. Bredi stayed behind to make sure they would be ok during the night. He couldn't imagine what they had possibly been through…