Having never been outside of the Night Court, I never realized how large Prythian truly was until I was soaring over it. Mother had me memorize the courts of Prythian and to know who the High Lords were that ruled each but it still took my breath away to watch the landscape change from one to the other.
I flew high above the clouds, keeping out of sight of any Illyrian patrols as I crossed through the border of the Night Court. I looked over my shoulder, where to the west hid Velaris, the Court of Dreamers and City of Starlight. If I still had tears to shed, some would have, because I lost my will to dream the day my mother died.
All the endurance training Dron forced me to complete made it easier to stay airborne for long distances. He taught me to visualize the wind gusts, how it felt under my wings, and to know when to flap or when to glide.
It's only until I've passed through the Dawn Court do I stop in the Middle of Prythian to rest. I land in a wooded area, my wings sagging, a tremor pulses through the sore and tight muscles.
Looking up I see the Sacred Mountain that was in the heart of this territory. There were rumors that a commander from Hybern had taken residence in the underground caverns, but I didn't care enough to find out their validity.
I drew my sword from the sheath strapped down my back and went in search of an undisturbed cave for the night.
A large mountain cat was entering the cave I had chosen from the ridge I crossed. The beast roared loudly as it inched closer to the mouth of the cave but I wasn't going to back down. Until a soft mew grabbed my attention, pausing mid lunge, I watched as two spotted kittens crawled out of the brush and ran into the cave.
The large cat watched me warily, but I straightened and sheathed my blade, nodding to the small family before heading in the opposite direction.
The sun was setting when I found another cave, thankfully it was empty this time. Having gathered my kindling and wood as I walked, a fire soon lit up the medium sized cave.
I chewed on the dried jerky Dron had given me and stared at the fire wondering what the next step would be for me. Starting over in the mortal lands wasn't ideal but I didn't have many options.
What in the Mother's name would I do when I made it to a village? I could keep my wings and ears glamoured all day if needed, but aside from fighting I didn't have any other skill sets. I could cook and clean, but I wasn't going to another realm to be a housewife.
I laid out on my side, dagger in my hand and let the crackling of the fire soothe me to sleep.
A twig snapped. I startled awake, blade at the ready. The fire had died out and blocking my escape were two mountain cats. They were similar to the mother I came across earlier, but I could see the bones protruding under their skin. These beasts were hungry.
I gauged my options as I held their glowing yellow eyes. The roof of the cave was too low, the claws of my wings scraped at the ceiling as crouched.
'Sometimes the unruliest of beasts can be soothed through music' My mother told me how Rhysand would throw tantrums when she tried to get him to sleep so she would sing him to sleep.
My siphon pulsed against my chest as I visualized my power merging with my vocal cords. A lullaby my mother used to sing to me. A wordless angelic song, ethereal as it rose from my lips and carried to the beasts. The soothing sound circled them, and they began to sway to the rise and fall of each note until their eyes closed, and they fell to the ground in a deep sleep.
I kept singing until my power tapped out and my body pulled me back into sleep. When I woke the next morning, the beasts were gone.
Flying along the eastern coast I glided high above the shores of the Winter and Autumn Court.
My blood boiled as I gazed down at the landscape of the Spring Court. I kept away from any villages, careful to stay out of sight. I did not take any chances despite the fact that there were no warriors that could reach me even if I was spotted.
As I neared the edge of the Spring Court it looked like nothing, but miles of water continued on into the horizon, but I could feel the invisible wall that separated the lands. The power of the Wall was like electricity over my skin, and the sting of it got sharper the closer I got. The power flared out like a net as if it tried to keep me from passing through the hole I spotted, but it vanished and cold winter air greeted me on the other side.
I gazed at the snow-covered peaks that lead down to snow covered forests stretching for miles.
So, this was the human lands.