Chapter 6
by Wolfic
Years upon years of being in Yggdrasil's presence has honed his instincts to such a degree that he could easily tell if another had joined him in his home.
Day in and day out, he had waited for his first encounter, the first stranger to his home.
The first threat he would have to quell, the first friend with whom he could converse.
Was it anticipation that enhanced him so?
It had happened in an instant, the intrusion into his sanctuary. And that brief moment, like a drop of rain into a clear lake, told him all that he needed to know.
In a world without magic, the Pooka were silent. They lived underground in a bustling city that would never reach the eyes of humans. They traveled by portal, blue glowing circles of magical light, the very last bit of magic that they had.
Only a Pooka could travel to Yggdrasil so quickly.
From his garden he immediately dashed away, running among the trees, needing no path to guide him. Yggdrasil was his life and purpose; he knew the path by heart.
Deeper and deeper into the forest, he flew, wings for legs, air for his bone and flesh. His tiny heart roared in his chest, excitement spreading amid his veins, obligation to the tips of his fluffy ears.
He burst into the clearing and immediately noticed the two furry figures before the mighty tree.
Pooka, just like him.
And all he needed was to catch a glance of red fabric and blue fur to know who they were.
Immediately he knelt on the floor, his forehead bowed so low the whispery blades of grass teased his forehead with their soft caresses.
"Your Majesties."
Was that his voice? So unused, the sound had rusted away.
He could hear the turning of feet amid the grass, the movement towards him. He felt warm strong hands on his arm, pulling him to his feet.
"Darragh, there's no need for such formalities." Velvet's voice rings softly, as always, a soothing melody.
"After all, we were the ones who burdened you with this task." Cornelius added.
He shifts away, a putting a respectable distance between them. The lands and time may have shifted and warped and kings and queens were nothing but mere titles now, but Darragh would never relinquish his sense of propriety.
"Though times are different now, Your Majesties, I beseech that you allow me these small courtesies."
Cornelius glanced at Velvet who only smiled in return. He shrugged his shoulders.
"Very well then, Darragh. It is the least we can do."
"My gratitude knows no bounds." He bowed, decorum stiff in his shoulders, trailing the bend of his waist, the tightness of his crossed arm. "Now I shall leave you to your business."
"There is no need to leave for we won't be long." Cornelius spoke as if they were friends, and perhaps to him, Darragh was just that. His Majesties were always the most caring of people. "We simply wanted to see Ingway once more before we departed on our journey." He glances at Velvet now, his hesitation evident. "You see, we have found a way to become human."
There was something akin to sympathy and regret in their expressions, and the hesitation makes sense. He wishes he could laugh it away.
But that would be improper, wouldn't it?
"Worry not, Your Majesties. I don't care for being human. And immortality is but a habit to me now."
Unease still pooled in their eyes. And he supposed it was to be expected. How many times had he heard his peers lament the loss of their humanity? How many times did they gaze upon the fortunate people of the land with sadness in their tiny faces? Even now he suspected they still carried hope in their eternal hearts. Were His Majesties no different?
"We don't know how long it will take, or if we will ever succeed, but we will try our best."
Velvet nears him now and he fights off the instinct to back away. His instincts tells him that he needs to hear this.
"I thank you, Darragh, for keeping my brother safe. I hope you can continue do so."
And he bowed, yet again.