A Court of Shift and shadow

VII

Katies POV:

No one told me about the plans for Calanmai, and I was afraid to ask. Better to wait and find out as it comes closer. The moving preparations stalled as the night came closer. Food and wine were being prepared, and at the same time the bonfires were built. I could see some of them from my window, still not allowed to leave. My book of Herbs and Creatures still hidden under my bed. After my father once walked in as I was reading it, I didn't dare to read it if he wasn't out hunting. Casandra was still missing, but I had my suspicions. My father had often threatened what would happen if a servant wasn't loyal to him. To him, not me. And Casandra had been loyal to me...

And the day came. I woke up to a servant leaving a dress for me. The skirt changed colours from a deep Green at the hem, to white at the neck line. The fabric layered and beaded, and the waist was marked with a ribbon. It was one of the most beautiful dresses I had ever seen. Slowly I touch the fabric, letting it glide between my fingers.

"Do you like it?" My father said at the door.

"Yes..." I whispered, enchanted by its elegance.

"Good..."

"I guess I shall stay inside tonight too?" The dress was beautiful, but way too much fabric for Calanmai, the full long skirt and the neckline at the collarbones was a signal to that.

"No." I looked at him, remembering the debate a couple of weeks ago. "This one will be a bit special." He started.

"In what way?" I said, letting go of the dress.

"We have decided to invite other High Lords, and I think it is time to use the fact that someone has seen you to our advantage." He walked to my window. "I want you to act like my spy, your little Sparrow will be handy tonight, fly over the ceremony, keep track of the other Lords, and shift back into this if someone shows signs that they recognize you."

"I will father..." A test I realised, a test in my abilities and trust. I needed to succeed, this was my chance. Maybe my last chance.

"I know... I will be occupied... And I need your eyes." I nodded. Despite the beauty of the night, this was an evening he always feared. After my mother passed away he had found a way to make it work. Even if it meant that he would feel awful for days after.

"A Sparrow isn't that bad now, is it?" I said, hoping he would smile at me.

"Not tonight." He left my room with no smile.

When I was little, I loved to dress up. Getting my hair done by Casandra, who also helped me with the formal attire, cosmetics and perfumes. Some days she had done it just to practise. All so I one day could be ready for a night like this.

"For when you are older and need to look good for the Court." Casandra had said. But I knew she did it because she liked it too. The last time I had made myself ready like this, had been for Summer solstices. And Casandra had made my hair... Now I brushed out my hair, trying to style it to the best of my abilities. Loose flowing locks was the tradition for a night like this, not that my hair liked it. Being straight and impossible to shape if not using magic, magic Casandras had, but I didn't. I resorted to braiding it, and decorated it with pins of flowers and birds. No one would see my hair anyways, unless it was the one who had seen me Under the Mountain. If that one would come.

The dress fitted perfectly, no idea how, as I lost muscle in the time I had been inside. And for a moment I just looked at myself in the mirror. The soft neckline, the fabric covering my shoulders. My green eyes in a face much paler than I was used to. My braided hair went down to my waist. I was ready for my mission. One last glance in the mirror and then I shifted. By flying out in the back of the house and hiding in a tree for a while, I hoped no one would notice me before I flew up and over the land at which the ritual happened. The first fires had already started to burn, and drums echoed over the hills.