Wings of Change

Chapter 7: Winterborn

The next morning found Phineas sound asleep at his worktable, head resting on his hand and hair as much of a disaster as normal. It was almost as if he hadn't gotten any sleep at all the previous night.

Safe to say, Fairy Mary was far from pleased.

So, everyone in the Nook was awoken to the extremely unpleasant sounds of the head of their guild chewing out their youngest worker. And while several found it highly amusing to see the scrawny redhead cower, Fairy Mary would not permit them to stand around cackling.

"Get back to work," she snapped, sending them fleeing. "This isn't a theatre production, for pity's sake!"

"I'm sorry, Fairy Mary," Phineas apologized, hanging his head. "It's my own fault I'm so tired. I should 'ave known better than to stay out late. It won't happen again, I promise."

"Phineas," Mary sighed, putting a hand on his shoulder, her voice immediately softening. "Don't get me wrong, you're a fine worker, but you seem...a little distracted. Has there been something on your mind? Maybe talking to someone would help."

He wanted to. So badly. He wanted to just break down, confess everything right then and there, and take the shame and the silence. He didn't want to keep lying to her, and to his friends. But he steeled his heart and answered as firmly as he could. "No, I'm all right. I just...haven't been sleepin' well." Every word felt like a dagger to the chest and he could hear his voice faltering.

It didn't help that he could feel the underlying guilt at being called one of Fairy Mary's favorite charges. He was a terrible, terrible fairy. She trusted him and he lied to her. Constantly.

There's something else, came her mind. I can tell. I just wish I knew what was troubling him. Queen Clarion said he was shy. I've taught shy fairies before. Phineas isn't like the others. This is something different. It's almost as if he's afraid of something.

Then, an image of the girls came to mind, and a sense of suspicion crashed through her head. How they had always seemed to be sticking their noses into places they didn't belong, causing ruckuses wherever they went.

Or up to something.

"Well, I'm afraid forgetting to get an adequate night's sleep does not excuse you from your workload," she said with a small sigh. "But, fortunately, with the last of the winter preparations being nearly completed, I don't think there is very much you can do around here. So, I am going to send you on deliveries with Lucinda."

Deliveries? Phineas perked up instantly. He'd never been on delivery before. And then he recalled the girls mentioning helping the baby animals migrate to Winter. Maybe he would get lucky and spot them while he was out. He couldn't help but smile at the thought.

Oh, dear, Fairy Mary puzzled, noticing his grin. I fear I may have just created a monster. "Well, all right," she said carefully. "You should get at it then. You'll find Lucinda waiting at the mice stable. She's already loaded the wagon and is waiting."

"Great! Bye, Fairy Mary!" Phineas took off with newfound energy.

Mary watched him go and then turned to mutter something and check a box off on her leaf scroll.

A minute late, Phin realized he'd forgotten something and sped back. "Um...where's the mouse stable?"

She sighed again. "Two streets down and to your left." She pointed with her pencil.

"Thank ye! Bye!"

He found Lucinda exactly where Fairy Mary had said she would be, fluttering around a large cart filled to the brim with all sorts of gadgets that Phineas had seen about the Nook for days. It was tied down, and on the front of the cart was some kind of furry creature he'd never seen before.