Fairycorrupter

Chapter 3

Draven lugged his one heavy suitcase outside across the cobblestone path that connected to a beaten dirt path. It was the only "main" road that connected their clearing to the rest of the outside world. The dirt path rounded the cliffs of the fjord, down to the main village, then connected both sides with a small bridge across the mouth of the fjord. Standing atop the path was a tall regal-looking Irish Elk that scrapped its massive hooves along the sun-dried dirt. His antlers resembled that of a moose' just sharper points and slightly wider because the elk himself was at least seven feet tall. The two human-sized antlers were bright and shiny, meaning the soft velvet covering had come off recently. It was a disgusting process Draven was thankful to have missed.

"Hey, Shikoba." Draven greeted calmly. Even though he knew the elk well, he hovered his hand gently over Shikoba's face within eyesight. Shikoba paused, then nudged his snout into Draven's hand. Male giant elks were particularly moody, especially before their rutting season, which breaks their solitary lifestyle for a few months.

Draven ran his hand down Shikoba's coat, which was still its reddish brown color that was five shades lighter than his thick winter coat. Draker stripes ran down his back, another set on his side, and another outlined his chin. He lacked most elk's wispy collar pattern, but his coat and fur were still beautiful.

The giant Irish elks and colossal mammoths were the center of life for mages of the north. Even in ancient times, the mages built their villages along old routes plowed clean by the animals, who rarely took the same route twice. The elk were keener to the mages as they used the mages as healers. In return, the elk offered the mages their coats and antlers, even old herd members, when needed. Mammoths were beginning to discover the benefits of the mages, but the abusive relationship with humans damaged their trust.

Draven was so fixated on Shikoba that he hadn't noticed another elk until it nuzzled his back, making his skin crawl and spine chill. Shikoba was Uncle Ro's main transport, besides ice sliding, so it took Draven by surprise to see three more bucks with him. On the buck that scared him, four points were along the edge of his antlers and two branched ossicones in the center. All elks had the two small ossicones that grew after their first year. Each point on the male antler added a year on top of the ossicone growth; Shikoba was four years old with three points on his antlers.

"You've gotten more companions?" Azura asked while admiring the four bucks of various sizes, ages, and coat colors. Animal companionship is a promise between a mage and an animal to help each other in time of need. It was the alternative to complete domestication. Some animals are more complex to become companions with than others.

"Shikoba is my only companion; the other three like to hang around from time to time." Uncle Ro answered after securing Draven's bag to the back of one of the bucks using leather straps wrapped in fabric.

"Are they taking us to the station?" Azura asked. Draven hoped so since he was already onto Shikoba's saddle. Draven couldn't wait to take one last ride before leaving. Elks were larger, faster, and more agile than most other mount animals in the world despite their enormous appearance.

"I'm surprised you haven't given them magic. Their antlers and hide would make excellent symbol plates." Azura mentioned studying the flat centers of their antlers. Draven looked and agreed that they would be good places to put an enchantment to grant them access to a natural element. Draven coughed when he noticed that the four of the elk were glaring at her slightly.

Uncle Ro laughed when he noticed their stares, "I don't think any of them have the interest." He spoke for them.

"Oh, sorry." She apologized, noticing their glares, "I couldn't help but think of the possibilities. Occupational hazard, I suppose." She justified innocently with self-disappointment on her face. It wasn't entirely her fault; the academy trained mages to see the magical potential in everything. Some abused that ability and forced magic upon other living things. It was the sole reason for a fifty-year war between the mages and the fairies.

"Another reason to get away from that place for a bit." Uncle Ro added, making her laugh.

"We'll come back during the winter," Azura promised after getting help onto the saddle of the larger elks. When he walked away, nervousness crept onto her face for the first time Draven could remember. She peered over the side and jerked herself back.

Ready to go, Draven slapped the side of the saddle and felt himself get whiplash from the sudden leap from Shikoba. The world around him became nothing but a blur until his eyes and brain could catch up with the elk. Draven let go of the reigns, giving complete control to Shikoba so he could raise his arms up and cheer. Shikoba's movements were quick but fluid with ease. Draven's stomach jumped whenever Shikoba bounced over or off every obstacle the forest had to offer. There was no need to waste time with the main road. After a few minutes, the other three bucks caught up with them.

Draven looked back curiously and threw his head back with laughter at his sister's panicked expression. He remembered his first ride on an elk, which was one that he had fallen off of. Elk riding was the one thing that helped him cope when the weight of his parent's absence made him feel lonely.

Draven felt excitement grow inside him as they neared his favorite part of the ride. Their biggest obstacle was a large cliff towering over miles and miles of water. They could have gone around, but it wouldn't have been as fun. Uncle Ro lived close to the cliffs in a mountain clearing dozens of miles from the main village. The train station was diagonal from the house on the other side of the water. The end of the cliff quickly approached. Shikoba and the additional bucks' antlers took out much of the foliage they plowed through as they made it onto the bare rock of the cliff. All Draven could see was the cloudy sky of Alaska.

"Stop." Azura shrieked when she realized how close the cliff's edge was, but the bucks didn't stop.

"Bitka, bitka," Draven shouted repeatedly. Shikoba and the others let out loud bugles that resonated together in Draven's ears. It motivated them to leap over the edge toward the indigo water below. Azura screamed, Uncle Ro laughed, and Draven cheered delightfully as they neared the water's solid-looking surface. The elk waited until they were a few feet away to pull up into the air, scraping their hooves along the water. Draven could see the nail marks Azura left in her saddle as her face was now buried into the elk's shoulders.

"I thought you didn't give them magic," Azura shouted angrily over the sounds of the wind in their ears.

"This isn't magic. This is their natural gift." Uncle Ro answered as the municipal center began to poke through the forest as they got closer to the station.

"Of course, Alaska would wait to get interesting after I leave." Azura joked. Uncle Ro had a frown on his face but didn't say anything as they flew over the center island of the fjord.