Counting Crows

VII; FOUR FOR TREASURE

May 6th, 124 AS

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Twenty-two. I've been dreading this number for twelve years. Today would make me as old as Percy.

"Are you alright?" Kalonice asks as she walks into the room.

"I'm fine."

She hugs me from behind. "It'll be alright." She lets go and pats my arm. "I feel luck in the air today."

"You have said that every year."

She steps away. "Are you sure you don't want me to go?"

"No, it's alright. Stay here with Tempesta today."

I walk into the common area and slip on my shoes. Tempesta walked out of her room, Percy on her shoulders.

"When are you going to the cemetery?"

I put my hand on her shoulder. "I'll take you tomorrow." She nods and walks towards Kalonice.

I open the door and step out. The dank air outside hit me like a brick. The thick stench of must hangs in the air, trying to suffocate those who go outside. Today was not a good day.

I opened the door to the Crawford carriage that was waiting to take me to the forest. Father sat pressed against the window. I was taken aback, he never cared. I shut the door and sat across from him. The coach cracks the whip and the horses start trotting through Arachmoor.

"Hello, Father."

"How many years has it been, Corbin?"

Without hesitation I say, "Four since I cut you out. Eleven since I started going back to the forest."

Father looks at me, a cold gleam in his eyes. He rubs his hands together and I can see his rungs glimmering in the little scraps of light shining through into the carriage. He's changed in the past few years. His hair is graying, and wrinkles decorate his face.

"Don't you think it's time that you give up? Ione died because of your actions. Our ancestors are punishing you, so let it go, son."

I sigh and rub my temple. "Father, with all due respect. I don't care. Percy would have wanted me to try."

"Corbin, Percy is dead. What he wants doesn't matter."

"Percy may be dead, but he's the one who cared about me. You don't get any say in this, you don't deserve to tell me what to do." I knocked on the roof. The carriage came to a lurching halt. "If you're not going to support me, then you can leave."

I open the door.

"You're going to thank me one day, son."

"No, I'm not. You're not a part of my life anymore. I cut you out for a reason and I'd prefer if you'd stay out. Don't talk to me, my wife or Tempesta."

I slam the door in his face and the carriage starts moving. The little slider moves over and I see Apollo's face.

"Sorry, Artemis and I tried to leave before he saw." His black hair slid into his face.

"It's alright. He deserved it."

"How's Tempesta doing?" Artemis asks.

I take in a deep breath. "Really well. She's at the top of her class in the academy."

"That's great! Polly and I are going to have to come over for dinner sometime soon, I want to see her."

"Don't call me Polly!" Apollo whines. Artemis and I both laugh. "It's not funny!"

"We'll leave you be now," Artemis says, closing the little sliding door.

The road started to get bumper as we went deeper into the forest. The musty air started to dissipate and was replaced with an earthy smell.

The carriage stopped and I hopped out. I stood next to Apollo. His crow, Tillie sat huddled next to Millie, Artemis' crow. I felt a subtle pang in my gut.

"I know you go alone, but do you want company to the gate?"

I shake my head. "No, I like to go alone."

"We'll be here."

"Thank you." I walked into the forest. Four crows sat on top of the iron wrought gate.

Four for treasure.

Would today finally be the day? Don't get your hopes up, you do that everytime and nothing ever happens.

The wild crows squawk and squeal as the gate hinges scream in agony. I walk into the clearing, making sure to pay my respects to our ancestors. Loose stones crunched beneath my feet as I walked into the large circle.

A black ball rose from the ground, right in between my feet. It unfurled, I stared at it, hoping it's a crow so that this curse can go away.

Two rings unfold from the ball of black before it fades. I stare at them.

Rings? The ancestors left me rings?!

I bend over and pick them up. One ring was silver and the other was gold. My finger grazes over an engraving on the silver ring.

P.C.

I look at the gold ring, initials are carved into it too.

E.G.

Perseus Crawford and Elysium Golding. These were their rings. I thought these were lost when they died.

Four for treasure.

My brother is watching over me. He is here, watching me. I should feel scared, but I'm not. Percy is here, making sure I'm safe.

I slip the silver ring on my finger, overtop of my other one. Kalonice would want Elysium's, so I slip the gold ring into my pocket and run back to the carriage.

"Any luck this year?" Apollo asks.

"No, but I got something instead." I hold show them the ring. "Percy's old ring."

Artemis smiles. "It's lovely."

"You wouldn't mind dropping me off at the cemetery, would you?"

"Not at all, hurry up and get in."

After a few minute long carriage ride, Apollo and Artemis dropped me off at the cemetery.

I walked toward Percy's grave. "Sorry, I don't have any flowers today," I say as I sit down in my usual spot. "I came to thank you for the rings." The silver ring shone in the dull light. "It wasn't what I went there looking for, but it was something I needed."

I sat at his grave for a while. He was here, I knew that. Next to me, I felt a familiar sensation. Ione was here too, sitting on my shoulder, snuggled in my collar.

If they were still here, right now would be perfect.