Daybreak

Twelve - Odilia

The empress's announcement about the prince's inheritance to the throne and engagement was a certain astonishment to witness. Odilia thought so as she followed Emiko through the pulsing group of guests as music hopped into a rhythmic jig. The crowd buzzed with newfound excitement as people wondered which lucky lady the prince would marry. Others followed the prince into a ring as drums found a beat and singers started to hum a new song. Emiko was leading Odilia into this ring with an assured grip of her fingers.

"Where are we going?" Odilia demanded although the answer was obvious, stopping just at the edge of the circle. Emiko was grinning, letting go of Odilia's hand as she seemingly flew backwards before disappearing among the crowds. The sea of dancers were linking arms with strangers as they hopped in tune to the music. Odilia, having been abandoned by her friend, sighed, and clomped off towards the refreshments. The food banquet had been briskly abandoned by all the young, jolly, and able folks who wanted the chance to join the prince in a merry flow.

Sipping on cold tea, Odilia felt slight annoyance towards Emiko who'd been quick to abandon her. Emiko had however been acting weird ever since seeing Merlin standing next to the prince. Odilia didn't blame her. She was also shocked at seeing Merlin wearing the uniform of a samurai and standing right besides the prince of all places! She'd assumed that he was working as a regular servant. Emiko must have felt worse at finding his secret in this way given the two had known each other for a long time.

Biting her lower lip, Odilia reluctantly inched back towards the dancing circle. Perhaps she was the one who had abandoned a hurting friend.

Odilia found Emiko not long after and squeezed in beside her.

"You're to join?" Emiko was grinning as Odilia's arm linked with hers. "You don't look like the sort that likes to dance," she added.

"You're right," Odilia agreed. "I don't do things like this," but she was smiling all the same.

An understanding fell between them as they let themselves be swept in the musician's song.

"By'lyl the generous, agreed for some glow," sang the singer.

Then the crowd joined with, "The boy lit a match, but he wanted some more!"

Odilia smiled back at Emiko's bright face and mouthed along the words to a song everyone knew. It derived from a poem that came from a folk tale, the story of the great god By'lyl that fell to the wiles of a child. The child, according to legend, was the first Seihi to rule Kuroba and bring the nation to its current greatness. Hikizu village, the town surrounded by woodland is the supposed birthing place of the great man who liberated the people from the tyrant. Or so Odilia had learned from Father Mich'yl back at the Aketsuru shrine, the Temple of the Crane.

Suddenly, Emiko distractedly jerked her head back as if she'd spotted something. Odilia followed her gaze. Someone.

Merlin had passed by the opposite side of their circle. He walked briskly and didn't seem to notice as Emiko wrestled out of the circle after him.

"Wait!" Odilia followed.

Emiko looked back at her friend who'd left the circle to follow her. "I need to talk to him alone." Emiko's eyes were round and quickly darted back towards the gates where Merlin disappeared before focussing back on Odilia. "Please?"

Odilia understood, Emiko wanted to find answers. From Merlin. Alone.

Odilia made a show by taking a step back. She pursed her lips into a thin smile and nodded her head.

Emiko turned and hurried after Merlin past the gates.

After much little thought, Odilia decided to follow Emiko on her excursion anyways. Of course, she did this discreetly without her friend knowing. After a few heartbeats, Odilia crept out through the gates and tucked under the shadows along the brick wall so that no other could see her. Clenching her energy into her center till her muscles and tendons felt like it may burst Odilia condensed her magic and let it go. Black feathers burst across her vision until she was once again, an eagle.