Vlaire and the King's Sword

Chapter Three

After Vlaire had faced the dragon and obtained Ósghomme, she and Melody traveled past the cliff, coming onto a vast plain with wildflowers sprinkled across it. The sight of it was like a breath of fresh air for Vlaire. It reminded her of the forest, and of the hills where she awoke- those memories seemed very close and new, though she and Melody had traveled far. "Melody," Vlaire began, "How are our memories so real? You and the dragon shared them with me, and they didn't seem like a thought or dream at all."

"They're like ships," Melody said, perking up. "The time you carry with you as you go. I think karòn was the word I heard for it." Frowning slightly, Melody looked back to Vlaire. "It's why I'm so worried for your back where the dragon hurt you. That old meanie couldn't touch your karòn, but you'll be so weak. So, I'm going to take you to the tree."

"The tree? Is it like the one I slept under?" Asked Vlaire.

"No- it's much bigger," Melody said, stretching their arms out high. "It's so big, its caretakers live in its branches. You know, your eyes remind me of the color of its leaves." Melody sighed. "Some of my siblings and I used to sing to it before it got so big."

"Maybe your singing is what helped it grow!" Vlaire said. Melody giggled, the sound warming her heart. The pain and discomfort from where the dragon had wounded her was deep and heavy, but it was around her, and not within- so the pleasant tones of Melody's laugh lifted Vlaire up inside, and made the wound bearable.

As they walked along, the two picked flowers: dandelions, daisies, thistles and sunflowers, and many other kinds Vlaire had never seen before. Vlaire wove them into two crowns, one for her, and the other for Melody. The time seemed to twine around them much like how the flower crowns were crafted, finding blooms in the songs of passing birds, the clouds and the boulders in the river they crossed, and the mountain now looming dark and blue on the horizon.

They drew closer to the mountain, it reaching up higher and grander, like a sunrise. "I can almost see it from here!" Said Melody, their excitement growing. They pointed towards the horizon, and Vlaire leaned over to look from Melody's point of view- she saw many trees around the mountain's base, though none that stood out. But soon, they arrived at the mountain, and were faced with great boulders and crevasses, loose rocks, and shrubs. Melody led their climb, looking back frequently to make sure Vlaire was okay.

With the pain in her back, it was hard for Vlaire to focus on anything except what was right in front of her. Each rock became more rough, each boulder more imposing. She retreated deep within herself, drawing on her karòn to focus, only to be confronted with the mountain's own karòn: vast, like a sea, enduring storms and earthquakes and fires. Vlaire paused for a moment, overwhelmed.

Then she heard a small creature off to her left. It scrabbled up a boulder, and sat to watch her: it had a rabbit's long hind legs and ears, but an agile body like a squirrel's, with a furry prehensile tail, and long whiskers; it was gray and brown and tan, with stripes along its back, and spots on its flanks and shoulders. It gave an excited squeak, and Vlaire started climbing again. It bounded and climbed ahead of her, and Vlaire tried unsuccessfully to keep up with it- it was speedy and athletic. But, when it raced ahead, it would wait for her, looking playful and curious. Vlaire didn't notice as the boulders gradually became less frequent, and more grass grew on the slope. Then the creature squeaked, and ran ahead, waiting in front of Melody. "I beat you here!" It squeaked, speaking in the language of its kind. Vlaire grinned, her smile growing wider and wider. She leaned down to reach her hand out to it, and it ran up her arm and sat on her shoulder. "Let's keep going!" As they walked up the slope, a large shadow passed over them. Melody froze in their tracks to look up, and when they did, they gave a joyful shout.

The shadow circled around, and with a graceful flutter, it landed. It was a person who was much like Melody, seeming neither male or female, but still quite lovely; their wings were brown with white tips, and their hair long and flaxen. "I was up in the branches when I saw you- I would know those wings anywhere!" They hugged Melody tightly.