Jupiter Rising

Chapter Twenty One- Strike One

As the sun set, and darkness drew in...they struck first. Hard, fast, and with no fear.

My entire family were sat at the dining table, sharing a feast we hoped wouldn't be one of our last together. It was a feast for Leda's arrival and blessing day.

The shouting came first, then the screaming, and even from within the Oak we heard them hitting the ground.

I rushed to the window, Elm and Eris right behind me. Andromeda brought the baby in her arms and looked over my shoulder.

I smothered my mouth under my hand, a sharp inhale of breath, a sight of horror.

Willow threw her hand over Jupiters eyes and removed her from the window.

"I didn't know that would happen" she cried, as Willow and Sycamore escorted her away.

Birds, so many birds.

Dropping from the skies came my brothers and sisters with feathers. Each landing with a thud, homes were being destroyed by impacts, and Fae were running for their lives to miss the falling as they fell.

Tears filled my eyes. Swifts, my swifts. The royal fleet were safe on the Oak, and the majority of birds in the forest were safe. These birds that fell, they were the eyes sent to the North earlier that day, the scream I was amongst only hours before. I had sent them on to gather intel without me.

"They have arrows through their hearts" Eris informed me with a whisper.

"You would have been falling with them if you had gone with your gut" Andromeda reminded me anxiously.

I took off, running through the Oak, my guards at my back, my family calling my name. I would come to stop at my balcony, knowing I would find her there, my personal swift, my beautiful ride. Another of my birds stolen away. Another message.

There she was, dead, an arrow through her chest, with a note attached as before.

You had such pretty eyes too, Rowan, but pluck I must from the skies above.
Eyes just like Hazel
What are the Princess's like?!
How I'd love to watch yours close forever just like the eyes at your feet.
I see you have a thing for gauging out eyes yourself, barely missed Princess Mirren's.
I was impressed
See you soon
Keep my throne warm
Sweet dreams

Eris read the note over my shoulder, just as the last, and Elm and Andromeda too.

"Insanity" Elm shouted "this is insanity"

"Jay" I called loudly.

He came to my side "yes my Queen"

"Have the birds rounded up and removed immediately, and the Fae whom have lost their homes, have them temporarily rehoused. I will talk to the people imminently from the balcony, call Arden to have the council brought in"

Jay nodded "Yes my Queen"

I stroked the feathers of my Swift "Into the after with you my dearest. Safe crossing"

"But what if Jupiter can heal her" Eris asked me.

I shook my head "Feel her" I gestured to the bird "she's cold"

"They were not just brought down this minute. The swifts were dropped, already gone, most probably taken out up North and brought down to cause a scene and send this message"