Lark had given in. The headdress was taken and was now in Cara's possession. Kestrel had stormed off and had complained about Lark's stepsisters. She hadn't wanted to give away her father's gift to her, but, she knew that she had to. It was now Evening, and the crickets had started their continuous chirping along the paths of the tribe. Lark had finished her chores and was taking a walk into the forest from camp. The WindBird tribe was laid on a large cliff, that was scattered with rocks. Dense forest surrounded them, and a cool lake was to the west of the camp. After that, it was all valleys and grasslands. As well as the other tribes. Lark kicked some of the grey speckled stones off of the path she was walking in. There was a slight breeze that made Lark sigh with relief. It was a perfect day for flying. So, with great strength, Lark jumped into the air, and a white light began as she became a Falcon. The air hit Lark's chestnut colored wings as she surfed the sky. Lark zipped down through the trees and grasped a branch with her pure black talons. The smaller birds scattered with fear. "I don't want to do this to her. She doesn't deserve this. Her life without her father has been hard enough already." Queen Reed wheezed as she started crying into The FoxValley Chief's shoulder. The chief hugged Lark's mother and patted her back. Lark squawked with surprise. Her mother didn't hear her. 'What?' Lark thought. Lark listened in closer. "It's okay. I know that you want Cara to be queen. Instead of your daughter." The chief told her. "It's just, my daughter has always been so different. If she became queen, no one would listen to her. She's just different." She started crying again. Lark felt her heart deflate. "She will be a suitable bride for my son, FoxTail. He's different too." The chief said. Lark felt fire inside her. Her mother was making her marry Prince FoxTail. This wasn't what she wanted. She wanted to be queen of her tribe. Lark flew away, furious.
When Lark got back, it was pure dark. Her stepsisters were sound asleep and so was her step brother. Lark didn't sleep that night, as she laid in her bed of bear furs.
The next morning, Lark awoke with a start. Her stepsister, Cara was saying hello in a fake tone to her "future subjects" "Come with me, we need to talk." Lark's mother said as she came up to her. Lark nodded pretending like she knew nothing, even though she knew everything. She obediently followed her mother back into the royal hut. "Sit." Her mother instructed. Lark sat reluctantly. "As you know, we are trying to form an alliance with FoxValley tribe. Since your sister will be queen, you will be married off to Prince FoxTail. The ceremony will take place tomorrow." Her mother finished. "Tomorrow??? I don't even know him!" Lark advanced. "That's why the feast is tonight." Her mother announced. "What? A feast?" Lark demanded. "So that you can meet your future husband of course." Her mother told her. "Mother, I am the ruler of this tribe. That's what I was born to do. That is what father would have wanted. I am royalty, not the extra daughter! I am your real daughter!! I should be queen!" Lark yelled. Her mother looked away. Lark didn't say anything. She left went with the helpers to get ready for the feast.
YOU ARE READING
Lark: Book 1 of The WaterBird Series
AdventureLark was born a Half-Falcon. Lark's mother has trained her since she was little to become a fierce spy for the WaterBird tribe. Lark is able to transform into a Falcon whenever she wants, just like her mother. But, when Lark grows, she discovers her...
