The Fray of Werebirds [Discontinued]

Chapter 29 - Droplets

Author's Note: Has anyone seen The Little Prince? I have, it was magnificent! If you haven't you should definitely read the book first before seeing the movie.

Hope you enjoy reading this chapter!

PS: What do you think of my drawing?

Although I had already been in several life-endangering situations, I was still quite amazed to find my body intact. Hanging onto the cliff of death was just something I couldn't possibly get used to. Other than a throbbing gash on my forehead (which someone had took the courtesy to heal for me) and the aching in my legs; I was in a fairly acceptable shape.

The sunlight peeked at me from behind the trees. I scratched my head, wondering how long I had been unconscious. My memories of the previous night were fuzzy, including the encounter with Fernando. I could clearly remember, though, the three werebirds I mistook for angels as I was tumbling down.

I sat up gingerly. A few paces away Brock and Millicent stood with their backs to me. I craned my neck and saw that they were watching Leigh arguing with someone I've certainly never seen on the island before. At first sight her appearance - ripped jeans and spiky pink hair - screamed "teenager", but she was clearly around Leigh's age, if not slightly older.

"I never bullied Little Arty!" Leigh was saying.

Pink hair rolled her eyes. "You expect me to believe this wild tale of yours?"

I noticed then that she was accompanied by a broad-shouldered man and a pale boy. It took me a moment to recognize the boy.

It was none other than Arthur. He was the island supplier whom Leigh brought along with him the morning Sirena had performed the counter-curses. It was the main reason we got delayed that day and, eventually, ambushed by Fernando and the jailbirds.

"Look," Leigh held up his hands, "I only asked Arty to convey a message to Queen Alicia."

"And what makes you think a lowly criminal like yourself has the right to contact the queen herself for your basic needs?"

"This isn't about anyone's basic needs," Millicent intervened, "This is war we're talking about, for crying out loud!"

"Not that again!" Pink hair threw her hands down in exasperation.

"It's true, Lady Alexis!" Millicent insisted, "The jailbirds on this island have all been freed and Queen Isabella is only a few steps away from-"

"It is not my job to deal with a bunch of escapees. Someone will tend to them eventually. My job is to make sure my pigeon boys don't start handing in their resignation letters!"

Leigh said, "And now it's my fault you're such a lousy boss?"

"It is not because I'm a lousy boss."

"So you don't deny it." Leigh muttered, but Alexis didn't seem to hear him.

"It's because of the sick rumor that spread like wildfire during the last twelve hours about a mad jailbird on the island who assaults suppliers. And that jailbird, according to Arthur's testimony, is you."

Leigh clicked his tongue and glanced at the boy. "Come on Little Arty, I thought we had an understanding!"

Arthur fidgeted and glanced away.

"To sum up," Alexis continued, "I have the authority to capture you and escort you back to my flock for further questioning."

It was rather amusing how her formal language contradicted her style of clothing. I could only describe her as a hipster attempting to sound like a duchess. Or maybe it was the other way round - a duchess playing hipster.