Flight of the Five Swans

Flight Chapter 16

For the first time in her life, Thaleia felt a distinct sense of pleasure at watching a garment take shape. She'd always considered the pastime of sewing or knitting to be beyond boring, preferring instead to undertake activities of a more active nature. But now Thaleia could honestly state to almost enjoy the new nightly routine of making nettle yarn with her sisters, in spite of her stinging hands. She would even go so far as to say that the hours they spent crushing nettles had become rather the highlight of her day.

Then again, considering she spent most of her days sporting wings and feathers, perhaps this wasn't saying much.

Still, Thaleia couldn't help feeling proud as she looked at their ever-growing supply of yarn. Having five of the six sisters spinning ensured that Raia was never in demand for more thread—a tall order, as she also spent several hours knitting during the day as well. Raia completed the first of the five shawls after eleven days' work, and the princesses could not help cheering softly when she cut the thread. This small accomplishment seemed to light a fire under them, and they returned to their work with increased vigor.

The princesses felt this renewed enthusiasm throughout the following day. Both Callia and Cliodne had managed to fill their pillow-pouches to the brim with new nettles, and the five swan princesses were almost eager to get their hands on them. Petra had managed to steal several pairs of sturdy gloves the day before from the Deturian royal gardeners. While the thick fabric made it slightly more difficult for them to handle the nettle leaves and bark, the gloves were effective at protecting their hands from the plant's stinging.

Yet their enthusiasm for their task abated upon entering the bedchamber and seeing that for the first time, Raia was not there waiting for them. Thaleia's heart clenched.

"What if Soran's found out about us?" She all but whispered, gesturing towards Callia's bulging bag of nettles. Her sisters' faces mirrored the worry she was feeling.

"I think there's only one way to find out." Petra said, and knelt down on the floor to peer under the bed at their hidden cache of nettles. She gave a yelp of triumph as she pulled the dress out. Their stash remained untouched.

Petra nodded decisively. "That was by far our worst hiding spot," she said. "If Soran had found anything, he would have found that." Thaleia was still unconvinced.

"Then where's Raia?" She asked Petra stubbornly. Cliodne was the one to venture a guess.

"Soran probably held just her up at dinner." She said. "I'm sure she'll be here soon. And until then, there's no harm in spinning a little thread to take our minds off of our worry."

Thaleia's sisters nodded in agreement, moving to remove the supplies from their different hiding spots. Thaleia followed rather reluctantly. She shimmied to the top of the furthest bedpost and helped Petra remove the spinning wheel from where it hung around the curtain rod. This spot had been the only place they'd found to hide their largest tool, though they'd initially been afraid that the wheel might break from hanging in such a way. Thus far, however, the wood of the spinning wheel had proven itself to be stronger than it appeared.

Once the spinning wheel had been firmly placed on the ground, the five princesses fell into their yarn-making routine—with one notable exception. Eurielle had been given a different task for the time being. Armed with a single glass, the youngest sister was given the responsibility of listening at the door for approaching footsteps.

"We'll need extra time to hide our supplies before any guards see them." Cliodne shot a pointed look at Thaleia and added, "After all, when Raia comes back, she likely won't be alone."