The Fowler's Daughter

Ch 5: I'll be Damned

Alouette POV:

The sun was high in the sky.

The candidates were all still in line, too afraid to anger the wizard on the chance he shows up when they move out of place in the towns square.

But not too scared to chatter about what they were thinking.

"I think he is going to be handsome." One girl sighs out in an attempt to console herself.

"I heard from my eldest sister that he's as tall as a tree and a big as a bolder." Another chirped.

"I heard he has the face of an angel and the voice of a siren."

Collective sighs.

I nearly rolled my eyes.

It was doubtful we would even get a good look at him.

If I was a powerful being I certainly wouldn't show people my face. My real face.

I would either wear a cloak or use magic to disguise myself.

If that was possible. Not much is known about magic from non magic users.

And honestly, I do not care what this mythical being looks like.

It is cold. The sun is bright. There is a feast waiting. I would simply like to go home wipe off my terrible rouge and eat.

"I hear he is pale like death and his eyes are black like the night." Another says.

"I heard his voice is like thunder." Yet another joins in.

"I hear his touch is like embers." One squealed.

They all giggled shyly, blushing.

"Do you think he truly marries us?" A girl asks Paulette.

No.

The red head flipped her hair, "only every now and then I think. Not all the girls would be worthy of The Lord of the Trees." She looked pointedly at the woman who asked only slightly younger than herself.

"Like Owl." Another giggled out.

More giggling, "he wont even glance at Owl not even once. She's not a girl of Lasireen. Not truly."

Another hummed, "you can tell that just by the smell of her."

And more giggling as I gazed at the horizon waiting.

Wondering what he was doing and why he had us wait.

I looked around the square, eyes barely seeing the girls in line, "I wonder.." I started, "..If he watches us before he choses."

If that's why he makes us wait. If he's somewhere just watching us interact. To see what we say, what we do. Who we are.

Almost taunting laughter rang through the air, Paulettes pretty lips forming a sneer as she looks over at me, "Owl, its daytime. Go off to bed and stop hooing at us. That's ridiculous. Everyone knows he picks the prettiest girl. He needn't bother watching us."

I cocked a brow but said nothing.

only rotten people think beauty is simply in ones appearance.

There is so much more.

Perhaps he really takes the most terrible girl as a favor to the town, ridding us all of her rotten insides.

Or perhaps Paulette is correct and he simply wishes for that pretty face.

And then after five years of her being utterly dreadful he throws her from the tower and tries again.

I smiled ever so slightly at the thought. It surly would be interesting if that were the case.

My gaze returned to the horizon as they lulled back into silence finally.

And so there we stood as the sun continued even higher into the sky.

A slight breeze blew around us sometime later, smelling of pine and slightly of the sea. Yet floral displace in the center of the square was still.

I gazed around once more looking for a change. A sign the wizard was here to finish this.

And then there he was. Standing on a nearby rooftop, cloaked in a rich looking fabric, feature hidden. The girls gasped as they began to notice too.

and then we all curtsied as we were told to as not to offend our protector.

My eyes trailed his form as he walked toward us, not bothering to stop at the edge of the roof. Instead he walked right off, landing gracefully with a soft thump.

He moved like the predatory cats one sees in the forest from time to time, or like a wolf on the prowl. It was at that moment when he approached us so silently that I knew for sure.

Whatever The Lord of the Trees has planned for his selected girl it most certainly is not marriage.

Everything was quite, there was no wind.

No birds singing.

Not even the buzz of a fly as his hooded head seemed to scan the line stopping at a few girls.

Paulette stepped forward a bit, as instructed earlier, "these are all eligible women in Lasireen as per the original terms of your contract with the town. You may take your time and pick who you like."

I nearly snorted.

She sounded like she was giving him permission. I did not need to see his face or form to know that man did not need to be given permission for much of anything. He moved as if he has already taken it. Much like a hunting falcon circles its prey far in the air before snuffing out its life.

The wizard seemed to look Paulette over.

And then ever so slightly, he shook his head, walking around her.

This time I did snort.

He paused.

And I could feel his eyes on me.

All was silent.

Then he looked back at Paulette silently.

Somehow we all knew what he was asking because a few giggles burst forth.

What is this thing doing here? He practically radiated.

"She wasn't born in Lasireen." Was Paulettes bland answer.

He was still again. Staring at me under his cloak.

He scanned the line once more. Walked closer to Paulette.

And then he turned to me, and held out one gloved hand.

I blinked.

Shock rippled through the group.

"Well.." I started, "I'll be damned."

He tensed at my words.

I think he's blind and he just gets lucky in his picks. Until now.

I looked at his hand blankly before sighing, well... I guess father wont starve this winter.

I suppose I get to find out what happens after all. How wonderful for me.

With a sigh I took his hand. And without another breath, I disappeared.