Sparnas

Gwyn and Zils

Zils waved at Gwyn as he saw her walking towards him on the main pathway. He had just finished his shift at Lumi. The BlueWings had barracks for the Morsterran forts but Zils wanted to take something he left at his aerie so he took a half day furlough.

She didn't see him, she kept her gaze on the ground. Her cream, elliptical wing with the slotted feathers at the ends was enveloped around her like a robe.

"Gwyn?"

Gwyn startled and looked up at him. Her face broke into a smile and nodded in greeting.

"Hey Gwyn, come join me for dinner at the hall. I have a great news to tell you!" He did not but he saw that Gwyn was upset about something. Gwyn gave a weak smile and nodded.

They flew a short distance to the dining hall. It was a plain white building with two floors. A large kitchen was on the ground floor facing south with seven stacks growing out of the wall like elephant trunks saluting the sky. Full courses were cooked in the kitchen five times a day. Everyone was welcomed there, to eat healthy food cooked by the WhiteWings at a very cheap price. The long tables and benches would always be full, especially in the middle of the month.

There were stalls of various cuisine at both walls. Like the marketplaces, sparnas would line up, order and pay at their chosen stall. Then they would bring the food home or they would sit in the hall itself. An annex was built years ago to feed the poor for free. It relied upon donation from patrons and a budget given by the Senate.

Zils chose a big wooden plate of sizzling noodle with mushrooms and chicken. Gwyn had a bowl of salad. They sat near one of the wide doors overlooking the edge of the isle.

"So, what's up? Is everything okay?"

"You told me you have a great news to tell me. Spill it." Gwyn stopped eating and placed her fork in the bowl.

"I'll tell you after you tell me what's bothering you."

Gwyn sighed, she twirled her fork aimlessly. "Nothing. I'm just a little upset. I'll be fine."

"You're not fine, by this time you would have another helping of the salad. Tell me, Gwyn."

Gwyn sighed. She hesitated for a while but then she said,"Liath was upset with me this morning. We had a fight and she went off in a hurry, I'm worried."

Zils sat quietly, letting her talk and unburden herself. Gwyn had a tendency to verbal vomit whenever she was overwhelmed with feelings.

"She thinks I don't understand, but I do. Even if I've never been in love before, I could understand her feelings, in a way, and I was looking at it rationally. She was so upset I'm scared she wouldn't see me anymore."

"So it's about love. Lady Liath Cinza-Harmaa is in love?"

"Not too loud!" Gwyn hissed. There were empty seats around them but Zils had a strong voice, a few sparnas were glancing at them.

"Your friend is in love? This is big news. Who's the lucky guy?"

"None of your business! Anyway, I will see her during her massage next week. I wish my schedule wasn't too tight, I can just see her right now."

"Why are you worried, she's a grown sparnas. Oh I know, there's drama in this. Is there a scandal brewing? Oh, this is juicy, C'mon Gwyn tell me, tell me!" Zils poked Gwyn on her hand. She slapped him off. "Ouch! That hurts, Gwyn. You're a healer, not a murderer. I almost died." Zils laughed.

"I just think that she didn't think this through."

"Gwyn, she fell in love, what is there to think about?"