The Blinker

Chapter 1: The Blinker

Don't blink. If you close your eyes for a second they'll be gone.

     Winter had just swept the land. Plants regrow from their forgotten, frostbitten versions into sprouting flowers and someday trees. Times were slow since the seasons change but they would soon spring up again like an old lost friend. For a small creature, however, things stayed forevermore the same.

     From afar it was hard to spot her features; two sets of tiny horns, round yet perky ears, fur a soft ombre, wide eyes a deep brown, and a light pink tail that resembled that of a rats. 'What might this creature be', you wonder? That's quite a story.

     Her tiny, delicate hands rubbed at her face, wiping the iridescent water droplets from her fur. From the looks of it, her hibernation had recently ended, and her adventures had once again begun. From a tiny stump that dug into the side of the tree she took a round cask and a waterskin. After filling her drinking pouch she sniffed at the ground for a moment.

     Taking a moment, she placed her hands on the greening earth and paused, closing her eyes to take in everything around her. It seemed like the world shifted and the wind changed its course before she launched forward on her four legs, racing through the greenery and brush. From this speed one would expect she crash into a tree, but her nimble and elegant strides kept her pace. In seeming moments the once forest area turned thinner and thinner before the edge stood at her feet.

     Slowing to a halt, the creature looked once more to her home behind her as if to apologize, then set off with a determined gaze in her bright eyes.

     In a kingdom, a Queen set a party for all to come. They celebrated the new coming year and the warm seasons, ready for crops to grow. She raised her glass, calling to her people.

     "We went through a tough winter, but we are mighty! With new times comes new hope! I've called for the best messenger in all of Kitendale to come so that they may send word of my hope for alliance with the Meriam Kingdom! When they arrive I expect they be treated with the finest of drink and feast!"

     Her people cheered, chanting her name.

     Queen Skye! Queen Skye! Queen Skye!

     For the next hour they celebrated, awaiting their messengers arrival. While she expected them to arrive late, when all would be calm and most would be too drunk to move, the sounds from her guards bidding them welcome in a flustered manner called to her attention. Quickly she stood, wiping her dress down and kicking away the men at her feet.

     "Welcome mess..." her voice trailed off, not sure how to feel about the sight in front- well...below her.

     The creature stood only a foot from her, but sized up to barely her ankle. The Queen paused, not knowing if she should laugh or feel disgraced. 'This is who my advisor said to entrust my words to? A fey creature of the Cacision Forest?'

     Queen Skye thought to kneel down for a moment before the creature raised a hand, as if to signify receiving something. She knew not know what to do, prompting the creature to look exasperated then flustered before mumbling out a simple phrase in a whisper:

     "Your letter...?"

     The Queen had to take a moment to contain her confusion before a man approached, his robes a glimmering gold.

     "My Queen, this is the messenger. She's the quickest in all of Kitendale, known to send letters in a single week. Compared to our usual deliverers, that is quite ahead of schedule." he gave a passive glance to the sleeping guards that lay among half-naked woman, rolling his eyes. "Trust her Queen Skye. She is both quick and cheap, only asking for single gold pieces."

     The Queen shot a surprised face towards her advisor, looking to the messenger whos hand was still extended, then back to him, then back to the creature.

     "I suppose...she may transport the message."

     The Queen excused herself and went to her chambers, grabbing the letter in question before coming back to the fey creature. Her advisor was handing the creature a gold coin, giving her an interested gaze and asking questions that she didn't care to answer.

     Kneeling down, she held the letter out towards the creature, letting it take the important documents from her hand. She watched it task the empty, round cask from her hands, place it in front of her, roll up the letters, and place them in the cask. Slinging it over her shoulder once again, she saluted the Queen in an awkward fashion before turning to race away once more.

     Before she could, the Queen spoke up, seeming a bit hesitant, "Wait, um...what can I call you by? If I require your services again?"

     The creatures nose twitched, leaning down to place all fours on the ground. She readied herself before shooting off, leaving behind a name that the woman would remember coming from something so small yet so fast.

"Messe."