The Firebird and the Gray Wolf (On Hold)

The One Where She Gets the Feather

Chapter Two

"Maud," I asked later in the afternoon while she was washing some of my clothes towards the back of the castle.

"Yes, Child?" she asked.

"I would like a glass of that coffee that you drink. I think it will help keep Godfrey awake while he waits up for the Firebird."

Maud slowly stood up from the tub and then looked down at me. "You think it will help him enough?"

I shrugged. "I think that it will help keep him awake, catching the bird is entirely up to him. There is no magic to help him with that."

"You do not believe in magic, Child?" she wondered.

"No, I think it all nonsense," I stated while picking up some containers and examining them.

"Hmm," Maud murmured and went about her chores.

"Do you believe in it? Magic, I mean."

I set the container down and watched her clean, waiting for an answer.

"I believe that there are strange things," she said cryptically. "I believe in faeries and in goblins. Is the Firebird not something magical?"

"It is a bird," I said. "A bird with red feathers that pesters my father. There is nothing magical about it."

"I am not quite so certain," Maud said. "Are not the king's golden pears something magical, then?"

That one had me. "They are special," I said, though I did not know quite the difference between special and magical.

"Child," Maud said halting her cleaning for a bit to turn and look at me, "just be careful. I believe that there are things in this kingdom that are, as you say, special and that you should keep an eye and not dismiss anything."

I stood there for a moment, trying to comprehend what exactly Maud was telling me. She gave me a warm smile and continued, "If you want the coffee go up to the kitchen and one of the kitchen maids will get it for you. Tell them that I sent you for it. Now, I must get back to the wash, Child."

I nodded and left the room to go to the kitchen.

I found Godfrey outside the garden gate pacing back and forth, wringing his hands. I had never seen him look so nervous before.

"There you are," he said with a smile when he saw me approaching.

"I have brought the coffee," I said, matching his smile. I handed him the mug of brown liquid. It had smelled so good that I had wanted to drink half it, but had refrained.

"And you think it will work?" he asked, still sounding uncertain.

I nodded. "Yes, or at least I dearly hope so."

He held the container up to his nose and took a sniff. "It smells...well, I don't know a word to describe it."

"Intoxicating?" I offered.

"Yes, I think that is it," he agreed and took another sniff. "Well, wish me luck, sister."

I smiled. "Good luck, brother."

He smiled one last time and then disappeared through the garden gate. I remained standing outside the garden gate for a few moments before turning away to go to my chambers. What would it be like if I had been a third son? If I had had a chance to capture the mysterious Firebird? Half of the kingdom would be mine and I would be heir. I would be free. And really, that is all that would matter. Not half the kingdom or the throne, only the freedom. But, I would never get the chance. Not as a daughter.