Chapter 208: Cats and Birds

Lucia Simourgh

Lucia stalked silently through the woods. She knew these woods well. She’d walked them many a time in her childhood. It was a bright day with sun-dappled underbrush covering the floor of a place full of life. Rustling rodents moved through fallen leaves. Snakes hissed at bigger creatures getting too close. Birds sang merrily in the branches.

It was summer, and a warm one at that. Lucia wiped the sweat from her brow as she moved. She could deal with the heat just fine. It actually suited her compared to the frigid winters. Bryltia’s children were made for the jungles after all.

She’d been sent on a hunt for a strange creature that had been seen in the area. Descriptions were varied, but all of them spoke of the creature’s brilliant colours and that it could fly. Not too much to go on, but the area was enough. She’d find the creature in a couple of days.

Or so she’d thought. It was day four of the hunt, and she still had seen no traces of the damn thing. Be it Warped or some other creature, it was proving elusive.

Lucia groaned and sat against a tree. A hunt was a marathon, but this was getting a little ridiculous. Setting Fillianore at her side, she pulled out a canteen and took a long drink. How in the Hells was this thing eluding her? Bright colours that stood out from the greens and browns of a forest should be easily spotted. Not only that, she hadn’t found tracks. No feathers or fur, no disturbances in the local wildlife that indicated a predator, watering holes had proved pointless, and all of the tracks she’d found were easily identifiable as a known creature.

She also hadn’t spoken since she set out. It was a practice she’d found rather important while out hunting. Talking got you noticed. Getting noticed meant you lost your advantage. Losing your advantage either lets the prey get away or gets you a very angry one charging you. Neither ideal.

She should keep moving. Sitting here wasn’t going to end her hunt anytime soon. Her back scraped against the bark as she stood. She froze.

A song trilled through the branches. High and sad. It sounded like a loon, but not like any loon she could identify. The song was too varied, too melodic for a normal bird to be making.

Her heart pounded in her chest. Lucia had found her quarry.

Careful not to make a sound, she walked forward with Fillianore in her hands. Scanning the trees, she searched for anything that looked out of place. Years of training suppressed her breathing, her heart rate, and her steps as she followed the song. Being on edge would make her jumpy, which would make her sloppy and increase the chance of missing her shot.

A few minutes later, she rounded a tree, then pulled herself back. Getting down low, she peeked back out into the clearing ahead.

Central to the grassy, hilly clearing was a large stone with an offset point at the top. The sun beamed down through the break in the canopy, lighting the rock and its occupant in brilliant golden rays.

It was the most beautiful bird Lucia had ever seen. Scarlet plumage rippled as its wings ruffled. The colours swam from the deepest reds to the brightest yellows. It was maybe two feet long from the tip of its long tailfeathers to its beak. It had a sleek body, tear-shaped, and a long, proud neck. Each of its wings continued the glittering pattern, ending in long pinions which should hamper its flight, but Lucia doubted that very much. Raised to the sun, its head was as gorgeous as the rest of it. Cocking side to side, emerald plumage emerged in a crest that ran from its beak to its crown, splaying out proudly for any observers. Its eyes were like gemstones, glittering in rainbow colours, only enhanced by the light.

As she watched, the creature raised its head and began the same mournful song that had led her here. High trills extended into long wails of grief. The bird sang in a voice that reminded Lucia of the mothers who’d lost their children in a hunt. Great passion, great emotion vibrated with that tune. She wanted to weep, such was the beauty.

Above all, though, it was her quarry. Warped or not, the creature was new. An unknown in these woods was a danger to all that called them home. It could be a predator, or house some disease that would spread through the avian population. Better to prune it now than take that risk.

Slowly, so slow she felt like she was barely moving, Lucia pulled Fillianore forward. A bow would be quieter, but she was far more accurate. Skills could offset the accuracy and practice, but a rifle was a whole other beast. Smooth wood slid under her fingers. She knew every line of the grain by touch. The knot halfway up the stock was the scratch she’d made when she’d accidentally bumped it as a child. Even the scars that were before her time had their stories passed down.

The bolt pulled back with the faintest sound. She was well oiled, but there was still friction. Lucia’s eyes never left the crimson bird as she gently slid a round into the chamber. It hadn’t noticed anything. Not yet. The bolt slid home, and she raised the sights to her eye.

Slow. Steady. Breathe in. Breathe out.

She squeezed the trigger.

The explosion rocked the quiet glade. The mournful song cut short as feathers burst away from the creature’s body.

Lucia’s heart ached to see such beauty snuffed out. It had to be done, though.

The long neck was the last to fall, thumping softly onto the soft grass. Its plumage almost seemed to dim as life ebbed from the creature’s body.

Lucia shouldered Fillianore and stalked forward. She sniffed. The area was full of gunsmoke now, but she smelled blood. Step followed careful step. She rounded the rock and found a curious sight.

The bird’s feathers had dulled and were now corroding. Acrid smoke wafted up from the body as it… melted? It wasn’t like a Warped, where they dissolved into black goo, but more like metal growing old over time and becoming dust. Vibrant feathers turned sickly then fell apart. The proud head withered. Gleaming eyes glazed over with the milky film of blindness. It had another creature inside its ribs. It looked… Thrundol. Then it was gone.

“A fine hunt,” a woman’s voice laughed behind her.

“Who?”

Lucia turned to see the most fearsome Thrundol she’d ever met. Impossibly tall, she moved with easy grace through the treeline, making no noise at all. Long red hair fell from her head, draping down to the forest floor, dragging slightly as she moved. Her body was the definition of lean power. Every muscle was on display, but did not get close to the size she was used to seeing in Kat. Crimson eyes glowed from under the locks as a green hand reached out and moved the stone aside.

“Ah, already gone. Shame, that. I would have liked to see what you would be afflicted by.”

“Bryltia, holiness!” Lucia fell to her hands and knees.

“Hm, you know your manners. Good. I was hoping you would show more respect than you did when swearing your Life Debt. Dragging that man into it was unwise.”

“Sorry. I… I felt need.”

“I do not need your excuses. What is done is done,” Bryltia huffed, returning the stone to its place as if it were a pebble. “Huntress of mine, you have made fascinating company. Company I would have set you after, should you have chosen a different path.”

“You hunt Annita?”

“Hm, no, but also yes. She will be a great foe in time. Someone who will challenge the world and find it wanting. I feel it when I peer into the mortal realm. That is only a possibility.” Bryltia moved into the clearing, crouching down and blocking out the sun as She regarded Lucia. “No, your task has changed. You will be accompanying her. You understood your vision well.”

“Am honoured,” Lucia said, still not raising her head.

“Vague prophecy is not the weapon for this day, however. Today is a day for words and direction. You know where we are?”

“My soul.”

“Good. You know why you’re here?”

“Tainted. Warped. Started to.”

“Yes,” Bryltia snarled. The glade shook with the sound. “One of mine, tainted by this foul curse because of Orenous’ pet. She will pay for that in time.”

“Help stop?”

“No. I am not these other Gods, putting leashes on their chosen. I am Bryltia. I am the hunt! The endless challenge. Searching always for a greater foe! I will not have one of mine be coddled. Still, it would be… wasteful to let you turn so quickly. I have taken counsel from Illdall and Eas. Protection has been provided to your form for now, but it will weaken. You must learn to control it. Master it.”

“Master? Don’t know Warped.”

“Oh, but you do. You just killed it.”

Lucia hesitated. “I did?”

“The bird. That is your spirit. Your curse. It will be back, in time. It will sing its song to plunge you into despair. When it comes again, you must hunt.”

“Is different. Others talk.”

“And you will hunt. The others are children of weaker Gods. Well, except for the princess. Illdall earned respect. You will be as one of mine. Strong enough to defeat the creature as it returns and grows each time. That is your task. That is my gift. Hunt well, and may you overcome the next challenge.”

Trees blurred before fading into black.

She woke, sweating. Her head ached like it was full of bees. Too much had happened. She’d met the Huntress. The Huntress had challenged her! It was one of the most sacred things for her people. To be sent on a hunt by Bryltia was cause for great celebration.

Then Lucia noticed something missing. In her head, she sought that connection to Bren and… couldn’t find it. She looked around, and as she turned to her right, Bren sat up gasping, and the connection flooded back between them.

Was quiet. Ok? She thought, sending feelings of concern.

Yes. Quite. An unexpected meeting, Bren’s voice rang through her mind as well as the calm he was sending.

Wait, can hear?

I… Gods, yes! I can!

Bond grew.

Must have. You met with Bryltia, did you not?

And you, Qu’Sella?

Yes.

Hmm. Scheming Gods.

I would say that was blasphemy if it did not seem accurate, Bren thought with a feeling of mirth.

The entire conversation took a fraction of the time it would have if they’d been using their lips and tongues. Still, Kat was already about to tackle her brother. Lucia was glad that she didn’t have to compete with the woman, or Annita. She wasn’t sure how she’d fare. A twinge of concern was immediately banished as she considered the thought stupid.

“Sooooo?” Ann asked with that smug curiosity. That tone always meant she wasn’t going to stop asking until she got answers. Frustrating woman.

“I met them,” Bren laughed as he pushed Kat off him. “Qu’Sella! They were nothing as I expected, but oh so much more! Qu is far from the bent, ancient woman we describe her as, though I guess that could be one of her forms. She was old, yes, but spry and full of energy. Sella is rather handsome and much younger. Gods, Kat, you should have seen the magic they wove. It was above anything the arch-mages or master enchanters work with! Infinite complexity in a wave of their hands.”

“Aye, that’s great an’ all, but what about the Warped. Ye ok?”

“Oh, I am quite safe. They had it in a wire cage at first. It is an odd thing. Half is a tawny cat with a spiked tail and numerous legs, but that may change, and the other half is a golden human. Their gender did not seem decided on yet, nor could they talk, but they were there. The magic the Gods weaved was to put a collar on it to contain the power, like your rune bindings on Waheela, or whatever Illdall did with the Dragon.”

“So you have a possible cat girl sphinx-chimera thing collared in your soul? Sounds kinky, Bren.” Ann gave him a mischievous wink that made Lucia’s eyes roll. Woman always thought with her dick. “Hope she doesn’t make Lucia jealous.”

“Speaking of,” Bren said to the frustration through the bond, “Lucia, how did your experience go?”

“Was intense. Was a hunt. Through forest from youth. Hunting red thing flying. Was possible danger to animals. Had to kill. Found in clearing on rock. Beautiful. Red to yellow shimmering feathers. Like fire, almost. Long pinions. Long neck. Head greenish with plumes. Eyes like gems. Sang sad. Was hard to listen. Did job and shot it. Died and crumbled. Rusted, almost. Then met Bryltia.

“Oooh, you did? What’s She like? Does she look like you? I bet she does. Oh, I loved the stories of hunts that I had back in the cabin. Her followers were always so brave and fearless! If I had a different God, I would’ve loved her!” Rosalyn did the thing Ann called rambling. Too many words, but her excitement was nice. Infectious, even.

“Yes. Huge. Bigger than trees, but could move through silently. Thrundol in every way. Long red hair, green skin, red eyes, very long tusks. She was… what I expected. I am Her Huntress. She did minimum. I do the rest.”

“Sounds kinda rude. Did She give ye anythin’?”

“Not rude. Just not gentle. Protected mind and body. Will change, probably. Warped not caged. Was bird. Bird will return. I will hunt it again. Stronger each time. Will be my task.”

“So she’s got you running around in your soul, hunting the thing, trying to corrupt you? That’s really different from the rest of us…” Ann said, doing that thing where she scratched behind her fluffy ears. “Wait, did you say red bird?”

“Yes?” Lucia had a feeling the woman was leading her along.

“Ooh, I know what that is. If it’s coming back, that’s a phoenix. Or at least something close to it. Not sure without fire, but it might be the Warped approximation of one. There aren’t phoenixes out in the world, right?”

“I believe there is a tale of such a bird in the south, but I cannot remember the name.” Bren finished taking his notes. He felt of satisfaction. If your goddess pushes you too far, she will be answering to me. “Well, that about sums things up. That is now all of us with a cursed spirit inside us with varying levels of hostility. Waheela is coming around to being helpful, the Dragon is still openly hostile, Xirali is… something, and ours are undetermined until they grow further.”

“Waheela says she wants to taste the bird,” Ann giggled.

“Can hunt if possible. Help fine in hunts.”

“Not sure how she’d do it, but maybe sometime later,” Ann laughed.

Lucia nodded. The old wolf Ann talked to seemed rough, but easy enough to work with. She’d like to meet it at some point. Will be fine, Bren. Is what I do.

Still. I will not order it, but please confide in me should the challenge grow too great.

Will try. She sent a soothing feeling to Bren.

Bren felt of concern again, but pushed it back behind his usual placid calm.

“Damn, we’ve got a full feckin’ party. Five o’ us, an’ five tagalongs. Thank the Gods they can’t just talk randomly.”

“Waheela talks all the time. You just can’t hear her,” Ann elbowed Kat.

“And ye wouldn’t want tae hear what the Dragon’s spoutin’.”

“Xirali is almost at the point she can talk, so that’ll be nice to have. Much easier to get advice when I can actually hear words instead of vague nudges. I’ll definitely introduce you all, though, just gotta talk through me.”

“If my Warped proves amenable, I hope to make them a helpful addition to the group,” Bren laughed. “Though I think Lucia is the unluckiest one besides Kat. Hers might not ever talk.”

“Will shoot before,” Lucia nodded.

“So, what do you think you’ll get first?” Ann asked, leaning back against a tree and wrapping a casual arm around Rosalyn. The way the sheep snuggled in without a thought… disgustingly sweet. “I’m betting on Bren getting cat ears.”

“Nah, he’ll get the tail first, cause it’ll mess up all ‘is robes,” Kat laughed.

“I am going to need a tailor. So much money,” Bren lamented.

“Lucia? Not sure, though.”

“Not eyes. Too many.” Lucia was not looking forward to her eyes changing if it was anything like the other two.

“Nah. You might get cosmetic stuff first, like Kat’s scales. Well, Kat’s scales are all defensive, but still. Either that or the feet.

“Feet?”

“Oh! Right! She’d get talons, wouldn’t she?” Rosalyn gasped, sitting up. “Think about the claws and how good a grip you can get on anything you’re standing on! Stone might be a little trickier, but only a bit. Then you could kick something and hurt it real bad!”

“Shite, I’m gonna ‘ave the same, aren’t I?” Kat muttered.

“Will bear together,” Lucia chuckled. “Claws sound good. Though maybe wings?”

“You and Kat might both get wings. I might get them just from the Warped stuff, but that’d be cool. Gonna take Bren flying sometime?”

“Would be nice.” Lucia felt her cheeks burning. Orenous was infuriatingly correct in choosing Ann. Despite that, she felt Bren radiating desire. That alone made up for the teasing.

“Alright. Unless anyone has any other sudden fainting spells, we should get moving,” Ann groaned, lifting Rosalyn with her. Got a lot more distance to cover before night.

Lucia felt a little bad about omitting the part where Bryltia wanted to hunt Ann, but it was irrelevant. She stood, taking Bren’s hand and helping him do the same. She’d master her Warped. She would make it fear her. She was a Huntress. The world was her prey.