the darkest nights produce the brightest stars
Fennick knew a little about uncertain footing. His life had changed rapidly this year, and he felt his mind catching up in leaps and bounds. Sometimes he was ahead, sometimes he was behind. In the distance, Demian and Eight’s firewall blazed, and Fennick watched if for a long time. He felt his healing tattoo prickle under his eye, and wondered what the next year would hold.
Surely, it could not be as busy as this one?
Somehow, Fennick couldn’t bring himself to believe that. His gut told him that his life was no longer simple. To his own surprise, he carried this knowledge with grace, and didn’t try to shy away from it. Perhaps, he had grown a little alongside his home. A man instead of a boy? The great black stallion chuckled low in his throat.
No, that was completely absurd.
With a snap he spread his oversized black wings. They were ginormous, and even held above his head the tips trailed along the ground. Tight against his back the longest feathers dripped nearly to his fetlocks. His back ached with the weight of carrying them, but he knew soon his muscles would adjust. They were appropriate for who he was now. They were beautiful, unbelievable, but a heavy burden. He was incredibly proud to carry them, but equally humbled beside them. They were more glorious than him by far, for they were of the Valley, and he, a humble servant.
Fennick inhaled deeply, and relished the sting of the snow air.
On the exhale he let his breath out in a whoosh and cast his eyes over his home. They were self contained now, the Valley all but its own little universe. Yet, there was one he didn’t recognize, like an unknown star in a familiar sky. Fennick narrowed his eyes. Surely someone couldn’t have crossed the fire wall already?
Without stopping to think it through Fennick moved towards her, picking his away through the deep snow. It would have been easier to fly, but he found he preferred to walk, and saved the angel of death routine for serious situations. When Fennick was close enough he called out to her.
“Hey! Are you —“ With a grunt the large man stumbled over a hidden log and nearly went down, his feet flailing to keep his body upright and snow scattering in his wake. A moment later Fennick regained his footing and finished his sentence.
“New?” He added lamely with a sheepish smile. Not one of his prouder moments, but not his worst either. He’d once been so mortified he turned to stone.