The Four

Freedom

With the magic still riding her and her heart full for the first time in years, she danced through her cottage and let the magic do her bidding. Clothes flew off the floor, table, bed, and chairs, cleaned themselves and became folded neatly on the bed.

Her armor, oh her beloved armor, flew from it’s hiding space and joined the clothes. Every inch of her cottage was sparkling clean before Starling felt even a hint of weariness.

Her smile now one of satisfaction she turned to her bed, to the items there that she needed for her journey, and to the armor that she had lovingly crafted for herself five centuries ago.

It was time, she thought, and more than time. Quickly she packed her things in bags that would attach to her horse’s saddle, quickly did she remove her sweaty clothes and put on clean soft linen to replace them. Slowly, however, did she approach her armor, reverently did she don each lovely piece.

When she stood there, fully armored, she felt for the first time in 139 years, almost complete. With her magic running through her again, and her armor in place, she knew that she only lacked two things to give her that feeling that she craved: the other three of four, and Cassandra. Starling gathered her packs and left her cottage without a backwards glance. Swiftly she strode to the stables that were shared by the village. The stable boy gave her a sleepy nod as she she approached him but then did a double take upon seeing her fully armed and armored.

"Where are you going, Starling?" He exclaimed, now wide eyed.

"To Fly Free, Jacob.. To Fly Free.."Without another word she entered the stall of her horse, Thalian and began to saddle him.