Feathers

“Where am I?”

I willed the dull ache to leave while clutching my head tightly. I was spread face-first on the hard ground, my creamy skin bare and smooth. When I turned my head slightly, my gaze fell upon a scattering of white feathers.

“My feathers!”

I rose to my hands and knees and scrabbled at the fluffy remnants fruitlessly. With a deep breath I snaked my hand up over my shoulder. My fingertips met the soft down of my wings. I let out a sigh of relief.

“What’s become of me? I need to get back home.”

I took in the unfamiliar surroundings and noted the strange black rocks I was standing on. They were smooth with white lines dotting the center. They made a kind of path, which wound its way over the horizon.

Suddenly a distant roar sounding unlike anything I had ever heard before bolted towards me. Another alien sound blared as a huge, shiny shell-like creature careened towards me. The blaring noise sounded again as the ‘thing’ slowed to a halt. A wing opened on its side and a man stepped out.

“What on earth are you doing?!” The young man asked incredulously as he looked down at my bare body, covered only by the length of my glistening, black hair. He turned his reddening face swiftly away.

“I-I’m sorry. Are you in trouble? Do you need a ride somewhere…?” The man questioned uncomfortably.

“Well met stranger. I am Penna. I woke from a slumber and am lost. I must find home.” I explained, walking towards the man calmly who continued to stare elsewhere intently.

“I have offended you?”

The mans blue eyes widened as he turned to face me fully.

“No. It’s just…well….you’re naked.”

“Naked?” I repeated the word slowly.

“Yes, you know. Without clothing.” He replied nervously, tugging at the cloth on his own body.

“I am afraid I have no cloe-thin. All I have are my wings.”

The man blinked a few times, seemingly not sure what to say next. He eyed the pure, white wings protruding from my shoulder blades and took a step backwards.

“Please, will you help me?”

“I guess so…are you an angel?” His whisper was barely audible.

“Why yes I am. What is your name stranger?” I asked, moving closer to him and taking his hand in mine. He flinched slightly as I lifted his palm and placed a delicate kiss against the soft skin, as is the custom when greeting someone for the first time.

“Umm…my name is Tristan.”

“Well met, Tristan. Do you perchance have food and drink? I feel rude to ask but am not sure how long I have gone without refreshments.” I stated apologetically as he screwed his blue eyes shut for a moment, then reopened them.

“Yes, of course. We can go to my place if you want. Maybe then we can figure out what to do next.”

“That would be most helpful. I thank you.” I walked over and watched Tristan climb into the creature so I copied, by climbing in the opposite side.

“Will your creature know the destination?” I asked politely as Tristan nodded with a perplexed look.

“It is a car by the way. It’s a machine.”

I didn’t understand what he meant by this so I nodded as we started to move along the black pathway.

***

“This is my home.” Tristan explained, pointing to a cottage, surrounded by trees.

“It is beautiful.”

“Thankyou, Kah.” I said to the creature before following Tristan along a stone pathway and through the cottage door. The inside felt cozy and we ended up in a small eating area. He offered me a seat at the table which I accepted. Tristan disappeared for a moment so I glanced around the room casually. I could feel another presence all around me. My wings tingled slightly and I felt pain and misery emanating from inside the room. Startled, I rose suddenly and the chair fell backwards with a crash.

“Is everything ok?!” Tristan asked worriedly as he darted into the room, some cloe-thin hanging over his arm.

“Yes, I’m fine.”

“Ok then. I have a dress for you to wear.” He held out the cloe-thin.

“I thank you.” The dress was flowing and backless, allowing my wings to hang freely.

“So, would you like some water? I can make you a sandwich too if you like?”

“Yes please, I would enjoy some water. I would rather not sample your sand-witch though.” I replied, the thought of eating a witch made my stomach gurgle.

“No I didn’t mean…never mind. I’ll make you something.” He replied with a hint of a smile.

While Tristan prepared some food I noticed some pictures on a shelf. They weren’t painted and were made of some type of shiny paper. Each picture depicted the same red-haired woman with either Tristan or a brindle pup. The woman had striking features and was smiling in every picture. Her blue eyes were so intensely, bright and full of life that I couldn’t help but smile too.

“The woman in your pictures is most beautiful.” I mentioned with honesty as Tristan yelped slightly.

“Are you alright?”

“Yes, fine. Just got careless with the knife.” He said while feigning a smile.

“I am sorry Tristan. Allow me to help you.”

I took his injured hand softly in mine and held it to my lips. I concentrated my love on healing his hand. The gash closed and the blood dried away till nothing was left of the cut at all.

“I-I can’t believe it. Thank you Penna.” Is all Tristan could manage as he eyed the healed hand with wonder.

I sneezed suddenly and felt a slight pang of pain.

“You sound like you might be getting a cold. Here-  eat this, then maybe you should have a rest.” Tristan said while placing a steaming bowl in front of me.

“Thank you. Pray tell, who is the fire-haired woman?” Tristan shuffled his feet across the table from me and didn’t meet my gaze.

“Vanessa. She was my fiancee but she became ill and passed away.” My wings tingled again and reflexively I cringed. The feelings of pain and sadness were obviously emanating from Tristan.

“I am sorry.”

“Sometimes these things just happen.” His eyes were downcast.

“I still have Sage though-that’s the puppy. He was Vanessa’s. But never mind me, you need to eat and get better.”

“Yes, I shall and then I will continue my search for home.”

***

The next day as I sat at the table for morning-meal, I could hear Tristan speaking to someone else. When he returned to the table, a brindle dog trotted along behind him.

“Sage!” I greeted as he wagged his tail vigorously, frolicking over to lick my feet. I took Sage’s face in my hands and gazed into his chocolate eyes. There was so much love and loyalty in them. I kissed  the tip of his nose lightly and noticed Tristan watching me intently.

“About yesterday, when you fixed my hand, I mean.” Tristan shifted in his seat slightly as I smiled encouragingly.

“Can you heal animals?”

“Of course. Please allow me to help however I may.” I offered genuinely.

Tristan led me out behind the cottage, through an overgrown garden and into a field. All the while Sage scampered excitedly around my feet in circles. We stopped in front of a stable then he ushered me in, his face solemn.

“She had trouble with the birth and I think her foal is ill.”

I carefully crept over to where a chestnut mare knelt in the hay with her foal. The foal was lying on the ground and its breathing was laboured.

“I’ve tried everything. Afterwards I called the vet, but he said nothing could be done.”

I placed my hand softly on the foals side and its mother shuffled nervously.

“Shhh.” I soothed.

“I will help your little one.”

With my eyes closed, I mustered all my energy and love into healing the foal. I imagined seeing it healthily striding around beside its mother in the golden sunlight. My breathing slowed and I felt warmth seeping like energy from my body to the sick foal. The mare tossed her head in surprise as the foal let out a whinny. Suddenly, the foal bent its forelegs and pushed itself up to stand.

“That’s amazing, Penna I am so grateful.” Tristan gushed.

Suddenly I was taken over by a fit of terrible coughing and I held onto Tristan for balance. He patted me softly on the back until my chest eased, leaving me feeling a little faint.

“I…I’m so cold…may we return inside please?” Tristan nodded and put an arm around me.

Once inside he removed his arm and a few feathers scattered to the floor.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to.” Tristan apologised as I shook my head.

“Its not your fault. I think I would like to rest a while.”

“Of  course. That cold seems to be knocking you around quite a bit.”

“Yes, that must be it.”

***

Upon waking the next morning my wings prickled. When I got up the bed was full of feathers and I felt groggy. Something was very wrong.

“Tristan!” I yelled as loud as my voice would allow. My stomach knotted painfully as I forced my aching body into motion. The kitchen was empty. I checked the back garden and there was no sign of Tristan or Sage. Turning to face the front yard I saw both of them and Tristan was throwing a stick. My    wings felt icy and then I saw it. I saw the Kah probably at the same time Tristan did. Before I could call out he was yelling and bolting towards Sage who had nearly reached the stick in its path.

My eyes widened with terror as the Kah collided with Tristan.

“Tristan!!” I screeched as my ever-weakening legs brought me to him, lying in a tangled heap. His hair was askew and blood dribbled from his mouth.

I envisioned Tristan’s smiling face, his look of worry when I grew ill and the awe when I healed the foal. My heart was aching but I still concentrated on love and good health. My wings were humming slightly from the effort and beads of sweat lined my face.

“You…must…return.” I wheezed as Tristan’s eyelids suddenly opened.

“Penna! It hurts…please…” He whispered.

I screwed my eyes shut and felt my heart beating harder in rhythm with the ache of my wings.

“Shh…you’re alright. I healed you.” I replied, sliding down to lie beside Tristan.

“Are you ok? What’s wrong?” Tristan sat up and held me, his arm supported my shoulders.

“Are you ill again-do you need to go back to bed?” He asked frantically as I shook my head. Suddenly my body was wracked with shudders of unimaginable pain.

“Bye Tristan.”

“Don’t do this to me Penna! I can’t live with this loneliness!” Tristan begged while Sage was loyally statuesque beside me.

“You can live and you will learn to love again-that is my gift to you. Vanessa would have wanted it.” My voice was serene as I felt warmth sapped from my body.

“No Penna-you can’t leave me! I need you!” Tristan’s face was moist and his hands shook against my pale back.

I watched a lone, delicate feather floating up with the wind and placed a hand on Tristan’s.

“I’m going home.”