racing the wind

The cold chick grumbles and Fern offers him a gentle smile and a soft chuckle. Puff gets indigent about being called a squirrel and the gray girl bites the inside of cheek to keep from laughing. Keen eyes catch the way the fluffy bird stumbles backward and the gray girl feels her body tense as it prepares to leap forward and catch the chick if he starts to fall. The young bird agrees to Puff’s statement that she is fierce, his head bobbing and hasty words following. Fern watches their exchange and feels the tension begin to melt away, the exchange between the stoat and bird making her interject with soft words. The bird apologizes for calling Puff a squirrel and the stoat giggles, waving a small paw through the air to brush the whole business aside.

A breeze blew, ruffling the downy feathers that cover the chick and Puff is suddenly running toward the castle. At the bird’s words, Fern looks to him and gives a small shrug, saying, “Puff has always danced to the beat of her own drum. I have learned not to question her too much.” A smile accompanies the words as she introduces herself and asks for help. The chick gives his name and another, brighter smile appears on Fern’s face as she follows Zephyr’s instructions, moving toward him as he hops forward. She lowers her body to allow him easier access to her back. Remembering the sword buckled across her back, the gray girl says, “If it helps, you can hold onto my sword’s scabbard. Just… please be careful. It was a gift from Art.”

Once Zephyr is settled, Fern stands and turns to head toward the gardens, asking her passenger, “Which way do you think we should go Zephyr? I am making you the pilot.” As she waits for the chick’s direction, a small, muffled voice calls out from behind the pair, “WAIT!” Fern slowly swings them around till she spies Puff running back toward them with something trailing from her mouth. The stoat makes it to the pair and effortlessly climbs Fern’s leg, before she approaches Zephyr. Taking the object from her mouth, Puff holds it out to show it to the chick as she says, “I’m sorry I got mad. You look really cold. Want to wear my cape for a bit?” Fern’s heart melts as the stoat unrolls a special cape that the gray girl had made for during the rainy season. It is just a patch of deer fur that she attached a chain and clasp to allow the stoat to wear it more comfortably.

Offering her cloak to Zephyr, Puff waits to see if the cold chick will accept her peace offering before moving to help him don it if he wishes.

"Fern Lark" | "Puff"