Chapter 5 - Skyah's Answer
“Here we are.” said Kani. “These are the guest quarters.” She brought Amethyst into a hallway, with doors leading to several rooms. “These quarters are usually used when some cranes from another Kingdom come to visit ours. But, it's just you, so you've got plenty of choice.” Amethyst peered in one of the doors. Inside were several soft beds which resembled nests. They appeared to be made with fine, soft material, not the twigs that one would usually see in a bird's nest. He stepped into the room, looking it over. There was a night table beside each nest-bed, and sitting on each one was a small oil lamp. The room was simple, but comfy. Cranes obviously live more simply than we humans. They don't seem to require a lot of things.
“So, what do you think, uh...what's your name?” she asked.
“My name is Amethyst, Amethyst Crane.” he replied. “I think it's nice and cozy, perfect for a crane. But I'm not one, so I don't know good a night sleep I will get.” Amethyst approached one of the nest beds and lay carefully on top of it. It was actually quite comfortable. “Hey, this is pretty comfy!”
“Yes, the beds are quite nice. You'll find that cranes really know how to make a comfortable bed.” said Kani. She began to feel more comfortable around Amethyst, her earlier reservations gone. She came and sat down next to Amethyst. She leaned in, testing his hair with her beak. Amethyst yelped as she tugged on his long hair.
“Ow! What was that?” he said.
“Oh! I'm dreadfully sorry, Amethyst!” replied Kani. “I...I was just curious. I had never been near a human before, and I just wanted to see if your...whatever that is...”
“My hair?”
“Yes, your 'hair'. I just wanted to see if it was like feathers.”
“And?”
“It's nothing like them. I'm truly sorry about hurting you. I was just curious.”
“That's alright, Kani.” he said, putting a reassuring hand on her wing. He stroked it lightly, feeling how soft the feathers were. She looked at him, wide-eyed. “Wow...your feathers are unbelievably soft. See, I'm curious too.” he said with a smile. She closed her eyes as he stroked her feathers.
“That feels nice. Continue.” she said, enjoying the sensation. After a few minutes, she opened her eyes and turned towards Amethyst. “Well, I better be going. It's been nice meeting you, Amethyst. Thanks.” she stood up, stretching her legs and her wings. “Just call for me if you need anything.”
“I will. See you later.” said Amethyst. She spread her wings and flew off down the corridor, heading back to the queen. He sighed happily. He was amazed at how tired he felt. He looked at his watch: 6:30 p.m. It was quite early for sleeping, and yet, he was so sleepy. He curled up on top of the nest and fell asleep.
* * *
“Ah, there you are Kani. Is Amethyst all settled?” Saria asked as Kani landed in her personal chamber.
“Yes, Saria. He really likes it. I thought a human would be rather put off by our sleeping quarters, but he has taken to it quite quickly.” replied Kani.
“I noticed you took a little longer than I expected. Any problems?” asked Saria.
“Uh, no. We were just talking and...stuff.” said Kani sheepishly.
“And stuff? Come on, you can tell me. I won't laugh. You know me better than that, Kani.”
“Well, ok. He was stroking my feathers. He liked how soft they felt.” Kani blushed through her feathers. “And I enjoyed the feeling. It was very soothing, almost like preening one's feathers.”
“Really? Wow...” Saria said, surprised. “You know, the more I hear about this lad, the more I begin to like him.”
“Yeah, he is real nice. I bet if he could be a crane, he would. I think he just absolutely loves us cranes.” said Kani. “It'd be nice if he could stay.” Saria nodded in agreement. She opened her beak wide and yawned. She turned and looked at her bed. It looked very inviting to her.
“I think I'm going to turn in now, Kani. I'm exhausted. Not sure why, but I am.” Kani nodded. She helped Saria to get ready for bed, helping her get cleaned up. She also made sure the bed was arranged comfortably.
“There you go, my queen.” said Kani.
“You don't have to call me queen when it's just you and me, Kani.” Saria said with a gentle laugh. “For pete's sake, we grew up together. You're my friend.”
“Alright, if you say so Saria. I'm just trying to be a good servant, too. Well, goodnight Saria. I think I shall turn in as well. Now that you mention sleep, I feel pretty tired.” she said with a yawn. “A crane's got to get her beauty sleep. Night.”
“Night, Kani” said Saria. Kani went into her chamber, which lay next to Saria's. She shut the door. Saria heard her getting herself ready for bed. Saria climbed into her own bed and curled up, putting her head underneath one of her great, white wings.
* * *
“Oh, Skyah! Whatever shall I do with this one?” asked Saria. She stood before a great beaming light, which seemed to pulse and fluctuate with life. A faint voice emerged from within it.
“A change.” said Skyah.
“What?”
“He must change. His true form has not yet been realized.”
“Change him into what, Skyah?”
Saria awoke suddenly. It was the middle of the night, for it was quite dark. She looked around, half expecting to see the great light of Skyah. It was him who had spoken to her in her dream. It was truly an honour to talk with Skyah, if only for a very short while. She thought about what he had said. A change. He must change. As she thought about it, she recalled Kani's words earlier: If he could be a crane, he would. All of a sudden, she finally realized what to do with Amethyst. She prayed thanks to Skyah for his guidance. She got up from her bed, stretching her legs and wings. She went and knocked on Kani's door.
“Kani! Kani! Wake up!” she said. Inside, she heard a shuffling sound. A minute later, the door opened.
“Yes?” asked Kani sleepily, rubbing the sleep from her eyes with her wing.
“Kani, you're a genius!” said Saria.
“Uh, thanks. You woke me up to tell me that?”
“No, not just that. I have the solution to my dilemma. And it's thanks to both you and Skyah. I know what we shall do with Amethyst. Please, come with me to the library. I want to look something up, just to be sure.”
“Okay.” said Kani. Kani and Saria left the personal chamber and flew down the corridor towards the library. Most would not know that Cranes had books too. Their books were written on a sort of thin plant membrane not unlike papyrus. Saria roamed through the library, looking up and down the shelves.
“It's got to be here somewhere.” muttered Saria.
“Which book are you looking for?” asked Kani.
“I'm looking for the 4th book of Thyatira's history.” replied Saria. She continued browsing the shelves, unable to find it. Kani was looking too, and, after several minutes of searching, she happened upon the book. She let out a happy cry.
“Here it is, Saria.” said Kani, holding the book in the air. She sat down at one of the tables with it. Saria hurried over excitedly. She positioned herself next to Kani and opened up the book and flipped through it.
“Kani, you remember the story about when the Two-legs were in the Garden?”
“Yes. And how they could eat from every tree, except one. The one that was reserved only for cranes.”
“Yes, the Cranefruit tree.” said Saria. “It was only for cranes because of a very special reason. Can you remember what that reason was?”
“Actually, I can't. Why was it?”
“It gave great strength and stamina to the cranes. But, if a human were to eat of it's fruit, he would turn into a crane.”
“Oh, okay...hold on.” said Kani, her mind making connections. “You mean to do what I think you are going to do?”
“Yes. Let's get some Cranefruit. Amethyst is going to join us.” said Saria happily. “I believe there is a tree not too far from here.”
“But...are you sure it will work? I mean, it's only a story.” said Kani.
“Ah, there's where this interesting bit of history comes in.” Saria had flipped to a page about halfway through the book. She scanned through it quickly until she found what she was looking for. She pointed it out to Kani. “Many ages ago, when our kingdom was still young, a human accidentally ate from the Cranetree. And, just like in the 'story', he was transformed into a crane. It was such a long time ago, and most of the cranes in Thyatira do not know that little bit of history. But, it did happen. And, knowing that, I'm certain it will work. It's worth a shot. What do you think?”
“I think...” began Kani. She looked away for a minute, deep in thought. Then, she turned back to Saria, a happy look in her eyes. “I think it's a wonderful idea! Let's do it!” |
Submission Name: Story of Amethyst, Ch. 5
