"I can fly home from here," Sap said gently.

Nodding slowly, I resisted the worry that wanted to grab at my tail. "Okay… I'm jealous," I said, hoping to lighten the mood.

Sap grinned at me. "No reason to be! You may not have the skies, Renn, but you have a man who can break them. That's more special in my opinion," she said.

"Break them…?" I mumbled as I glanced to the man in question.

We had stopped in a small clearing outside of a forest. There was a stump nearby, from a fallen tree, which Vim was sitting on. He'd been relatively quiet the last day and night, letting Sap and I have time to ourselves, but he looked happy for some reason. Maybe it was because of the little mink sitting on his shoulder.

"Animals don't normally go near him. Probably doesn't even realize he's there, thinks he's a rock or tree or something," Sap figured.

"It's cute," I said.

"Is it…? They're annoying things, always sticking their noses where they don't belong," Sap said with a sigh.

Smiling at her, I glanced away from Vim and the small animal as to see her frown. She looked genuinely annoyed, which told me she's had a bad experience with such animals before.

I hadn't meant the animal itself was cute, even though it was. I had meant the scene. Vim, with it sitting calmly on his shoulder, was what I had found adorable.

I didn't correct her though. "Will it take you long? To fly home?" I asked.

"Hm? From here? No. It'll take me the rest of the day, but I'll be home tonight," Sap said as she glanced away from Vim and off to the horizon.

How sweet. She really did still call it home.

Lilly and Vim had made her out to be something of a loner. One who didn't like people at all, not even her own family. Yet I had not gotten that feeling from her at all. Our conversations over the last day and a half or so had been nothing but lovely and wonderful. She reminded me of Lilly, and also at the same time Fly somehow. She still had a childish innocence to her that Lilly no longer did, yet had a firm gruffness to her one would expect from someone who lived alone out in the middle of the wilderness.

It made me wonder if others saw me in a similar fashion. After all, I too had grown up and lived alone like her. Out in the middle in these forests and mountains.

The fact the two of us seemingly grew up and lived in similar environments made me feel... strangely close to her. As if we were kindred somehow. Though I'd not said such a thing, since I knew it would have seemed silly. I might tell Vim later though.

Sap then shifted, and reached behind her. At first I thought she was just scratching an itch or something, since she had no bags or even anything covering her back since it was exposed, but then she pulled her hand back around… and revealed a feather.

One freshly plucked by the looks of it. It was nearly as long as my forearm, and just as wide.

A little stunned by it, since it was pretty, I barely noticed Sap hold it out to me.

"Oh…?" I wasn't sure what to think as I reached out to accept it. She handed it off with a smile, making my heart flutter a little.

"My wedding gift. Congratulations," she said.

I blinked as my heart fluttered again, and I carefully held the feather closer. It was now one of the most precious things I owned.

"Thank you…" I whispered, unsure of what else to say.

"Mhm. Hopefully you don't take too long with Vim. With you around maybe my siblings won't be so insufferable," she said with a smile.

I grinned at that and nodded. "I'll make sure Vim let's me come visit soon. I promise."

Sap nodded, and then glanced over at Vim. "You promise to let her visit, right?" she asked.

"Aye. I'll send her your way if I get too busy, no matter what," Vim promised. As he spoke the little animal on his shoulder turned, to sniff at Vim's face as if it suddenly realized he existed.

The animal didn't seem too bothered, even as Vim glanced at it and sighed, which only made it seem all the more adorable.

"Alright. If I don't leave now I might get caught in the storm, so I'll be going," Sap then said to me.

I nodded quickly. "Mhm. Fly safe, Sap. Let your family know I look forward to meeting them soon," I said.

She grinned and stepped back, her wings unfolding as she did. "You'll regret that, Renn. You may have the patience to put up with Vim but not even you will be able to handle them, I swear," she said.

Before I could say anything more Sap flapped her wings a single time. The gesture was so swift and strong I flinched as a wave of air buffeted against me, as if from a gust of wind. She rose up into the sky, flapped her wings again and then went even higher. "Bye Renn! Vim!" Sap said loudly as she flew into the sky.

"Bye…!" I waved her off as she flew upward, and then began to circle a little. As she flapped her wings and flied higher, she started to fly around in us a couple times as she rose upward… and then she flew away. Within a few moments, and a few wing beats, she had flew high enough that I couldn't even hear her flap her wings anymore as she became tinier and tinier in the distance.

For a long moment I was enthralled by her, unable to take my eyes off her.

She really could fly. Like an actual bird.

It was amazing.

I had not really seen her do so when she had landed the other day, upon finding us. By the time I had looked at her she had already been on the ground. So honestly I hadn't been sure how she would have looked while flying. It was interesting that her whole body seemed to float a little as she flew… I had somewhat expected her legs to dangle beneath her, for some reason. But when I thought about it birds didn't do that when flying either.

Taking a deep breath, I sighed as I suddenly felt… cold. Sad.

She had been a sweet girl. I had enjoyed talking to her. Especially about Vim, and her interest in finding a partner.

Sap disappeared into some darker clouds as she flew higher, and then didn't become visible again. I still stood there, staring out at the horizon, to see if I caught sight of her again… but if she did drop back below the dark clouds I didn't see her do so.

After a few moments of watching the skies, I sighed again and looked down at my hands… at the feather I held within them.

It really was pretty. It was a dull brownish color, but it had a pattern on it. It was different shades of red and brown, and the top of the feather, at the tip, was darker. Almost a black. It felt light, like all feathers, but I could tell just from holding it that it was far stronger than it seemed. It felt as thick and solid as a strong stick.

Gently touching it, I smiled at the gift. How wondrous.

Turning to face Vim, I hurried over to him as to show him the feather. "Look, I got a gift," I said.

"I saw. It's a mighty gift, actually. I can tell you with full confidence that you are very likely the only person to ever be given a feather from her. She gave me one once, a long time ago when she had been a small child, but odds are she doesn't even remember doing so," Vim said.

My smile grew and became warmer. "Does it mean something special? To the owls?" I asked.

"Actually yes, it does. To them it's the same as declaring eternal friendship. They're basically saying; here's a part of me, keep me safe while we're apart," he said.

Oh my…!

My tail squirmed behind me as I made an odd noise in glee. How sweet…!

My making noises startled the creature on Vim's shoulder, and it darted down his back and side… then down the stump and off into some nearby bushes.

"Sorry," I apologized to it.

Vim ignored it as he gestured to the feather in my hand. "I'm to assume you'll want to cherish it?"

I nodded gravely. "Yes."

"It's too big to fit into a book, or your pouches. Put it in mine, the monarch one, once you're done enjoying it. Later on, when we have the opportunity, I'll make a case for it. To preserve it for you," he said.

My smile turned wobbly as I nodded. "Thanks," I said with a small sniff.

Vim's brow furrowed, likely because he noticed and heard that I had almost broke out into a cry.

But I couldn't help it…! It was so sweet! Not just the gift, and Sap, but him too.

"We've actually begun to accumulate quite the small treasure trove, haven't we?" Vim then said, likely referring not just to the stuff I have begun to gather but him as well.

"Yeah, your bag has become noticeably more bulky," I noted. It was resting at his side, and did in fact look twice as large as normal. Which was odd… maybe the monarch leather expanded somehow when more full than usual?

"Hm… I planned to take you to one of the places I've used as something akin to a vault, near Tor's Village. We can put some stuff there if you'd like, they'll be kept safe at least."

"Oh…? You mentioned that before. Is it kind of like the Keep?" I asked.

"Kind of. How'd you figure that out?" he asked with a frown.

I shrugged and smirked at him. "You used that word to describe the Keep too," I said.

"Word…? Oh. Vault? Yes. I likely had…"

I nodded. He had.

"Speaking of items… how many more do you have, Vim? Like that box, or the book Fly mentioned?" I asked.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

I hadn't even seen the book yet. I figured I'd wait until we were somewhere I could rest and scrounge through his bag first. Though I had decided not to do so without permission, since he had mentioned the box he had acquired at the Owl's Nest was dangerous. It meant the other stuff he was gathering could be dangerous too. I wasn't sure how a book could be dangerous, but I hadn't figured how a small box could be dangerous either, yet it was.

"More than I'd like to admit, but not that many. This region…? Probably six or seven, depending on the route we take back to Telmik," he said.

"Hm… are they all like that box? Things that are dangerous?" I asked.

He nodded. "Somewhat. It's why I had hidden them away, after all. They're either dangerous, or special. Too precious to risk getting lost, or in the hands of others."

Huh…

"This… vault you speak of. Could we make a home there?" I asked.

"Honestly yes, that had been my plan. I want to make sure you have a safe location in every region. Places you can get to swiftly, if you need to. I figure we'll make five or six them over the next few years… unless of course something drastic happens," he said.

Drastic. "Like us leaving the Society completely," I said softly.

He nodded, but looked hurt as he did so.

I had wanted to comment on the fact we still weren't done talking about his foolish decision of stepping down as the protector… but that look made me hesitate. I instead twirled Sap's feather, reminding myself I still had it.

While staring at his somber expression, I lifted the feather and brushed it against my face again.

Smelling the feather, I closed my eyes and dedicated the scent to memory.

It was an odd smell. Sap's smell. She smelled like a bird, and the forest. The cold, damp, forest of the north.

Yet it wasn't a disgusting smell… and in fact…

"Reminds me of home," I whispered softly.

"If you're instinct is right and your birthplace is nearby… then it likely does," Vim noted.

I nodded. "I think it is."

"Would you… like to go find it?" he asked with an odd tone.

I frowned at him, and slowly shook my head. "No. Not really," I said honestly.

Vim blinked at me, and I knew he wanted to ask if I was sure or not. I could see it in his expression. He was worried I was being considerate.

But I wasn't.

I genuinely did not want to go home. Or find it. At all.

That wasn't home anymore. Not to me.

My home was with him. The Society.

With… the people who made me happy. Like the ones who would give me a feather. Their feathers.

Smiling again at the feather, I gently brushed it against my cheek. It felt funny, but soothing. Hopefully Sap wouldn't mind such a thing, since it did seem kind of weird. It'd be like someone rubbing their face against my tail or something.

Though… I'd be okay with it. In a way.

"Ready Renn…?" Vim asked, and I realized he had stood up from his stump.

"Mhm," I nodded.

"Get your fill of it. It's about to rain… though the rain won't really hurt it too badly, being what it is, it's best to not risk it," he suggested as he stepped forward, patting me on the back as we both turned as to return to walking.

"Right…!" I nodded, realizing he was indeed exactly right. I had just watched Sap fly up into dark clouds, after all. It was about to rain, maybe even snow.

"You'll need to think of a gift in return," Vim said.

"Right…!" I stood up straighter, realizing he was right again.

He nodded. "In many cultures, the newly married couple gives back to those who gave to them during their festivities. Usually it's a feast for the whole village, or something, but that's boring," Vim said.

Hm… "What would she like…? She seems to not own anything, Vim. I'm actually surprised she even wears the little clothes she does," I said. She reminded me somewhat of my siblings, though without the cruelty and rage. She was more nonhuman than she appeared, what with her wings being the only trait visible upon her.

"I'm not sure. She doesn't live in one place long, doesn't care for much… she'll be a difficult one. But the gift doesn't have to be material. It can be something more personal, maybe words or emotions. A gesture, maybe?" he said as he thought about it too.

Brushing her feather against my lips, I wondered deeply what I could possibly give her in return.

Hopefully I could think of something before I saw her again… since she seemed to be the type to run off and live alone for extended periods. If I didn't figure something out before seeing her again, it could take me decades before I got another chance.

"Why did she eat a heart, Vim?" I asked, wondering if maybe knowing that would give me some insight into her personality.

"She had been born weak. Infirm. Think as weak as Fly. It made her fragile, and unable to fly. Lilly asked for a heart for her, in hopes it would keep her both alive… and give her the strength to endure the world. I agreed, and got one for her, but made sure it was a smaller and weaker heart. As to not have any major side-effects like Landi's," Vim explained.

My world grew warm again as I reached out with my free hand and took his. "That's lovely of you, Vim," I said softly.

"Mhm… Keep it a secret though, Renn. Not even her siblings know about it, only Lilly and Windle do," Vim said.

Oh…! "She told me so readily," I said softly.

He nodded and smiled. "You became fast friends. A lovely thing, if a little annoying sometimes," he said.

"Only you find such things annoying," I said with a huff, but smiled at him all the same.

"I'm sure others find it annoying too," he mumbled.

"So there'd be no need for another heart, or something like it. She had only needed it for her health, and already benefits enough from it," I said, understanding her predicament.

"Yes. Though I like your train of thought."

Grinning at him, I pointed Sap's feather at him accusationally. "Again with that word! What's it mean? You never answered last time," I asked. I'd assumed he didn't mean to imply my mind was training as it thought, though in a way that might make a little sense.

Vim frowned and slowed, and then realized what he'd said. "Right… well… that's hard to explain," he said softly.

"Oh…?" I grew excited. Was he going to try? Last time he had basically explained its meaning, it meant ones direction of thought, but he hadn't actually described the word itself!

"Hm…" Vim's frown deepened, and I squeezed his hand… this time in frustration. He noticed, and gestured lightly at me with his other hand. "Wait. I'm not trying to avoid it… I just don't know how to properly explain…"

"You don't normally find such a thing difficult to do, usually," I said.

"Right… well…"

A distant rumble in the sky told me the storm was approaching, and I pointed up at it with Sap's feather. "See? Even the world is annoyed at you right now."

He smirked and nodded. "The origin of the word comes from another. The original word was used to describe the act of pulling or drawing something. Usually something heavy or with great burden," he said.

My frown turned into one of confusion. "So… you're saying you like how my mind is pulling something heavy?" I asked, trying to understand.

"Well, no… there's more to it than that. Imagine a lot of wagons behind you, all connected. And you're pulling them all to your destination, right?" he said as he pointed behind us, as if we were in fact pulling a bunch of wagons.

"Uh… okay?"

"The term, or phrase I suppose, is basically like claiming that you have a very orderly sequence to your reasoning. Each wagon, each cart or part of the train, leads to the next. Then the next. Until you are led to your destination. Imagine a bunch of strings tangled up together, if you wanted to find the start and end of the string you'd follow a singular path right? A single strand, and so on and so forth? It's the same line of reasoning," he explained.

I sighed at him. "I was expecting something more interesting than that," I said honestly.

"Well, it actually is. But I can't tell you about it."

"What…? Why?"

He flinched again. "Okay. I can. I just don't want to."

"Bah!" I reached over and poked at him with Sap's feather. I did so gently, as to not harm the feather, and Vim softly smiled at me as I brushed it against his eyes and face.

"It does smell like the forests, doesn't it?" he noted.

"Hmph!" I stopped messing with the feather and reached to his side, as to grab at the bag he carried. I could now smell the rain approaching us, so I wanted to deposit it safely away before it got ruined or a gust of wind stole it from my grasp.

While Vim paused, to help me put the feather away securely… I noted the stuff in his bag.

Clothes. Little bundles. That box he had dug up, and some of my own items… like the book I had taken from Witch's descendant, Elaine. The one about flowers that was now ineligible. I had decided to take it after all, though a part of me regretted it. The thing looked absolutely weathered compared to the other stuff in his pouch. Old and worn beyond reason. It'd not be long until it needed to be tossed aside, if it wasn't already.

"Can wrap it with this, that way it won't get smooshed or anything," Vim said as he un-bundled one of the extra shirts I sometimes wore.

"Smooshed," I said, liking the word. It was a new one from Vim, but the meaning had been obvious. I really liked the sound of it.

Another loud rumble echoed overhead, and I heard the distant rain start to fall. It was approaching fast, and sounded heavy. Heavy enough that I needed to quickly cover myself again, hiding my tail and putting up the heavy hood.

Before I did though, once the feather was securely tucked away safely, I patted Vim's arm and got his attention.

"Sap's lonely," I told him.

"I heard. And saw. A surprise, to be honest. I had not expected it… I'd always thought her a solitary creature."

"Why does she not just go back home then? Live with her parents, and the rest?" I asked as I covered myself properly, putting my hood up and tucking my tail into my pants.

"I'm not sure, Renn. They all seem to get along, but there are issues. Some of them don't like Lilly. A few don't like Windle. Others don't like each other. I'd say it's just typical family squabbles… but who knows anymore. I try to not get involved in any of that stuff, you know me," Vim said as he finished messing with his bag and crossed his arms as to watch me mess with my ears under my hood. It was a heavy thing, the kind of heavy that was uncomfortable if I didn't properly position my ears.

"Does it bother you that I get involved?" I asked him.

"Not at all Renn. I mean… I guess in a way it does? Because it means you can potentially get hurt over it. Emotionally, more than physically. So it worries me. But although I grumble about it, I honestly find it both adorable and lovely. I like how you try to become family with everyone you meet, in a way," he said.

Feeling oddly humbled, I smiled up at the man who had an odd expression on his face. He looked… troubled, I guess. Maybe it had bothered him to admit something like that so readily?

"I've been told to consider them family. That I'm a part of their parliament," I said.

He smirked and nodded. "Yes. A member of their flock. A cat amongst birds, a funny thing but not the craziest pairing," he said.

I wanted to grumble at that, but the rain hit us. We went from being dry, to being soaked as a massive downpour fell upon us.

Groaning at the loud rain, and the heavy droplets falling upon me, I wondered how Sap flew in such a mess. Maybe this was why she had flown off when she had, as to avoid it.

"Come on, Renn. No point lingering in the rain," Vim said, his voice somewhat distant thanks to the loud rain and the thick hood covering my ears. He patted me on the back, leading me to join him as we returned to walking.

I of course joined him, but made sure to do so closely. I wrapped my arms around his, both for warmth and so that I could hear him better as we talked in the loud rain.

"Where are we going next?" I asked.

"We're going to meet Elk and his family."

"Elks…!" I nodded as I remembered the family name, and location, on the map at Lilly's home. The one Windle kept updated. The family had been a larger one, with several members. Akin to Lilly's.

We were closer to the coast than I had thought, then. Which was strange. I couldn't smell the sea at all. Maybe the heavy rains were keeping it at bay?

"I'll need to thank Sap as well, she saved me from your anger earlier even if she doesn't realize it," Vim then said.

I grinned at that, and debated teasing him over it… but decided not to. I was in a great mood, so I didn't feel like getting upset or angry. At anything at the moment. Odds are I couldn't even if I tried, honestly.

"What would you give her as a gift?" I asked, choosing to focus on that instead.

"A hammock."

"What's that?"

"A type of bed. Usually a net of rope, hanging off the ground."

Huh… a few memories of beds fashioned out of cloth, hung upon walls or posts, came to mind. Maybe something like that?

"Think she'd like it? Even though she seems to not care for stuff?" I asked.

"Yes. Especially if it's something light and easy for her to carry. We can make it together if you'd like," he offered.

"Mhm…!" I happily agreed… and squeezed his arm closer.

I loved getting gifts… but this would be something special for me. And not just because it was a gift given in return for a wonderful one.

I'd not given gifts before. Not like this. To anyone. I've never had such an opportunity.

I looked forward to it.

"So… does this mean we need to prepare gifts for the whole Society, Vim?" I asked, absolutely loving the idea.

Vim groaned.

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