The size of the raven watching me from the top of the Gem Tent gave me pause. His feathers were not smoothed to his body, or shining in the sun. He had the bearing of an ancient thing that survived every battle that came its way.
It kept its silence as we locked eyes, and a chill of fear suffused me. “Abdiel…?”
We see him.
“Is he the one?”
You must ask him.
“I don’t know his language.”
He will know yours.
The gem hawker was edging closer to me; a female at the Gem Tent was considered a sure sell in their eyes. I’d lingered too long, and while the butchers they hired wouldn’t surround me, they’d stop me if I tried to leave.
I heard a fluttering behind me, and low caw of warning. The raven was at my feet, and the gem hawker made a holy ward across his face and chest, then went the other way.
“Let’s go.” I said it loud enough for people to hear, but there was only me and that unsettling bird. No one stopped me from leaving, but I heard muttering at my back as the raven perched on my right shoulder.
That was foolish, Tina. We can’t stay here now.
“I don’t deny it, but it seems I have my familiar.”
“Atheron sends his greetings, and his love, Lady.”
“You speak?”
“I do.”
“He sent you?”
“At Hannah’s request.”
“But he has no magic.”
“His travels take him far. He knows many, for one who claims hermitage. One such as met him provided me for you.”
“How did you know where to find me?”
“I did not. I searched for Abdiel, since I am to host him.”
Abdiel didn’t seem to know he’d been searched out, even when the raven and I stared at each other. There was power at work here yet unknown, that seemed to be trying to catch up with all the responsibilities that came with it.
I wasn’t sure I was ready for any of it, but they were converging in equal proportion, and gathering speed all the same.
Tell us your name, raven.
“Zephyr.”
We shall see how light our travels are, then.
“Indeed, dark spirit, we shall.”
Nightshade Stories 