Nektara’s Tale – Part 3

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Jan 272012
 

Nektara was a bundle of nerves as she travelled along the path to where her destiny awaited. She drew her flute to her lips and blew into it as she walked. The music poured out of her as it always did, the exact song she needed to set herself straight.

When at last she finished, a voice spoke out, “That was lovely! Does your song have a name?”

Nektara looked around to see who it was. Behind her was a young fox. By the looks of him, he was about her age, give or take a season. He was dressed in a rustic tunic with a pack slung over his shoulder. She hadn’t even noticed him following her!

“I don’t know…“ she answered. “Most of the time, I just play and whatever comes out, comes out. I usually have no idea if it’s a song I’ve heard before or just something that’s been fiddling around in my brain waiting to get out!”

The fox smiled, “Well, I say it was high time that song made its way out of your brain.” He held out his paw, “I’m Todrick.”

“Nektara,” the oursa replied, “Pleased to meet you.” She shook paws with the friendly fox.

“Likewise.” The fox surveyed her for a moment, “Looks to me as though you’re on a journey…”

“As do you…” Nektara noted.

“Only as far as the rookery,” Todrick said.

This was quite the coincidence, thought Nektara. “You’re meeting with Crismus as well?”

Todrick nodded, before adding, “If he’ll speak with me.”

“I was invited!” Nektara said, trying not to sound too smug or proud.

“How wonderful!“ the fox said sincerely. “As we both have the same destination, what say you to the idea of travelling together?” Todrick offered.

“Sure!”

And with that there were a pair of travellers along the path to the rookery where before there had been one stranger and another.

Nektara’s Tale – Part 2

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Jan 202012
 

“Slow down, Half! You’re going to make yourself sick eating so fast!”

Half was her brother’s nickname for her. Her given name was Nektara but she was quite small for an oursa. Her brother used to tease that she was half the bear she should be. When she was younger, the nickname would drive her mad. “I’m twice the bear you are even at half the size!” she’d once retorted. Now a little older, she was at ease with her small stature, and she recognized the affection with which her brother used the quip.

“I don’t have time to slow down! I have to be at the rookery by dusk! Crismus himself asked for me! Can you imagine? Me!”

She’d sent off her application with a member of the Mouse Wing who’d passed through over two months ago. The mouse promised he’d deliver it within the week. When several weeks passed without hearing word, she’d given up hope. Then two days ago, she received the notice. Crismus, the Great Owl himself, wanted to speak with her!

“The old owl has done well enough without you so far. I’m sure he can do without you for the time it takes you to eat your meal without choking!”

“Well, he won’t have to now, I’m done!” She pushed herself and her chair away from the table. In a flash, she was gone upstairs to finish packing!

Her brother shook his head and grinned as he watched her go.

Nektara’s Tale – Part 1

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Jan 132012
 

The oursa looked over the scroll she had been writing. It still wasn’t right! She had been wracking her brain for the past three days trying to compose her thoughts in an orderly fashion. But everything was a jumble up in there. The more she tried to focus, the more she ended up going sideways. She’d never get accepted into the Academy at this rate.

As she so often did when her brain refused to cooperate, she reached for her flute. A gift from her father when she was still only a cub, the instrument was a reminder of a home she could never return to. It soothed her just to hold it, to feel the polished wood between her paws. Bringing the woodwind to her lips, she belted out a soulful tune. Her mind went blank as she let the music carry her.

How long she played, she couldn’t remember. She woke up the next morning to find herself hunched over the desk. The flute had been set aside and in her paw she still held her writing quill. The scroll she had fallen asleep over was now filled with words. She read them over. This was it!

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