Troubles of the Mount Pais Vasco Aery (55)

In part, I expected a chance for a good climb to refocus my mind before meeting the Phoenixes. It would also be a chance to think through everything that I had discovered during this short trip. Four full formed phoenixes awaited us at the top edge of the foothills where the badly maintained trail ended. The horses whinnied once but remain calm and silent as we approached the majestic flaming predatory birds. As we moved closer, I could spot the humanoid birds saddled upon the grand phoenixes. They shared the flame coloured feathers of the true bird but their form had aspects more related to flaming angels. Down feathers for hair that crested down their backs to spread into their flame coloured wings. The deep set reddish hue on their skin and the talon shaped hands and chitin covered feet completed their predatory bird-like attributes. I scanned with my eyes and my mind the group of phoenixes to note the handful of nearly human looking members of the race. The ruddy completion of their skin appeared as the only tell-tale sign of their inhuman origin. I pondered while we slowly rode up to meet them if this was a sign of cross-breeding or an evolutionary adaptation caused magically by them.

“Being your first meeting with us,” a human looking woman started, “we do understand your possible surprise at the many forms of our race.” She curtsied at us with a face devoid of emotion. “We will explain what we know of this diversity.” she continued easily. “Be well meet at the Pais Vasco Aery.” she concluded. She curtsied to us once more as we disembarked from our carriage. They seemed to ignore Cole's feminine attire as if they had witnessed plays like that before today. I bowed deeply to her while my team followed suit.

“It would be of great interest to learn more of your race.” I replied casually. “It was a shock being meet by flaming winged angels.” I admitted with a wry smile.

“We fear they are the source for the fallen angels who's wings burn for eternity tales.” she returned with a sigh. “My name is Pecado and I will serve as your guide Lord Kestrel.” she continued. I sensed her mind's forced whisper at me. “May Meakita advise us in our cursed mystery.”

“I will attempt to perform as the perfect envoy for those that sent me here.”I returned quickly. She smiled as she realized I heard her desires.” Sertian, my honour guard and marshal protege.” I began the introductions. “Mekiliean, my healer, and Colêsträ, my attache to the Council of Atlantis.”

“All very honoured guests to our Aery.” Pecado replied. She acknowledge each in turn with a swift half curtsy. “We offer you wings to avoid the hardship of a quasi impossible climb.” she told us. She waved toward the four great birds that knelt with bowed heads to us. “Best we wing away from here before human eyes discover us.” she concluded. She gently took my arm to lead the party to the feathered mounts. She scrabbled easily upon the last bird's neck and held back a helping hand offered to me. I chuckled while using my invisible wings to leap high and land gently upon the seat behind her on the great bird's neck. I only had a moment to glance back to the others before we were airborne racing in a spiralling arc around the mountain.

“What is this mystery that plagues the phoenixes?” I stated. I knew the wind and distance would mute our words from the others.

“Our forms.” she replied over her shoulder to me. She brushed her hand against the side of our mount's feathered head as she whispered quickly into his ear. She turned at the waist to face me more fully without loosening her leg grip around the bird's neck. “More accurately, phoenixes being reconstituted with human forms.” she continued. “And noticing phoenix' souls being reborn in purely human bodies.” she added quickly.

“Very interesting development for a mythic race as ancient as the phoenixes.” I returned softly. I scratched at my chin pondering to halt the angry retort I sense forming in her mind. “Have the phoenixes been mating more with humans?” I enquired. She made a confused face as I felt her thinking through my question. I took the chance to examine her external and internal physiology while she pondered. Flaming red hair was mixed within sparse patches of feathery down on her head while the reddish hue of her skin could easily pass for a mildly sunburned human. Even her bones lacked the air pockets typical for all the feathered species but, I could see the soul-fire inside her. This soul-fire gave the phoenix the ability to return living through their fiery self purging and reconstruction of their body seen as a form of immortal rebirth.

“To my knowledge ...” she began slowly, “... only the reborn in human bodies have been brought under wing.” I could see in her mind when they failed to safeguard and spirit them away. The dire consequences of an infected human destroying half a town in an unstoppable blaze because of their phoenix' soul-fire unleashed due to fatal illness. “They wish to remain separated fully from humans in all things.” she concluded. I gleaned the chain that occurred to create the different ones I saw upon my arrival.

“The grand phoenixes go into their flaming molting to shrink each time as their form slides closer to a human shape.” I announced. She nodded back as I scanned the airspace for my other companions. The three other mounts had passed us to be nearly at the summit that hid the Phoenix Aery.

“Then they reform into the flaming angel form.” Pecado supplied. “The new fledgling hatched taking the newest form as their starting point.” she explained. “To protect our grand form, we control mating combinations very strictly.” she continued. “No reproduction is allowed between any of the tiers below the true original phoenix form.” she concluded.

“Lessening the birth rate which would force the phoenix' souls reincarnating into the bodies of other more prolific races.” I returned. “Or having your race slip slowly into a purely human form without losing its soul-fire abilities.” I hazarded softly. I saw the flame kindling in her eyes at my words. “It would hopefully prevent spontaneous combustion destroying human dwelling areas.” I added. She shook her head as flame tongues played around her eyes and a sad squawking laugh escaped her.

“Would the Atlantian Council allow their citizen to be born looking like powerless humans?” she retorted. Her eyes blazed hotter as she spoke. “It is seen as a miracle that they did not neuter the half beast guards in gratitude for sparing their lives.” she remarked. Flames now played in her hair as I felt her disgust toward my thoughts. “No race would wish to be lost into a weaker joke of a race.” she added.

“Your anger and your flames are pointless when directed at me Pecado.” I stated forcefully. Her eyes widened as I mentally forced her flames back into her soul. She gasped as she realized that, without lifting a finger, I had nullified her powers. “I would rather human stayed human but that is impossible when the mystic races seem drawn to curse them daily.” I continued mercilessly. As I spoke, I allowed black coloured flames to wreath my features in a hawkish mask. “My counsel was to lessen the contamination of the true humans.” I told her pointedly. My eyes shifted to the midnight depths of empty space while I ignored her fear-filled whimpering. “And it may give the phoenix' egoistic pride a taste of humility.” I ended. Her mouth worked in silence as she attempted in vain to break through her chest constricting terror. I let the dark flames fade as my now blacken eyes slowly returned to their raptorial amber orbs of my name sake predator.

“Dark Phoenix...” she squeaked out. It had taken a quarter hour for her to regain her voice. She still stared in wide eyed fear at me while our winged mount continued lazily circling the mid point of the mountain in a ponderous accession.

“I am called kestrel with good reason.” I replied calmer. “Small, vicious, and capable of dealing with much larger targets.” I explained sheepishly. “Doesn't help when my soul is the child of Madness raping Passion.” I added half in jest.

“Meakita is the Ancient Alal?” she remarked hoarsely. I nodded slowly without emotion in admittance to her. “But not the feared monster of our legends?” she continued haltingly. I smile as I nodded once more to her. “Refrain from wearing that flaming kestrel mask before the others.” she advised calmer. “I doubt they would live through that mistake.”

“I believe our mount drop us if I were the true Dark Phoenix.” I returned casually. This thought was filed away as I saw the possibility of controlling the phoenixes from all Aeries with this underhanded method. “I am sorry for causing you panic but I could not allow your anger to blind you from basic facts.” I explained. “Since the low birth rate is the only reason for phoenix' souls being born in human bodies.” I made clear to her. “But I have no answer for the shifting form that is assaulting your kind.” I continued. “But it would give you the control the true humans lack.” I added. I shrugged my shoulders while holding my hands out at my sides as sign of helplessness.

“I ask for your forgiveness for my cross words Lord Kestrel.” she stated. “And heartfelt gratitude for your open minded advice.” she added quickly. She turned instantly to squawk commands, or requests, to our mount. It rocketed to reach the other three as they started landing on a ledge at the peak level.

“Problems?” Sert interjected. He remained on the ledge by the mounts waiting while the rest entered ahead of us.

“I simply required to confirm the cause of a minor issue the Phoenixes face.” Pecado answered easily.

“Similar to the broken cart we encountered on the path here.” I commented. “Which rises a question in my mind regarding that trio of humans.” I said slowly.

“Few humans travel in carts for leagues around Pais Vasco.” Pecado remarked. I nodded my agreement to her words. “I will give you time to discuss privately.” she offered, Sert eyed me quickly before nodding his acceptance to staling entering a few more minutes.

“What did you make of our stranded trio?” I asked Sert honestly.

“They were not what they appeared to be.” he replied quickly. “I sense no true deceit or evil intentions in their machinations but something felt inhuman about them.” he explained softly. I stared at him questioningly without speaking. I want him to state his full thoughts without being held back or guided by my words. “It is easier to be overlooked and not challenged if they appear as simple humans than what they truly were.” he concluded. I nodded my understanding.

“I thought the same but, like you, I did not see any evil intentions in them during their requested help.” I returned to Sert.

“I doubt they truly needed help but wanted to know if humans in the area would be open to assisting them instead of ignoring or preying on them.” Sert replied. “I just feel very bad having Cole and Meli drag them into their silly bickering.” he moaned. “I wonder if they think all women are vain now?”

“And if I confided in you that I believe they knew Cole was not a woman?” I remarked. “And I may have encouraged them to select him?” I added in a whisper. Sert did not attempt to hide a chuckle that escaped him.

“At the very least, it gave us a few hours of silence during the ending of our trip.” he conceded bashfully. “Will you tell me what they truly were?” he asked suddenly.

“I would if I knew without any doubts.” I lied to him. “It felt draconian but something was truly wrong about it.” I falsely admitted. I waited to see what he would consider them being so I would know what would be told to Annianka. Sert shrugged as he nodded acceptance to my words. “We should enter before Cole makes a mockery of this meeting.” I suggested. “Considering they are stuck with Meli and Cole, we could have another who is the prettiest contest started.” I added. Sert shook his head and hung his shoulders as we entered through the simmering image that hide the Aery from view.

Once pass the illusionary barrier, we finally could see the true Pais Vasco Aery around us. Their shield hide the top quarter of the mountain peak which held tree perches, grand nests, and climbing vines sturdy enough for even a full grown human to climb without fear. Smaller nests were nestled under the grand ones to offer more protection from the rain for the new human formed phoenixes and infected humans. The adaptation made to help and protect those reborn as lesser in comparison to the true phoenixes showed the acceptance of these members. Pecado waited a yard in from the barrier with a trio of fledgelings. The one that showed as being purely human stared wide-eyed at us as we approached. I had removed the glamoury that shorten Atlantians to human height when we disembarked from the carriage. The humans linked to the Eibar Goblin Enclave received warning of our giantess size but I feared the newer members of the Aery had not benefited from such a warning. I did not sense fear but awe and excitement from the infected human while the other two seem unaffected by the sight of giants among them.

“Those are Atlantians?” the boy muttered. I notice one of the others nodding to him. “They truly are giants among men!” he continued in awe.

“Hush Darwin.” Pecado told him. The others giggled in sharp squawking tones. The lone human hung his head as he blushed. A pained look of pity crossed Pecado's face as the boy's shoulders slumped.

“We may be tall but very nice people.” Sert remarked. I did not stop him as he strode casually to the boy. He crouched in a frog like pose to attempt being closer to the boy's height. “Only a bit taller now.” he stated. The boy rose his face slowly to look up at Sert. “And not so scary up close.” he continued. The boy stared at him intently studying his features in silence. “I hope not as scary.” he added in the silence. It took another minute before the boy giggled at Sert.

“Only real difference is the slightly pointed ears.” the boy announced. Pecado sighed as she shook her head.

“You should not be defining each race solely on looks.” she chided him. The boy shrugged but remained silently smiling at Sert. I chuckled which drew the child's attention back to me. I let myself shrink back to my normal human height before his eyes. I received only a gulp for my performance.

“Not everything you see with your eyes is filled with truth.” I told the boy. “If you look beyond with your inner fire, you may be surprised at what you truly are looking upon.” Pecado move forward ready to speak as the boy closed his eyes in concentration. I glared at her as I place my index finger across my lips to silence here objections. The boy's eyes reopened revealing a thin line of reddish-orange flames around his iris. He examine Sert and myself before turning to examine Pecado.

“That is utterly impossible!” she challenged me. “You must be the cause of this!” she added. The other two Phoenix fledgeling cheered him as as they saw the human boy's flame touched eyes. The child blinked once his gaze had returned to me with normal eyes.

“If the soul is present, it's powers will be there also.” I informed them. “I simply reminded him about it.” I continued casually. “When did you first see through your soul-eyes?” I asked softly. I saw Pecado once again wanting to interrupt us but said nothing.

“I was four or five.” the boy replied. “It scared me because, while my family looked the same, I was made of fire.” he confessed. “I had not thought about it until you mentioned inner fire.” he admitted bashfully.

“And this changes how and what we teach these phoenix souled humans.” Pecado stated.

“If nothing is held back, you may find they equal the true blooded phoenixes.” I returned quickly.

“I doubt they can reconstitute themselves through flaming immolation.” she replied. “Their body does not produce the correct oils to manipulate flames without burning their flesh.” she continued slower. I shrugged back to her waiting for the interruption I felt coming from Sert.

“Would lighting a candle from a distance be considered as acceptable flame manipulation like that of a phoenix?” he asked boldly.

“It is not part of the traditional phoenix training.” Pecado returned quickly. “But please explain your thoughts in this matter.” she continued amicably.

“It is something Meli, Mekiliean, was thought regarding elemental control and release.” Sert informed us. I nodded for him to continue as a mild blush touched his cheeks. “If they learn some of the fire manipulation techniques of elementalists, they would not need to touch the flame while manipulating it.” he explained hesitantly. “Mekiliean could explain it better with more details and examples.” he added quickly.

“It would also help increase their control over the inner fire they possess.” I remarked casually. “Which could also lead to new form of manipulation the other phoenixes might be able to use.” I hazarded.

“This would change many of the derogatory ideas for us reborn out of feathers.” Pecado replied softly. “We will ask lady Mekiliean for any simple exercises we can start teaching the class.” she told Darwin. “I think a great change for phoenixes everywhere will start with those simple lessons.” she added. It was the first moment since I met this woman that I sensed happiness in her. The power of the hope that formed deep inside her grew quickly as I saw her thoughts forming along this secondary line of teaching for the wingless avians.