Straia has always known what happens inside the border of her kingdom rather quickly. She keeps a keen eye out, and weaves through the trees with ease, a shadow that watches. But now, with the ravens that fly above their heads, she knows even faster. One of her newfound friends dips low, landing on her shoulder and digging its claws into her flesh. She feels warm blood trickle slightly, but she doesn’t mind. All magic has a price. This is something she has always known. Perhaps thanks to Eight, in that meeting so long ago in the meadow. Perhaps because it simply makes sense.
The raven caws, though Straia understands the meaning behind the sound. And then, as quickly as it had come, the raven takes off and back into the sky. Her ravens circle everywhere. Not just the Chamber, but the other kingdoms as well. They keep out of sight as best they can, spending less time in the Deserts and the Valley where they are likely to be spotted by the resident magicians. Eventually, she knows she’ll need to be careful in the Gates too. Though at least in the Gates and the Valley, ravens are commonplace. In the Deserts, they can only pass by now and again, pretending to be lost.
Straia weaves through the trees until she can see the gray mare with shadows dancing at her feet. Engelsfors is already approaching, and for a moment, Straia lets the palomino take the lead. It’s good to see new recruits throwing themselves into life in the Chamber so wholeheartedly. But she knows that this particular visitor is more than meets the eye. Not just the shadows at her feet either, but the ravens have told her everything they know. A name, a few stories. Some of her pets are old enough to remember more recent stories. The Dale, particularly.
She slips out of the trees as Engelsfors begins to talk, close enough to catch her words at this point, and sliding into the small group as the palomino introduces herself. “Like a lover, I’d say,” she says, her voice smoky as always. Raven feathers ring her head, a fun little thing Straia had been playing with as of late. Really, she wanted to get it right so she could show Eight. Just to prove exactly what she had become. Something so much greater than the princess he called to the meadow, to the girl that he gave a crown made of flowers. “Straia. But you already knew that, didn’t you Anaxarete?”
straia
the raven queen of the chamber