Maedaeria, Ep. 4

Okay guys! here's more!!! I decided to be in the story... I'm Marinka! You don't get to see much of her in this episode, but she'll appear more later on!

I again apologize for the long delay in introducing MC (Ania) and Bethany (Bethleyom) into the story. It simply means you're going to have a grand entrance!!! ;)

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Marinka peered down at the two elves, her wings quivering with interest. One of the girls had raven black hair; the other dark brown. That they were elves was certain, for they had the tall, graceful forms and the pointed ears, and wore the long, flowing gowns made of a shimmering Elvin material impossible to duplicate.
“Come on, Emily,” the taller one said, as they hurried through the forest on winged feet. “We’ll get it now. The feast starts in an hour.”
“What are you doing out here, Marinka?” The voice was stern, and so was the face.
“Oh, Father,” Marinka turned, her pointed face guilty. “Nothing. I was simply enjoying the cool autumn breeze.”
“You should be out with the others, doing mischief to those who trespass in our forest.” Floritzel frowned at his daughter. “And these wings, ridiculous! Dull, dreary, lifeless brown?”
Marinka looked down at her mouse-brown wings. She blushed.
“Why brown, Marinka? Dirt brown? Look at the beautiful colors around you! Gold, red, brilliant orange, violet, blue, yellow! Fall is full of dazzling colors. Why brown?”
“Father, it’s not my fault if my wings are brown!” Marinka’s wings drooped, her voice low.
“Well, you could at least try and be like other pixies! Why sit here all day, when there is heaps of tomfoolery and mischief to be done! After all, Marinka, you are the daughter of the King of Fairyfolk!”

***********

Kateri pulled Emily after her.
“We’re almost there,” she smiled.
“I think I hear them calling us,” Emily replied anxiously.
“I hope they won’t be too angry,” Kateri grimaced, looking down at her sodden Elvin gown. “We did get a little grubby, didn’t we?”
“Well, at least we know that baby’s going to be okay!” said Emily.
“That’s true. Now come on!” Kateri sped up, only to abruptly halt. “Do you hear something?”
“No…Why, do you?” Emily whispered, looking nervous.
“I – don’t know. Here, you go on without me. I want to look around.”
“Oh, but Kateri, we’re in enough trouble as it is! You don’t want to be late for the feast too!”
“It will only take a moment….Go on.” Kateri smiled reassuringly at Emily. The younger girl shrugged.
“Alright, but you’d better hurry! See you.” Emily said, before dashing off, waving.

“Hello?” Kateri called. “Anybody there?” Something scuffled behind an enormous tree, shaking leaves and cracking twigs. Kateri slowly crept toward the tree. Peering around it, she saw a horrendous sight. A tall, black figure stood over the fallen body of a young woman, her golden hair spread over her face, concealing her features. The figure, draped in an aged, midnight black cloak, slowly turned, revealing a face swathed in black material, only the beady black eyes visible. Those eyes sent shivers through Kateri’s body. They seemed to peer into her very inner soul. She froze with fright. The creature, the man, or whatever it was, looked at her. Then it slowly, deliberately, turned its back on her, leaning down and picking up the strange woman. It turned once more, looked Kateri in the eye. Suddenly, out of its back, strange, hideous wings sprouted, wings twice the size of the creature itself. It gave Kateri one more searching glance, took a step forward, and whispered. She didn’t understand it, but she knew what it meant.
“You’re next.”