A Different Point of View<\/b><\/p>\n
The human is imbecilic. The human is dangerous. The human is beyond our help.<\/p>\n
Oh Margravine, your strength is waning and I cannot stop your demise. That is the way you have chosen to go, but you promised we would be spared. You said we could save the world you made. Yet, the world crumbles still. What have we done wrong?<\/p>\n
The esteemed flock follow me now. The traitor, with heart as black as her wings, is removed. Doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t this please you? Hm, I think it does. You have finally come, as we knew you would. I am just relieved that ridiculous pigeon didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have a chance to achieve the leadership. Your children are safe with me. Do you care? Of course not.<\/p>\n
I am tired of this world. The sun shines too bright here. And it should be dead already. The Margravine flew here so long ago and then she died. It should die with her. That was to be the result of the dissolution. A world for a world. The Margravine deserted us, though we love her, and came to this place. Isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t it right for this place to replace ours in death, as it did in life? Beloved Margravine, may your blood find rest here as your spirit found rest here in life.<\/p>\n
Actually, the fire in your blood does burn here. Something we did, at least, started the process. I feel the fire every moment, working on the land. But it hesitates. Why does it hesitate? Something stops your killing fire. I cannot tell what is working against us. The human simply watches as we watch. It is not her, or the other one in that house. I believe the house is just a vessel, a post office for you to send your messages to us. But why did you send your bones to her? She is stupid. So ignorant and soft, I can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t even speak to her. But you chose her. This, I must think on, Margravine, dearest.<\/p>\n
The dissolution went perfectly. When last came the windy moon, we cut the Count into his bits and drowned the fool in mother\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s milk. Then sent we bits and milk into the void to console your dying heart and sever your ties to our world. That was the injunction you sent to us. Why did it not work? Were you not consoled? It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s true, the fires stopped that day, and the rivers ran clear. But the wind did not return and the lands still shake. Were you only a little consoled? Perhaps you did not like to leave our world so easily? Is there hope that you love us a little?<\/p>\n
But no, I cannot delude myself. We are a duty to you, a strong bond, but certainly not as strong as love. There is another reason you remain, half way between there and here. You cannot bring yourself to destroy your creation, though you love us not. And yet, you will not leave our world at peace while this one falls apart in our place. There is something here that restrains you. They are not yours. They cannot love you as we love you. Why do you spare them?<\/p>\n
However, you do spare them, and so must I. I love you too much, Margravine, to hate something you so obviously care about. I say care about, because I cannot bring myself to think of the possibility of love. You do not love. You cannot love, dearest. Can you?<\/p>\n
But I do hate the human you sent your bones to, Margravine! At least, I resent her immensely. She thinks she\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s got something here but she just meanders through her worthlessly short life too preoccupied with unchangeables to see the worth of the things in her own house. Last week I saw her in that infernal chair, looking at the messages this house has gathered for her. She looks but doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t see. She listens but doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t hear. Will she even see your bones properly? I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t think she can hear you, Margravine. But I am growing beyond that, Indomitable One. I will trust you even here. Let it be. You have chosen. I will go back and see what the human is doing. At least I can make sure she doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t lose your box, dearest.<\/p>\n
When I turn back from my meditative flight, I see that the Imperical Magistrate of Care and Forward Thinking has kept me company. The human has named her Henwyn, which is, strangely, a bit easier to keep in my mind when I am in this world. I am glad Henwyn chose to accompany me today. She embodies the Margravine\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s sharp wit, but also a bit of the Count\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s bumbling compassion. The brush of her wake as she turns back toward the house with me is comforting.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153She didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t choose this, you know.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
I sigh in response. Henwyn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s company may not be as soothing as I thought. Whether I want to listen or not, she continues,<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153The girl just wants to live a happy life, and we came barging in. We brought problems that will overwhelm her.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153They were already her problems too, Firefli\u00e2\u20ac\u201c\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
I cut her off. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153This human, this world took the Margravine from us. It is because of our loss that these problems started. Can we change the messenger the Margravine has chosen? No. No matter how much we wish this human gone, or how practical it would be, we cannot change what has been done.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153The girl is more than a messenger, Fireflight. And the girl isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t the one who called the Margravine from us.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Henwyn stresses the word “girl,” but I am more shocked by her use of the human\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s name for me. I should have expected it, but hearing it still shocks me. This world is creeping in. The human is infiltrating us. Is this what the Margravine wanted?<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153What do you mean the one who called the Margravine?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d I push my thoughts past the names.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153You know what the Margravine searched for, Fireflight. She found it here. But it wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t the girl, so stop hating her. We have to work together to finish this.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I know we do. That\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s why I came to meditate. I am resolved. The Margravine has chosen. Fear not Henwyn, I have decided not to hate this\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6 girl. I know you will help me keep my resolve. But do please stop calling me by that awful name.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s not awful, Fireflight.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d She flicks her tail with a smile. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153She was quite apropos with our names. Besides, you use the names too, and I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t mind. But thank you. I am reassured.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
The attic window looms before us and I continue down the stairs as Henwyn settles on a dusty roost. I want to begin immediately. There will be much to explain to the girl. It is best to get it over with. She is not in the food room where we left her. My heart starts to race before I realize that I can hear her in the other room. The room with that chair. My heart continues to speed. But that is just ridiculous. The chair poses no harm. It is just another of this house\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s objects. I round into the room and land in front of the offending recliner.<\/p>\n
The girl sits, staring up. I look up, but there is nothing on the ceiling. It is a strange human gesture. Suddenly, I can feel the Magravine\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s box. It sits in the girl’s lap and I realize it must be speaking to her. I am surprised she actually asked the question. She actually listened this time. But I am also concerned that she will drop the Margravine\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s box. It looks particularly precarious in her lax fingers. I take a step forward, and she snaps her head down. My heart beats faster still. Stupid heart.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m still hungry.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d She states, stands up, and walks out the door.<\/p>\n
Infernal girl. But at least she heard the box. That will make my explanation easier.<\/p>\n
And I am surprised. Pleasantly surprised.<\/p>\n
Louise Warren<\/p>\n
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Next\u00c2\u00a0Chapter<\/a><\/p>\n