"Ever!"

Alikus looked up. The heron-stork Ginkgo flapped down, slightly lopsided, landing near them.

"Oh, you're here?" Ginkgo looked over at Alikus.

"Oh, hello Ginkgo." Evereldette looked up. "I found the crow. The one the prophecy spoke about."

"Yes- the cursed crow. I've seen her before." Ginkgo replied. "Ever, the King is looking for us. You and me."

"We can take them." Evereldette answered.

"Along with that- there's a battle at the Tree. We should go watch, and try to prevent any damage if we can." Ginkgo suggested.

"Alright. She can come with, too." Evereldette said, pointing at Alikus.

Alikus nodded.

The heron-stork and the gyrfalcon took flight, rising into the air. Alikus followed.

It's so windy today. It makes me think of when I was first learning to fly.

I wish I was back with my family.

And Ginkgo- she said...

I'm cursed?

That... That makes sense.

I don't want to kill anyone. I don't want to not be normal. I want to be called Alikus, not the cursed crow, not the white crow.

But that will never happen.

Alikus continued to follow them. It's so far away, but the wind made her faster and her wings aren't tired.

"Why is the King after you two?" She asked.

Ginkgo and Evereldette shared a glance, then started to laugh.

"Well, my first crime was being born, and his was setting the former palace on fire." Ginkgo answered.

"How did you set it on fire?" Alikus asked, taken aback.

"Magic." Evereldette replied.

"No, really." Alikus sighed, rolling her eyes.

"Yeah. Magic. White gyrfalcons always have magic." Evereldette confirmed.

"Oh. What about.. white crows?" Alikus asked hopefully.

"Well, if you're not born with magic, it's completely possible to learn it." Evereldette replied.

"How?" Alikus queried.

"You have to cut your wing off." Evereldette answered.

"How do you fly?!" Alikus gasped.

"Ha, you don't." Evereldette giggled.

Ginkgo was silent, just staring ahead.

They continued to fly.

"Are we really much different from when Ecneitnes wasn't there? Or is it worse?" Ginkgo wondered aloud.

Alikus and Evereldette stared at her.

"If crimes are committed just by being born and there is endless fighting, are we any different? Parts of me wants Ecneitnes to disappear. Maybe then we could have true peace. Everyone acts like it's something great. We can speak to each other. We can love.

"But can we love? If you love anyone but your own species, it's a crime. An unforgivable crime. And it's unforgivable because you're dead. If a candidate must fight the current ruler to the death to become ruler, maybe we're better off without a Kingdom.

"But this is how we live.

"And it will never change."