To the Rescue

Magpie Tale 142

Rina slumped against the outcropping of rock and looked up at the circle of people around her who were waiting for an explanation. She was relieved that they didn’t seem mad. Silver looked like she was going to start laughing even, but Gervas. Gervas was their leader and Rina hoped he wasn’t mad.

Sighing she began, “Stepmother and I never really got along. I wouldn’t say we hated each other – well not most of the time. And Father always kept us from really squabbling. Father liked it when I did weird things anyways. So he was fine with me learning to sword fight and eventually joining a band of heroes. But Stepmother - ”

“She thought more lady-like pursuits would be a better way to spend your time?” Silver asked helpfully.

Rina nodded. “So after Father died, it didn’t take long for me to runaway. I thought Stepmother would be expecting it. I knew I would join a hero band, so, well you guys know that part.” Rina looked at the heroes who had been her family for the last two months. Silver was defiantly trying not to laugh and everyone else looked amused, but Gervas was still unreadable. “And it’s the best thing I’ve ever done!” she added fiercely. “I just never thought when we took this quest to find that missing girl she’d end up being me.”

Rina looked down at her shoes. She could only suppose it was her Stepmother’s sense of duty that had made her look for her. She looked up at the band hopefully. Surely they wouldn’t make her go back.

Gervas shook his head sternly. “It would be against our honor to not fulfill our quest. We’ll have to take you to your Stepmother.”

Rina groaned. She tried to enjoy the three-day ride to her Stepmother’s knowing it would be her last bit of her freedom. She contemplated running away, but she knew the band too well. They’d simply find her again. Stepmother made a fuss when the band brought her back, but Rina wouldn't acknowledge her.

Stepmother locked her in her room in an attempt to make Rina see the error of her ways. For her part Rina refused to change out of her tunic and leggings and promptly cut up all the dresses in her wardrobe so that she wouldn't have to wear them. She also contemplated how to escape again. She barely paid attention to the darkening sky outside her window until she heard a tap.

Surprised, she turned and found Silver grinning through the window at her. Rina flew to the window and signaled to Silver that it was locked. Nodding, Silver smashed it with a hammer she had brought for that purpose.

“What are you doing here?” cried Rina.

“It’s our next quest. We have to rescue this girl who’s locked up in a tower.” Silver jumped into the room and began unwinding a rope she had around her shoulders.

Rina watched with mounting excitement. “What about Gervas? Does he know?”

Silver threw the rope out the window. “Gervas? This was all his idea.”

Rina laughed in delight and quickly followed Silver down the rope. Their horses were waiting for them and before sunrise, Rina was back where she belonged.

And I have to say thanks to Hedgi for giving me this idea. Check out Hedgi's Magpie, it's awesome.