Aurorealis Court

Bonnnng… Bonnnng… Bonnnng… I hear the ceremonial bourdon toll from the precipice of the Great Tower in the center of the Aurorealis Court, home to all Lunar Fae. Except me. After failing to manifest an ability at the designation ceremony last year, I was sentenced to exile. Banished to the border lands because a Lunar Fae was… nothing… without one. Worthless.

Now an outsider, I’m forced to watch this year’s celebration from beyond the boundary spell that protects my people. Without the mark of an ability, the enchantment will never allow me to return to my home.

“It’s starting, Hermes.” I informed the weasel kit riding in my satchel. He squeaked back as if he understood. I smiled and ruffled the tuft of fur on the top of his head before he ducked inside the bag. He reappeared a moment later munching on a snack and held a nut. I chuckled.

I finished my ascent to the top of the tall, cascading waterfall that fed the lake in the basin below where cheerful music was blossoming. “The parade should be starting.” I speculated aloud. Hermes climbed the strap to my shoulder. He balanced on his hind legs to look at the scene below with me.

“And the feast.” a voice added from the other side of the boulder halfway across the crest. Hermes squeaked in surprise. I stared at the boulder until a head popped up. “I miss the honey cakes.” a boy said. He climbed over the boulder and hopped the few stones to the bank. The late afternoon sun glinted off a freckling of green scales on his cheeks and forehead. Once he was in front of me, I saw that his pupils were narrow ovals. He blinked languidly. It was mesmerizing. “My name is Badru.” he introduced.

“I’m Artem.” I answered. “This is Hermes.”

“I was banished five years ago.” he volunteered. “As you can see…” He turned his face side to side. “I’m part gecko. I wasn’t even allowed to partake in the test because I’m not ‘pure’ like the others.” I was shocked. I hadn’t heard about it. “What about you?”

“I failed last year.” I admitted.

“Really?” he asked, looking at Hermes.

“Why?”

He squinted and tilted his head in thought. “You’re bonded, aren’t you?” Hermes and I looked at each other, then back at him and shook our heads in sync.

“Are you sure?” someone asked from the trees.

I turned in time to see a young woman drop from the branches. She was taller than Badru and me. “I’m Xenith. My ability developed a few months ago on a new moon night.” she shared, pulling the collar of her hood down too reveal an insignia emblazoned on her neck. “Since the strength of our powers are dictated by the phases of the moon, the elders dismissed me as if I had no ability at all.”

“And I’m Nova!” shouted a small girl, jumping from the bushes.

“What are you doing here?” Xenith chastised.

“Following you.” she answered cheerily. Then she looked at me, “I’m a Solar Fae. So…”

“You couldn’t participate. Even if you wanted.” I finished. She nodded.

“Xenith saved me when I was little. I couldn’t let her leave without me.” she told Badru. Her golden hair had fiery orange streaks in it that shimmered in the sunlight.

Xenith leaned down as if to scold Nova. Instead, she lightly tapped her forehead to hers and smiled softly at her. “I’m glad I still have you with me.”

The four of us sat in solidarity on the edge of the cliff, to watch the merriment below. No words were said. They weren’t needed. Nova leaned on Xenith’s shoulder. Badru gravitated to Nova, and I sat on the other side of him. Hermes slid into my lap. When the sun touched the western cliffs, a train of hopefuls began the climb up the winding staircase on the outer wall of the Great Tower. They were all gathered around the protruding platform at the top, in front of the ceremonial bourdon, by the time the rim of the sun disappeared behind the cliffs. I could just make out the tiny moving forms. There were seven of them. The whole court would be standing below, watching with earnest anticipation.

“I wonder if they’re nervous.” I thought aloud.

Nova straightened. “Were you?” she asked quietly. I nodded. “What’s up there?”

“Just the bell. Symbols were etched side by side into the rim of the bell all the way around. Similar to the one on your neck Xenith.” The girl touched the collar of her hood. “Engraved in a stone tablet beside it was a depiction of the moon’s phases. One by one, we were told to approach the bell and walk clockwise until we saw a symbol that called to us. When it was time, we all laid a hand on our symbol. Moonlight touched the peak of the tower and a blue light veined down the chain and over the dome of the bell to each of the symbols selected.” I held my hand out to examine it as I continued, “My hand glowed. And I felt a buzzing vibrate through my arm to my chest.”

“And…” Nova prodded.

“Huh?”

“What happened after that!?” she asked anxiously. The others were watching too.

“Nothing.” I looked back at the tower. The fear, confusion, and embarrassment I had felt then rushed back to me. “The others had received marks and were testing their new abilities. But… I didn’t have one.”

“What happened after that?” Badru asked. I smiled forcefully.

“Everything went black. Then I woke up past the border with a note.” I answered. Hermes climbed into my satchel to retrieve the rolled parchment. After looking for my nod, he took it to Xenith, who held it open for them all to see.

On it was written, “You are a bane and a disappointment. Farewell.” It wrinkled under her grip.

“That’s too harsh.” she whispered.

“Yeah…” I agreed.

Hermes interrupted the somber mood with loud chirping. I looked up and followed his gaze. The others looked too. An army was gathering outside the opening of the crescent shaped basin. We stood simultaneously.

“We have to warn them.” I breathed.

“How?” Badru asked. “We can’t cross the boundary.”

“I can.” We looked at Nova. “I wasn’t banished, remember.”

Xenith turned her to face her. “Be safe. Be quick.” Nova nodded.

“Take Hermes with you.” I said. She crouched to pick him up. “That way you won’t be alone.” Then to Hermes I directed, “Protect her.” His back straightened, and he squeaked sharply.

Just then, the waterfall started to glow with the reflection of the Strawberry Moon overhead. Rose colored mist descended on us. “Xenith! Your mark!” I said. It was glowing. So were her eyes. Purple plumes replaced her hair and rose from her hands.

“Badru…” she redirected. A green mark appeared from his chin, down his neck. His fingertips glowed softly and flattened.

“Hermes!” Nova exclaimed. When I turned, he was the size of a horse with wings and horns.

“Artem.” I heard in my head. I stepped closer.

“Hermes?”

“Yes, Artem. This is my true form.” He responded. “Allow me to contract with you.” He bowed his head and a copper symbol glowed on his forehead. My arm felt warm and vibrated. I lifted my sleeve to see the same symbol emblazoned on my shoulder.

“I knew it.” Badru revered.

“So cute!” Nova squealed.

“What’s on your head, Nova?” Xenith asked. Nova lightly touched the gold halo floating above her. Her eyes widened. Then she smiled widely and started hopping.

“Thank you, Moon!” she yelled. Badru and I exchanged glances. “Xenith! It’s my solar ability!” The glow of the waterfall disappeared. And we were reminded of the imminent danger marching on our home.

“Let’s go.” I directed.