“You...!” I hiss, jumping to my talons . ”Fweghing bird!!”

“Unfortunately, this was the only time—“

My jaws snap in the place where the bird should be. Expecting a warm gush of blood to follow, I instead come up with a mouthful of empty air. After a heartbeat of confusion, a throat is cleared behind me. I cast about to find the bird standing in the bedding I was sleeping on just a moment ago.

As if nothing unusual had occurred, it continues, “...This was the only time I could contact you with discretion. I suspect from this point forward, you will be around Kin frequently. I’m afraid our conversation can not wait.”

I stand there panting, wings half open, waiting for my adrenaline to subside and my rationality to return. Allowing my instincts to react for me, I couldn’t stop to consider what I was seeing before me: Yes, it’s that damn bird I saw when I first landed in Felra. The one that led me on a crazy chase through the forest that ended in a confrontation that nearly killed me. But here it is again, talking to me in my den at White Mountain.

And it’s acting quite cordial. He continues after I fail to reply, “Perhaps I should introduce myself. My name is Gust.”

“Gust...?” I growl, still overcome with feral emotion. Whatever he is, it seems futile to try and attack him. “That sounds like—“

“An Avian’s name?” his tail feathers quirk. “In a past life, perhaps. Perhaps not. The name of a creature who doesn’t exist is of little consequence.”

Avians typically name themselves after things found in the sky, like weather phenomena and the names of prophets. But, “A creature who doesn’t exist?” My eyes narrow. “What’s that supposed to mean? And how do you know who I am?”

“You will find no other birds on Jade like me,” he explains. “I am one of a kind, a being that exists only when necessary. If you could allow me to be curt — I know who you are because I am a liaison of the deities.”

“The deities?!” My muzzle drops, and my heart quickens. “You’re a holy being?!”

He grins. “In a manner of speaking, yes.”

I stumble backward in shock. By the Goddess! I knew this bird was weird, but I didn’t think he was divine!! My mind is overwhelmed, contemplating the ramifications of this. I always believed my first encounter with a divine being would be with Etain once I became Monarch, not some glowing little bird! But if Gust was sent here by the deities of all people, that must mean...

“You’re... you’re here because I turned into a Lithan, aren’t you?”

“Well...” he ruffles and runs his beak over his chest. “I’m afraid I’m just as clueless as to why this incredible change occurred to you, Princess.”

“Really?” My head tilts. “But didn’t you say you were divine?”

“I am. But, let’s just say that my... erm, rank, is quite low. I am not omnipotent, nor am I privy to the conversations of the deities.”

I examine his tiny body closely. I can tell there’s much more to his story. “...Go on.”

Hopping down from my bedding, he trots across the ground and explains, “As you know, the deities are strictly forbidden by Azurrel from interfering on Jade. It is the foundation of their existence to influence from afar, never to interfere directly. However, from time to time, events transpire which require… a nudge in a certain direction. That is when I’m called upon.”

Interference? On Jade? “And, this is allowed?”

“Within reason.”

So, the deities are allowed to interfere in exceptional circumstances. By the Goddess, what a revelation! It feels like every tenant I’ve ever been taught in church is being deconstructed before my very eyes. But… “Why, what for? Why would they need to ‘nudge’ things a certain way?”

“I’m not told why situations must be influenced, I am simply the vessel to carry out their wishes.”

“Wait a second...” I say, reminded of a certain sordid encounter involving a bird and a chase through the forest. “Back at Archer’s Landing. Was that...?”

“Princess,” he warbles with feint hesitation. “Our encounter at Archer’s Landing — I should apologize for being duplicitous. It was necessary our interactions began the way they did.“

“Necessary?” I growl. “Your little stunt nearly led me to my grave at the fangs of an angry Redaga!”

“Tell me, Princess. Now that you understand how the Snowfell Flock views outsiders, what do you believe would have occurred if you hadn’t happened across a storm of Kin by chance? If it hadn’t been necessary for Kuro and Enyll to save your life?”

If Kuro and Enyll hadn’t saved me…?

Well, as I now know, Kuro would still be quite curious about my claim to being a Farlander no matter how we met. But if Gust hadn’t led me to the Redaga, I probably would have stayed in the field and tried to investigate the Lithan scents I smelled from the air. I don’t know if I would have come across Kuro that day, and I’m not even sure I would have seen the Beatrix approaching the continent. Who knows how the events of that day would have played out if I hadn’t been there to scare it away?

Truthfully, the only reason Kuro and Enyll even interacted with me was because they saved my life, and Kuro wanted to ensure I wasn’t hurt after the fight. And even then, she got terribly upset when I tried to convince her I was a Farlander.

I can still remember how... frightening she looked at that moment. It makes me uncomfortable to even think of her being upset at me. I only want to know the sweet and accommodating Kuro I’ve felt safe around since then.

But even after Kuro realized I was telling the truth, getting the rest of the flock to treat me with respect was a fight. I owe so much to Fra and Frida for what they did to help me. Heck, I owe a debt of gratitude to Enyll, even if it’s true that Fra had to ‘force’ him to vie for me. So many things had to happen in my favor to get this far. So many things that...

I glance at Gust, still waiting patiently for a response. Then, it all falls into place.

He led me to the Redaga on purpose! The whole thing... getting attacked by the Redaga, having to be saved by a storm of Kin, the timely appearance of the Beatrix... it was orchestrated so I would have a chance to prove myself before the flock! And it totally worked! Here I am: Asha, Daughter-Of-Kelani, and Kin-Of-Keuvra!

“Ah,” Gust smiles. “I see you’re beginning to make sense of what happened.”

You’re damn right I am, magic bird! But it wasn’t Gust who decided to lead me to the Redaga. He was ordered by one of the deities, one who was methodical in ensuring I would be discovered and have my chance to earn the trust of the Lithans. “...Who was it?” I ask. “Which one sent you?”

He shakes his head. “That information is not mine to share, I’m afraid.”

Drats. I might better understand their motives if I knew which deity it was. Etain and Kevura won’t talk to me for some reason, so it probably wasn’t one of them. But if not them, then who? Why would one of the other species’ deities take an interest in me? Why did they want me to join the flock? And how does all this tie into the attack in the weald and my transformation into a Lithan?

“Princess,” Gust speaks over my racing thoughts. “I hope it’s clear now what my purpose is and why this event occurred. It appears you needed some help to begin your admittance into the flock.”

What?! Like I’m going to admit I couldn’t have done it alone! "Yeah, well!" I fold my wings neatly and rub my muzzle into my chest. "I would have found another way to get them to accept me.”

The bird trills a hearty laugh. “Your naivete is surpassed only by your dogged determination, Princess.”

I roll my eyes and settle against the ground, feeling comfortable enough to relax my guard. “So, why did you appear to me tonight? I can’t imagine you showed up to laugh at my stubbornness.”

“I haven’t,” he says reassuringly, settling onto the ground to match me as a ball of fluff. “I know our first encounter was not conducive to building trust, but I suspect this won’t be the last time we interact with each other. So, should you see me again, please follow my lead.”

“Alright,” I say.

His little face turns serious. “But most importantly, I must reiterate the necessity for discretion. Please do not, under any circumstances, reveal my existence to anyone else.”

My body stiffens. “Any circumstance?”

“Any circumstance,” he echoes.

“W-What if I already mentioned you to Kuro? While we were flying through the Great Valley?” Hey, please don’t get upset at me for that! I had no idea!

The bird releases a sigh. “Yes, well. Unfortunately, I couldn’t contact you until now. Thankfully, it appears Kuro forgot to ask her grandmother about me.”

Oh, yeah! I was so caught up in everything else that happened in the aerie that I completely forgot she was going to talk to an elder about Gust. Thank the Goddess, she didn’t! But Kuro is so kind, it wouldn't surprise me if she apologized about forgetting tomorrow morning, then offered to ask Meldi about it. “And what should I do if she asks about it later?”

“I suspect if you tell her you no longer care about it, she’ll soon forget the event ever occurred.”

Really? “Mmh, alright.” I’m not so sure she’d drop the subject of a strange glowing bird appearing at the same time as a peculiar Lithan claiming to be a Farlander, especially with how enamored she is by the Farlands. But Gust’s the divine one here, so I guess I have no choice but to take his word for it.

He dips his dainty little head. “I appreciate your cooperation. I have been able to carry out my duties over the years with very few incidents, and I’d prefer to keep it that way.”

“Over the years?” I inquire, tilting my head forward. “Just how long have you been in service to the deities?” I should try to learn as much as possible from Gust while I have the chance. Even for a Monarch, it’s not every day you get to have a conversation with a holy being.

“Well, let’s just say I am intimately familiar with your family, the Richelieus, and many others.”

My heart quickens. “…My mother?”

“I'm afraid I’ve not had the pleasure of a face-to-face conversation with Her Majesty. Your grandmother, however, was quite amicable as Princess.”

Beatrix... despite what most animals seem to think, I know very little about my grandmother. The wound from her passing was still fresh when I was young, so mom never talked about her much. And as the years passed, I never took it upon myself to learn more than what the heir to the throne would need to know about the last reigning Monarch. To mention her name in the presence of mom was almost considered taboo.

Gosh, I’ve barely thought about mom all day. I wonder how she’s doing right now? I wonder how everybody back home is doing? “Um... could I ask you a favor?”

His beak turns crooked, and his face becomes stern. “Well, that depends on what you’d like to ask.”

“I won’t ask you to turn me back to normal or to tell me why I became a Lithan. I know you wouldn’t do those things, even if you could. But ever since this happened, I’ve been... um...” I lock up, feeling the negative emotions coursing through me again.

“Take your time,” he says softly. Even though he’s a tiny little bird, I can still see the sympathy painted across his face.

I nod and give myself a moment before continuing, “Well, I haven’t been doing very well. I’m just... worried sick about everyone back home. If it isn’t too much to ask, could you please tell me—”

“Hey, Asha!”

My voice seizes, hearing someone else behind me. I twist around to see Kuro standing at the den’s entrance with prey in her mouth. Upon seeing my face, her expression drops. “Whoa! Are you alright, Asha?”

“Y-yeah, I was just...” I franticly try to devise an excuse. She can’t know what I was doing! I flick my head around and find that Gust has disappeared without a trace. “Well, um. I dreamt about Calypso, the Lemur who saved my life when I was attacked. It was...”

“Asha...” She drops the prey to the ground and steps forward with a worried expression. “You don’t have to tell me about the dream if it’s painful, alright?”

I nod silently and look away. I won’t push this conversation any further if she won’t.

After Kuro examines me closely for a moment, her expression evens out. “Alright, then. I was restless and couldn’t sleep, so I flew out for a late-night hunt. Would you like some prey?”

Kuro shares her prey, and we settle for the night once more. Despite how sleepy I am, my thoughts keep me awake for some time longer, too busy contemplating the meaning behind Gust’s appearance. What does it signify that a deity had to interfere on Jade just for me? Why did they want me to have a chance to earn the flock’s trust? And why did they choose to do that instead of helping me return to normal?

And what a strange creature Gust is! He claims he’s not omnipotent, but his knowledge of what I’ve been doing the past day would indicate otherwise. He knew I mentioned him to Kuro and that she forgot to ask Meldi about it. If he really isn’t omnipotent, then how did he know? Does that mean he’s just watching me all the time?

…

I lift my head and gaze around the den. Warm, flickering light shines in from the aerie to reveal… Kuro sleeping away peacefully in her bedding.

…What a creep.

I lay my head back down, and eventually, heavy thoughts become too much of a burden. They become disparate, and my body subsides into a deep sleep.