Letters
My first submission to SoFurry! Yaaaaay!
Anyway, this is a story requested by my good friend Bloodrebel Originally, he wanted a story of two people who can't see each other due to various reasons, without it being Romeo-and-Juliet-y. So this is what my mind came up with.
Portraying everything through the eyes of a dove is tougher than you'd imagine, since it's easy to make everything become redundant as there's not much going on during a straight flight from point A to point B and back again. So hopefully I pulled that off well enough. =P
It was interesting, though. This is my second story without any actual dialogue or interactions, but I feel as though I could still portray the feelings and emotions of the two through the simplistic nature of the letters themselves. The dove was also a way to keep flow going and to avoid unceremoniously shoving plot and story into the letters needlessly. Regardless, I hope you all enjoy!
A silver-gray bird flew high above the ground, columns of thick, black smoke rising into the air, ominous towers signifying burning lands and hot fires below. The dove gazed upon the landscape briefly, unconcerned with the turmoil and strife occurring, before continuing on its way to deliver its mission. The tightly bound scroll, secured to the bird's foot by a vibrant red ribbon, was all it was concerned about, as it was trained to do. Off in the distance, its destination became visible, a large city with high, thick walls surrounding it entirely, the center of which being a massive building, far larger than anything in the immediate area. It was here that the dove's sight was set upon, and it instinctively beat its wings a bit harder to approach it that much faster, eager for a rest after such a journey. It fluttered onto an open window ledge, overlooking the fields from which the city was protected, and began cooing lightly. There was movement, and two hands gently grasped the fowl, unlacing the ribbon and pulling it free from the foot. With its job done, the dove hopped inside a bit more, ruffling its feathers and taking a much needed rest while the familiar sound of paper unfurling sounded softly.
"Dear Brother,
I know it's only been a sparce few weeks since you and I last spoke face to face, but I couldn't resist the urge to write to you any longer. I'm beginning to miss you. And not just the 'I wish he were still here' anymore. I've begun to truly lament your absence, started taking true note of the things that are lacking without you. The empty space at the dinner table. The sound of that horrible squeaky door opening and closing. I even miss the sounds of your snores rattling the bricks throughout the night.I thought that would be a godsend to no longer hear.
Mother says you'll be fine, that I needn't worry about you and that you'll return home before year's end. But I can't stop myself. It is war, after all. No one is safe from war. Have you gone into battle yet? I hope not. I can't imagine you killing another person. It must be terrible there. Constantly wondering if you'll be made to draw your sword and shield, told to slay another man, I can't see how you can manage the thought. What is all the fighting about anyway? Mother knows, but she refuses to tell me.
With Love,
Dianna"
There was a few gruff noises, something the dove took to be a part of these creature's song. Not that it ever paid any attention to the vast majority of it. It was a song the bird couldn't care to learn, though it wasn't as if it could anyway. Only a few cues had it learned to respond to. Some time went by, before its eyes popped open, the same two hands from earlier gently lifting it up and turning it on its back. It made no movement, not even fluttering a wing while the note was secured. It was then carried over to the window and tossed out, immediately taking flight and going back from where it had come. It knew the exact course to take, heading for a straight path. It ignored the various sounds below, just more of those creatures singing songs to one another. Though it had no actual way of knowing, the songs sounded quite territorial, as though the dominate male was being challenged. Except many of them sang the same. The dove didn't have the mental capacity to wonder about it further, and before it even reached the tree line of the forest, the observation had been entirely forgotten. It simply knew its job.
As dawn broke on the day of its arrival, it found itself alighting to its familiar roost. The rooster called out the arrival of the sun, as the warm fingers of light brushed against the earth. The dove waddled into the much smaller home with no worries, going straight for a container filled with seed and pecking away hungrily at it. The one who often took care of it began to rouse when the rooster cried out the second time. Moments later, there was the sound of an approach, before smaller hands than before cradled its body and lifted it away from the seed. Never once did the bird's eyes break from its food, even stretching its neck out in a vain attempt to reach it. When the note had been taken, it was finally able to continue pecking away.
"Dear Sister,
Do you really miss me that much already? With all that you give me about snoring, I thought it would be nice for you to get some sleep for a change! I miss you too, though. Waking up and not seeing your face at breakfast has been something I've had to adjust to. And none of these other men manage to capture your charm. Honestly, you'd swear they were raised amongst pigs with how many manners they lack. Mother would wear her spoon out on each and every one of them, I'm certain!
To answer your question, I have yet to be sent to fight. They still haven't gotten past the archers along the wall. Perhaps it'll all be over before my skills are put to the test. So you should listen to Mother. Fretting yourself over me will do you no good. Just wait until I return home, then you'll regret wasting the time worrying when you could be doing something productive.
As for the reason we're at war, they proclaim that this land is theirs by birthright. However, they fail to provide any such heritage or lineage that has ever lived on this land, much less having owned it before the King built Yanashi on top of it. I will say that their leader must have gathered people from his neighbors, likely with promises of a piece of the land or a portion of its resources, as they seem to have a large force for what should be a simple coup d'etat. It's quite clear that they have very little experience in battle, to say the very least. So with that said, I can't imagine being here much longer. I'll see you in due time. Send Mother my regards.
Yours Truly,
Sylthos"
The dove had filled its stomach and quenched its thirst adequately by the time it had to deliver another message. With another piece of parchment laced to its leg, it went skyward, leaving behind its birthplace. As it flew over the trees, it peered down at the winding trail below. Often villagers would be crossing, many with wagons filled with merchandise, food in particular. And it wasn't uncommon for something to spill out, be it some bread or berries, even grain. It would be good to store something in its crop on the way there, but sadly there was no one traversing the dirt road. The energy it would receive from the seeds would last it for quite a distance, but it would still have to hunt for something before the week-long journey was finished. When it had traveled across the entirety of the forest and once again made it to the clearing, there was more smoke drifting up into the air. However, unlike the thick, black plumes rising high, this time the smoke was smaller, whiter, and there were many more of them. This time when it had flown over the middle of the field, something shot past its side, startling the bird and making it veer off course for a brief moment before realigning. It wasn't the first time it had been shot at, and they never grazed more than a few feathers, so it continued along its way, flying over the walls and back to the same window as before. It went through the well-worn procedure of delivering the letter, then settled down for another rest.
"Dear Brother,
You can't be serious. How many years has Yanashi stood before today, and they decide that they have a problem with it now? And they expected the King to give into them with no deed or title to speak of? How foolish and selfish of them. I wouldn't have given them the time of day either. And what do they expect to accomplish against the Royal Guard? Some ragtag group of people with their shorts in a knot fighting against trained knights. I can understand why you're not concerned.
...Still, I'm not going to stop worrying. Anything can happen, after all. Why did you have to go off and leave Mother and I to ourselves? I know you've always wanted to become a knight and aide people that need aide, and I've always supported your choices. But I'm still bitter about you risking your life. Perhaps if you were more seasoned, I wouldn't be complaining as much. But you have yet to harm anyone with your sword, haven't you? Maybe once you've fought in several battles, I'll ease up. But I won't stop completely. What fun can I take from this if I don't gripe about you being away?
And you're one to talk as well. I often wondered if we mistook a pig for you whenever we ate something you enjoyed. And you enjoy everything. Still, maybe you can send for me and I can give them a nice talking-to about table manners.
With Love,
Dianna"
More sounds of a quill scratching against parchment were soon to follow, as another letter was written. This time as the bird was picked up and the note was secured, it was carried to a different window entirely, instead of the one it had been flying in and out of before. Still, as it was released into the wind, it wasn't any more lost than it had been before, making its beeline towards the distant home. No arrows whizzed by this time, though the previous action had long since been forgotten at this point. There were no sounds except for the near constant flap of the dove's wings. If it had the capacity to do such, perhaps it would muse about how it could take this trip with its eyes shut, so much back and forth had been done so far.
The small talons gripped at the window sill the following day and a half, claws digging into the soft wood. The window was shut. Undeterred, however, it began pecking its beak against the glass, until it saw movement from within. The pane swung outwards, forcing the dove to hop back to avoid being hit by the solid oak and clear glass window. This time as it entered the home, it landed square on the person's shoulder, uncaring about intruding on personal space. The message was removed, and it was free to rest and recuperate.
"Dear Sister,
Ha! As if you're royalty at the dinner table. May I remind you how many times Mother had to shake her spoon at you? You'd probably be right at home amongst them all.
Don't discredit them as some ragtag army. The moment you underestimate your opponent is the moment when they strike the hardest. They seem to have numbers on their side as well. No matter how many are plucked off by the archers, there always seems to be more than the last time. They still haven't made more than the most feeble attempts at breaching the wall. Perhaps we could send a squad out and end them all, but maybe that's just what they want us to do. It's so hard to tell during such times of stillness.
And how do you expect me to become more seasoned, dear sibling? Sitting at home getting fattened by the best food this side of the Kingdom? I risk my life to protect yours and many others. I can't think of a better way to risk one's life. I know you hate it. I've always known you would. But there is nothing more fulfilling, to me, than knowing what you do saves others.
...You know, these letters are a bit...lacking. It's unfortunate that this is the only way we can communicate while so far apart. I want to be able to hold you close to me again. Caress you and tell you it's alright. Smell the soaps in your hair as I kiss the top of your head. In all honesty, if I could, I'd ride out to you this very instant to comfort you. But alas. Not only would they want my head on a pike for treason and abandoning my post, but I would be far too ashamed to have left my fellows behind. But look at it brightly. It's only a few months until I return to you. Then you'll get a hug so big, it would make all the bears jealous.
Stay Strong,
Sylthos."
The sounds of paper crinkling was nearly inaudible to the winged messenger. Too much of its focus was solely on the food before it. There always was something special about the birdseed, that made it so much better than the seeds and berries it would come across in its travels. Perhaps it was because of the safety of the home. Or it could've been the perfect blend of seeds found delectable to doves. But it was most likely because it was there in front of it at the very moment, which instantly made it better than anything else it had before.
It was a much longer time than previous times when it was picked up again. It had even fallen into a doze, believing that this would be its last run for some time. That wasn't the case, though. Out into the open air once again was it released. Feathered limbs beat against the currents to find the spots that would help carry it farther. The days went on like usual, with very little of note happening. Even stopping to pick berries and send them to its crop lasted no more than a handful of minutes. That is, until the clearing came into its sight again.
There seemed to be a large amount of people gathered in the field. And when there were large gatherings of people, more often than not there was also food to be had. Bits of bread, pieces of fruit, anything that could be carried. The small weight strapped to its leg kept it from swooping down and scavenging what it could. Just like before, this was the part where it became dangerous. A faint twang, followed by a whistle, before an arrow shot past, just barely missing its mark. Several more attempts were made to bring down the bird, yet not a single one made contact. Another note successfully delivered.
"Please come home. I just can't take it anymore. The waits between your responses are so unnerving, that I've been in agony waiting for them. I don't care what the King thinks he'll do to you for leaving them behind. Let him have his fit. You don't need to be away from us any longer. You deserve to be with your family. You deserve to die amongst your family, many years from now. Not in some distant land where no one knows your name. We'll go on the run so they won't find us. We'll steal if we have to. Murder, even....okay, not murder. But just go. Leave. Come back to me and Mother. The longer you're away, the less I can bear it. I don't want to lose my only sibling. I can't. I love you. Just come home. We'll find a way if we need to. Please..."
A deep sigh echoed through the room, causing the dove to tilt its head from one side to the other and give a coo. It strutted its way back and forth on the table, head bobbing with each step while it waited for its next task. For the second time, it was released in a separate window.Why, it didn't know, but even so, it did its best to keep away from the plain. It was beginning to learn that flying over it wasn't such a good idea after all.
With the seasons beginning to change, the onset of summer drew nearer. The days would grow hotter, and soon the dove would have to take far more rests, or risk exhausting itself to death. It was still some time away, though, so its return to the cottage was just as timely as it had been the last several times. It had barely managed to get its footing,before being swept off of its feet, hands already trying to undo the knot to its delivery. It had to worm its way free from its owner's grasp, so it could relax comfortably.
"I can't. You know that. Even if I did, what then? Where would we go, how would we hide? And you think Mother would approve? What if we get caught? A family that sticks together, dies together, right? You know I want to see you as much as you want to see me. But I just can't. What kind of man would I be, if I left before I'm needed? What kind of knight would I be, if I left my comrades to fend for themselves? What kind of person would I be, if I broke the vows I swore upon? It doesn't matter what the King will do, what matters is it's wrong. And I can't bring myself to go against my oath. I'm sorry, Diana. You're just going to have to wait this out as much as I am."
Some may find it ironic, that with all the freedom birds have in the open air to travel as they please, that most tend to still choose straight lines and familiar paths. Yet, for this very reason is why they're relied upon as much as they are. Such as the dove, who never even knew what irony was, much less how it applied to itself. It knew what it knew, and had no reason to wonder about the philosophical or underlying meaning of flight.
Having remembered what had occurred the past times it had reached the final stretch of its trip, it wisely adjusted itself so that the treetops would pass beneath it. But this time, it might not have been such a concern. An entire flock of the creatures was moving towards the wall, it wasn't likely they would pay much attention to the solitary bird anymore. It alighted in the familiar room, once again being grabbed quicker than normal to free the message, a metal covered hand rather than a bare one.
"Screw your oath! Isn't your family more important than some words spoken to the ones who'll lead you to your doom? Forget what you said, forget what that meant! Forget all of that and realize what's important to you! Who your blood is! Does that mean so little to you no--"
A loud boom sounded, far louder than anything heard before and startling the dove and causing it to fly erratically around the room. That is, until a certain whistle sounded out. It flew back to the person, another note being tied to its leg before it was practically thrown out the window. In all the trips back and forth made so far, none before this saw it fly as hard and as fast as it did, terror and duty combining to give it an adrenaline boost towards its goal.
The terror had long since worn off by the time it came to the home, but nonetheless, it needed a proper rest to fully recover itself. It paid no mind to the anxious person, instead dipping its beak hastily into the water to quench its thirst, before letting the letter be taken.
"Wall has been breached. Off to battle. Love you both.
S."
Silent sobs could suddenly be heard, and the dove turned its head back at the odd sound. Before anything could be comprehended, a hastily written message was secured to its talon, and it was released.
When it returned to the city, a different sight awaited it. Several columns of smoke now rose from within the wall, which had a sizeable gap missing, almost as if it had been bitten. Despite this, it returned to the familiar stone ledge, flapping its way inside. When there was no one there, it started cooing loudly and strut on the ledge. Finally, after a minute or two of making noise, a figure entered, maybe by chance or maybe by hearing the cries. As usual, the note was taken and read.
"Please stay safe Sylthos. I hope and pray you'll receive this message. I can't bear to lose you. Keep Elliot with you until it's safe, okay? He's a good bird and he'll stay out of trouble. And you send him right back once you've won. I don't want you to tell me you're still fighting. I just want to know when your safe. I don't care if you have to stay until the year's over or longer. Just as long as you're safe. That's all I care about. Mother and I love you."
Silence followed as the note had been read. The dove, or Elliot rather, waited patiently for the next one to be written.But there wasn't another. Instead, a hand, much different than the hand that had received the notes in the past, gently gripped him. He was carried along, before being put in a box, with only a few holes to breathe and look through.
Compared to flight, traveling on the ground was terribly slow. There were many twists and turns, and also all the bumps and rattles of traveling on a road. Not to mention the horses. It was suffice to say, that Elliot hated traveling on the ground.
He was fed and given water, but never once released to stretch his wings or fly back home. That was most unusual, and he hadn't the slightest as to why he were forced into such a cramped space. The only time he ever had to was when his owner was going different places and wanted to take him along.
When he had at long last made it to his home, Elliot desired to be let loose to fly around. However, the crate he was in was picked up and brought to the door. The familiar face of Diana appeared in the doorway. Then, something happened. It is said that many animals have the innate ability to detect emotions. While this is usually referred to when speaking of dogs and cats, the bird still somehow knew that something wasn't as it should be. Water started falling from her face, and her noises became broken as she fell to the floor. It triggered something in Elliot's mind, and he started thrashing in the cage, not stopping until he was let out.
He then flew to her shoulder, and began pecking at her cheek gently, hoping to solve the wrongness. Her hands wrapped around him, and he was brought to her breast. He remained perfectly still, letting her do what she wanted and not knowing why. The others moved inside, where more sounds soon erupted not unlike Diana's. A few minutes went by, before she made a sound he recognized. Diana whistled at him, letting him know he did good. With her approval now known, he continued to let himself be held, never knowing the meaning behind the letters he had sent, between a brother and a sister.