A letter? From who?
Feyra took the letter off the letter pigeon and opened it. The letter was from Mary who wanted to update her on the situation.
She wrote:
Dear Feyra,
I hope you're doing well. I know I'm writing so shortly after you left but there has been something marvelous happening after you left.
There was a person completely dressed in black who visited our village and repaired the damage done to the fields. Even we don't know how this was possible and what they did.
After that the person asked for the way to the Capital too. Perhaps you'll bump into them.
Since then the village has been doing great and the farmers have fun working again.
As for the children... You know how they are. They love playing around and run up that hill whenever they can.
I wish you safe travels.
Sincerely yours, Mary
Feyra looked at the letter and was surprised learning that someone had repaired the fields.
How is that possible? Did they use the Power of Time? Else it shouldn't be possible...
Feyra looked at the letter pigeon and gently stroked its head. "You can go again. I won't write anything back now."
Hearing Feyra say these words the pigeon flapped its wings before taking off and flying away.
Feyra looked a little longer at the letter. She was a little sad not knowing a lot about powers too although she was able to use some.
In this world there are various powers existing. Though I don't know a lot about which powers one can have, I know how to spot someone with powers. First one can often see it on their throat as there is usually a spot resembling the shape of a rhombus in the specific colour of their power.
However, that only works if the person has weaker powers or hasn't trained that well yet.
For those who don't have this spot on their throat one has to feel for their aura.
Feyra stopped in her thoughts for a while being unsure if she could feel everyone's aura or not.
As she deliberated this question she came to the conclusion that when someone wasn't strong enough and met someone stronger they may not be able to feel their aura fully.
In any way... The more powerful you are the easier it is for you to feel that. Though one question remains in my mind. Why are there people then who don't have a visible aura in that sense and can still use powers?
I'm one of these people if I'm not wrong but... What lets us see these auras?
Feyra questioned it further until it already became dark and she had to look for a place to stay. If she was unable to find a place she would likely have to walk the night through and rest in the next night.
As the time passed Feyra still looked for a place but came to the conclusion that this night she would just have to continue her journey. The moon was slowly rising and an ominous feeling washed over her.
Don't tell me it's this weird phenomenon...
As the moon came into sight Feyra froze up.
It is that phenomenon! It's the red moon!
She seemed to be a little afraid shivering as she saw the red moon ascend the night sky. Strangely though she didn't feel anything like in the past.
In the past Feyra hadn't been fond of the red moon and often hid in a corner far away from a place people could visit in the shrine. Whenever this red moon appeared people seemed to lose their mind and search for enjoyment and entertainment.
They wouldn't care what kind it was and the most crimes usually happened in these nights. Since the shrine was open and could be accessed by everyone, Feyra hid somewhere to stay away from these people.
Sometimes she also asked the Father to close the door when a red moon was said to come. Though no matter how often she complained he always said that people may still come to pray.
Only later was she able to stay with Loreen and hide in her room with her together.
Strangely enough though after these nights the people seemed to be normal again and had completely forgotten what kind of entertainment they participated in.
Only victims of crimes or some who had been always fully conscious remembered the exact events.
Now however Feyra wondered as she usually felt a little weird too. Even though she was hiding, her thoughts were swirling around trying to get her to give in to her desire for entertainment. Often it would show in her wanting to read any types of books and stories the Father wouldn't allow her to read.
She resisted that urge every time until she became a Fallen Angel.
Why am I not feeling an urge to seek out entertainment? Did something happen to the red moon in the time I was locked up?
As she thought about it she continued walking and saw two travelers who seemed to argue about food.
"No we need to save some!", the woman said slapping the guy.
"This hurts... I was just hungry...", the man said holding his right cheek.
Feyra went over to them.
"Who are you?", the woman asked looking a little suspicious.
"I'm just a traveler. I'm sorry to interrupt you but I have a question. Do you know anything about the red moon and its effects?", Feyra asked and the man and woman stopped to argue for the time being.
"The red moon? Yeah the effects are gone. Origin basically took off the curse of this phenomenon and now the red moon is basically just a natural phenomenon as mother nature intended it. Seemed like someone had put a curse on it... Though about that we don't know anything else.", the woman explained.
"Thank you. I'll be on my way then again and have save travels!", she said as parting words before walking back to the path she needed to take.
So the effects are gone... Origin... This name again... Just who is that?
Feyra had walked the whole night through. She looked for a stone to rest on and get some berries to eat. On top of having walked through the whole night she had also left out dinner.
After a while she sat down with some berries and looked at the map again and the things in her bags.
I should likely sort them a bit... Till now I've put everything together. I guess I can put the notebook and map in the smaller bag and leave the daily necessities and food in the bigger one. If I ever run out of space in these bags I can use the pot as my third bag...
Feyra sorted the items based on daily necessity or importance and soon had two bags. One of them had all the food and clothes while the other had the map, pen and notebook.
With a string attached to it the pot was hanging on Feyra's back. It had nothing inside besides occasionally some water.
She looked at the various herbs she had and ingredients for food. Sadly the mushrooms she had picked were already gone but she still had some other plants such as potatoes which she had gotten from the villagers before she departed.
After considering what she wanted to cook later she continued on the path and looked out for some plants she could use as seasoning. Having heard there was supposed to be a rare seasoning herb near the capital Feyra decided to look around. She was too curious as to what it would taste like.
The sun was rising and so was the heat. Feyra took off her leather top and put it into her bag before continuing.
There was a mountain nearby that was higher than anything surrounding it. Feyra looked at it for a while taking in the mesmerizing view of the trees growing on the slope of the mountain. While looking around she seemed to see something very interesting. Something she hadn't seen.
Taking the path there would take too long. But my curiosity needs to be stilled so I guess flying is the best way.
Considering everything and also considering if there were people around Feyra spread her wings and flew towards the mountain and landing between the trees.
There she spotted some other rare mushrooms also known as waterdrop mushrooms.
These mushrooms often grew in the mountains and had the shape of a waterdrop that was stuck on a stick and had been deformed. They tasted very watery and savory like watermelon and cucumber.
Feyra knew about cucumbers but she had only once tasted watermelon when Princess Loreen had returned from a journey.
As for the mushrooms, she had found them once on a mountain in the kingdom and taken them with her. After reading some books about cooking and culinary skills she tried to make a dish with them.
The taste hadn't been great as she was still a child but over time she improved and knew various ways how to properly cook them.
Feyra took these mushrooms with her before looking around a bit more and even finding a rare plant that could be used for various things.
"Savory stinging nettle? Now that's rare.", Feyra exclaimed taking some of them with her.
Contrary to their name this plant wasn't like a stinging nettle which would sting but it had the shape of the plant and the same looks to disguise itself. However, it was often used for sweetening dishes or even as herbs.
Feyra couldn't contain her excitement and flew a bit higher near the top of the mountain. It was getting colder that she wished to put on her leather top again but with her wings this wasn't possible.
I should get winter clothes with slits in the back for my wings... Brr... It's cold...
Despite shivering slightly she still looked around but didn't find anything more interesting.
After that she made her way fast down again and continued as before.
Soon she also saw the plant used for seasoning when she came nearer to the capital. It wasn't anything like salt or pepper but known as thyme. It had an earthy, slightly bittersweet and herby taste but this would be perfect for quite a few dishes Feyra wanted to try.
I should look for some cooking books once I'm in the capital. I still have 15.000 coins saved so I can treat myself to one book.
Feyra collected quite a few of them before she moved on and sat up her pot. It was time for her to prepare her last meal before she would arrive in the Capital.
As the potatoes were cooking Feyra thought of adding some of the mushrooms she had picked but soon realized she didn't have a knife with her.
The mushrooms I have need to be washed but also cut a bit... I should also get a knife from somewhere and perhaps a spoon and even a fork. I forgot the most important things...
She shook her head before the potatoes were finally ready. Feyra took them out of the water and started eating them.
She had put a little too much salt in the water which made the potatoes a little too salty.
Feyra still ate the potatoes and looked in her bag again. Her salt and pepper she had taken with her from the trading city were almost empty.
Knowing she had to get a few things in the capital she packed everything together as fast as she could and moved on.
Not long after that and before her was a valley revealed that had a city in the center that was surrounded by a big wall.
This must be the Capital. Yet there is still a bit of a path in front of me.
Seeing it wasn't far anymore Feyra went on and saw also more people walking towards the gates from other directions.
"Wow! Look at the big gate!"
"I'm so excited. I've never been in the Capital before!"
"Huh? What's going on? Are there too many people?", a merchant asked standing in a line of people that wanted to enter the Capital.
Not soon after a guard screamed at the top of his lungs announcing what was happening, "Please be calm! We have to check everyone of you to ensure the safety of the people! Just some days ago someone wanted to blow up the government building! We ask for understanding! Thank you!"
Oh no... I wonder what counts as dangerous..., Feyra thought looking in her bag knowing very well that some things she had with her could be deadly at a certain amount.