Wisp - A Scarecrow's Tale

Chapter 5 - Caged

Black feathers filled Wander's vision the moment the teddy led them into the lockup. Every one of the makeshift cells was filled with black-winged harpies. Some had fair skin that contrasted sharply with their dark feathers, some had patterns of gray and white among the black on their wings like Niki, and still others were solid black from head to talon. All, however, found themselves in prison under the guard of a purple-furred teddy with a rifle nearly as large as she was.

"Gran!" Niki squealed before brushing past Wander. The purple teddy moved to block her path only for Sheriff Theo to raise a hand. The teddy lowered the rifle but kept her eyes on Niki.

"Niki!" said a tan-skinned and black-feathered harpy who, despite the gray edge to her feathers, looked only a few years older than Niki. She hugged Niki as best as she was able through the bars, other crows reaching around to pat the little crow's head and shoulders affectionately. "Thank the Solarius, you're safe."

"I-I'm sorry," said Niki, "I didn't mean to lose the flock, but-"

"Shh," Gran said, rocking Niki gently in her winged arms. "It's okay; we're together now and you're safe. That's all that's important."

Wander felt a strange sensation deep in his straw as he watched the harpies, a sort of ache that left him feeling sad and alone even though there were plenty of people around. He became so focused on the sensations that he didn't notice the curious looks he was getting from the flock, none more curious than that of Gran herself.

Theodore tugged on Wander's pant leg and pointed toward one of three desks occupying the corner of the building. "C'mon, scarecrow, leave 'em be for a bit. We got some stuff to talk about. Ease up, Hannah."

"I'm perfectly at ease, sir," said the purple-furred teddy, her gaze locked on the cells.

Shaking his head, Theo led Wander, Merry, and Mayor Blumfeld to a nearby desk at the far end of the lockup. The air around the desk was tinged blue and as Wander passed into it, the noise of the crows vanished.

"Got a deafening field around my desk. Helps me concentrate when I'm working usually, but with my current guests, it's also just about the only way we'll be able to have any kind of privacy," Theodore explained as he climbed up his chair and plopped himself down on a stack of books that boosted him just enough to rest his elbows on the desktop. Mayor pulled up two chairs, one for himself and the other obviously meant for Wander. Wander sat down in the small chair, Merry coming to rest on one of his knees.

"First things first," Theodore said, leaning forward, "I gotta ask; how exactly did you lot come to be travelling together?"

"Well, Merry found me just like I told your mayor already. As for Niki, well, my head landed in her lap after I fell off the edge of my field."

Theodore stared at Wander for a long moment before saying, "Uh-huh."

"She was nice enough to put me back together," Wander continued. "Then she told me all about how she got separated from her flock. Seeing as she just helped me, it seemed only neighborly that I help her in return. From there, we went through the forest and eventually ended up here, thinkin' someone mighta seen Niki's kin."

"Well, can't argue you there," Theodore said, jerking a thumb toward the cells where Niki and Gran were still hugging each other through the bars.

"Why are they in cells?" asked Wander.

Theo let out a chuckle, a grim smile on his fuzzy face. "Ah, that would be Mavis, the delightful cow of a woman who was screaming bloody murder at you and your friend earlier."

"For the love of the light, don't use the word cow around here, especially around any minotaurs!" warned Mayor Blumfeld. "As for the flock-"

"Murder." The word came unbidden to Wander's lips, surprising even him.