Surrealistic Women Collection: No. 2 | Aurelia's Birds

Crowsaur, five foot tall, stood silent canvassing the wide clearing. A few feet away, white powder fell from shaking branches evidencing signs of intrusion. The crow's mammoth frame sank further as a mound of snow-blanketed surface collapsed under his weight. A light flutter underneath distracted his keen scrutiny.

One massive claw secured the tiny victim, pinning it underneath his immense body. Crowsaur's grip tightened, crushing Burberl into submission. He'd no need for that. A child, the snowbird was no match.

A light heave left Burberl's chest. The glistening snow accepted his former life as it turned crimson. His heart gave way to allow his soul to discover the sweet, blissful call of his ancestors.

Basking over his lifeless prey wasn't a luxury. Four low, raspy caws declaring the meal his sole possession sent several hopefuls airborne. Others scurried away in disappointment under the evening sky.

Avoiding an encounter with Crowsaur meant living to hunt another day. Afterward, the impending sunset cast a haunting shadow over the evening's events.

The Gray Forest was again silent.

The small fireplace spread its warmth. Fire crackled, gently filling the room with its song. The cerulean embroidered slipper chair cushioned the anthology. Oliver, the tomcat, nestled close, waiting eagerly the recital of his favorite poem.

Tension from an earlier headache now subsided, Aurelia's spirit rebounded. Smiling she sat upright in her bed and glanced around the Indigo Room, taking in its beauty. The love and care their servants took to accommodate her unusual request warmed her heart.

Several months ago, she'd thought nothing of the fact that her redesigned bed chamber was previously reserved for staff. They were aghast and puzzled upon hearing she desired their quarters. A garderobe installed, she had everything she required to keep her secret possessions safe.

That her father, Lord Hansley, succumbed to a sixteen-year old's demands was the source of amusement and concern among the staff. He did, however, demand and not acquiesce on one point. Puzzled, she didn't understand the connection.

"The Gray Forest is forbidden to you! What happens there is not your concern." His growl was low. Known for his witticism, the formal, almost threatening voice didn't match his small, thin frame. And that occasion, warmth from the fireplace flames couldn't prevent the cold shivers from spreading through Aurelia.

"Yes, Father. If you command." Civility and respect were her secret weapons.

Her mother, Lady Carolynne, merely nodded. An inner smile crept up, as she knew her daughter's desires. Her future was unfolding.

Unbekownst to the household, Aurelia, the oldest, preferred the top tower. Its altitude afforded an extraordinary frame of reference in gauging the terrain of her father's territory and keeping tally of the happenings nearby.

Of particular interest was the Gray Forest. It always had been.

Aurelia rose from bed. Regarded as unusual, she stood well above her parents and two younger brothers. Respect, integrity, knowledge, and a hint of power were used to describe her. The aura surrounding her presence mesmerized and bewildered her household and all with whom she came in contact.

With the blanket secured about her shoulders, she eased into the slipper chair. An uneasy feeling tugged at her heart. Shaking her head, she reached for the book that would settle her.

The next instant, harsh wind carrying the crow's caws pounded the sill. Packed ice pressed hard against its pane.

Startled, she tossed the blanket aside. The poetry book closed before landing near the slipper chair's rails as it rocked backward.

Within seconds, she sprang toward the western side of her room. Ornate glass windows waited to chill her hands. Knowing this didn't prevent her as she pressed hard on the pane, twisting the lock.

She gasped. The snowbird's carved outline took shape. Red permeated the ice like a clump of snowball she enjoyed in her favorite treat's flavor. Black shadowed its frame.

Aurelia's hands flew to her face. Attempting to block out the image and distance herself, she stepped back. Burberl's pulse throbbed in unison with her own. As it became faint, so did hers.

At that moment, she knew. But she didn't know.

Suddenly, pressure from her mother's hands around her waist steadied her. She turned, grabbing her mother by the shoulders, pulling her into an embrace. Lady Carolynne looked up. Blood-soaked tears stained both women's robes.

"Soulcatcher, My wait is over. My joy is replaced with sadness and grief." Her mother allowed the handkerchief to absorb her daughter's maturation.

Aurelia stared deep into the well of her mother's eyes. Delight and dread hovered, then burst into a flock of snowbirds. With conviction and knowledge, the memories returned, clarified.

"Over many moons the visions came. Haunting dreams. Flashes of colour. Fluttering of wings. Twirling of snowflakes. Mystical. In my delight, I thought nothing of it."

Lady Carolynne watched intently as her daughter's once sky eyes were now dark blue, almost black. Sparkles of crimson danced across her pupils forming the shape of an arrowhead and armor.

"It is time," Lady Carolynne acknowledged. She dug deep within her bosom. A silver antique amulet emerged. Curved downward in the shape of a dagger, the head contained a symbol of a cross engraved in an unfamiliar tongue.

She guided Aurelia to the window. Obscuring their view beyond was the ice packed pane. Side by side they stood. Aurelia stooped to allow her mother to place the leaden amulet around her neck. Standing upright once more, their combined glares produced flames that pierced the coldness of the panes. The snowbird's red frame disappeared gently from sight.

The air's stillness surrounding the Gray Forest permeated their senses.

"The dead bird at the window. What was its name and why did it come to me in my dreams and now?"

"His name was Burberl, the Snowbird. Aerodactyl's at work this night. His marionette he sent. The caws' warnings came also to my chambers. But the charge was not mine to bear."

"Soulstealer he is," Aurelia hissed. "I'll crush him and his puppet." No longer the young lady of their manor, the Soulcatcher's commanding voice took control.

"The Gray Forest wails. You must obey. But first my knowledge must become yours." Lady Carolynne stood both admiring and hurting for her daughter.

She beckoned for Aurelia and Oliver to follow. The flick of her wrist was swift. The incantation, sharp. The garderobe swung open, then closed. She lit the candelabra and located the cord that hung behind the chest.

The hidden door known only to Lady Carolynne creaked open, allowing entry to a dark passageway.