The carriage rumbled as it journeyed across the country towards the Royal Garden Palaces. We were on the second day of our journey there. Uncle had arranged for me and the coachman to sleep in an acquaintance’s manor that was about midway. When I arrived, I feigned tiredness so as to not interact much with him and his family, except for a very awkward dinner. I had a feeling he was trying to set me up with his son. But I barely paid any attention. I just quickly ate my food, thanked them and left for my room.  

Hoping to arrive at the capital before nightfall, we had a very early start. It was not safe to travel at night. Especially not when we were so close to a full moon. Though I was thankful at least I was not travelling when there was no moon at all. For though the full moon may bring about its threats, a moonless night would bring out horrors. Ones that I did not want to face ever again.

Along either side of the road, little white pink and yellow flowers dotted across a serene strip of meadow that stretched out as far as I could see. A little ways from it were the woods. They looked dark and foreboding, as though warning passers-by of the dangers that lurked within.

I was tired. I barely had enough sleep the night before. I spent most of the night crying instead of resting. I had to remind myself again and again that I was doing this for my sister. That I was not going away forever. That it was for the best. But I couldn’t help the tears. I told myself I would only allow myself one day to cry. There were more important things to achieve, and crying was not in my plans.

It had been difficult saying goodbye to my sister. We spent our final day together doing all sorts of things until Martha returned. Unfortunately Adare had to stay behind to nurse Martha’s cousin. However, Martha could not bear the thought of us being alone in the tower for too long, and hurried back as soon as she was able. She was horrified to hear I was to leave the next day early in the morning. She quickly cooked us a feast with what little we had lying around. Joking about needing to put more meat on my bones.

“Not sure what they’ll feed you over there. I’m sure enough it will taste fine being for royalty and all, but I can’t hope you’ll eat it without me watching over you now. You barely eat anything when you’re in the main house. You always come back so skinny. Why I should pack you some lunches! For all the good that will do, if you don’t eat them without me watching,” she had grumbled as she pottered around the kitchen.

Dusk and I liked helping her when she let us, though most of the time she chased us out, or only allowed us to sit at the table and not move so as to not get in her way. Before I left she thrust a large basket of food into my hands for the journey. Already missing her cooking, I had eaten most of it on the first day.

I opened up the carriage window to let the breeze in. The sweet scent of grass wafted inside. I crossed my arms on the window frame and rested my head on it, hoping the cold air would wake me up. Instead, it made me drowsy. I tried to keep my eyes pried open, staring at the scenery around me. I attempted to count the trees passing by. But everything began to mesh into one, and soon I was lulled into a nap.

I woke up to the sound of gunshots.

At first they were in the far distance. I wondered if there were hunters foolish enough to hunt in the woods. But then the gunshots sounded closer and closer, as though several people in a row were trying to shoot at something. And missing every time.

I foolishly scanned the dense dark woods, as though I could see through it, but saw nothing. Then I looked up.

It looked as though a flock of very large birds were flying towards us. I squinted, trying to make them out, and then my eyes widened, as I recognised what they were.

Zousels. A large black bird with a silver beak, and silver tipped feathers that were laced with acidic venom. The white feathers around their neck stood on their ends, and made them look as though they were wearing collars. I had never seen them in a flock before. A few sometimes flew around the tower, curious. But they had never attacked. They were usually docile creatures, but could get pretty agitated upon a full moon. To hunt, a flock of them would flap their wings a in certain manner, to rain down venom on their prey. There was no escape from a gruesome fate if you were trapped in their downpour.

There must have been a nest nearby.

Zousels stayed together in a flock in one giant nest that they constructed on top of several trees. The villagers were most likely trying to clear it out, if it was too close to their homes. With the full moon approaching, they would not have wanted to leave a flock too close by, in case they chose to attack.

The angry birds tried to turn back, but were stopped by a pelting of bullets. Thwarted and further enraged, they started to fly towards us. A few of them spotted the carriage. Thinking we were with the villagers, they started their descent.

I heard the noise of the coachman pulling out a weapon.

Should I do the same? Would they really attack us? Are they that stupid? No. I shouldn’t assume what they might do. I just need to be prepared.

I reached down and pulled up my skirt. Around my calf were various tiny vails of potions, held in place in their own little compartments in a leather strap. Martha’s special gift. She worried that I would not be able to defend myself easily in an unfamiliar environment. Each vial’s stopper was made out of glass with various different shapes. Keeping an eye on the approaching birds, I felt around until I found the pointiest one. I traced my finger around it, to make sure it was a little triangle. Then I pulled it out, and kept it in my squeezed palm, ready to throw it if necessary.  

I did not want to use it if I could help it. I only brought one potion of each kind. Dusk and I spent ages deliberating which potions I should bring, all so I could survive the Trial. We thought about hiding more in my suitcase. But I didn’t know how I could justify bringing in certain strong poisons if they were checked. And according to the rules, they would most certainly be. And getting the ingredients to replace them while stuck in the palace would prove challenging.

And yet here I am, ready to use one of the most potent ones, before I even reached my destination.   

Then I heard another gunshot. This time, much closer. I poked my head out of the carriage to see my coachman had started shooting at the birds.

Oh. Oh no. Why would you do that? You’ll only lead more birds to us!

The coachman brought the carriage to an abrupt halt. He stood up and trained his gun at the flock, waiting for them to come closer.

A few more zousels, seeing only one man with a gun, joined the little group that started to swoop down towards us. I clutched onto my vial. Ready to throw it at any second if they were to come towards me. They swooped low, but all except for one, immediately pulled back up.

They must have decided that one was enough.

The singular zousel spread its wings wide and stooped down, it’s claws outstretched. Luckily the coachman still had bullets in his gun. A single loud shot to the chest was all it took before the bird came crashing down. I could hear the hiss of venom as the bird tumbled into the meadow, quickly killing the flowers it landed on. I shuddered as I saw its unmoving form.

Is that it? Is it still alive? Are the others going to come attack us?

I looked around, scanning the sky, but could see no more birds. I quickly shut the window then rushed to the other side, to look at the skies. Luckily they were all flying away.

I sighed in relief. Then I sank into the chair.

I guess they must have thought we were a threat enough. That’s good. And I didn’t use the vial. It’s one of the more potent ones.  

I put my hand to my chest. I could feel my heart pounding beneath it. Then I touched my choker.

I need to calm down… Nothing happened. I hope Dusk isn’t feeling what I feel. I wouldn’t want her to be scared... but why isn’t the carriage moving?

Suddenly I heard a gunshot. And then another. And another. Followed by a stifled scream. I sat, horrified as I listened to sound of bones crunching and flesh ripping. Every hair on my body stood on its ends as I sat frozen in my seat.

…Something is coming.

I heard no footsteps as the creature came closer towards me. I saw a large hunkering figure fill the entire window. It leaned its pale face against the glass. Spittle and blood dribbling from its mouth. Our eyes met. Then it smiled and screeched my name.