Where is the way?" I asked my pet crow, Corvus, as I pulled my hood tighter around my face. It was my only way of shielding myself from prying eyes and the judgment of the outside world.
"Follow me," Corvus replied, spreading his wings and taking flight. I reminded him not to fly too far ahead, as my vision relied solely on his sight. He landed back on my shoulder, his presence reassuring.
"Perhaps I will just direct you with my voice then," Corvus suggested, understanding the limitations I faced.
As we ventured into the unknown, a surge of happiness washed over me. For twenty long years, I had been locked away in a cabin by my godmother. Stepping out into the world for the first time felt like a breath of fresh air, a taste of freedom I had longed for.
The sound of a distant river reached my ears, its melodic rhythm calling out to me. I turned to Corvus
"Is that the river?" I asked, my voice filled with curiosity. I had only heard tales of its beauty from my godmother and from afar, but now I longed to witness it with my own eyes or at least Corvus's eyes.
"Yes, it is, my lady," Corvus confirmed, his voice laced with reverence. "It is not too far from here."
A burning desire to experience the river's wonders ignited within me. I pleaded with Corvus, urging him to lead the way. The world held countless mysteries waiting to be unraveled, and I needed to explore every inch of it.
Corvus hesitated, concerned for my safety. "Perhaps it is unwise to wander too far, my lady," he cautioned.
But my excitement was beyond any fear. I badly wanted to embrace the world, to see the river that I had only imagined but have never experienced.
"It will be fine, let us go, please, Corvus," I implored. "I have spent far too long in isolation. I must see what the river truly looks like."
Understanding the fire within me, Corvus sighed and reluctantly agreed. "Very well, it is this way," he conceded, taking flight once more. I followed eagerly, my heart pounding with each step.
As we journeyed through dense forests and open meadows, the world unfolded before me, revealing its hidden wonders. The excitement grew with every passing moment, driving me forward.
Finally, the sound of rushing water grew louder. My senses were as heightened as usual while I overflowed with happiness, the river was near!
With each step I took, the scenery transformed, and there it was, the magnificent river, flowing gracefully in all its splendor. I stood in awe, my breath stolen by its beauty. The sunlight danced on the water's surface, casting ethereal reflections on the rocks and trees that lined its banks.
In that magical moment, I felt a sense of wonder and gratitude. Gratitude for Corvus, my faithful companion, who had guided me to this enchanting place. Gratitude for the newfound freedom that embraced me, allowing me to witness this beautiful world.
I didn't know so much water could gather at one place," I murmured in amazement. I knelt down by the river's edge, reaching out to touch the cool, flowing water. It felt delightful against my fingertips, a feeling I had never experienced before.
While I was admiring the river, something caught my attention. Tiny figures danced upon the water's surface, their movements graceful and mesmerizing. They were river sprites, enchanting beings with delicate forms and ethereal beauty. Their bodies shimmered with a soft glow, as if they were made of pure water itself. Wings resembling gossamer petals fluttered on their backs, each having different colors, blues, greens, and silvers.
Corvus moved closer to me, focusing his eyes on the tiny creatures, helping me see them more clearly. Their wings caught the sunlight, casting a magical aura around them. Each sprite had an air of elegance, their movements fluid and effortless, as if they were a part of the very river itself.
"River sprites," I exclaimed, unable to contain my excitement. It was a sight straight out of the books I have read. I have heard tales of these creatures but had never imagined I would witness them.
"We might want to leave right now, my lady," Corvus cautioned.
I giggled softly, dismissing Corvus' worries. "They are just river sprites," I reassured him, a playful tone in my voice. I understood their mischievous nature but believed they could also be kind if treated kindly.
The sprites flew closer, their shimmering forms standing before me. They hovered in front of my sightless eyes, their wings casting a radiant glow. Each one seemed to emit a gentle, melodic hum, as if the sound of their presence held a magical quality.
"This is a blind vedan, strange," one of the sprites whispered, their voice filled with surprise. Their words were filled with curiousity and confusion, it was as if they have never witnessed anything like me.
Another sprite chimed in, curiosity evident in their words. "How did it grow this big? I thought they kill all vedans in this land." Their voice carried confusion as they tried so hard to make sense of the situation.
Confusion clouded my thoughts as I turned to Corvus, seeking an explanation. "What is a Vedan?"I asked.
The sprites gasped collectively, their delicate forms freezing for a moment. They exchanged astonished glances before one of them spoke softly. "It can understand us," they whispered, their words filled with disbelief. At that moment I couldn't figure out why they were confused that I understood them, I had thought it was normal.
"Yes, I can," I whispered, the revelation sinking in. "Is it not normal to understand your words?"
"My lady, ordinary humans shouldn't be able to understand them," Corvus replied, his voice one of surprise.
The sprites couldn't help but exchange glances, their delicate forms shinning in the sunlight. One of them finally spoke up as it said . "She is no ordinary human, she is a Vedan, and even Vedans can't understand us."
Curiousity washed over me as I turned to Corvus, eager for an explanation. "Corvus, what is a Vedan?" I asked. I couldn't make sense of the situation and I was hell bent on finding answers.
Corvus hesitated, his dark feathers rustling in the breeze. "Ah, my lady, it is just..." he began, but his words trailed off, unable to provide a definitive answer.
Before Corvus could continue, another sprite interjected, their voice carrying a sense of astonishment. "You do not know of your true form?"
Confusion clouded my thoughts, my mind racing with unanswered questions. However, the conversation was abruptly interrupted by distant laughter, echoing through the air. The sprites darted away swiftly, disappearing into the surrounding trees.
"Hide," Corvus urgently advised me. I sprang into action, swiftly hiding behind a mighty tree trunk, seeking refuge from prying eyes. Corvus perched beside me, his ebony feathers blending into the shadows.
The laughter grew louder as a group of three fishermen emerged into view. Old faces covered with lines of experience marked their years spent by the river. Each had a unique appearance that told a story of their own. One had a bushy white beard that reached his chest, he had a jovial and warm-hearted aura. Another stood tall and wiry, his eyes scanning the river's surface with focus. The third fisherman had a calm and contemplative expression, as if lost in his own thoughts.
Peeking out from behind the tree, I observed the unfamiliar view before me. These were male humans, the very beings I had only heard of in stories. It was my first encounter with them, and I couldn't help but be captivated by their presence.
"Are they what they call male humans?" I asked Corvus whose eyes were still on the fishermen giving me a clear sight of them.
"Yes," Corvus confirmed not breaking contact with them.
"They are hideous to look at," I remarked disappointment in my tone. They are not exactly what I have imagined them to be for so many years and I couldn't help but feel disappointed.
"Some of them look better, trust me," Corvus assured me. "These ones are old fishermen, their appearances weathered by a life spent on the river."
I nodded, taking in Corvus' words. The diversity among my fellow human was quite intriguing, how can their appearance be so different from the other? Corvus for some reason urged me to leave quietly before the fishermen noticed my presence and I did as I was told, even though I still couldn't understand why I had to hide.
With cautious steps, we silently retreated from our hiding place, ensuring that we didn't disturb the fishermen. As we walked deeper into the realm of the unknown, I felt a balance between excitement and fear. The encounter with the river sprites and glimpses of the human world had sparked up a thirst for more exploration in this world and I couldn't wait to find out what lays ahead for me.