The Shining Falcon

«My Prince," said the old boyar bluntly, «any other young man might be permitted the luxury of feeling sorry for himself. You don't have that option. You're not doing yourself or your land any good like this.» He paused under the weight of Finist's insulted glare, but continued firmly, «If you won't talk about her, won't you at least grant me a glimpse of your forbidden lady?»

Finist hesitated a moment, wondering uneasily if the older man was, somehow, subtly mocking him. But the thought of seeing Maria again, even if only by magic… «Very well. Watch.»

They stood before a mirror, and Finist began the proper spells. And soon enough the mist had cleared, and…

… Maria was there before their eyes, Maria and Vasilissa together, no longer in that shabby farmhouse, but in some elegant, well-appointed room. Ah, thought Finist in satisfaction, they did return safely to Stargorod! Vasilissa looked a bit… saner, though there was still a touch of wildness to her lovely eyes. And Maria… Maria…

But he wasn't going to spy on them. Quickly Finist let the image fade, and turned rather defiantly to Semyon. He caught the old boyar staring at him in some alarm, and after a startled moment, puzzled out the cause, and gave a wry little laugh.

«No, Semyon! I haven't been pining over that—ah— rather wild-eyed young woman. That's Vasilissa Danilovna, and… Maria.»

«She's the one," murmured Semyon. «Maria.»

Reddening, Finist nodded. «She is Maria Danilovna, Vasilissa's younger sister, and the two of them are daughters to a boyar of the Inner Circle of Svyatoslav of Stargorod.»

«So!» Semyon was plainly relieved to learn that she wasn't a peasant. «But, my Prince, I'm afraid I still don't see your problem.»

«Akh, Semyon… They hate magic, the whole family, hate it and fear it as they fear the very Devil himself. How can I possibly — "

«Excuse me, but does this young woman know you for what you are? When you were taking shelter with her family—those are the folk you mentioned, yes? — when you were with them, weren't you disguised?»

«As Finn," agreed Finist with some distaste.

«So she doesn't know who or what you truly are?»

«No. Why?»

«And you really plan to leave things like that?»

«What else can I do?»

«You're afraid, aren't you?»

Finist straightened. «You forget yourself.»

«Perhaps. But you are afraid. Afraid that if she sees you as Finist, and rejects you, it will be over for you. But… my Prince, is this sort of mooning about really better?»

«I— No— But — " Finist stopped short. Dammit all, the man's right! I went running off like some idiot of a boy afraid even to speak to his sweetheart in case she might

say she didn't love him! How do I know Maria shares her family's views on magic, when I never once had the nerve to ask her? The prince hesitated, eyeing his counselor warily. «I don't suppose I really have to order you not to let this conversation go beyond this room?'' «Oh, my Prince, of course not!»

«I… Semyon, you're right. I have been a fool!»

«No," the old man said gently. «Just young.»

«Ah. Well. At any rate, I must go back there, Semyon.»

The boyar nodded complacently. «Maria must learn the truth. One way or another, things will be settled between us!»

Chapter XXlll

The Feather

«But do you really have to leave?» wailed Vasilissa. Danilo smiled reassuringly. «My dear, Kotina's just a short ride away. If I leave tomorrow, I should be back in less than two days.»

«But why do you have to go, you yourself?»

«Don't you see?» said Maria. «By sending Father off to discuss business with the boyars of a vassal town, the prince is showing Father how much he trusts him. Lissa, it's as good as an out-and-out royal apology!»

Maria added wryly to herself, For whatever that's worth! But Vasilissa was still nervous, so Maria smiled reassuringly at her sister, and hid her own skepticism as best she could.

Thanks to a favorable wind, Finist reached Stargorod in less than two days, circling Danilo's estate by nightfall. When he was sure the household was lost in sleep, the prince, who'd been nervously preening his feathers, trying to plan, stretched his wings and searched for Maria's bedchamber. Here it was, a small, lovely thing, all soft carpets and floral wall paintings. Maria was alone in it, and sound asleep. Finist huddled on the sill like some timid sparrow, the sight of that sweet face relaxed in slumber almost more than he could bear. He dared go no closer lest he forget all sense, alter shape, and recklessly sweep her into his arms.

Damn! I'm acting like a little boy mooning over his first sweetheart!