For my Very Best Friend in the Entire Realm

My very best friend in the entire realm has saved my life on many occasions. My very best friend in the entire realm has stuck by my side since we became friends. My very best friend in the entire realm is also in need of a fantastic, superb, and incredible birthday gift. (He’s turning twenty-six.).

“You don’t need to get me anything, Claire.” he said when I asked him what he wanted.

“I gotta get you something.” I had said. “You’re my very best friend in the entire realm. What about a new sword? Didn’t you drop yours in that chasm?”

(I was referring to the giant chasm we came across on our last quest, a mere week ago.)

“Nope. The king gave me a new one.”

I sighed then. “Harold, I gotta get you something.”

“You’re fine, I’m fine, the king is fine. Everyone is fine. I’m not going to die if I don’t get a birthday present.”

And it was at that moment a mischievous smile traced itself against my lips. I’m not a manipulative person by any means, but there is this one thing that I tend to tease Harold about, on occasion.

“I’ll tell the whole kingdom you’re shorter than me.”

Harold rolls his eyes. “Shut up, Claire! Only by like half an inch.”

I shrugged. “The difference doesn’t matter. I’m taller than you.”

Crossing his arms, Harold sighed. “Ugh, fine. If you want so desperately to get me a present, then I’ll tell you what I want.”

“I’m listening,”

“I want…”

“Go on,”

“A…”

“Go on,”

“A phoenix feather.” he simply said.

I tilted my head and smiled. “All right, then. A phoenix feather it is.”

I spent the rest of the day in the kingdom’s library, since Harold and I were still in the capital. The librarian (shout out to you, Francine) helped me to find all books on the phoenix bird, which has been only rumored to truly exist. I poured over the texts until I knew everything I could about the bird. If it does exist, then I will get a feather for Harold.

Early in the morning of the next day, which is actually today, after a breakfast of crispy bacon and a waffle oozing with maple syrup (sometimes you gotta treat yourself), I set off to find a phoenix feather. Harold was still audibly snoring in the room next to mine in the inn, so I slipped a note under his door. His birthday is in three days, which is cutting it close, but if I’m smart about it, I’ll be back by then with a shimmering golden feather.

The capital of Yiyiroth, the greatest kingdom in all the realm, is surrounded by mountains. That’s unfortunate, considering that most phoenixes live in the desert. What’s not unfortunate, however, is that once the mountains end, a vast desert begins to the east. So, that’s where I go. (I really wish I had a horse.).

Since I’m literally an adventurer full-time, and since I spend my free time slaying dragons and sword fighting with Harold, I’m in pretty good shape. I make it to the top of a mountain by around noon, and below me, the vast emptiness of the Twisted Badlands (the “official” name for the desert, but everyone just calls it the “Twisted” for short) spread out below me. A cool breeze blows my brown hair from its bun and twirls it around my face. Normally, I’d be annoyed, but since I’m gonna be descending into the Twisted, I savor it, even though my arms ripple with goosebumps.

My arms do not ripple with goosebumps when I reach the bottom of the mountain, as the grassy ground becomes reduced to sand. Instead, my forehead is beginning to have a slight shine, since it’s covered by sweat, and I’m wishing I didn’t wear as many layers, even though all I’m wearing is a sleeveless shirt and thin pants. At least I was somewhat prepared.

“Phoenixes live in deserts, and they are most common near small oases.” I recite. It was a passage from one of the books I read, and above it was a picture of a phoenix flying over a pool of blue water surrounded by a sandy green. Finding an oasis should be simple enough, I was smart enough to look at a map, and there should be one right ahead, after I walk for a bit. At least I hope there is… that’s where I was planning to spend the night.

I walk for a few hours.

No sign of an oasis.

I walk for a few more hours.

Still no sign of an oasis.

(Not good.).

When I reach the top of a sand dune, I stop for a few minutes. Not for too long, just to drink some water and breathe. I’m starting to get worried, especially since the sun is growing ever closer to the horizon.

(Again, not good.).

At least water isn’t an issue. I learned to bring lots of food and water after Harold and I almost died of starvation when we were trapped in a cave one time. We were forced to eat spiders. Good times.

Still, I need to find that oasis.

Have I mentioned that I have to get to the oasis?

I lay down in the sand. It’s an impulse action, since I had been previously sitting with my knees close to my chest and my arms wrapped around them. Then I'm lying on the hot sand. I jerk up, my skin burning from the contact with the hot sand. Then, I look at my arms. The pale color that they previously were seems to have changed to a bright red. I’m sunburnt. Crud. I’m sunburnt pretty bad. Double crud. What makes it even worse is the fact that I made the conscious decision to wear a sleeveless top and no hood. (If you couldn’t tell, I’ve never really gone on any long desert trips before.).

“Whyyyyyyyyyyyyy!?!?” I dramatically yell at the top of my lungs, as I kick sand and look at the sky. There’s a reason why Harold calls me a drama queen. Also, I’ve hardly said anything all day, and I really needed to get that out. But too bad I’m not an actual queen. Then I could do all this stuff and get free desserts and–

wait.

What was that?

There it was again. A golden flash in the corner of my eye.

Spinning around, I almost fall over. I try to find the golden flash again, and I succeed. I can not believe my luck.

The shimmering body of a phoenix in flight distorts the sun’s rays in a beautiful and logic-defying way.

It’s incredible.

It’s fantastic.

Aaaand it’s also flying away from me. At a reasonably fast speed.

I quickly put my satchel back on and run, not even bothering to dust the sand off of me. That bird is going, and I’ve got to follow it. I just hope it’s going to an oasis, but I’m reasonably sure it is, since it’s just going where I was going, but at a way faster speed. I just have to keep up.

Just before the sun dips below the horizon, I lose sight of the bird. That’s annoying. I keep running, though, since I’m at the bottom of a sand dune, and maybe I just have to be on higher ground. I can’t afford to be a drama queen right now.

When I reach the top of the sandy mound, I gasp.

Good news: I found the oasis.

Bad news: there seem to be other people at the oasis.

I quickly turn and get down. The hot sand burns my already burning arms, but I’ll live. Examining the people below, I recognize one of them. It’s Cedric Serdask. About a year ago I was tasked with stealing something from him. In my defense, he had stolen it first. The thing in question was the sacred Jewel of Iakkimond, which had been a gift from the neighboring kingdom. The king obviously wanted it back, and since we are friends (long story), he tasked me and Harold with returning it. We did, but that was after Cedric got a glimpse of my face. I was wearing a mask covering below my eyes, which would be good for any other person, but I have heterochromia. (Left eye blue, right eye brown. I usually don't make a point of mentioning it.).

The sun’s almost fully set now. Maybe I can stay up all night and then sleep during the day? It’s what I’m going to have to do, seeing as I’d rather not make my presence known to Cedric and the desert travelers.

Wait a second.

As I’m observing the men below, I notice that they seem to be… leaving? Yes, they are leaving. That’s weird. Or wait, maybe not. I recall that desert trades never showed up in the capital of Yiyiroth during the day. They always seemed to just show up overnight. That means experienced desert travelers spend the day resting and actually travel at night. That’s smart. Also good. Now I’ll just have to wait until they leave, which looks to be soon.

Sure enough, the men left within the hour, and I stand just as the last of them disappear on the eastern horizon. I have reason to wonder why Cedric was even there with the desert men, but that’s not my top priority right now, so I file the information for later. I make my way down the sand dune in darkness, reaching into my bag for flint and steel. I get a small fire going by the oasis, using bits of wood that the desert men left (no idea why; I’m just glad it happened). I’m not going to pretend that I’m not the worst desert traveler, but at least I brought some blankets.

When I’m laying on the sand I look up at the sky. (The hard ground doesn’t really bother me since I’ve gone on hundreds of quests. I’m used to it.). The constellation of Dasyurus, the flowing river, swirls around the stars. The warrior Tragelaphus charges into battle.

And above it all soars Carcharhinus, the stars making up his wings shining brighter than any others. The most beautiful constellation ever. Fitting, that he is a phoenix.

(That’s enough of me admiring the stars, though. I’ve really got to get to bed.)

In the morning, I’m woken by the chirping of birds.

Wait a second. Birds?

Yes, birds.

Well, actually a bird.

I open my eyes and the sun shines right in them. (Ugh. That’s annoying.). After recovering from my momentary blindness, I slowly turn my head in the direction of the oasis. There, I see it. A phoenix. I never got to see that one I followed up close, and there are no words to describe its beauty (but I’ll try).

The bird’s golden head seems to radiate sunlight, glimmering in glorious beauty. Its feathers somehow appear soft, yet sharp. Its tail and wings are flowing and majestic as the gold that makes up the phoenix’s body transforms into a soft orange and a fiery, bold red. The curved beak is pointed at me, and blackened marble eyes stare into my soul. Its expression seems curious. Hopefully, it won’t fly away.

My hand reaches out as I sit up and kneel by the water’s edge. The bird cocks its head. I remain still. Then, the phoenix starts to wade closer, through the shallow water. Its tail seems to dance above the water, never getting wet even though it should. This bird defies everything. (Figuratively, maybe. I’m not quite sure yet.).

Then it is right by me. I move slowly, reaching out to touch the phoenix. It starts to look frightened, and its wings start to quiver. Seeing that it’s about to take flight, I lunge at it and grab for a feather. Any feather.

A burning sensation erupts in my fingertips where they touch the bird, but the contact is not for long, for I recoil my hand in pain. The phoenix shoots up in the air, long and feathered tail ribboning behind it.

“Cruuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuud.” I yell, looking up to the sky.

(Drama queen moment part two.).

I examine my hand. The skin that touched the phoenix is no longer in pain, but a slight tingle remains. My whole hand seems to have a faint glimmer, but it’s fading. Weird.

Confident that I’m going to survive, I sink to the ground in defeat.

Harold is my very best friend in the entire realm, and I’m not gonna be able to give him a birthday present, even if he didn’t expect me to get him anything in the first place, I think.

Then I brush myself off. There is way too much sand in my hair for me to be moping around. At least I can wash my head in the oasis. That’s something I can do.

I end up laying down by the water on my back, with my hair drifting in the water. I shake my head around and hope that’s enough for now. Then I just lay there. I submerge my whole head, just because I can. Then, when I need air, I surface.

Wait.

In the process of surfacing, something golden caught my eye. It was just a quick flash, and then it was gone, but it did happen.

So I sit up and look across the small pond (or oversized puddle). And I see what made the gold flash. It’s a phoenix feather.

A phoenix feather!!!

I stand quickly and run to the other side of the oasis. The feather lazily circles and winds in the blue water. Ripples fan out around the feather and I’m caught in a mesmerizing daze. I’m not sure how much time passes before I reach out and grab the feather. I hold it between my index finger and thumb, and I twirl it. The feather is definitely not as bright and epic as the phoenix itself, but that doesn’t make it any less grand.

While I should probably travel during the night if I want to keep myself from being sunburnt any more than I already am, I know that there is a good chance that I’d get lost if I did choose to travel at night. (I’m not very good with directions, especially in places I’m not familiar with.). So, with my head and body covered with one of my blankets (I wish I had thought of this yesterday), I start the trek back to the capital, compass in hand and phoenix feather pressed between the pages of a book (gotta make sure it stays safe!).

(I am not going to describe the journey back to the capital. It was, thankfully, boring and uneventful.).

On the day of Harold’s birthday, I present the gift to him.

“Sooo.…” I start. “As you may recall, you challenged me to get you a phoenix feather for you as a birthday present.”

“I didn’t challenge you to do anything.” he says grinning.

I return his grin. “Well, I had to get you something. I felt bad for you being short and all that.”

“Oh, shut up!”

“I’m just spittin’ facts. Anyway, here you go. One phoenix feather, as requested.” I say, and pull out the glorious glimmering golden feather.

Harold gasps and stares at it.

“Oh wow.” he reverently says after a considerable amount of time.

“It’s one hundred percent real,” I reply, handing it to him.

Then he grabs the feather and wraps me up in a tight hug. Neither of us can wipe the stupid smiles off of our faces.

“Thank you, Claire, thank you so much.”

“You’re my very best friend in the whole realm. You’ve saved my life on more than one occasion, and you’ve always been by my side. What else was I supposed to do?”