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!
He'd brought a regal caftan with him, elegant brocade, almost more weight than his falcon-shape could comfortably bear. And Finist hesitated, toying with the idea of appearing before Maria in sudden, princely splendor—
And she, not remarkably, screams at the sight of a stranger in her bedroom, and you have to scramble out the window like some idiot of a thief. Very clever.
Now what? He briefly considered waiting till day and boldly appearing before the family as himself, and only gradually introducing the tricky subject of magic. But that would take weeks, and he didn't dare be away from Kirtesk and his throne that long.
Reckless, romantic, Finist decided to introduce himself and his magic together directly to Maria. And so he sent a dream to her. Admittedly, it wasn't the most coherent of dreams; just then, it wasn't easy for him to coolly focus his will. But he sent an image of himself, and a message…
Maria smiled in her sleep and reached out an arm as though to Finist, and that almost finished his resolve. The prince felt his shape beginning to shift of its own accord, and firmly fixed it back into falcon-form, though he wasn't so sure he could hold it. The prince hastily flew out that window as desperately as though he was being pursued. Which in a way he was.
But did she get my message? And will she heed it?
He'd have to wait till morning to find out.
Danilo sat his horse well, looking brave and noble in his splendid riding clothes, he and his escort all bright colors and rich fabrics in the clear morning sunlight.
«A fine day for a ride to Kotina," said Maria cheerfully. «Enjoy it!»
«Thank you, child. Eh, don't fret, Lissa. I'll be back in a day, I promise.» He leaned forward in the saddle. «Come now, the two of you, tell me what presents you'd like from Kotina.»
Vasilissa smiled faintly. «Slippers," she said in a dreamy voice. «Golden dancing slippers, just like the ones I used to have. Before Alexei destroyed them.»
Hastily, Danilo cut in, «Of course, dear, and maybe a ruby brooch, too, to wear at your pretty neck. You'd like that, yes? Now, what about you, Maria?»
«Oh, Father! Just bring yourself back safely!»
«I plan to do just that!» he said with a laugh. «Come, pick something pretty for yourself, girl!»
But Maria hesitated, remembering… Feeling a little smile forming almost of its own accord, she murmured sheepishly, «This is silly, I know it, but I had a dream… Father, bring me one thing only: the feather of Finist the falcon.»
«A feather?» echoed Vasilissa. «Maria, that's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard!»
«I said it was silly! And I can't explain it, Father, but that really is what I want—that, and the three of us back together here.»
«And both you shall have, child.» But Danilo muttered, so softly that Maria almost didn't hear him, «A falcon feather. Heaven help us, what next?»
Danilo never suspected he was shadowed by a falcon. He never suspected that the falcon was waiting patiently while he completed the brief, friendly, routine meetings with the boyars of Kotina. Business completed by midday, the man set off for the town's small rich market square. Kotina was noted for the mineral wealth in the nearby hills, and in only a short time, Danilo had purchased the promised ruby brooch and dancing slippers.
«But… a feather of Finist the falcon?» he muttered.