She followed along in the wake of the crowd that burst out from the temple, but lingered in the doorway as primal fear and a lifetime of terror made her disbelieve what her eyes were seeing. You did not go outside during the LongNight. Never, not for anything. But there was light blazing across the sky, melting snow from the rooftops and bathing the sanctuary in warmth. Not the sun, no, but a creature she'd only heard of in the legends, the stories and childrens tales.
Had she ever actually believed it to be real?
Yet here it was, resting on the perch to safeguard them by its wondrous light, just as her father vad always said. As if it was the most natural thing. Maea gaped at the bird, and was startled to find tears streaming down her face, to realize that she was laughing even as she cried. The Spark Bird. It was real. It was everything she had ever hoped, dreamed it would be, the most beautiful thing she had ever seen.
For the first time in her life, Maea broke the rules and went outside.
Had she ever actually believed it to be real?
Yet here it was, resting on the perch to safeguard them by its wondrous light, just as her father vad always said. As if it was the most natural thing. Maea gaped at the bird, and was startled to find tears streaming down her face, to realize that she was laughing even as she cried. The Spark Bird. It was real. It was everything she had ever hoped, dreamed it would be, the most beautiful thing she had ever seen.
For the first time in her life, Maea broke the rules and went outside.
