Writing Exercise 021

The first writing exercise this month is a fairy tale.
This story will be part of my third volume of 'The Untold Stories of Neeverbeen Universe'. Yes, you read right; I'm planning a trilogy of short story collections. I'm so excited. :D
And to give you a taster here is my exercise for this week:

2016/05/04 – write a fairy tale

The Raven's Feather

“They say, the raven is a messenger of evil. Their black wings accompany calamity and murder. It is proven that these birds of hell have the power of demons, who can change the good into the opposite and provoke nothing but destruction and evil…

Therefore beware of their dark power and flee as long as you still can...“

Everyone, who was wise enough to protect their family and to prevent the misfortune that might happen, had learnt this. Also the good grandmother warned the three royal children when she told bedtime stories. After the candles were snuffed out and the two girls dremed of heroes the young prince Hinoki was still awake and thoughtfully observed the stars. In contrast to his older sisters he was not afraid of the dark force of the ravens. How could a poor, little bird be dangerous to him? The prince didn't understand the adults' worries, instead the young royal son was fascinated that a crature as fragile had a power so tremendous that even the king, Hinoki's father, trembled when mentioning the black birds.

On these evenings the invalid boy had wished the most that he had even the tiniest spark of that power so he could forget his worries. Like every evening he wished upon a star and went to sleep.

But after a couple of years when his wish hadn't come ture yet and his malady had become more severe the prince lost his hope. Because of his ailment Hinoki couldn't go with his sisters to the many balls and dance, so he began to hate those parties.

One day – it was Hinoki's twelfth birthday – the king held an extraordinary ball for his son. There were many artists from all the countries, there were chefs who had created lots of formidable menus, there were those had prepared fireworks, they brought exotic animals and there was music all around.

But the prince couldn't rejoice.

Then his father went to him and asked: “My son, why are you so sad? Tell me, don't you see all these awesome things?“

But he didn't see them, and the king left disappointedly.

Later the gifts were given to the prince: there were silver and golden jewelleries with diamonds, rubies and emeralds, purpure and lapis lazuli garbs, swords made from the hardest of steels, valuable boxes and rare animals…

The king was happy and went to his sad son. He wanted to know: “My son, why are you so sad? Tell me, can't you enjoy all these awesome presents?“

But Hinoki couldn't enjoy them.

The ball continued until late at night and Hinoki secretly went to his chambers. He sat down at the window and thoughtfully observed the stars. The prince murmured: “The ball is awesome, but what to do if I can't dance and laugh? The presents are awesome also. But why have jewelleries and garbs when I have nobody for whom to dress up? But why have a sword when I can't fight? But why have boxes when I have no treasure? But why have animals when my heart can't enjoy those things?“

And he was right.

Suddenly Hinoki saw a bird land at his window. Surprised he watched his visitor and noticed it was a raven. The black bird cleaned his feathers and said with a beautiful voice: “Hello, my prince Hinoki, tomorrow's soverain over all the countries. Live long and prosperous!“

The raven made a little curtsey and looked at Hinoki intelligently. The prince was so amazed that he could do nothing but quietly nod. Then the black bird continued: “That's a splendid party that you're holding. I regret arriving so late. But I heard so late and the messenger must have lost my invitation; I don't care though. Here I am!“

He grinned craftily as a cartload of monkeys. “Of course I couldn't find a present, but I will give you something else.“

The raven put his beak in his plumage and lay one of his feathers into Hinoki's hand. The prince observed the feather as black as night admiringly and said: “What a beautiful present you've given to me. I'm really happy, but, my raven, what to do with it? No offence.“

The bird started laughing. “Of course not, my prince Hinoki, no offence taken. Here's the sense: the feather isn't your present. I give you my services and you can use them whenever. You have a wish? I arrive and do you the favour, mon prince Hinoki. Isn't that great?“

The raven made a gesture with his head smiling and the prince applauded happily. “That's awesome.“

Suddenly the raven became serious: “But attention: for every wish you have to pay.“

Hinoki promised to pay looking at the beautiful feather all the time. The raven was contented and flew into the night to enjoy the party. Immediately the prince put the feather into one of the boxes to protect his treasure.

All the following winter long the feather lay in its hidden place. Then the prince met a girl he liked. But he was afraid that she wouldn't like him back because he was so invalid that he couldn't walk anymore. He didn't know what to do. Then he remembered the feather and took it. Hinoki didn't wait long until he saw a bird arrive that evening. The raven cleanded his feathers and said: “Hello, my prince Hinoki, tomorrow's soverain over all the countries. I see with pleasure that you haven'T forgotten me. Finally you have a wish, haven't you? Yes, I know. There is this girl you want to dance with and so on, but you can't. Now, I shall heal you.“

The prince was astonished. “Err...yes, that's right. You can do that?“

The raven smiled. “Of course. It suits me fine, my prince Hinoki. But don't forget to pay.“ And so the bird healed the prince ith his spell. Hinoki was very thankful and he took his jewelleries and garbs to go out with the girl to a party.

Later that beautiful evening one of his sisters fell into a well and drowned. The king was so furious and sad that he declared war to the country the man, who his dead daughter had danced with, came from. The two armies fought for three months and the prince wanted to help end this calamity. So, totally despaired, he called the raven who appeared in the evening.

“Hello, my prince Hinoki, tomorrow's soveraing over all the countries,“ he said like always, “It's terrible, this war, isn't it? You want to help your father make peace, but you can't because you don't know how to use a sword. Now, I shall teach you.“ Hinoki agreed and the black bird cast his spell. “Now take your sword and fight for peace! But don't forget to pay.“

The prince went help his father and the ennemies finally surrendered because Hinoki fought like a lion and with grand finesse. Unfortunately the king had been killed during the war and the kingdom was in need of a new soverain.

And seven days after the war Hinoki's sister became the queen. She was a very beautiful queen and everyone admired her, but she also was very vain and lavish. She spent much money on balls. Hinoki saw the misery of his people and he thought about what he could do. Then the raven appeared for a third time. “Hello, my prince Hinoki, tomorrow's soverain over all the countries. The kingdom seemed richer previously, didn't it? Now, I guess you'd change the state of the state if you were king. Well, why not be the king? I shall crown you.“

The prince was shocked. “But my sister is queen. I can't do this.“

Immediately the raven cast a third spell. “We will see. You should pay a visit to your queen, my prince Hinoki – no, my king Hinoki. And don't forget to pay.“ Afterward Hinoki went to see his queen who had something to her little brother.

Then seven months later the young king with a black feather tucked to his crown unified all the kingdoms with a little bit of help of a secret friend.

And he proudly told the success of his long life when visiting the royal tombs.