With that she stopped and hugged Judge a little closer, kissing his temple. The child yawned, burying himself against his mother. It was sickly sweet. Heather had to turn away to keep from thinking of her own mother.
"A tough decision. I have only one question, what has this to do with us? I do not -"
"The dark figures, they possess no wings or appendages I can mark but it's the future vision that pointed us to you. At the front of the castle, chiselled in the finest stonework I have ever seen, was a leopard with great wings upon its back, and two incredible eagles fighting it but losing."
Heather's mouth ran dry. "The Sky goddess and the Leopard."
"Yes, I remember it was your first song and dance. We had never heard of such a story until then. But there was one more thing. He had a broadsword, long, thick, sharp and beautiful, like none I've seen before, it was curved into half circular shape. With two engravings. I know not what the first meant but the second was of wings of both black and white.
"What shape were the colours?" Heather asked.
"They were black flames on white sky."
There was a murmur running around Heather before she had a chance to react. It was silenced immediately by the turning of her head.
"Well unfortunately, we do not have those wings. Ours are pure black."
"It could mean something else." Merriam said shrugging.
Heather felt herself glaring at how glib he was.
"Maybe" Heather said, lifting the jar of peppadews and passing them to Nomonda who pulled out jars of her own. A selection of spices, vegetables and meats, salted or otherwise. "Please enjoy the little food we have. I need to speak to my girls. Day, Dawn."
She jumped up and hopped over the rail; wings spread, she dropped to her knees. All the girls landed next to her.
"I only asked for Dawn and Day." Heather began.
"You also said you wanted to speak to all of us. We're saving time." Lindi said.
Heather crossed her arms and gave a slow glare at Lindi.
"Tell me Evening, how on Earth could all that have been decided in the two seconds I went from the rail to the floor?"
"Since you elected me second speaker, ma'am. I honestly do not believe they are going to argue, all things considered."
"Evening, are you trying to test your wit against m? Because mine kept in my fists"
"I apologise, ma'am. I only mean that this prophesy seems to be linked to us."
"Is this what everyone else thinks?" Heather asked.
Nomonda spoke up. "Ma'am, not all of us were awake."
"A sad comment on its own" Heather muttered.
Nomonda hesitated but mustered herself. "We are not entirely sure what's happening."
"Fine, 'second speaker', explain." Heather said, relaxing against the base of the tower and resting her eyes.
Lindi retold the story, with less skill than Merriam but far more enthusiasm. They were captivated. When she stopped, Heather stood up.
"Again, do you want to discuss the woman's words?"
It was unanimous.