Moonlight spilled across the courtyard like spilled milk. The palace had gone to sleep: guards at their posts slouched under their helms, torches burned low, and only the fountain in the inner garden whispered over stone. In the shadow of a crumbling arch, a lamb crouched, eyes glinting silver.
Alex exhaled through his nose. Quiet. Focus. He had slipped out of the princess's chamber the moment her breathing steadied. Now, at last, he could practise without an audience. He pawed a crude circle into the dust with one hoof, remembering the loops and angles Elara had traced at dawn.
Water from the fountain obeyed his call like a slow, reluctant snake. It rose, trembling, shaped itself into a film before him. His wool crackled faintly with static; every nerve in his borrowed body ached with the strain.
Hold it… hold—
The shield collapsed with a splash, drenching his muzzle. He cursed under his breath and tried again. This time the film held for a heartbeat longer, shivering like a soap bubble. A faint notification flared behind his eyes:
[Skill Fragment Acquired: Minor Water Manipulation]
Alex grinned inwardly. Good. Even a fragment is a start.
A shadow moved at the edge of the fountain. "You're either very brave or very stupid," Thistle said. The rabbit hopped into the moonlight, ears flat against his skull. "I should have known you'd sneak out."
Alex kept his eyes on the water, trying to coax it back into shape. "Go back to sleep, furball."
"Not until you tell me what you are." Thistle's whiskers trembled. "No lamb learns a human sigil in a single glance."
Alex let the water drop and turned to face him. "What difference does it make to you? I'm not hurting the princess."
"That's not the point." Thistle's voice was low and urgent now. "The elves are sniffing around the palace again. Blue feathers in the roses this morning. They're after something — maybe you. If you drag her into this…"
"I didn't drag anyone," Alex snapped. "She picked me up. I'm just making the best of a bad reincarnation."
Thistle blinked. "Rein… carnation?" His nose twitched. "You're not joking."
Alex smirked. "Does this look like a joke?" He raised a hoof. A thin ribbon of water rose and coiled around it like a bracelet before splashing back down.
The rabbit backed up a pace. "Whatever you are, you're dangerous. If Elara finds out—"
"She won't," Alex cut in. "Not yet. Right now I'm her pet lamb, and that suits me fine. You don't tell her, and I don't… do anything regrettable. Deal?"
Thistle's ears flattened. For a long moment only the fountain whispered between them. Finally he muttered, "Deal. But if you put her in danger, I'll—"
"You'll what? Gnaw my ankles?" Alex said lightly, but his eyes were hard.
The rabbit's whiskers twitched again. "Don't underestimate me, reincarnate. I know more about palace secrets than you think." With that he hopped back into the shadows and was gone.
Alex turned back to the fountain, heart hammering. The ribbon of water had left a cold ring on the stone. He stared at it until his breathing slowed. Blue feathers. Elves. They're moving faster than I thought.
He pawed another circle in the dust and summoned the water one more time. This time it rose clean and clear, holding its shape like glass for three full heartbeats before collapsing. Another flicker appeared behind his eyes:
[Skill Unlocked: Minor Water Shield]
Alex's grin was sharp and wolfish. Perfect. By the time they realise what I am, I'll be ready.
High above, in a window of the darkened palace, a pale curtain stirred. Someone — or something — was watching.