I flap my wings through the wind rushing

Braving the air, cloud, and storm rumbling

I am a little swallow, aimlessly flying

Through space and time, wandering

The crows took my nest, poor me

Yet I struggled to fly, without fear

Hesitate not to commit my utmost

To breathe in this world longer

Challenges and peril confront at times

I am weak, I possess nothing

Fight I ain’t, I vault over obstacles

Break away and survive, such is winning

Experience is my loyal company

To find friends and knowledge along the way

To spread virtue, love and kindness

With compassion, which beget happiness

I once found a solid tree worthy of a nest

A home to return from my endless flights

Pity, i found another bird has occupied it

Depart I must, since I ain’t no pest

Maven concluded that song with a single breath.

She heard neither applause nor cheer.

Reyl stared at Maven, speechless. Lei closed her eyes, trying to figure out the meaning behind the song.

Sophia simply asked, “Is that all?”

Maven replied, “This song is actually unfinished yet. And I’m still not sure how I should end this ‘Flight of the Sparrow'. I apologize if it disturbed you."

“Oh, that’s okay. It’s not like I understand what the song is about.” Sophia shrugged.

Reyl, on the other hand smiled softly. “I understand, Mave. Your song is already perfect from beginning to the end and your voice was so beautiful. I can’t thank you enough, this is a very meaningful present for me.”

“Eeeeh?” Sophia looked at Reyl and Maven with a confused face, not getting the meaning of their conversation.

It was no wonder that Sophia and her teacher didn’t understand, since it was a song composed especially for Reyl. Thus, only Reyl understood that the song was actually about Maven's life and journey up to this point.

“Well, I think I already have a night to remember tonight,” said Reyl, covering his yawn. “Sophia, Maven, Madam Lei, thank you for this unforgettable party and presents. I really hope we can stay a solid team even after these past three weeks together. At least until I have to travel from town to town to trade again. And thank you Madam Lei for tending the shop while we are away."

“And I shall keep studying under Teacher Lei,” Sophia stated. She then clung onto Reyl’s hand while staring at Maven through the corner of her eyes. “I hope Maven will always be a reliable friend.”

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Maven understood very well what that look was about. She replied it with her signature naivete smile. “Of course. Wherever we are, I’ll always be your good friend.”

Wasting no more time, Reyl smiled and went with Sophia into the house, bringing with them the empty dishes and the leftover food from the feast.

There were only two people left outside.

Maven was silently observing the sky when Lei began to move closer to her, sitting on the chair across Maven. The elf noticed her advance, but chose to continue gazing upwards.

So Lei started the conversation, “I knew you’re not in the mood to talk at the moment, so just listen to me. Judging from your attitude around Reyl and Sophia, as well as the lyrics of your song, you must have developed some feelings for Reyl, but at first you didn’t know that he already has a lover, did you?”

Maven didn’t answer, not even turning to face Lei.

Dismissing the elf girl's insolent reaction, Lei continued, “Indeed, reality often betrays our hopes. It tires the soul and it's painful to bear, but such is life.

Life is like a labyrinth with multiple ends and exits. Sometimes we tread on one path, hoping to find an open door. Yet when we arrived, that door turned out to be locked. Then, what are you going to do?

Standing idly won’t help you cross that door, and any kind of wickedness will meet its just punishment. You can only choose: looking for the right key to open the door, or find another door that you can open or is already open for you. That’s it. The rest and result will depend on your own hard work and decision.”

Maven still didn’t respond. Lei kept on, “As for Reyl, I tell you that his door has been long closed. His relationship with Sophia has grown too deep, and they will get married soon enough. I have no idea what's really going on between you two, but Reyl must be only thinking of you as no more than a partner or a friend. Moreover, his return only shows that his loyalty for Sophia is still intact, like a cedar three that can’t be cut down by an ordinary axe. Heed my advice, just forget this door and look for another. Probably you will find one open for you. You still have a long life before you, don’t waste it for just one man.”

That last sentence finally drew Maven’s attention to Lei. She only looked down to the table. She herself realized that Lei might be right. Yet, Maven couldn’t help but ask, “What do you want with me to do, then?”

“Ask that to yourself. Use your common sense and you’ll find out what it is that you’re supposed to do."

The elf girl was stunned. All this time, the rejection that she had received always stemmed from the fact that she was an elf among humans. This thing was new to her.

In order to avoid shattering apart the happiness in this 'family', there was only one thing Maven must do.

There was no other way.

==oOo==

The next morning….

The door to Maven’s room was being knocked. Reyl was calling her, “Maven! Hey Mave, wake up!”

There was no answer.

Reyl knocked again and called louder, “Come on, Mave! I know you have a tiring day yesterday, but today we have a mission contract to fulfill!”

Still no answer.

“Come on, Mave! Are you still mad that I went straight to bed yesterday? Your and Sophia’s presents were both impressive. I was really tired and have to rest to prepare for today. So how is it, Mave? Will you help?”

Silence.

Reyl began gritting his teeth.

And suddenly his eyes widened.

He just realized something was amiss.

Slowly he reached for the door handle. His cold sweat began running down as he pushed the door…

The door wasn’t locked.

He kept pushing the door, trying not to make a sound.

How surprised he was to find out that the bed was already made and empty.

The conclusion was obvious. Maven had already gone.

Reyl calmed himself down. He then tried to recall the lines in between the lyrics of her song last night. Then he noticed a neatly folded piece of paper on the bed, with ‘For Reyl’ written on it. He seized the letter and read it.

Forgive me, Reyl. I’m leaving without saying goodbye. Because if I come to bid farewell, you would have stopped me.

Along with this letter is the lyric of my song. I hope it can be a memoir of our friendship. Learn the meaning of my song so you can understand my reason to move on with my life.

Forgive me, for there is one more reason that I haven't revealed to you. The real purpose of my life is to seek vengeance towards the ‘crows who took my nest’.

Yes, I know exactly who they are. I have even infiltrated into their organization in order to find an opportunity. Unfortunately, one mistake of mine have spoiled that opportunity. Thus I was forced to come with you in order to hide.

At first I thought my friendship with you could become something beyond partnership. But, when I found out your relationship with Sophia, I realized that I have misunderstood the situation. So, please forgive my selfishness. Rather than bearing the burden of living together with a pair of lovers, it’s better for me to go back to my real objective.

Also, please forgive me for sharing my life story with you. If Vadis be willing, I will return to complete this unfinished lyric of mine. But if I don’t, then at least you can already guess what possible endings have befallen upon me.

Please relay my message to Sophia also, that I wish that you and her can unite in eternal happiness.

Again, allow me to thank all of you for everything that you have given me, this wandering sparrow. Until later.

- Maven Istravel

Reyl folded the letter and the lyric back before slipping them into his side pocket. He then walked to the window, opened it wide and looked towards the rising sun and the scenery of Lu Vazr with bittersweet expression.

“I hope you will find your true nest, o’ little sparrow,” he mumbled.