Finnawan
When the crows are flying in circles, look up in the sky. Listen. And if you have a sharp eye, you might be able to spot the riders on their backs.
"Mom, mom! The shadows took Nuno!" - Lumi rushed into the kitchen, trembling. Her mother shuddered. "I'll call the crow", she said. But first she went to Lumi's room and brought one more gas lamp from her own bedroom. "I'll be fine, she thought. I'm tough. Shadows won't get me". She stared at the dying sun for a few minutes, deep oily shadows gathering in the nooks where the light couldn't reach, and then cawed a call sign to a crow guardian.
Finnawan and his crow Featherblade heard the woman from Daylighter people calling for help. Her cawing call was almost correct, at least it didn't sound like an offense to crows' nestlings and was understandable.
It was not long ago that Daylighters turned for the help of the Corvian riders, as soon as they realized they no longer can oppose the Shadowfell's invasion. People had to acknowledge the close proximity of the world of shadows - and the world of elves, also known as Corvian riders. They however learned quickly, and were eager to build relationships with elven nation as the shadows were threatening first of all human children. Scary movements in the dark corners of the rooms, missing toys, later found torn to threads, nightmares. If the malevolent Shadowfell became stronger, kids might get missing too.
The Shadowfell is a realm of pure darkness and malevolence that seeks to seep into the city and spread its influence. It is a place of nightmares and shadowy creatures that thrive on fear and despair.
The crows, with their innate connection to the mystical energies of the world, are the only creatures capable of detecting and warding off the subtle incursions of the Shadowfell. They tirelessly patrol the city's borders, watching for any signs of darkness attempting to breach its defenses. Their cawing serves as both a warning to the city's inhabitants and a beacon of hope, reminding them that the guardians are vigilant in their protection.
Finnawan and Featherblade flew into the window of the kid's room and instantly felt the shadow's emanation. It was mild though. Not the sticky oily feel, but rather mustiness and the smell of dump attic.
The crow and the elf, connectors of dusk and everything in between, were immune to any kind of shadows and were able to cutoff the Shadowfell's ambassador and wipe it from existence.
Lumi, although scared, was too curious to stay in well lit kitchen where her mother tried to keep her. She leaked into her room just in time to see Finnawan pulling her teddy bear Nuno from under the wardrobe. Almost intact, just a little bit worn out as if someone was throwing it on the dusty road. She squeaked with joy.
Featherblade was shifting his feet on the windowsill ready to soar into the evening sky, when Lumi's mother asked Finnawan.
"How bad is it? The shadows? Is the city holding? Can I call you if they return?"
"I'm flying to the north of the Dawn Mountain" - Finnawan shook his head: "I need to find the last white corvus and her rider, or everything is lost. But don't worry, someone from my people will look after you." The raven turned into a black dot in the indigo sky and a moment later they disappeared.
Original watercolor painting, first part of the diptych. Painted in 2019.
