Challenge #04894-M145: Making the Effort

After grueling practice with Trudy and Wraithvine, the Swan Prince Odilio Magustine Jestarion Francas is… more acceptable than previously. However, he still must find love and Gods above and below know neither of them are on offer. It seems an ill fit at first, but, perhaps a hot headed warrior maiden from the north in need of a flying scout can find something in him to like and it may do him some good to find a woman who can argue right back…
Follows on from https://peakd.com/fiction/@internutter/challenge-04874-m125-educating-a-royal-pain -- Deathshead419

The best that could be said about Prince Odilio was that he had worked hard to become more tolerable than when they met him. Which was quite a struggle, and helped by Odilio recognising that he had - very much - hit rock bottom.

He'd learned, at long last, to read others' ire at his actions. He'd learned - eventually - to apologise for his misdeeds and to ask for suggestions on how to improve his behaviour.

And that was why he was following Wraithvine's augury to someone who might just be amenable to breaking his curse.

It manifested as a glowing arrow that only Odilio could see.

As he flew, he recited his lessons. "Be polite. Be respectful. Be helpful. Choose kindness. Love cannot be bought, it must be earned. No means no. And if the arrow reappears, it's time to move on."

It was the best Trudy and Wraithvine could do for him. She had an anxious family to return to and Wraithvine preferred to help more than one person at a time per century.

So Odilio flew north during the wrong season to fly north. His food was a small amulet that produced a good berry whenever he needed it. He flew for days and rested thanks to the grudging acceptance of The Green. He flew north for weeks, until the arrow suddenly jinked to the left.

Odilio squawked in alarm, wheeling around to follow the direction of the arrow. It took him three circuits to pinpoint a woman field dressing a Dire Bear. He circled closer and closer, careful to make sure she saw him and wasn't alarmed. Or tempted to bag something else for dessert. He touched down, bowed, and said, "Hello."

The woman was as muscular as a Harukh, taller than most horses, and had a face like a mallet. Her manner was efficient and gave off a menacing aura. She dropped the last of something bloody and rubbery into a hole and straightened up. "You magic?"

"I'm not very magic," he said. "Just... cursed. I've been looking for..." Don't ask about her virginity. Don't ask about kisses. Earn them. "help. Someone to help."

"I just took down a Dire Bear." One bloodied hand pointed it out to him. Just in case he'd missed a bear the size of a small hut.

"Ye-e-es," he allowed, settling his feathers a little. "But... how many days were you tracking it? Wouldn't you like -say- someone to fly around and find the tracks or even point out whatever you're hunting? I could try?"

"Hrmph," said the woman. "I do fine."

The arrow still pointed to her. Odilio decided on vulnerability. "Please? I'm lonely."

She prepared the carcass for carting. "Fine. I'm headed west. Go up and point me the easy way to go."

"Uh. I'm Odilio? May I know your name?"

"Vigdis," said Vigdis. "It means 'war goddess'."

He took it as a fair warning. It wasn't much of a start, but was a start. "Well met," he squeaked, and took wing.

[Photo by Nikola Bačanek on Unsplash]

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