A harpy was not a pretty sight.

They had a bare torso that was lined with odd patches of feathers and their teeth were too sharp and would stick out of their jaw involuntarily. Instead of normal arms, they had ones that felt like leather, with ugly, grim feathers that hung limply off them, fingers like talons. Their hair was always white and taunt. It looked like, if you touched one strand, it would just snap in half. Their eyes were big and staring, their manners were lewd and their bird-like feet clicked when they walked.

No, a harpy was not a pretty sight.

That was why Thomas screamed when he, Logan and Roman were instantly grabbed by some, one to each arm.

"Oh my god, we're gonna die!" He cried loudly, kicking his legs.

"Relax, Thomas, we aren't gonna die!" Laughed Roman, although he didn't seem too comfortable.

Logan, however, looked completely relaxed. "On the contrary, Thomas, harpies are often used to escort newcomers to the Air King. It's the most efficient way to get to him, after all, he lives on top of the cliffs. Also, it is 'going to,' not, 'gonna'."

"Oh, give it a break, nerd!" Scoffed Roman. "Ugh, you sound like my professor!"

"Oh my lord, we're going up now! Ah, we're going up!" Wailed Thomas, flailing in the claws of the harpies that definitely looked done with him already. "We're all gonna die, this was a terrible idea!"

Roman sighed loudly as the air swept through his hair. He glanced across to Logan. "Is he always like this?"

"I'd hardly know, Roman. He's been in my company for a day," replied Logan.

Thomas kept screaming as they flew higher in the air, growing light-headed. Eventually, there wasn't enough air and he stopped, head lolling forwards with exhaustion. He heard panicked yells but he was just too dizzy to focus, he was far too limp to move or give any signs of recognition. The harpies that held him tried to shake him but Thomas refused to look, focusing only on breathing and breathing alone. There wasn't enough air up here, not for a human. Thomas felt himself grow limper and limper as his muscles loosened. He tried to relax and let his breathing take priority but his new friends were screaming his name with a terrifying worry.

Suddenly the ground swept in beneath his feet and the harpies let go, causing him to stumble and fall onto the ground.

"Thomas!" Cried Roman, rushing down beside him. "Thomas, are you okay?!"

The kitchen boy muttered, "I don't feel well..."

Something cold and hard, which Thomas assumed was stone, picked him up under his arms and warm, almost feverish hands were holding his. "Don't be alarmed, Thomas," Logan said, a hint of nerves in his tone. "It's the high altitude, the Air King can fix it when we see him. Try not to talk too much."

"Yep..." Thomas groaned as they practically dragged him up to large, crystal doors.

Roman pushed it open and they instantly heard a loud cry of, "Guests!"

"Uh, greetings and salutations?" Logan replied, most likely frowning, but Thomas couldn't see. The Kings pulled him closer and he felt something suddenly rise beneath him and he was sitting on a sharp, hard object. Rock.

Thomas heard a vigorous pattering of feet and he saw a silvery hand wave in front of his face.

"Is he okay?" Asked an unfamiliar voice.

"He's a human," Roman said. "This isn't a good altitude for them."

A small gasp was slightly audible. "Oh, I'll fix that. I am very sorry, kiddo!"

Suddenly, air rushed to Thomas and he breathed in deeply. "I have a headache now," He joked thinly, feeling the oxygen dash back to him. He looked up, eyes focusing in and a silver-blue face. Grey freckles were heavy on this persons' nose and cheeks, and they had sky blue eyes. Their hair was bouncy and waving slightly in a nonexistent breeze, a light brown in colour. Large spectacles were pushed up high on their nose and they beamed at Thomas.

"Hello! I'm Patton! It's lovely to meet you, I've never met a human before because they never survive the trip up here. It's surprising that you did!"

Thomas smiled weakly. "I've survived through a lot recently..."

Patton giggled brightly. "Who are you, kiddo?"

"Thomas..."

"Thomas? Just Thomas?" Frowned Patton. "Don't you have a family name?"

Opening his mouth, Thomas was about to tell Patton he'd been an orphan since the age of six but Logan butted in. "Prince Thomas, Patton. Of the humans."

Patton looked up at Logan and gasped. "Oh my god, you look so cool!"

"Uh?"

"You're so grey! It's so cute!" Squealed Patton.

Logan frowned. "I, uh, I wouldn't describe myself as cute and it's a pleasure meeting you, Patton, but we need-"

"Hey! Why aren't I cute?" Asked Roman.

Patton instantly began fawning and complimenting Roman, which made Logan a little annoyed that the Fire King had interrupted him. "Patton, we need an audience with the Air King."

"Huh?" The other tilted his head. "Why do I need an audience?"

Roman blinked at him and then pulled back. "Woah, wait! You're the Air King? I always imagined someone more, well, serious!"

Patton giggled. "Oh, I can be quite serious! I just don't think it's a fun way to rule."

Thomas tilted his head at Patton. "So, can you help us?"

"Help you with what?"

Roman glanced at Thomas. "We-ell, it's a long story. Thomas was there, I... Do you want to explain, Thomas?"

Thomas steadied his breathing, and began to speak, "My kingdom has been incinerated by these strange people. I escaped through the kitchen window and I'm the sole survivor...."

Patton opened his mouth to respond and then frowned. "That... doesn't seem very believable..."

"I swear what he says isn't a story, King Patton. I saw some of the destruction myself and, if you just looked at his chest, you'll see Prince Thomas has a fresh burn mark caused by a pebble that had been set alight hitting him in the chest," Logan pointed out. "Roman has confirmed that those are real burn marks and no one would burn themselves this serious for a falsehood."

The Air King didn't look convinced. "I'm not convinced."

Roman huffed loudly. "Seriously, that burn mark isn't fake! Besides, it's really fresh and didn't you see the plumes of smoke?"

Patton swallowed, biting his bottom lip. "I... I'll need to think about it. Why don't you three spend the night? You probably will want some rest while I talk to my advisors about this."

Thomas smiled weakly. "That sounds really good. Uh, your highnesses? Is it okay for you?"

"Oh, Thomas, I've asked you to not bother with the titles, you're basically on our level, it's weird!" Laughed Roman and Thomas's' heart sank. "But, yeah, it sounds pretty good. It's getting late anyway."

"Ooh, great! I'll get you some robes ready, don't worry!" Patton squealed happily, clapping his hands together. "Harpies, will you show the guests to the spare rooms? Let them have their pick, the spectres will help from there!"

The harpies instantly nudged Thomas to his feet who jumped up obediently, not entirely keen on being too close to them. Roman looked repulsed and he shot Thomas a mortified glance which made the kitchen boy laugh. Logan rolled his eyes and followed the harpies dutifully.

.:*:.

Thomas looked at the spectre curiously. It seemed to stare right through him as it fizzed closer. That was the thing with spectres. They fizzed. They didn't walk or even glide. They just glitched and jittered across the room.

It knelt by him and touched his burn with windy fingers. Thomas tensed as he heard the spectre in his head. "You're no human prince. You're a human kitchen boy." It told him.

"Please, don't tell anyone," Thomas whispered.

The spectre looked up at him. "Of course, sir. I wouldn't disobey royalty." It fizzed away and Thomas stared after it. Were spectres sarcastic? Or was it making some sort of joke about not telling anyone? Whatever it meant, Thomas knew it had been important. Spectres were known for unearthly knowledge and they never really shared much unless you asked them specifically what they meant. But, you had to be royalty to do that, a spectre wouldn't reveal their secrets to anyone. Spectres were curious creatures.

Thomas crawled into the bed, surprised to find it so comfy and cool. He had expected it to be fidgety but it was still and chilled.

He felt sleep crash into him and he drifted into a dreamless, restless sleep that he awoke from exhausted. Thomas moved reluctantly from the bed that still managed to have kept its' cold temperature. The kitchen boy stood and saw the robes laid out before him and his jaw dropped.

The shirt was white and sparkling, like crystals, and the light blue tunic shimmered as if it were made of diamonds. The trousers were dark grey and hung fittingly when Thomas tried them on. Everything fitted him perfectly. It was almost uncomfortable. This attention, this care and this affection had never been displayed to him before. Not by the guards, the cooks or even his teacher. But, now he was letting people believe a lie, he was being showered with attention, care and affection. Now he was someone, he was important to them. And he had never been important to anyone. Maybe, he could enjoy it while it lasted. He didn't have to tell them just yet.

Thomas sighed, making up his mind. He would pretend until he no longer was desperate for attention. Or until they found out. Well, he'd cross that bridge when he came to it. 

Leaving the bedroom, Thomas was surprised to find how naturally his navigation of the castle came. He'd only walked down these corridors once and now he had found his way back to the greeting hall easily. It was almost unnerving, especially because harpies and spectres were giving him weird looks, and Thomas saw a large lump of stone in the middle of the room. He remembered that Logan had made it for him so he wandered over to sit on it, thinking about nothing in particular.

Lost in thought, Thomas jumped when he heard a bright voice say, "Kiddo! Hello!"

It was King Patton and he happily perched on thin air.

"Hello, King Patton..."

Patton scoffed, wafting his hand around. "Psh, don't bother calling me King, kiddo. I'm not better than you just because you're a prince and I'm not. Besides, I'm not too big on titles."

"Yes, Ki- Patton," Thomas smiled thinly and nodded. "I'll try!"

"You're funny, kiddo!" Laughed Patton and his beam flickered away slightly. "I... I spent a long time considering what you told me last night. A few spectres ventured out and supported your claim." He breathed out slowly and Thomas sat up hopefully. "I'm not gonna rush into this, even though Logan tried to pester me a lot about his prophecy. Before I make my decision, I want to know where the Water King stands in this. What did he say?"

Thomas blinked. "Oh, uh, we haven't gone to him, yet."

Patton frowned at him and then gasped, face-palming. "Right, the Fire King can't fully submerge in water, there's no way you could've gone to him without me." The Air King sighed loudly but a small smile was slowly appearing. "Alright, I'll come with you to the Water King, then I'll be able to help you get King Roman into the water. But I'm not making my decision until I know what the Water King is doing!"

Thomas was grinning and he propelled himself off his seat and he threw his arms around Patton. "Thank you so much!" He gasped. "I never thought anyone would help me!"

"Aw, kiddo!" Laughed Patton softly. "People will always help you, no matter what they've done or what you've done. No one is heartless."

And Thomas let his worries sift away in the breezy grip of the Air King, who, honestly, acted more like the father he didn't remember.