“I cannot do this,” the Uni said firmly, head held stiffly in place as she looked sideways at the official, keeping her face towards the pathetic huddle of feathers in front of her, “I do not have the right...”

“Then he will die.” The blank statement cut through the air like lead, making the heap of wings withdraw and shrink further in shame. The one who was being asked to judge froze, eyes sadly drifting back to the thief.

“Then I am given no choice,” she replied, walking forwards and down off the steps to stand in front of the Hissi, who drew himself up so that his back was straight, even if his wings and head drooped.

“Stay down in front of your betters!” snarled a voice, a rock spinning out of nowhere towards the Hissi. Suddenly one hoof rose and flicked, a flash of magic causing the stone to whip around and shoot back at the speaker.

The sharp voice from the Uni sounded different now, sharp and somehow far older than it had been a moment before, “You shall not touch him, you have done enough.”

It could not be said that even voice wasn’t fair. It only made the thief more ashamed to take up this noble person’s time, so he sank further, lowering his head until it nearly touched the ground. Her neck was still regally arched as she gazed down on him, the calm eyes boring into the back of his neck.

Pathetic. What kind of society would do this to a boy? The Uni stepped forwards, golden hoof striking the ground as her wings opened with a snap, power rippling out with the broad expanse of white feathers, the crowd flinching away as the thief sunk lower under its influence.

Something prompted him to look up a moment later, only to find his eyes locked with the glowing golden orbs above him, wings proudly open on either side, everything that he wasn’t. Yet he could not look away, the power silencing the others was holding him in place, her eyes searching his for something before letting him lower his gaze once more.

The golden horn lowered so that just the tip rested in the centre of the Hissi’s
forehead, then flared brightly, villagers shielding their eyes as power resounded from the Uni's voice. It was almost as if as the world was condensing on the
two figures and then into the Hissi, flowing over and seeping into him as she spoke.

“You shall never return to this village nor see these people again,” she said solemnly, “you will instead become a Defender, a Hero, as price for your shame.” The world dissolved into light, leaving him alone with a strange new body and purpose.

When the light cleared the former Hissi nearly cheered. This was brilliant! Not only was he alive, but he was going to have a respected job, this wasn’t a punishment, it was being placed where he should have been! Now he could really live his life as he was meant to, and not get it wrong this time around! Not only that but the mask and shape change meant that no-one would see his shameful past!

In the clearing the Uni folded her over-large wings and turned to face the angry crowd with a heavy heart, the power seeping out of her now the sentence was passed. She knew only too well what she had done to that poor child, and why it had indeed been such a punishment. She walked silently through the crowd into the woods, vanishing from sight with careful steps as she thought over her judgement.

It was true that in that state she had no say over what she decreed, yet she still felt bad for doing it. Instead of a gift she had given him a weight he would only truly know with time, instead of respect she had given him false dignity that he would never feel equal to, leading him to feel lower and forced to serve. Instead of freedom she had given him a duty he could never avoid, instead of a life, she had given him a mask, one that he would learn to hate and love.

True, she had filled a hole in the story, but at what price? Why did it fall to her to wield the power that changed lives, and force others to do the same in turn?

In reality, she wasn't any different to the thief.