23rd of Fall, 503
It was different in the fledgling warrens. Unlike the aeries where it felt normal, this place was warm and homey. Young fledglings had a harder time coping with the wind chill, while the adults were more at home in cooler caves. Besides, these warm caves made it easier for the fledglings to relax and focus on the real matter at hand: being bribed by young Inartas in hopes of creating a sacred bond. Today, there seemed to be more hopefuls running around than normal. It may have been from a few recent bondings that had occurred, or a few new eggs that were supposed to be hatching soon. Even though they would not allowed to be touched until they were a bit older, baby eagles always stirred up emotions in hopeful Endals. Especially gooey girls that had nothing better to do but fantasize about a romantic, happily ever after with another Endal rider as his male eagle.
Blegh. Boring.
Phlox sat on the edge of a ledge, watching some eagles below her be fawned over by by a few females with sparkly glass decorating their hair. Probably higher born than she had been, considering the trinkets they wore and the shape the feathers were in. Idly she rolled the tip of one of the swept feathers of her hairpiece, narrowing her eyes. Entitled little chuhn kariil. ”Maybe you should all go preen elsewh-“ Phlox started to grumble, until to be cut off by a shriek of joy.
Figures that the gods would spite her and bind one of these precious chicks to a rather beautiful and strong eagle. Swinging her leg up, Phlox hoisted herself onto the edge. Guess the pretty girls got the eggs in this case.
Stepping lightly along the thin edge, Phlox was always observant of others. Her hands caressed the fissures that lined the wall next to her, always looking for a safe purchase in case she were to slip. If that were to happen, only air would be there for support. Everyone in Skyinarta knew only air supported the wings of eagles, not careless Yasi. Soon she found herself on a wider ledge, where she knelt to watch again, this time as hidden in the shadows as possible.
Her target was a nest not more than five lengths from her. An eagle lay, its eyes half lidded and heavy with the fog of sleep. Of course, her nap was about to be rudely interrupted as a boy pulled himself up onto the ledge. He was dirty and scrawny, not a normal candidate for a rider. He stood, shaking in a sandals before pulling an unsavory bit of meat from the makeshift pack he had on his back. The rustling caused the eagle to stir, raising its head. The scent that permeated the air from the offering almost made Phlox want to vomit.
Apparently, the eagle agreed with Phlox’ distaste of the offering. It stood up and fanned out her wings. She was bigger, most likely older, to be an unbonded fledgling. Phlox had heard rumor of this beast. A raptor unlike many that did not take kindly to being bribed and fawned over. From what she had heard, this one was relatively independent, enjoying long flights over Thunder Bay to bring herself a snack. Not that the eagle hadn’t accepted gifts before. Her nest was littered with painted feathers and bits of glass hopefuls had brought her.
A screech shattered Phlox’ thoughts and nearly made her jump out of her skin. Apparently the boy had the same idea as he dropped the bit of meat and took a dangerous step back. He must have realized too late how close to the edge he was when he looked over his shoulder and noted he was only half his own tiny foot away. He turned back, begging with his wide eyes toward the eagle.
“Mercy…” Came a soft plea, his lips barely able to part for further words before the eagle was jumping out of her nest.
It was magnificent to watch. The way the eagle hauled herself towards the boy was incredible and made Phlox’ skin crawl. The talons raised up and fell with an eerie sharpness. The way she hiked her legs up to run was somewhat hilarious, only to be counter balanced by the magnificent size of her wings. Not yet fully grown, and already a beast of nightmares to all but the Inarta. Soon, she had closed the distance between her and the boy. If she had been of a humanoid body, Phlox imagined her kicking the boy across the chest in the abyss. Very warrior-esque. Instead, she dipped her head, clipped her beak into the collar of his Bryda, pulled him up to give the boy a proper wedgie, and then unceremoniously dropped him over the edge.
His screams were heard all the way to the bottom of the caves until a THUD ended his pitiful life.
Blegh. Boring.
Phlox sat on the edge of a ledge, watching some eagles below her be fawned over by by a few females with sparkly glass decorating their hair. Probably higher born than she had been, considering the trinkets they wore and the shape the feathers were in. Idly she rolled the tip of one of the swept feathers of her hairpiece, narrowing her eyes. Entitled little chuhn kariil. ”Maybe you should all go preen elsewh-“ Phlox started to grumble, until to be cut off by a shriek of joy.
Figures that the gods would spite her and bind one of these precious chicks to a rather beautiful and strong eagle. Swinging her leg up, Phlox hoisted herself onto the edge. Guess the pretty girls got the eggs in this case.
Stepping lightly along the thin edge, Phlox was always observant of others. Her hands caressed the fissures that lined the wall next to her, always looking for a safe purchase in case she were to slip. If that were to happen, only air would be there for support. Everyone in Skyinarta knew only air supported the wings of eagles, not careless Yasi. Soon she found herself on a wider ledge, where she knelt to watch again, this time as hidden in the shadows as possible.
Her target was a nest not more than five lengths from her. An eagle lay, its eyes half lidded and heavy with the fog of sleep. Of course, her nap was about to be rudely interrupted as a boy pulled himself up onto the ledge. He was dirty and scrawny, not a normal candidate for a rider. He stood, shaking in a sandals before pulling an unsavory bit of meat from the makeshift pack he had on his back. The rustling caused the eagle to stir, raising its head. The scent that permeated the air from the offering almost made Phlox want to vomit.
Apparently, the eagle agreed with Phlox’ distaste of the offering. It stood up and fanned out her wings. She was bigger, most likely older, to be an unbonded fledgling. Phlox had heard rumor of this beast. A raptor unlike many that did not take kindly to being bribed and fawned over. From what she had heard, this one was relatively independent, enjoying long flights over Thunder Bay to bring herself a snack. Not that the eagle hadn’t accepted gifts before. Her nest was littered with painted feathers and bits of glass hopefuls had brought her.
A screech shattered Phlox’ thoughts and nearly made her jump out of her skin. Apparently the boy had the same idea as he dropped the bit of meat and took a dangerous step back. He must have realized too late how close to the edge he was when he looked over his shoulder and noted he was only half his own tiny foot away. He turned back, begging with his wide eyes toward the eagle.
“Mercy…” Came a soft plea, his lips barely able to part for further words before the eagle was jumping out of her nest.
It was magnificent to watch. The way the eagle hauled herself towards the boy was incredible and made Phlox’ skin crawl. The talons raised up and fell with an eerie sharpness. The way she hiked her legs up to run was somewhat hilarious, only to be counter balanced by the magnificent size of her wings. Not yet fully grown, and already a beast of nightmares to all but the Inarta. Soon, she had closed the distance between her and the boy. If she had been of a humanoid body, Phlox imagined her kicking the boy across the chest in the abyss. Very warrior-esque. Instead, she dipped her head, clipped her beak into the collar of his Bryda, pulled him up to give the boy a proper wedgie, and then unceremoniously dropped him over the edge.
His screams were heard all the way to the bottom of the caves until a THUD ended his pitiful life.
