A Summer Day in Thunder Bay (Solo)

[Tiaue'a]

TS: 66th of Summer 512 A.V. Syna was passing overhead, though still brilliant as ever. Noon time had passed just recently, still leaving every bell, every chime, for the Inarta and eagles in Thunder Bay to lay claim to what they could. For some it was the food supply. Fishing boats were on the water, some extending far toward the horizon for a big catch. The in land boats were equally hard at work for the smaller catches to be had. Each and every bit of “food stuff” was good for use. Who could be picky with a city to feed? It was one of those days Ti`ue had to join the Endal, much to her relief. Waking later in the day helped her manage herself. She could hunt in the evenings and survive night watch sanely that way. The flight had been taken to Thunder Bay, the orders simple: catch something, and when you do, go catch something else. Harvesting the fish from the bay was a special time. The summer season was the only thing that really let the settlement flourish. That went without saying of course. Ti`ue felt those rays beating down on her. Syna was merciless when it came to sharing the heat of her burning heart, shedding the light and heat on all alike. The cool wind would not be enough, she would not be cooled enough to hunt in the forests. She looked longingly to the open bay and the gentle waves that washed over the sand. It was refreshing to take it. “What are you staring at? It’s just water?” A bonded eagle adjacent Ti`ue questioned her, the rider obviously immersed in his work too. “It’s hot. Too bad it’s all salt.” “The day goes by fast, you know. I’ve heard there’s a dolphin pod nearby. They’re planning to snag a few when they gather to feed as well. Tricky, no?” “Tactical, at least. Lead the way.” With that exchange of words, the flight shifted on the winds bound for the open water. Tiaue`a asked, “Why are we heading so far out?” The response she got was pretty simple, yet spoke much of the eagle’s experience and knowledge, “They will only be out here, fishing like us. Maybe the fishermen can take from the pod’s catch as well. You’ll see the dolphins trying to get the school of fish in a ball, and then they attack. That’s when we’ll attack as well. I’ve normally seen them closer inland, but only in early morning when the water is cooler.” “Good to know.” “Oh, and watch for anything bigger. I wouldn’t mind taking an orca into processing. They might take a bite at the pod’s catch as well, if not ours. More importantly, there are bigger things out here. Have you seen the beasts they have found in the wilds? There are things with many heads, odd colors, greater sizes. I heard there was a cougar as large as any of us…” “Impossible. Must be a rumor.” “Yes, but rumors have a root to them. Even if it’s an exaggeration, there’s something great out there. Best be careful and not linger. Oh, watch for sharks too. They jump. They’d make a fine catch, but depending how you get one to your talons, you might be losing more than we bargained for. Imagine this, eagle hunts shark, shark bites onto eagle’s leg, eagle drops the shark off in processing, but loses his leg. Funny thought, right?” “More like terrible. Where do you get these ideas from?” “Him.” The eagle jokingly blamed his Endal, possibly aloud to the rider in fact. The Endal spoke, “What?” “Nothing, we’re just talking about fish.” Ti`ue felt the channel linger, and heard the conversation play out. “You’re a pest you know that.” “And you adore me for it. Ha ha ha!” Ti`ue grinned watching the bond in works. Of course the eagle was joking with his rider, and he knew it. It was playful, and she enjoyed the presence of it. The day was too brilliant to let envy stab at her heart. The edges of Kalea were starting to drift behind the flight as they passed further out to sea between the mainland and Thunder Island.