Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ Legacy of the Winds ❯ book 1 chapter 5 ( Chapter 6 )

Chapter 5

 

Caleb prodded the camp fire, the looked to his left. His teacher, Decea, had calmed down. He was a descendent of the Southern mountain tribes, like Caleb, coal black, but unlike Caleb, jumpy whenever he wasn't firing his bow. Neither of them quite understood what had happened, but it was something special. One did not normally communicate mind to mind with any animal, much less a Great Eagle. The raptor meat was tasty, but neither Caleb nor his teacher were very hungry. The eagle though, for the moment perched in one of the great oaks nearby, had been ravenous. No one had spoken.

 

Caleb decided to ask. It was a question that had been driving him mad for the past few hours. “Who are you? And what are you doing this far from the mountains?” the question was, of course, to the eagle, though Caleb didn't know why he thought it would answer.

 

I am Sky Cloud, son of the Chieftain of the Great Mountain Eagles. As to what I am doing here, first, tell me your name. It looked straight at him, peering into his soul.

 

Caleb. I am Caleb, a student of archery. Raised in the city. But I don't think I was born there, I have memories of mountains, huge and snow capped, and of people like me, many of them, and fire, great warm flames which are never seen in the city. He realized he hadn't said it out loud, and was about to do so, when the eagle spoke to his mind again in reply.

 

You are of the south, no doubt you were taken from your family, or perhaps they moved to the city. As for me, I am here for you, though I did not know it. The great wise ones of the Eagles spoke to the shamans of the Conciled at my birth some 40 years ago, telling that in a time of turmoil, danger, and sadness, when the protectors were no more, I would play a great role in the saga. I was to go north as the wind took me, and there I would find something of great import, something so precious and special that it could turn all things about, a source of fire, warmth, heat, hope. I found you today, who makes fire from air and who saved me.

 

Caleb found his mouth hanging open. “Me? Really? I'm what you were looking for?”

 

Decea was disturbed by this outburst, looked at Caleb, the eagle, back to Caleb, and said, “What are you talking about, what's looking for you?”

 

“Sky Cloud said I am what he was searching for.” Caleb said matter-of-factly. The Eagle suddenly leapt off his branch, and glided down to the fireside. Come, danger approaches. Ride upon me, oh twin of my heart, that which I seek, you are the hope I was sent to find, return with me to your home. SC bent down so that Caleb might hop aboard. He motioned for Decea to follow. Decea, looking into his eyes, lost his hesitation, finding it replaced by a warm feeling, a notion of something, courage, confidence, certainty, fire. He climbed on.

 

We shall out fly the wind tonight. I am fed, and have energy, and this time no Sky Guardian shall dare try to stop us. He spread his Mighty wings, and he rose into the sky, soaring away.

 

***

 

Copernicus Marched at the head of a column of troops, weary of the days trek. The guardian riders, more elite warriors who actually rode Sky Guardians, circled above as one came down for a report. The others were being to take off at a quick pace. “My Lord, an eagle, to the south, straight south, flying south! It has just taken flight; it bears Concile men my lord!”

 

“Concile men? But they aren't part of the resistance! Then it was those damned fire adepts who did this!? Well, keep after then, surely you can catch them!” The Guardian took off again, after his fellows, who were flying after the Eagle. Copernicus moved his men into a quick march. Soon, however, he called a halt, as the Guardian riders returned. “My lord, they out flew us! I've never seen it in my life, but that eagle was faster than any Sky Guardian I've ever seen, As though the wind itself carried the bird!” Normally such a statement would warrant death, but the man was a very experienced and loyal sergeant, he wouldn't lie or use the phrase carelessly. Copernicus nodded, indicating he land. He turned to his men. “Prepare Camp, and no one is to discuss the Eagle's feat tonight, not until after it has been reported to his majesty. Sergeant, send one man back quickly to inform Lord Kaishaa of this. Tell him everything, including your blasphemous statement. Be sure you hold your own responsibility, but don't send yourself, I want you here.” If the sergeant himself was not sent, he might live; Cop didn't want to waste a good soldier.

 

The Guardian riders landed, and the men set up camp. Copernicus left the ground sergeant in charge, who set 3 sentries instead of the usual two. He was being extra careful. Copernicus decided he would not sleep, but sit awake tonight himself. Besides, he needed to think about this, because it made no sense.

 

 

Sky Cloud flew upon the wind, it carried him fast and far. After but a few hours, they were well into the upper south farm country, huge stretches of corn, wheat, beans, and everything else imaginable. Cows, sheep, pigs there were too, raised as food on the ranches. The upper south was the greatest agricultural area in Suunrisal. Security was heavy, but flying with the wind, and flying high, they avoided it. They camped by day in isolated country, and flew by night to avoid detection.

 

After several days of this mostly silent traveling, the mountains appeared. Tall, strong, impenetrable. The aeries of my clans, and your too. Caleb gazed in awe at the giant, towering mountains, some of whose peeks could not even be seen. “It's beautiful, isn't it, master?” Decea nodded. He himself could only stare, as tears came to his eyes. “so long…”

 

“What's wrong master?” Caleb turned to look at him. Decea smiled at him. “I was born in these mountains, but it has been nearly two decades since I saw them… they are even more breath taking than I remember.” This time it was Caleb's turn to nod.

 

Silence reigned as the two, atop the great eagle, soared to the place of the birth, their home, their people.