[Bird Cage]
The sudden flash of black against the trickles of light that bled through the intertwining branches caught the attention of what looked to be a soldier. His hand moved to the sword sheathed at his hip, taking a few steps towards the sight, searching through the tree’s for the source. “Come out you vial beast!” he shouted to the trees, watching when the shadows began to shift. A figure walked towards him, he stepping back and drawing his blade, watching while the warm sun of the morning wash over the figure. A tall female who seemed to wear a cloak of feathers, the expression on her angelic face one of confusion, watching then while the man sheathed his blade. “You shouldn’t be here, this forest is much to dangerous for young women such as yourself,” he stated, stepping towards her to reach out to her shoulder. Only upon stepping closer did he notice. The feathers that hid her body were not worn on a coat, instead they were sprouting from her very skin, and when noticing this the man stumbled back.
The female let out a screech, arm opening to part the wings, showing her full strange figure. Her feet had been replaced by those of a bird, long talons digging into the dirt, gold bangles dangled from her ankles, gold adorning her waist and head as well. Arms were covered in the long feathers that made up her wings, fingers barely visible at what would be the end of her arm, hidden with a softer small down. The tail that sprouted from her lower back moved some, acting upon her own curiosity. The man remained still, even as she began taking a few steps towards him, golden eyes looking over him curiously, as if she hadn’t seem something like him before. The girl seemed harmless, as if she just wanted to observe him, but the man didn’t want to take his chances. He moved his hand slowly, fingers clasping around the handle of the blade, her attention then on that.
Almost instantly she reacted, wings spreading to lift her off the ground, kicking out her feet to him with a screech of anger. The long talons broke through the armor, curling around it to hook the man, slamming her arms down to take flight. She carried the man behind her, the only thing keeping him from dropping the hundred foot drop was the harpy that continued upwards. Without thinking, though, the man grabbed his sword, slashing the back of her ankle, resulting in a cry of pain from her and the sudden dropping of his body. His scream was lost in the whistling of the wind as he fell, back to the earth, staring up at the harpy that suddenly made a dive towards him. She let her body land on his, sending him falling faster, wings pressed to her body to allow the drop to quicken. Just before the body hit the ground she spread her wings, letting her own slow while his continued on, hitting the ground with a sickening crunch. Her gaze then shifted to the war that had broken out between the humans and the creatures of the forest, all creatures thought mythical fighting to keep their species alive.
The war had been going on for seven long years, started when the priests of the kingdoms marked anything inhuman as a demon sent from hell. In fear, the human leaders sent armies to find the creatures and wipe them all out, and the men promptly acted. The numbers of her kind had depleted to only a few, just like the rest of all the creatures that fought to survive, numbers dwindling and most already wiped out. She moved to the now dead body of the man, hovering over him, holding a clawed foot over his head. A glowing mist snaked up from his body, forming into a ball of energy in the claws that curled around it. When it was finished she forced her wings down, lifting herself in the air, the ball of pure energy heating in her grip, spitting out what looked to be sparks of lightning. Golden eyes searched, looking for the largest group of humans before diving down. Arrows flew past her, one managing to slice her cheek, but with her wings pressed tight to her body none could do any real damage. When close enough she released the ball of power, pulling up just before it exploded in a flash of blue fire and electricity, the bodies of the soldiers in the small group having been disintegrated where they stood.
She hovered in a spot and grinned at her handy work, not noticing the knight and mage that approached her from behind until it was too late. A lasso snaked around her neck, a sharp tug pulling her out of the sky and bringing her to the ground. The mage worked to bind her wings, arms, and legs with a spell, her body thrashing around while she screeched in anger. The soldier lifted her onto his shoulder, carrying her to the large cage that held other creatures, a few nymphs, trolls, dwarfs, fairies in small jars. That day the war had ended, all dead except for the few that were taken as slaves in a few cages, unicorns and pegasus pulled along behind them by enchanted chains that weakened them enough to tame.
They were taken to the slave market, sold at high prices, most put to work in fields or for protection. The harpy had been sold and brought back time and time again, she would constantly attack anyone who got close enough to her and those who bought her suffered from the most life threatening of wounds. Finally the store’s owner had enough, taking her by the chain around her throat, dragging her outside to the back of the store. Forcing the harpy to her knees he tugged the chain down, head forced against the large stump the man used as a chopping block. He tied the chain down to make sure she couldn’t get away, stepping over to the stack of logs to grab the large axe, stepping back to her. She thrashed around then, screeching in fear, catching the attention of a small girl. Lifting the axe the man measured where he would have to strike, soon swinging it down. He stopped suddenly when the young girl ran in front of the harpy, protecting her from the axe with her own body, thankfully the man stopped in time. “You can’t kill her!” the girl cried, “she is just an innocent bird!” The man stared wide eyed at the girl, “young princess, you shouldn’t be wandering around alone, it’s not safe.” It was then that the queen hurried to the girl’s side, two guards following behind, the woman grabbing the girl’s hand. The shop keeper fell to a knee, setting the axe aside, “my queen, I am deeply sorry about this. The princess will not allow me to take care of a little problem..”
The queen’s gaze went then to the harpy tied to the log, golden eyes staring back at the woman and then to the girl that stood beside her. While the queen and the man spoke of the harpy and why she was being executed the princess had knelt beside her, stroking the feathers of her wings gently, speaking in a soft whisper. “I’m going to help you… I won’t let him hurt you..” she spoke, the harpy’s gaze softening while she looked at the girl, relaxing. Finally the queen stepped over, grabbing the girl’s hand, “come on, we’re leaving.” The girl pulled back, “Mommy, he’s going to kill her. Please don’t let him.. Please..” The woman stared at her daughter, looking then to the bird that lay still against the stump, staring at the woman with desperate golden hues.
“How much for her?”
The harpy was sold to the girl and immediately the bird became protective of the dear princess, letting herself remain tame and following every command from the royal family, knowing she owed them her life, given the name Aello. For twelve years she had been the personal body guard and nanny for the girl, the princess having taught her to speak and work as the humans did, and finally she was turning eighteen, suitors approaching her with hopes of marriage. The harpy wouldn’t let such a thing happen, scaring away the men with attacks and frightening screeches. Every time such a thing happened she was scolded by the girl’s parents, later thanked by the princess in her room. She vowed never to let this girl be hurt, to never let a man take her heart and break it. Finally though, the girl had found one that she had fallen for, a prince that lived closest to her. Her parents thought this one best, this marriage would extend their kingdom by miles. The princess wanted for Aello to let this one stay close, she really liked him, and the harpy wasn’t about to get in the way of the girl and her future husband.
The day had come when he was to visit the kingdom and the marriage would be discussed, the harpy remained at the princess’ side through the whole day, finally allowed to be introduced to the prince. The princess and the harpy stood in the large entrance hall, the princess dressed in her best gown and Aello with her wings closed around her body, glaring at the door while the Prince stepped inside the large kingdom.
The female let out a screech, arm opening to part the wings, showing her full strange figure. Her feet had been replaced by those of a bird, long talons digging into the dirt, gold bangles dangled from her ankles, gold adorning her waist and head as well. Arms were covered in the long feathers that made up her wings, fingers barely visible at what would be the end of her arm, hidden with a softer small down. The tail that sprouted from her lower back moved some, acting upon her own curiosity. The man remained still, even as she began taking a few steps towards him, golden eyes looking over him curiously, as if she hadn’t seem something like him before. The girl seemed harmless, as if she just wanted to observe him, but the man didn’t want to take his chances. He moved his hand slowly, fingers clasping around the handle of the blade, her attention then on that.
Almost instantly she reacted, wings spreading to lift her off the ground, kicking out her feet to him with a screech of anger. The long talons broke through the armor, curling around it to hook the man, slamming her arms down to take flight. She carried the man behind her, the only thing keeping him from dropping the hundred foot drop was the harpy that continued upwards. Without thinking, though, the man grabbed his sword, slashing the back of her ankle, resulting in a cry of pain from her and the sudden dropping of his body. His scream was lost in the whistling of the wind as he fell, back to the earth, staring up at the harpy that suddenly made a dive towards him. She let her body land on his, sending him falling faster, wings pressed to her body to allow the drop to quicken. Just before the body hit the ground she spread her wings, letting her own slow while his continued on, hitting the ground with a sickening crunch. Her gaze then shifted to the war that had broken out between the humans and the creatures of the forest, all creatures thought mythical fighting to keep their species alive.
The war had been going on for seven long years, started when the priests of the kingdoms marked anything inhuman as a demon sent from hell. In fear, the human leaders sent armies to find the creatures and wipe them all out, and the men promptly acted. The numbers of her kind had depleted to only a few, just like the rest of all the creatures that fought to survive, numbers dwindling and most already wiped out. She moved to the now dead body of the man, hovering over him, holding a clawed foot over his head. A glowing mist snaked up from his body, forming into a ball of energy in the claws that curled around it. When it was finished she forced her wings down, lifting herself in the air, the ball of pure energy heating in her grip, spitting out what looked to be sparks of lightning. Golden eyes searched, looking for the largest group of humans before diving down. Arrows flew past her, one managing to slice her cheek, but with her wings pressed tight to her body none could do any real damage. When close enough she released the ball of power, pulling up just before it exploded in a flash of blue fire and electricity, the bodies of the soldiers in the small group having been disintegrated where they stood.
She hovered in a spot and grinned at her handy work, not noticing the knight and mage that approached her from behind until it was too late. A lasso snaked around her neck, a sharp tug pulling her out of the sky and bringing her to the ground. The mage worked to bind her wings, arms, and legs with a spell, her body thrashing around while she screeched in anger. The soldier lifted her onto his shoulder, carrying her to the large cage that held other creatures, a few nymphs, trolls, dwarfs, fairies in small jars. That day the war had ended, all dead except for the few that were taken as slaves in a few cages, unicorns and pegasus pulled along behind them by enchanted chains that weakened them enough to tame.
They were taken to the slave market, sold at high prices, most put to work in fields or for protection. The harpy had been sold and brought back time and time again, she would constantly attack anyone who got close enough to her and those who bought her suffered from the most life threatening of wounds. Finally the store’s owner had enough, taking her by the chain around her throat, dragging her outside to the back of the store. Forcing the harpy to her knees he tugged the chain down, head forced against the large stump the man used as a chopping block. He tied the chain down to make sure she couldn’t get away, stepping over to the stack of logs to grab the large axe, stepping back to her. She thrashed around then, screeching in fear, catching the attention of a small girl. Lifting the axe the man measured where he would have to strike, soon swinging it down. He stopped suddenly when the young girl ran in front of the harpy, protecting her from the axe with her own body, thankfully the man stopped in time. “You can’t kill her!” the girl cried, “she is just an innocent bird!” The man stared wide eyed at the girl, “young princess, you shouldn’t be wandering around alone, it’s not safe.” It was then that the queen hurried to the girl’s side, two guards following behind, the woman grabbing the girl’s hand. The shop keeper fell to a knee, setting the axe aside, “my queen, I am deeply sorry about this. The princess will not allow me to take care of a little problem..”
The queen’s gaze went then to the harpy tied to the log, golden eyes staring back at the woman and then to the girl that stood beside her. While the queen and the man spoke of the harpy and why she was being executed the princess had knelt beside her, stroking the feathers of her wings gently, speaking in a soft whisper. “I’m going to help you… I won’t let him hurt you..” she spoke, the harpy’s gaze softening while she looked at the girl, relaxing. Finally the queen stepped over, grabbing the girl’s hand, “come on, we’re leaving.” The girl pulled back, “Mommy, he’s going to kill her. Please don’t let him.. Please..” The woman stared at her daughter, looking then to the bird that lay still against the stump, staring at the woman with desperate golden hues.
“How much for her?”
The harpy was sold to the girl and immediately the bird became protective of the dear princess, letting herself remain tame and following every command from the royal family, knowing she owed them her life, given the name Aello. For twelve years she had been the personal body guard and nanny for the girl, the princess having taught her to speak and work as the humans did, and finally she was turning eighteen, suitors approaching her with hopes of marriage. The harpy wouldn’t let such a thing happen, scaring away the men with attacks and frightening screeches. Every time such a thing happened she was scolded by the girl’s parents, later thanked by the princess in her room. She vowed never to let this girl be hurt, to never let a man take her heart and break it. Finally though, the girl had found one that she had fallen for, a prince that lived closest to her. Her parents thought this one best, this marriage would extend their kingdom by miles. The princess wanted for Aello to let this one stay close, she really liked him, and the harpy wasn’t about to get in the way of the girl and her future husband.
The day had come when he was to visit the kingdom and the marriage would be discussed, the harpy remained at the princess’ side through the whole day, finally allowed to be introduced to the prince. The princess and the harpy stood in the large entrance hall, the princess dressed in her best gown and Aello with her wings closed around her body, glaring at the door while the Prince stepped inside the large kingdom.
