Two Moons

Chapter 3 | Stream

Warm rays began to sift through the thick branches of leaves in Whitherdell, toasting the busy reedacon village below.  As usual, its inhabitants swooshed and dove from perches and huts, congregating in plazas amicably or running their daily errands.  Near the center of the village, there was a particularly grizzled tree; in fact, much of the inside had been hollowed out, and fitted with counters, awnings, and the works of a neatly run shop.  A very large and intimidating reedacon assisted customers from inside her shop, her gray feathers interrupted by heavy scars across her body.  Despite her appearance, not a single visiting reedacon was wary of her, and she met the majority of them with a furrowed brow and soft smile.

Percy glanced down toward the shop from a perch very high among the canopy, and decently out of view from the rest of the village.  His vibrant blue eyes scanned the plaza, and he stifled a nervous grumble and stood up slowly from his spot, giving his entire body a final shake, his feathers fluffing up.  Carefully, he descended the long and thick branch that winded from his hidden perch, back down to the village.  The closer he got, more reedacons flew past him, not paying much attention as they were all on their way to their own business.  Regardless, Percy's gaze couldn't help but linger on a couple of them, and he tucked his small wings tightly to his back.  As his branch dipped lower, it was eventually met by a lofty bridge, weaved of the same material as the huts and anchored with rope.  He began his crossing and continued to mind his own as he approached the village- that was until a particular reedacon glided in close by, halting mid flight and circling around Percy to hover beside him.

"Afternoon Percy!" greeted the small yet sturdy reedacon, with a cream white underbelly and jet-black markings.  The cool breeze sifting through the treetops took most of the effort from his wings, and as Percy walked along his friend soared right beside him, only needing to flap every few seconds.  Despite this, the constant batting of his wings near him made Percy's ears twitch every so often.

"Hello, Orca," Percy addressed his friend, doing his best not to let the swivel of his ears look too obvious.  Orca didn't hover for long though, gingerly stretching out his legs before grasping the rope railing of the bridge.  With the sudden dip to the right, Percy staggered and quickly braced for support, before glaring back at Orca.  His friend fanned out his wings, letting the wind take off most of his weight and balance out the bridge, before he sheepishly chuckled, "Heh, sorry...!  Where're you headed off to today?"

"Claydrin Stream." Percy sighed and answered, keeping to the left side of the bridge, "Our water storage is low."  A few more village-mates passed by on the air, landing onto the suspended pavilion ahead and joining the sizable crowd of reedacons there.  Percy felt a tinge of annoyance as he continued down the bridge, and Orca crossed his arms behind his back and leaned in toward him with a friendly offer, "Oh, I can come with you if you'd like!"

"No that's fine," Percy quickly declined, "I can go by myself."  He tucked his wings in close to his sides as he finally stepped off of the bridge and onto the intricately thatched floor of the plaza pavilion.  He eyed the shop front ahead of them, and then let out a groan as he examined the crowd before it, before giving it a final huff and walking towards the shop.  Orca followed close behind, cocking his head inquisitively as Percy hastily pushed through mingling reedacons with only a quiet excusing mumble toward them.  "Are you sure?" Orca insisted, "We brought in a hefty haul from the river yesterday, so I'm pretty free today!"

"Yes I sure.  I've been down there plenty of times," Percy assured his friend, finally pushing through to the short line in front of the large and grueling reedacon's shop.  The two filed into the line, and Percy couldn't help but frown as he heard Orca's alarmed breath, "Really??  But it can be so dangerous down there, especially since you... well, you know-"