Two Moons

Chapter 4 | Leaving

Shrills, chirps, and trills were a beautiful symphony to hear during the night, especially with the cool breeze flowing through the canopy. The leaves sheened a dark blue-green in the moonlight, wavering in the wind. Slowly though, a wispy mask crept over the bright moon, slowly concealing its light. Dark clouds began to roll in over the forest, bringing with them a distant, yet deep rumble. While the trees remained dry, however, the creatures of the night continued to sing.

While the rest of the village was mostly asleep, a group of reedacons near the village's council hall spoke quietly. Margrull was among them, watching as another, larger reedacon gently secured a written letter to the leg of his disciplined eekrion, which sat patiently on his arm. Adorned with mostly brown feathers on his upper half, which gave way to white feathers down his legs and tail, he was the largest among the group, which also included Keenan, and a couple others. He lifted his arm and the eekrion took off, quickly disappearing into the tree, and he turned back to the group.

"Dubonyth will receive our message about a day before we get there," He spoke in a low and husky voice that rivaled the thunder around them. His piercing yellow eyes fell on the group, who nodded obediently. It was easy for anyone who had even briefly heard his name to recognize him- General Harvsluk.

Despite the dominance he held over the others, another reedacon stepped up from beside him, letting out a few pained coughs. He seemed sickly, and hunched over in an elderly way, but his gradient and long brown feathers, well maintained, were evidence of his youth. His face was dark and weary, but his gray-blue eyes shone diligently on the group. "You must all prepare well for the journey, don't make haste to return." The others, including Harvsluk, turned and listened to him intently, "If there is a proposed plan to handle the issue, do what you can with caution."

The flock-members nodded assuredly toward him, and only turned to leave after he had nodded as well. But as the others took off into the village, and Harvsluk stepped away to do the same, he stopped him with a grumble, "Harvsluk." The general turned back to look at him, and he continued sternly, "I want this handled peacefully. I do not want to hear any news of hostility with the clan when you return, understand?" General Harvsluk held the other reedacon's gaze firmly, before he respectfully bowed his head in acknowledgement, "Yes, Admiral Fhreyisk". Fhreyisk gave a sigh of satisfaction, while Harvsluk turned back to the village and took off.

Percy jerked his head up from his nest as a low growl shook his hut's tree slightly. He blinked slowly, allowing his eyes to adjust to the darkness, and for a moment he hesitated, surprised to see his father up and about. He couldn't tell what he was doing; he could only vaguely make out the luster of the edge of his feathers in the very dim light. He spoke up, quietly and wary, "... Father...?"

Margrull looked over his shoulder at Percy, his ears perking up, "Ah Percy. Took the rest of the day off to rest, did you?" Percy's ears fell back a bit at his comment, but his father breathed a non-combative sigh, reaching to a hooked peg hung on their wall. He took down a wearable neck pouch, already stuffed with snacks, before turning back to Percy. His son looked a bit confused, and he explained, "General Harvsluk and I are going to Dubonyth, along with some others of the flock."

"Oh... this early?" Percy asked, a bit despondent, but his father nodded. "Originally they had informed us they wanted to meet with our council," He elaborated, "But Admiral Fhreyisk suggested we meet on their grounds, since we've not seen the problem at hand yet."

"What's the problem at hand?" Percy groggily rose up from his nest, letting out a quivered yawn. Margrull threw the pouch on around his heavily plumaged neck with a gruff snort, "Kylids." Percy perked up, watching his father in the doorway of their hut with concern. The large reedacon didn't look back at him, "I should be back in about a week's time... maybe more." His son couldn't help but stare and stutter a bit dejectedly, "Oh, o-okay..."