Kingdom of eagle

4

The first rays of sunlight streamed through the small window of the cottage as Arion awoke. His body still ached from exhaustion, but the warmth of the bed beneath him felt unfamiliar and comforting. He could hear the faint sounds of the countryside—the chirping of birds, the rustling of leaves, and the occasional cluck of chickens nearby. For a moment, he forgot where he was. Then, the memories of his journey came flooding back—his crash landing, and the kind man who had carried him inside.

Master Eldrin entered the room, carrying a bowl of water and a handful of herbs. He smiled warmly when he saw that Arion was awake. “Good morning, little one,” he said in his soothing voice. “You gave me quite a scare, you know. But it looks like you’re feeling a bit better.”

Arion tried to stand, but his legs wobbled beneath him. Eldrin gently placed a hand on his back, encouraging him to stay still. “Not yet,” he said softly. “You’ve been through a lot. Let your body rest.”

Despite his kindness, Arion found it hard to trust Eldrin. His instinct as a creature of the wild made him wary of humans, even those who seemed kind. He was a prince of Aetheris, and yet here he was, lying helpless in a human’s home. He flinched when Eldrin reached out to touch his feathers, unsure of the man’s intentions.

Sensing Arion’s resistance, Eldrin backed away slightly, giving him space. “It’s all right,” he said. “I won’t harm you. You’re safe here.”

Arion kept his eyes on the man, watching his every move. Eldrin continued to speak in gentle tones as he crushed the herbs and mixed them with water. “This will help with your wounds,” he explained as he applied the herbal remedy to Arion’s wings and legs. The touch was tender, not threatening, and slowly, Arion’s guard began to lower, though he remained cautious.

Over the next few days, Master Eldrin took care of Arion with the same patience and kindness he had shown on the first day. He brought food, water, and salves for Arion’s injuries, making sure he was comfortable. Despite his initial resistance, Arion could feel his strength slowly returning. His wings, once sore and stiff, began to feel more flexible, and the pain in his legs subsided.

At first, Arion tried to keep his distance, maintaining the cautious mindset of an eagle who had always fended for himself. He was used to the harsh skies of Aetheris, not the quiet warmth of a human home. But there was something about Eldrin’s demeanor that made it hard to stay distant. The man spoke to him as if he were an equal, not an animal. Every word, every gesture, was filled with care and respect.

On the fourth day, Eldrin left the door to the cottage open, letting the fresh air flow inside. “You’ve come a long way,” he said, standing in the doorway with a cup of tea in hand. “I don’t know where you’re from, but I can tell you’ve got a journey ahead of you.”

Arion looked at the open door, his wings twitching slightly. He wanted to fly again, to test his strength, but he wasn’t ready yet. Eldrin seemed to sense his hesitation. “You don’t have to leave yet,” he said with a soft smile. “You can stay here as long as you need to. The world will still be waiting when you’re ready.”

Slowly, day by day, Arion began to trust Master Eldrin. The man never forced him to stay, never treated him as less than the proud eagle he was. Instead, he offered companionship in a way that felt natural, without expectation. Arion, in turn, began to let down his guard, realizing that maybe, just maybe, this human could be trusted.

As Arion regained his strength, he started to explore the small farm that surrounded Eldrin’s cottage. It was a peaceful place, far removed from the grandeur of Aetheris. The fields were golden with wheat, and the scent of fresh earth filled the air. Chickens clucked and pecked at the ground, while sheep grazed lazily in the meadows.

One afternoon, Arion stretched his wings and took flight for the first time since his fall. He soared above the fields, the wind beneath his wings giving him a sense of freedom he had missed. The skies were clear, the air warm, and for a moment, he forgot about his failures in Aetheris. Up here, he was free—just an eagle in the sky, unburdened by expectations.

From above, Arion watched as Eldrin tended to the crops, his movements slow but steady. The man was always busy, whether it was mending fences, feeding the animals, or gathering herbs from the forest. Despite his age, Eldrin moved with a purpose, as though every task, no matter how small, was important.

When Arion landed near the cottage, Eldrin looked up from his work and gave him a nod of approval. “You’re getting stronger,” he said. “It’s good to see you flying again.”

Arion couldn’t deny the sense of peace he felt here, far from the pressures of the kingdom. Life on the farm was simple, but there was something calming about the routine. Each day, Arion flew over the fields, exploring the surrounding countryside, while Eldrin went about his work. In the evenings, the two of them would sit together outside the cottage, watching the sunset. Though they didn’t speak the same language, a bond had begun to form between them.

As the days turned into weeks, Arion found himself growing more attached to the farm and to Master Eldrin. He had set out on his journey with the intention of proving himself, of finding strength and wisdom that he had lacked during the Great Sky Race. But now, for the first time, he began to question what exactly it was he was searching for.

Eldrin had never asked him to stay, and yet, the idea of leaving felt harder with each passing day. There was something about the old man’s quiet wisdom that resonated with Arion. Eldrin lived a life of simplicity and purpose, without the need for grand gestures or accolades. He found joy in the small things—the warmth of the sun, the rhythm of the seasons, the satisfaction of a day’s work. It was a stark contrast to the life Arion had known in Aetheris, where every action was tied to expectation and duty.

Sitting by the fire one evening, Arion gazed at the stars above. He couldn’t deny the pull of his mission, the need to return to Aetheris and prove himself worthy of his father’s legacy. But he also couldn’t ignore the growing attachment he felt for Eldrin and the peaceful life they had shared on the farm. Perhaps there was more to strength than winning races and meeting expectations. Perhaps the true lesson he needed to learn was right here, in the quiet wisdom of a simple farmer.

As the fire crackled softly beside him, Arion knew that the time would come when he would have to make a choice. But for now, he was content to stay a little longer, to learn what he could from Master Eldrin and the life he had built. There was no rush. The sky would still be waiting for him, whenever he was ready to fly again.