Beneath broken stone and warped metal, a solitary raven panics as it senses imminent danger. It escapes certain death mere seconds before the structure finally crashes to the ground. On soaring above the devastation, the bird spies a wet-eyed woman...
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A few yards to my right was a group of huts nestled near the coast offering a place in which to roost. I swooped down.
As I was about to land, something hit me, hard, on my left flank. I was completely knocked off balance and I bounced across the roof of one of the buildings before dropping like a stone to the dry dirt below. My wings splayed open to dampen the impact.
A high pitched shriek came from somewhere above. I snapped my head round, cocking it for a better view. Just beyond one of the roofs, I saw movement. Quickly folding my wings, I hopped out into the open for a better view.
That was my first mistake.
The shriek echoed again and I was buffeted by a strong gust. I scuttled under the overhanging ledge of a building. My timing could not have been any more precise, for something tugged, violently, at my tail. I omitted a series of irritated clicks and drew further into the safety of the gloomy hiding space.
Tilting my head I tried to see what had attacked me.
My heart started to race as I stared straight into a gleaming yellow eye. Its vertical slit dilated as it searched for me beneath the overhang. The eye disappeared, and next, a green, scaly snout replaced it; its forked tongue lashing out, tasting the air.
It was a green drake - a beast with a penchant for fine dining - on anything of an avian flavour.
The lips curled back and I shuddered as many sharp, serrated teeth were exposed. Something black protruded from its mouth. I was most indignant to see it was one of my tail feathers wedged between two of those deadly razors.
The snout opened further, and another shriek filled the air; the noise was sharpened by the acoustics of my enclosure.
The beast was becoming frustrated by its inability to reach me. I remained stock-still; I had no intention of becoming dinner for a lizard.
Another sound, thundering feet, stole just above my hiding place. A roar and whoosh of something heavy followed.
The green drake screeched; fear in its cry. Dust swept into my hiding place, stirred from the fracas of the creature's wings beating wildly.
A roar of rage rang overhead, but not from the reptile. Something else had arrived. Something even wilder going by the deep, ferocious growling and grunting.
A dull thwomp hit the platform above, causing dust and splinters to shower over me.
The reptile screamed, its claws raking the ledge above, wings still beating frantically. Then, it gurgled as an almighty thud resulted in something shiny penetrating the wood above my head. Liquid started to drip on the dusty floor of my hiding place. Blood.
After a few moments, I could hear the drake being dragged across the wooden boards to my left, then I saw its green scaly body land, unceremoniously, in a crumpled heap.
"Hawt zet afa?" I heard a thick voice say and heavy footsteps above me.
"Dunna, but it undeh hee," a softer voice replied.
I shrank back as another face appeared at the entrance of my secret place - prettier and a lot less scary than the drake.
"Ah!" it said glancing back over its shoulder. "Et a raven."
I hopped, once, rather pleased with myself. I understood that! A raven. The individual was talking about me.
I soon skipped back, however, as a hand reached in and made a grab for me. I jabbed at the flesh. The owner squealed and withdrew their hand quickly.
"Lv et be! Et'll eitha fly off, o die," the thick voice barked.
The pretty face appeared again. Female, I gathered. "Nuh, emah be hurt."
She threw something at me. Again I hopped back and eyed both her face and the item she'd thrown. It was yellowish, porous with a darker edging. Food, perhaps? I certainly hoped so, I was famished.
With one eye on the hovering human, I dibbed and pecked at the yellow food. Eventually, I managed to rip a small piece off. It was very pleasant. Very familiar too. I grabbed at the food again and shaking my head rapidly, I tore off another piece of deliciousness.
I was enjoying the food so much, I foolishly let my guard down. Before I knew it, two hands reached in and grabbed me.
I struggled against them, flapping my wings, digging my beak into her flesh and screeching loudly. She yelled but didn't let go.
Alas, I was pulled out of my sanctuary.
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