Cry of the Avians

Chapter 1 - The Voice

The flute played out its haunting melody. As I listened, it took me back to the shores of the Amazon River, where I had visited so long ago. The mournful sounds told of a lost love, someone the musician had been searching for, for many years.

As I pondered this the hall erupted into applause and the band took their bow. I came out of the dream relieved, but somewhat unsatisfied, like I was meant to find a deeper meaning from what had just been played.

“Wasn’t that just wonderful?” my mum sighed proudly. I looked over at the stage to see my little brother taking his separate bow. “Such an honour, to play here in the courtyard. And as a soloist at such a young age too” my mum continued. I sighed hoping that we would soon be on our way home. Dad stood up and made his way over to Samuel. I could see his face from here. Gloating. I didn’t want to stick around to hear all about it. About how he had finally met her and how he played a solo for her and about how his hard work had paid off just playing for her. Well I didn’t care. I disappeared into the bustling crowd as everybody tried to get a good look. Just when I thought I had made it out, I heard footsteps behind me.

“Oh No” I whispered, terrified. Suddenly aware of my surroundings. I'm alone. I was alone.

“Got you” a friendly voice whispered into my ear and hands grabbed around my waist. Relief washed through me. I wasn't in any danger. Not this time. I smiled before acting worried.

“Indeed you do” I uttered in mock distress. I turned around and easily slid out of his grasp.

“But not for long” I said as I made my way down the path. He caught up to me in no time. I was shocked to see just how fast. I had started with at least ten meters on him. But it took him only seconds to make ground. I decided to really challenge him. I spun midstride and took off faster than before. I stretched my wings wide. On land with two feet I was slow and clumsy. In the air with two wings, I had been called graceful.  I looked down to see the brown wolf running below me. He knew where I was headed.

From the sky, the concert looked like a haze of colours. Green, red and yellow, all blurred together. Little specks of lights hung individually, forming the path down to the forest. From this height, they looked like fireflies, , below. As I glided through the crisp summer air, I  gazed down to the world below. The younger avians were attending a night class. Sparing and flight control. I did not miss those classes. Not at all.

The setting beneath me changed suddenly and instead of flying over the citadel, I was now flying over lush green forests of Elderberry, Red Oak and Ponderosa Pine. The scent filled my nostrils as I descended into a small clearing, it felt like being home. As I landed and shifted forms, my companion was just emerging from the bush. I saw the shape change from canine to human. The muscular shape came towards me and within a few strides, he encased me in his tight embrace.

“Hey Aura-lee, nice race huh?” He said as we sat down on the fountain.

“Sure was” I replied. “So Alex, anything interesting happen lately?” I asked with pure interest. He seemed too distant so I reached out for him. He seemed to be paying attention to anything but me at the moment. This was only confirmed when a howl ripped through the eerie night. The sound changed his mood, like there was a deeper, more sinister meaning.

“Aura?” he asked me, his voice sounded strained. I wasn’t worried. Yet, there was no need to be. 

“Yes Alex?” I asked. He waited a while before speaking. He looked around the clearing, then to me.

  “I was listening to Samuel play with the band right? And I heard something strange. It was like a beckoning, you know what I mean?” He asked me. I looked at him wondering where this was going.