The Flight

Dusk came with a waxing crescent, twinkling stars, and the hoots of animals from all around. Nell walked beside his son, Oisin, as they ensured the livestock (monsters) were situated for the night.

The two redheads with wings, Oisin with his bright red-orange hair, and Nell with his dusty ginger hair, were investigating a broken chain in an enclosure for an animal that seemed like a kangaroo crossed with a jackrabbit.

Nell gleaned a passing mind, something intelligent and aves (bird) like.

“Something is coming,” Nell warned Oisin.

“I know,” Oisin replied. “It likes you.”

“You can’t know that,” Nell insisted, though he could sense the same wave of intrigue. “He could want to eat me.”

Oisin laughed and shook his head. “He likes you. Just wait and see.”

Nell chuffed it off and continued to bend the metal link back into a useful form. Before he knew it, a falcon hand landed on his shoulder. Hello is thought to him.

The talons were light on Nell’s shoulder, despite being sharp and capable of damage. Nell turned to the falcon and stroked it’s body from head to tail. When he reached the base of its back, before his hand slipped across the tail feathers, the falcon nipped then rubbed its head under Nell’s hand. Nell pet it again, from head to base of the tail.

“See, it likes you,” Oisin said.

Nell smiled. He was always open to a new predator, especially one that belonged to the Aves family.

“Hello,” Nell greeted the falcon. “You were right,” he told Oisin.

Would you like a tour? We fly today. The falcon nudged his hand and thought of the ocean and the taste of fish fresh from the sea.

Nell looked at Oisin. Work or play? He asked with his mind.

Oisin grinned.

“Yes,” Nell told the falcon. “We would.”

Oisin’s body lit with the energy he never showed for work.

He knew Oisin needed this — a break from serious work and a chance to be free, to fly.

If you close your eyes and place your hand on any falcon’s head, you can ride, the falcon thought. He was the leader. The Lord of Falcons. 

All around them falcons landed. Their corner of the field filled with a dozen of them.

Nell glanced at Oisin one last time. He closed his eyes and touched a falcon’s head. His body tingled and burned. He felt the shapeshifting as he grew feathers and his mind became more fixated on hunting. His body ached for the feel of air beneath the wings he grew.

When Nell opened his eyes, Oisin was a falcon before him. Hello, he greeted his son.

Oisin jumped on his feet and spread his wings. Yes!

You look regal in feather, Nell teased.

You look like a bird. Oisin strutted off, smug with his joke, and tried to take a running leap.

Now we ride, the Lord of the Falcons said. Welcome to the family.

A shiver coursed through Nell with the words. He ignored it and mimicked Oisin. Within a few attempts, they were able to take off. The falcons flew with them, higher into the sky. They crossed the palace grounds and headed down the rift toward the sea.

As the moon took over the sky, with what little light a cresent can offer. The flight was never ending, but their lives awaited them.

Nell knew it was time to go back, time to go home. Your kids he reminded Oisin. Maeve. Oisin loved his wife. If they were gone much longer she would worry.

Home, Oisin agreed.

Nell tried to imagine turning back. Nothing happened. How do we change back? Nell thought. 

Why would you change back? The Lord of the Falcons asked.

To go home? Oisin asked.

The falcons dove toward the widening river at the base of the rift. They were close to the sea now.

You are home, the Lord of the Falcons siad. I said Welcome to the Family.

What if we close our eyes and touch our bodies’ heads? Oisin thought.

You left your mammal traps behind. They are dead.

Nell glanced at the falcons. Are they all…

Family, the Lord pressed.

Were they fairies? There was no answer.

We want to go back, Nell continued to press. He dove off to the side and began to climb in elevation. Oisin followed him.

The Lord of the Falcons was faster. He drove the group into a ring around them and began to heard Nell and Oisin further toward the sea.

We will show you life. Home.

No. We’re leaving, Nell growled through his mind.

The Lord of the Falcons laughed. Welcome. Home. His claws dug into Nell’s back as he led him — forced him — to the ocean.

Dad! Oisin exclaimed

Follow, Nell ordered. His back burned where the talons dug in.

They flew to the sea, toward the life Nell and Oisin hadn’t realized would become their future.

Someone will find us, Nell promised. Until then, comply.