“Looks like we have a pair of thieves!” The big man roared.

The bandits laughed like a cackle of deranged hyenas. The leader got down in their faces.

“Who are ya, anyway?” He asked.

“Don’t tell them anything!” Xera told Pluto.

“Oh! The silent hero!” The leader raised his hands in the air and faced the crowd. “That will get them really far, right boys?”

The bandits cheered and howled. Then the leader slapped Xera across the face; hard enough to leave a mark. Her eyes watered, but her resolve remained the same. Pluto balled his hands into fists as he shook. He fought against the ropes but to no avail.

“My name is Jethro Wangsten and I am the leader of this clan. I don’t take well to outsiders, especially when they’re thieving on my land.” He got in their faces. “But, we have a way of dealing with the likes of you.”

He whistled and made a motion with his hand and three of the bandits surrounded Pluto and Xera. They blindfolded the pair and led them through an intricate series of hallways. They felt sunshine and wind on their faces and realized they were again outside. They were led forward a bit and then felt their captors untie and leave them. They reached up and removed their blindfolds to find that they were standing at the height of the mountain in a large clearing surrounded by rocks. The area around them was covered in bones, feathers, and dried blood. Their weapons were laid at their feet,

“Good luck!” Jethro called out with a devilish grin, as he and his clan abandoned them.

There were a few bandits that stood on rocks that made up the clearing. They had bows in their hands. The pair watched as each of them put on a cloak which made them blend into the environment. One of them took out a wooden instrument and when he blew in it, it made a sharp, annoying shriek.

After a moment, there was a familiar shriek that echoed. From behind the wall of stones arose the biggest bird that either Xera or Pluto had ever seen. It was riddled with scars and its feathers were ruffled and in patches. Its eyes were wild and its beak was sharp. The bird let out a blood-curdling screech and flew towards them.

The duo was barely able to dodge out of the way. Xera nocked and released an arrow. It hit the bird but didn’t really seem to faze it. Pluto tried to hit the bird while it was distracted, but it was quickly out of reach. The creatures sailed up and then swooped back down, scattering the pair.

“What can we do?” Pluto yelled to Xera.

“I’m not sure. I’ve never faced an enemy like this! I can’t seem to make a good shot.”

The monstrous creature went after them again. Xera rolled out of the way and fired at the bird, but missed. Pluto on the other hand tried to run and it caught up to him with ease.

The bird pinned Pluto down to crush him. His eyes danced wildly as he fought to stay conscious. He looked at the bird and at that proximity, he was able to notice there were purple marks running down the side of the bird. Time slowed as he followed the lines to their origin, revealing an open wound. Inside the wound, there was the head of a metal spear. The monster flew off as Xera was able to land another hit.

“It’s poisoned.” Pluto wheezed. “There’s a spearhead still stuck inside its flank; it never had a chance to heal.”

“That’s probably what has been sending it into its frenzy.”

“What can we do?”

If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

“I think if I can get a good enough shot underneath one of its wings, then we should be able to ground him long enough to try and remove it.”

“That means I have to be the distraction.” He sighed.

“Unfortunately, but if this works then we can save ourselves as well as the bird.”

Down came the creature and Pluto started running. He ran to the center where they were first tied up and as he waited for the bird, the sun reflected off his spear and onto the ground. He quickly moved the spear until the reflection of light on the bird. He was able to put the light in the bird’s eyes and temporarily blind it. As it descended Xera saw her opening. She ran under the bird and shot the arrow right where the wing connected to the body. The creature roared and fell to the ground.

Xera ran to the other side of the bird and threw the rope to Pluto who anchored it to the ground with his spear. While she struggled to constrain the creature, Pluto went to work finding the spearhead. When he found it, he gingerly put his hands around it and pulled on it slowly. The bird went wild. Pluto knew that he didn’t have much time, so he said a quick prayer and pulled the spearhead out.

“It’s out!” He cried out.

Xera loosed her grip and ran to his side while the bird took deep breaths trying to figure out what just took place. Xera had some healing salve and put some on the creature’s wound. They watched as the purple lines began to shrink. The bird’s breathing slowed and calmed.

“Thank you.” Pluto and Xera heard a voice in their heads. “That thing has given me trouble for quite some time.”

“You’re welcome. I’m sorry you had to endure that. What is your name?” Xera asked.

“My name is Arren, the King of Birds.” He proclaimed as he was able to stand on his talons.

Xera gasped.

“You were defeated! That’s what Nevus told us.” Pluto remarked.

“Not so much defeated as held prisoner. I went to take out the leader that was hunting in my skies and they were able to get a poisoned shot in me. I’ve been stuck here this whole time, without control. I am sorry for any trouble I have caused.”

“You didn’t do much damage to us, don’t beat yourself up over it,” Pluto told him.

“I’m surprised that you’re still alive!” Jethro called out. “Has this monster gone soft?”

He walked towards them patrolled by the rest of his gang.

“He was finally freed of your poison!” Xera spat.

“Well, that just won’t do.” Jethro scolded. He raised his hand to signal his men to fire. Before they had a chance, Arren flapped his mighty wings and a strong gust knocked them all to the ground.

Xera and Pluto quickly aimed their weapons at Jethro.

“The feather,” Xera commanded.

Jethro, who was no dummy, knew there was no way out and reluctantly handed it over to her.

“You think you can get away with this? We know your faces; we will hunt you down again!” Jethro yelled.

Arren squawked and him and threatened him by trying to bite him. Pluto bit his lip forcing the smile that was forming to cease.

“Let’s go, boys. We have preparations to make.”

The bandits left swiftly. Xera handed the feather to Arren. He swallowed it and then it grew in his wing. He changed from brown and patchy to an assortment of colors and majestic.

“That feels much better!” Arren cried inside their heads.

“Nevus told us to bring her the feather, but maybe seeing you would be better,” Xera said.

“I believe you are correct. I can bring you to her. Where did you last see her?”

“We found her in a hidden temple below the library in the city of Nevus.”

“City of Nevus it is then! Climb up and hold on tight!”

Pluto and Xera climbed atop Arren and held on to his feathers. With a mighty leap, they were soon in the air, ready to leave their bandit experience behind them.