The wind was wrong today, Stone had trouble meditating on the Elder's lessons. The snow was restless but the trees stayed still. The whole mountain top felt uneasy. Stone's blackbird friend landed on the ledge and cawed in warning before fluttering away, ignoring past traditions of introductions and a feeding. This warning prompted Stone to arm himself with his dagger, machete, and longbow. He donned his grey cape that blended into the rock perfectly, and waited. This feeling had come before, usually because of a wondering hungry bear, but those feelings were faint whispers, this was intense.

The wind picked up and the trees swayed, Stone looked behind to observe a pine snap nearly in half. The wind sounded like grinding stones, and Stone turned back around to hear the source. No more than three feet away from his nose, hovered a giant metal eagle. The bird did not bother flapping its wings, yet the powerful wind continued to pound the area, more pines snapped. Regular eagles were hardly this size and never a nuisance. This massive one had two giant babies in its beak. The babies appeared comfortable, until they noticed Stone. Then one reached up and touched its strange head. Stone couldn't believe it, but the Baby eagle was actually a person wearing a full face helmet. The men must be companions with the eagle. A strange talon reached out in attempt to capture Stone.

"This will not be happening" Said Stone as he reached out and caught the talon. Unlike real eagles, this metal one was weak, Stone's grip left deep impressions into the claws. 'This bird is weak, tried to eat me, and destroys the trees' thought Stone, concluding that the Mountain would permit the death of this eagle. With some effort, he ripped the talon and leg at the joint, it began bleeding an odd yellow fluid. Taking firm grip of the leg, Stone twisted and hurled the bird into his boulder house. The Eagle squawked and screamed in pain, even catching fire. Before Stone could grab again, the bird had spun around and flew away disappearing into the clouds below. Only a smoky trail marked its presence

"This is not a good thing" said Stone as he picked up a few of the metal pieces that remained around his house. "I must tell the Elders"

As always the village was happy to see Stone, many running out to investigate the contents of his bag. Some of the parents came out for friendly greetings. Stone did his best to conceal his discomfort at the large gathering. He did not expect the metal pieces to arouse so much attention. He assured everyone that after talking with the Elders, he would share the story of the metal eagle.

At the center of the village was a well with a bucket, Stone stepped into the bucket, and lowered himself down into the well. The temperature rose quickly as he descended, forcing Stone to remove his parka and coat. A few more feet, and the walls of the well spread far out, revealing the top of a massive dome. A hundred more feet, and Stone landed on the cavern floor. All around him was plowed dirt and growing corn, wheat, and oats. Here, in the cavern of Elders, they farmed. One had to be over forty years old to be allowed to stay below and be willing to farm. When Elders passed away, their bodies would be put into the ground and provide nutrition to the plants. It was an important cycle. Light was provided by a few glowing orbs that only needed to be charged in the sun once a week. This gave them a steady year round growing cycle.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

Stone's entry created a bit of a stir among the Elders. Most were already making their slow journey to the center. They came from all sides, forcing Stone to wait in the center, instead of approaching the largest group.

"It is good to see you" said Granma Flurry eventually. She reached out and patted Stone on the cheek. He responded by touching her hand. The women were loving in their greetings, the men tended to be more testing. The grandfathers with canes were the worst. Stone winced as one cane broke in two across his back. Another cane cracked but held together as it sent screams of terror up Stone's shins. Stone chose not to show any of the pain he felt, the Elders nodded approvingly.

"You are the finest we have ever had" said Grandpa Marble. Murmurs of agreement flooded the room.

"The Girls are unwise this year" Said Grandma Spring.

"Perhaps we should have another festival of greetings, it is not too late" said Grandma Flurry. Stone was stunned

"That would break tradition" he replied. "Besides, the girls like art now, and I have no talent with it".

"No tradition stands the test of time" she answered lovingly. "We will hold a council in the morning, it is not right for you to be alone, it is too long to wait a whole year". Stone smiled. 'I am not alone, I have the village and the mountain to protect". Grandma Spring smiled at his words, but Grandma Flurry still looked concerned.

More Grandmothers and Grandfathers gathered, so Stone opened up his sack to show the metal plates and recounted his story. Nothing but silence remained at the end of his story. Grandpa Quarry left in a hurry toward the houses. Stone pulled out the talon that he had ripped off. It was long and conical coming to a very sharp point. The Elders passed the talon around, each trying to leave an impression as deep as Stones. Only a few managed to leave an imprint at all.

"This is a very concerning event" said Grandma Spring. I cannot recall anything in the histories like this.

"I do!" said Grandpa Quarry, returning in a rush. He opened up a book filled to the brim with drawings. There was no spare inch of open space, each page was a complete jumble of drawings in every direction.

"This is the sketchbook of Grandma Mist, She was one of the first to live past forty. Look son, are any of these drawings like the metal eagle?" Grandpa Quarry delicately turned the pages with his gloved hands, doing his best to preserve the pages. Stone scanned each page, pointing out the common features of a few different drawings, none were exact, but many had similar bulbs on the wings, or men resting in the beak. On the last page was the closest drawing, it showed the odd talons grasping men and flying away. Above it, written in large letters, Danger!

"That is the closest one" Said Stone. "Perhaps the one I saw was Juvenile, it was fatter and rounder, less corners than the drawing, but close."