Feathers

Cold air blows through the tree causing the branches to sway left. Farris pulled his bearskin tighter around his body. Others did the same feeling the chilly air. Children ran around the fire chasing after each other. Their laughter filled the air, laying out a joyful atmosphere. He wanted so badly to go play with them but his mother would drag him by the ear for ignoring the elders to play with children. A shiver ran down his spine when he saw his siblings glaring at him. He fixed his slumping poster and plastered a fake smile on his face. He looked back at his siblings to see that they were now laughing and chatting with the chief. Farris whined. They had been here for two hours now and he couldn’t take it anymore. His legs were cramping up from his sitting position and he couldn’t wait to take these clothes off. He looked over at his little brother who was playing and drawing in the dirt with a stick. He giggled and tapped his brother’s shoulder.

“Can I play?” He asked the seven-year-old. The younger boy gave him the stick and explained the game to him. ‘Defeat the archangels’ he called it. He dug his stick into the drawing of the winged creature like a blade. Though Gale was too young to kill anything but ants and tiny bugs, he already had the urge to kill archangels. He was the chief’s son after all. It was expected for his hatred for them to be stronger than any other. Farris didn’t mind. A game was a game to him and he just wanted to pass time until this stupid gathering was over. He drew his stick and slashed the drawing with his stick. Gale giggled at what was left of the drawing. All that was left was a pile of scattered dirt. Farris laughed.

“That was fun!” He said a little too loudly. His mother pinched his cheek hard. Her dark eyes glared at him in anger.

“Owwwww! What was that for.” He pouting. He rubbed his red cheek.

“Pay attention Far. Stop acting like a child. Your ten, not five.” She whispered angrily at her childish son.

“I know but it’s sooooo boring. When are we gonna eat?” He asked rubbing his belly. His mother placed her thumb on her son’s cheek and dusted the dirt off.

“Just wait a little longer. If you stay on your best behavior until the end of the gathering I’ll cook you a feast.” She told him knowing he would never turn down a good meal. Farris lights up at her words.

“Really? You would do that?”

“Yes.”

“Can you get that weird fruit with the fluffy fur?”

“Peaches?” His mother asked. He nodded.

“Okay.” His mother agreed to take her young son into her lap. Farris smiled and paid attention to the complaints of the people. His father looked stressed as he tried to solve the problem as best as he could. The village was struggling to feed itself because of all the archangel attacks. Winter was close and if they didn’t get enough food in the next few months, their people might starve through the winter. Of course, his father being the chief had benefits like being feed well but it also had its disadvantages like being avoided because most people were scared of his siblings who were the village’s greatest warriors. His siblings were very protective of him. Especially His older sister Siaya.

The complaints and chatter stopped when a loud screech came from the sky. The color drained from his mother’s face as she looked up at the sky. They knew that sound very well. The sound of blood-thirsty monsters ready to slaughter hundreds of people. Another loud screech came from the sky making the villagers run wild grabbing their children and their family’s. The sky went silent. The screeching stopped. All that could be heard was the panic of the villagers as they ran in the opposite direction of the noise. Farris’ mother grabbed Gale and put him into his arms as two guards came to his sides with their sharp spears ready to protect the two boys.

“Follow them. They’ll protect you.” She kissed her sons for heads quickly and pulled out her sword. Winged creatures flooded the sky snatching people like seagulls diving for fish. Their dagger-like teeth tour into the flesh like it was as easy as breaking bread. Farris watched as an archangel with raven black wings ripped out an artery from a warrior’s neck blood sprayed all over his face. The creature dropped the lifeless body, licking his lips clean of blood. His eyes scanned the villagers searching for his next pray. When his eyes landed on Farris, they went dark with excitement. He growled showing his bloody teeth. Farris tightened his grip on his brother and ran. He ran through the panicking crowd of people as his guards made way for him to run. He didn’t stop when he heard big wings flap above him. He only did when sharp claws pinned him to the ground. His brother slammed into the ground next to him. He looked into the eyes of the creature that attacked him. Its pupils almost completely covered the red iris of its eyes. It glared at Farris getting ready to tear out his neck like it did the other. But before it could, an arrow shot through its neck. He looked to his left to see his brother Roman with a bow in hand. He rolled the dead creature off his body and grabbed Gale.

“Farris you need to get somewhere save!” He told him. Farris nodded and started running again. His guards were dead now. Ones heart was pulled out of his chest the other head rolled close to his own feet. Without another word, Roman runs towards the battle.

Farris stopped when he saw a little girl crying by a corpse that seemed to be her mother. A large bite mark on her forearm bleeds into a muddy puddle under her. Her clothes were stained with blood and dirt. Her long blonde hair matted to her head with mud. He grabbed her pulled her leaching arms away from the corpse and took her hand. She screamed and reaching her skinny arm for her mother only for Farris to drag her away again.

“We have to run okay?” He told her. She squeezed his hand. She looked up and him with teary eyes and nodded. With a child in his arms and a little girl holding his hand, it slowed him down a little but he still managed to get them both under a tree. His mother told him once that the creature would never be able to get him under a tree in a forest filled with trees. It was hard for them to see through the thick branches and leaves and very time-wasting to search for humans. When they attack, it was quick and only and open spaces with fewer trees. As long as they were very quiet and stayed under a big tree, they would be safe. Gale was quiet as he hugged his older brother. But the little girl crept crying in trembling while she hugged her knees. Farris didn’t know what to do to calm her. He wasn’t good at that stuff. Plus, he couldn’t imagine what she was feeling right now. He couldn’t imagine losing his mother or anyone he loved. He had no idea how to soothe that type of pain. Suddenly Gale pulled himself off his brother’s lap and went to the little girl’s side. His eyes were glossy with tears he was struggling to hold in.

“Hey.” He called. She didn’t move. Her crying seemed to get louder. “Hey! Stop crying!” He told her. She looked up at him. Farris put a hand on his shoulder trying to pull him back. “I know that you’re scared right now but you have to stay quiet.” His voice started cracking as tears rolled down his cheek. This the first time he’s seen his brother cry in a long time. He always only saw the happiest parts of his little brother. Here he was crying. Farris sat there shocked as he looked at the two. “I’m gonna protect you okay. The bird people won’t hurt you.” He wiped the tear away. The little girl did the same and finally started calming down. Gale crawled over and hugged her. “What your name?” He asked.

“S-Sage.” She answered.

“I’ll protect you, Sage.” He looked over at Farris, “I’ll protect you to big brother.” He wiped more stray tears from his eyes. Farris giggled and pulled them both into a bear hug.

“Thank you, my little brave warrior.”