Elchanan PRAY FOR THE HOLY DARK -
He picks his way toward the entrance to the cave in a hypnosis of fearlessness. There is no danger strong enough to deter him from his curiosity, no predator that he does not think he could charm into eating something else - no, even death could not hold him, when it had a chance, so why should this? The air is bitterly cold and the ground speckled with frost. Grass has started to wilt away to grayness. Shadows lay long and thin over the ground, like bare tree limbs, and shrubs have long gone un-leaved. But the sun has started to set everything sparkling and kill the cold under Elchanan’s skin, and even as he glares at it, somewhat disgusted, he is also somewhat glad for the warmth it brings. He splashes his wings against his sides and sends frigid raindrops flying.
The next second is when the noise sounds. He tenses, and raises his head - but when the trees part it is only a girl, and a smile breaks his face open instantly.
What a pretty thing! Like a bird, the kind he scared down from trees at home. Small and compact and freckled with gold like the fruits of the earth. Elchanan grins at her and sweeps his front leg forward into an exaggerated bow. Pleasure to meet you, comes the sing-song voice, as pretty as it is dangerous, and he looks up at her through a swash of pale lashes from where his head hovers just above the ground.
His eyes flash to the white blot of movement behind her. Ah - a real bird. For all his sheltered upbringing, he is not unaccustomed to the idea of a familiar. He nods to the bird in a secretive kind of greeting, then hauls his meager weight up to stand straight again, tucking his wings to his sides again.
My name is Elchanan, he offers, and tosses her a sly wink. And you are? |
