Eagle's Flight

Eagle’s Flight


Ellis stood upon the outcropping and surveyed the valley, the strong breezes powering the blades of the ancient windmill behind him. Keenly, he scanned for his target, the massive eagle he’d seen over several weeks using the jetties to soar up the sheer rock face. Such a powerful mount would be an impressive statement for the doubters back in the village.

Against the wind, Ellis heard a shriek in the distance and he spied the giant bird cresting one of the countless valley foothills. He readied his net, an old fisherman’s trap he’d liberated from a distant rocky shoreline. Tucked into a neat bundle, he’d used an old spoon and a found spring as a trigger. The raptor soared quickly in, rocketing toward the sheer slopes at frightening speed.

The boy had his doubts. Swift as lightening, could he wrangle the creature before it soared past? Could he best it? If he missed by even the smallest amount, a sure drop was a frightening realization. Still, his confidence overwhelmed his hesitation and, just as the bird dipped from view behind the cliff’s edge, he charged toward the rim and tossed himself over the side, his snare triggering and spreading on the breeze. It caught the beak of the colossal eagle as it soared past.

Unfortunately, the heavy beak was razor sharp and cut the net free just as the pair crested the towering windmill. Ellis dropped away in freefall. Grasping his fate was sealed, he closed his eyes and said a silent prayer to his Gods, then came to sudden stop before rising again.

His tunic and the windmill saved his life, now steadily dragging him skyward. He needed a better plan next time. Now, how was he going to get down?