Chickadee
the eagle limped through the forest, leaving a trail of blood behind him. Already,
curious onlookers had begun to flock Red Tail’s dead body. It wouldn’t be long
before only a few feathers and bones remained.
He knew
that if he hoped to survive, he’d have to get off the ground. Wolves and
coyotes would relish the opportunity to slay him. But without the use of both
wings, he had no way of flying to safety.
He froze,
hearing a noise in the underbrush behind him. Turning quickly, Chickadee
pointed his beak forward and tried to appear large. Maybe he’d be able to
intimidate his assailant, persuading him to leave.
A soft
voice hissed from the underbrush. “So, what have we here? An eagle, forced to
walk on the ground like a common animal. Why, what at tragedy.” A large snake
slithered into the open, the banded pattern on his back and odd tail tip
signifying him as a rattlesnake.
Chickadee
tilted his head. “What’s a rattlesnake doing so far north?”
Rattlesnake
chuckled. “I am answering Serpent’s call. He has great plans, plans I am happy
to aid. But before I pledge my service to him, I wish to be held in esteem.
To do so, a trophy must be brought to him. And what better than an eagle, the
hunter of snakes?”
“Fight me,
and you will die. But I have no wish to fight you. Enough blood has been
spilled today.”
“Yes, your
little war with the hawks. It’s a waste of time. The red-furred mouse was
doomed. The hawks only accelerated the process.”
“Perhaps,
but someone must protect those who are defenseless.”
Rattlesnake
leered. “How noble of you, especially considering how those you seek to protect
would treat your corpse. The red-furred mouse would eagerly feed your body to
his family, were he still able. Fighting against nature is a hopeless, useless,
foolish task, one unworthy of a warrior such as yourself.”
“Then I am
happily a fool. Now are you going to keep driveling, or are we going to fight,
worm?” Chickadee flexed his clawed feet and puffed out his chest. He could see
the fear in Rattlesnake’s eyes. Even injured, he’d still be a dangerous opponent.
“Find another trophy, if you wish to survive.”
“Perhaps
you speak the truth, for I am unsure which one of us is the deadlier, but one
thing is certain: one of us is going to die today.” Bearing his fangs,
Rattlesnake lunged towards Chickadee’s heart.
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