A Puffin's Love

Gavin's mind wandered while the others milled about. They would glance up to him from time to time but he paid them no heed. Even though his poor vision made it hard to see them clearly, those glances had been a part of his life for as long as he could remember. A mix of awe, admiration, lust and envy. They would gaze in wonder at his beauty and splendour. None were as beautiful as Gavin. Everyone knew that, none more-so than Gavin himself.

Gavin removed himself from his daydream to look around the crowd that had gathered. Standing almost double the average height of those assembled he had no issue seeing above the crowd. None were as tall or as large as he. The largest likely had a length upwards of sixty centimetres. Pitiful compared to Gavin's own length of over one-hundred and twenty centimetres. Muscular frame, resplendent coat, long & wide full beak.

Through the crowd he spotted his second standing next to Daisy. Gavin didn't like this, Kevin had spent an inordinate amount of time with that female lately. Gavin was concerned that Kevin had formed an unnatural attachment. It did happen, rarely, but it could not be tolerated. Gavin made his way through the crowd over to the pair, the crowds splitting hastily as he moved his behemoth frame amongst them. Kevin was clearly showing-off to Daisy. The stance, the way he held his frame, the slight unfurl of his wings and the tilt of his beak. This would not do. Gavin unfurled his wide frame as he approached, ensuring he did so from an angle that blocked the sun's rays from reaching them, seemingly and suddenly darkening the area, adding a looming effect to presence.

Both turned to look up at Gavin as the sun suddenly dimmed before them. Gavin saw a flash of annoyance from Kevin while Daisy looked on with her usual vapid expression. Gavin had mated with Daisy at some point over the years. That a born a score of progeny, just as he had with many others. Daisy was a nice enough girl though not very bright and these days, not as young as she once was. And it showed.

Greeting them both with no more than a stare, Gavin focused on Kevin. “Kevin, the flock is rested and it's time to move. Take your position at the rear”.

“I was hoping to champion the centre this time, Gavin. Let Peter or Trevor fly the rearguard this time. Both would enjoy the chance now they're of age” Kevin shot back in a more disrespectful tone than Gavin had heard from him before.

“No” was Gavin's only response, his suspicions confirmed. Kevin had indeed formed an attachment to Daisy. Gavin would fly at the head of the flock as was his place and his second always flew at the rear to ensure none strayed as well as to signal any dangers. It was a position of honour that Kevin had always previously enjoyed.

Anger clear to see, Kevin began a response. Gavin moved like lighting before Kevin could think to react, left wing clubbing Kevin across the head, knocking him off balance. Kevin tilted side-wards almost falling over from the sudden impact. Gavin's raised right leg caught the off-balance Kevin between the breast and shoulder, shoving hard to the ground, pinning him. The flock turned at the commotion to gawk. “You're rearguard” Gavin said coolly as Kevin tried in vain to move under his weight. Gavin held Kevin until the squirming ceased. Standing almost atop Kevin, Gavin beckoned loudly “We Fly!”. Gavin released his titan grip on Kevin and took to the sky.

With quick succession the flock took flight following Gavin upwards towards the clouds. Gavin circled above as they all gained flight in turn. The others were beginning to feel the approaching seasonal change and it was time to move. With his abnormally large frame and thick coat, Gavin barely noticed the cold even when winter was in full effect. So they would move, first to the convergence and then to warmer parts up north. Multiple flocks would make there way to the convergence at the same place they had done so long before Gavin had graced this world. There would be the usual pea-cocking before choosing of mates. Physical traits dictated the order of choosing and as usual, there would be no competition for Gavin. There never was. Once the deeds were done, the flocks would move apart once again.

They soared below the clouds as high as Gavin could reasonably push the flock, following the same route they had done many times before. Gavin enjoyed himself in the air, spinning and turning with grace none could match. Gavin would push their speed to its limit when travelling to ensure even the weakest members of the flock maintained there strength. Even moving at the fastest speed the flock could fly he barely exerted himself. While he did push them hard and he knew some resented him for it, he never pushed them beyond breaking just to show off what he could do. With his poor vision and cold misty air over the water, Gavin couldn't make out the vista below but he had flown this route enough times to know what to expect. Lush plains ran alongside the waters edge of the large river whose length they followed. The plains were dotted with many ponds, lakes and other bodies of water.

The flight was not without its dangers. Bald-eagles and similar would prey on the Puffin flocks where they could. They would pick-off any stragglers, targeting the weak, young or old. Gavin had battled a number of Eagles when the need had arisen. The scene was always the same. First came the alarmed call of danger from his leaders in the centre or rearguard. In response, Gavin would unveil himself of his true speed, jetting first skyward and back towards the centre of the flock. Following the calls of danger from the others, he would locate the invader or invaders. Once in his sights, he would descend in the form of an arrowhead, wings pulled close to him as he plummeted. The moment they saw him coming at them, the dawning recognition of his extreme size, so different to what they expected among the Puffin flocks and then the shock of the sheer impact as he bore into them as full speed left Gavin nothing short of giddy. Gavin knew of no other flock that had not ever suffered a loss to a predator. Made sense to him. No other flock had a Gavin.

As he flew, he gave thought to the situation with Kevin. Kevin had always been a good follower, one of the least likely to rail against the long shadow Gavin cast. He had always done as he was bid, however the unnatural sentimental attachment to Daisy couldn't be allowed to continue. It was vital for the longevity of the flock that each season the mating couples were varied and selected for the best chance of survival.. Most ideal female with most ideal male, moving down the line of desirability of each. It was simple. Ideally those mates would be from outside their flock. It was shame Gavin couldn't mate enough for all of them to reduce the flaws in the potential offspring. He allowed himself a chuckle, he had tried to do just that, very much so, over the years.

He and his flock descended on the hillside convergence. It was apparent they were one of the last flocks to arrive. The leaders of each flock would gather in the centre before the process of selection. Gavin could see many milling around. By and large, those leaders he saw as he approached had changed from last season. Flock leadership tended to change routinely. Challenges were made, won and lost. Except for Gavin, of course. His position as patriarch was as constant as the changing seasons. None had ever challenged him since he had taken stewardship of the flock. And that hadn't even taken place through the usual challenge. It had simply been passed to him from the previous patriarch when he had come of age.

As the last of the flocks arrived, the males began their strutting, physical prowess on full display. Wings unfurled, feathers primed with heads upright turned tall, each male eyeing the competition warily. Eventually the cacophony calmed as the pecking order was recognised. The order of selection was an instinctive one. Occasionally there would be a clash when there wasn't a consensus of superiority between two contenders. When he was younger, Gavin would show off like the others, enjoying the contentious stares as he made it plain just how far beyond them he was. These days, he didn't bother. They all knew him. They all knew he was the Prime. So, he relaxed, watched the others and kept his eyes on Kevin.

Kevin had taken part in the process yet had not moved from Daisy's side throughout. Gavin began slowly walking among the groups of females as heads turned to regard him. It was time he selected a mate. There were younger females of other flocks he had never seen before that would be suitable. He had a different plan. He made a show of walking between those younger females, giving them the look he had given so many over the years. He made a large show of pretence in considering one after the one as he made his way over to Daisy. To everyone's surprise, he stopped at the older Daisy and placed a wing gently on hers. It was done. Any female had the right to refuse a male but it rarely happened and usually only for those males so far down the peaking order that there wasn't much difference between one and another. Daisy was clearly surprised, her and Kevin sharing glances but she didn't move away. To reject the leader of her flock, the Prime, and especially Gavin, wouldn't be something she could not do. It was what Gavin had counted on.

“Leadership challenge!” Kevin suddenly growled over the already surprised crowd. Gavin was shocked. The fool, this would not do. If Kevin challenged Gavin and lost, which he was guaranteed to do, he must be expelled from the flock.

“Kevin, are you mad?” Gavin shot back in an unusually soft tone of voice. He was certain Kevin would back down once realisation of the ramifications of his challenge dawned on him.

“I challenge your leadership. Flight challenge” Kevin replied coldly. Gavin instantly regretted his move with Daisy. There was no going back now.

“Very well. Location?” a resigned Gavin asked. There were two types of challenges, fight or flight. Fight challenges were as the name suggested. Flight challenges were a test of speed and endurance. A simple race to a chosen destination.

“We fly for Sentinel's Pond” Kevin roared, loud enough to ensure those at the rear of the gathered groups heard him clearly.

Surprised upon surprise for Gavin. Sentinel's pond was back where they had come from, more than a day's flight at the flock's usual speed. He could make it in under a day easily. It would not be an easy flight for Kevin if he intended to really match speed with Gavin. As was the practice, the challenge would take place immediately. Gavin wasn't happy about leaving the flock leaderless but with the other flocks around and the process of selecting to go on for some time, they would be safe. Gavin and Kevin locked stares, the former sad with the resigned knowledge he could not lose this, the latter locked in fury. They both took flight.

The flight was a lonely one. At first Gavin had tried to engage Kevin yet he received no response or even recognition of his presence. After hours of silent flying Gavin could sense Kevin weakening. Gavin kept a pace in order to keep Kevin close by, however before long Kevin sagged out of sight completely. Gavin sighed, there was nothing to be done now besides get this over with. He unfurled his true strength, picking up speed to a pace he rarely got to demonstrate.

He flew high, higher than he could of ever dreamed to take the flock. He began to feel better as he exerted himself. Destination taking shape on the horizon before him, he knew he was hours ahead of Kevin. He circled and turned, over and over, still at full speed, testing himself. He shot up through the low lying clouds, levelled off, circled, then dove down back through. At a whim he plummeted towards the pond. After the long flight and the mistake with Kevin he felt the need to feel the water rush over him. Diving had always cleared his mind in the past. Bringing his wings into himself, he descended with a flourish, turning into his famous arrowhead posture, piercing the air. He had performed this dive innumerable times and each time he felt as if he was dazzling the world itself. A show to any of the other low flying birds, or those on the water. Eyes closed, elation building as the air buffeted his beak he considered maybe there was a way he could keep Kevin in the flock. Perhaps, punish him another way. It wasn't how things were done but really, who would challenge his decision?

“I wonder if there are any out there as marvellous as I?” he exclaimed to himself as the water rushed up to greet him. It was the last thought he would ever have as he crashed into the now frozen pond with a force so magnificent, only Gavin could of achieved it, neck breaking instantly.

Hours passed before another figure came into view. Kevin circled then landed on the icy pond. Breathing hard, he was clearly exhausted.

“I knew you couldn't resist showing off” he said to himself as he stared down at the large still form of Gavin. He had known his leader wouldn't of noticed the severe cold that had moved in or the fresh snow-capped hilltops. Sentinel's pond was one of the first to freeze over as the cold set in. He sighed as he looked to take flight once again. He would head back to the flock, to Daisy, whom he loved. He hadn't wanted it to come to this but there was no other way. It had been a large gamble and it had paid off.

As Kevin reached full flight he suddenly felt a sense of wary that he hadn't experienced before. He suddenly seemed very alone amongst a world full of unseen dangers. He found it strange he hadn't felt this way on the solo flight here.