Guardian of the Forest

I closed my eyes as my wings drifted softly over the forest bark and ferns. I took a deep breath and pulled in the fresh scent of nature. It had just rained and it’s lingering moist aroma was still hanging in the air. My wings hit familiar leaves and I opened my eyes to look over at the familiar strawberry bush. They were large and red, perfectly ripe. I nimbly picked a few off the bush, savouring every bite. It’s sweet juices burst into my mouth and I smiled. Nature was such a wonderful gift. The sweet strawberry fragrance mixed with the musty odour of the fresh rain; and to me, it was perfect harmony.

I bit off some more of the strawberries, munching contently until my stomach was full. When I’d had all I could eat, I continued my travels. It was nearing dusk and the sky was beginning to darken. I leaped onto one of the fallen logs, just a little above the cliff that led down the glistening lake, Ishrin. I spread my wings for balance as I looked over the trees to the setting sun reflecting across the lake. Reds and golds, oranges and yellows; mixed with the blues and greens of the sky and trees. It was stunning every time I watched.

A slight breeze blew and tussled my scales ever so slightly. My silver Irises couldn’t be filled enough with the beauty of the nature of my forest home.

An eagle soared over the sky and I grinned, leaning forward as I spread my wings wider, imagining myself soaring over the trees and lake. I angled my wings with the breeze to add to the illusion.

Then I heard the howl of a wolf far away and my vision changed to me racing across the brown earth as similar fluffy four legged beasts ran beside me. A pack. A family.

I was so entranced in my imaginary world that it took me some time to realize there was the sound of a faint cry nearby. Whatever could it be? I leaped off the log, curiously trailing closer to the noise; my ears perked. I weaved between the trees, scenting as I went. Though try as I might, I couldn’t quite tell what the scent of the distressed creature was. It merely fueled my curiosity.

The forest was under my guardianship. If something had come to harm one of my creatures, I must find it and protect it. As is my duty. All in this area where mine to protect and care for.

A branch snapped nearby and I looked over, eyes widening. Big teary blue eyes greeted me and the creature stepped back, obviously frightened. It was young for sure. A quarter of the size of its adult two legged counterparts. And it certainly wasn’t from around here. I reached out my paw and it leaped back, letting out a terrified wail.

“It’s okay.” I cooed softly, reaching out my paw again. Slowly this time. The creature paused, uncertain, before tenderly reaching out its own paw. It slowly ran its little paw across my scales, curiosity replacing its look of fear.

It tingled

“I won’t hurt you.” I hummed. The creature paused and looked up at me before taking tender steps forward, clearly still cautious. I gave it a small smile and purred warmly. It’s blue eyes widened curiously. I lowered my head and blew softly on it as a greeting. It giggled.

“Mi dclo.” It tried explaining. However it’s language was foreign to me. It reached up towards my muzzle expectingly. I blew on it again and it smiled. That’s when I noticed the poor thing was shivering. It must be cold, I realized. My warm breath being it’s comfort. I opened my wing into the shape of a cocoon, motioning towards it with my head. I heated my throat and in turn my stomach, something I had learned to help keep my creatures warm.

The creature must have understood as it curled up next to me. “Comfortable?” I asked. It’s yawn was all the answer I needed. I curled myself around it, head peaking through my wing so my breath could add to the warmth. It winced as the heath thawed it’s ice cold paws.

After a while it it tilted its head curiously at me. “Ahtw epahdpen?” It asked, pointing to the tear near the base of my wing. I grimaced.

“I was injured, little one. While protecting my home and the creatures within it. It doesn’t hurt anymore though.” I’m not sure if it could understand me but it didn’t matter as I soon heard the rumble of its sleep, small and fragile like that of a newborn fawns. I couldn’t help but curiously watch it as it slept.

The sun was just peaking through the leaves when I softly nudged the little creatures side. It opened its precious blue eyes, looking up groggily before rubbing its eyes with its tiny paws. I couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Come now, little one. I believe your pack is looking for you.” I stood up, shaking the fallen leaves off my back. The little creature also stood up, using me for balance as it still seemed a bit sleepy. I lowered my head and hummed, motioning for it to climb onto my back. It must have been to small as it had trouble scrambling up. I bumped it’s rear paws with my nose, helping it the rest of the way. Once it was comfortable I set off.

I tilted my head, hearing the sounds of the forest. If I listened closely I could hear the faint calls of the creatures pack. They were quite obviously worried. I looked back and realized the little creature was staring back at me. I smiled and it grinned. It looked much more happy and lively than last night.

Once the voices were close enough that the little creature would only have a small walk I stopped. I tossed my head in the direction of the voices and then lowered my head again. The little creature must have realized it’d be traveling the rest of the way alone as it slid off my back. I tilted my head curiously however when it didn’t run to its pack right away.

“Nktah ouy.” It spoke, watching me with its wide blue eyes. So small and innocent. I blew another soft breath of air onto it in fairwell and it giggled. Touching my snout tenderly with its little paws. Much warmer than before. I cooed happily. It pulled away and we stared at each other for a while longer. Then it was gone, disappearing into the brush.

I waited just a bit longer, until I heard happy cries coming from the direction of the pack, before slinking back into the trees. My work here was done.

To be honest, I’d have liked to deliver the little one personally, but the two legged creatures were not as welcoming once adults. Once grown, they were incredibly defensive against outsiders. I glanced back at my torn wing before shaking my head. No matter; all in my forest are under my care. As long as they are safe, that’s all that truly mattered.

After all, I am Alasdair, Guardian of the forest.