The Boy and Birds
“Father, why do we trade so much for such small birds?” Kaneme asked his father as they escorted the wagons with wicker covers. His father grinned, “Do you question my decisions, boy?” The ten year old shook his head and cast his eyes downward.
“Kaneme, do not look away when talking.” His father’s sword tapped his chin delicately. “You will face many foes my son, you best be watching” Kaneme looked up into gold eyes that mirrored his own. “We trade for these sparrows, because the sparrow always flies home”
Kaneme arched an eyebrow in confusion, a gesture that mimicked his mother. “But father, if the birds fly home, what use are they to us, surely not for eating?” A snort of chuckling laughter preceded his fathers response. “Do you see the city? The place we were not allowed entry? Where we had to trade all of our goods for these sparrows?” His father’s voice slipped into a feral growl.
“Yes father” Came the meek reply of Kaneme. “They have taken from us, stolen our people, used us and robbed us. Now we will take from them, everything!” Kaneme motioned the carts to stop, birds quieting as they become still.
Torches are thrust into the bottoms of the carts, catching the tinder and pitch packages alight. The birds begin to shriek as the flames begin to lick at them. “Give the order my son, tell the men to let the birds free, let them go home” Kaneme’s eyes widened as the realization came to him.
A frown begins to creep onto his fathers face, when Kaneme did not move for a few seconds. Then the boy cried out “Let the birds go home to rest and may we shift through the ashes of those that would stand before us!”
Thousands of birds take wing as they are released from their burning cages. All carrying small burning packages attached by leather thongs. They scream as they head towards the city, some burnout before they get there. The others land among their homes, seeking shelter from the fire. The city burns, those that flee its walls are relieved of unnecessary possessions.
Kaneme is given his first cup of kumis by his father. Some of the warriors give Kaneme and his father strange looks, but do not comment. It has come to be expected, the hobgoblin and his son are a strange duo. Kaneme is only half hobgoblin, not an oddity within Geretsuna. But the boys elongated ears and graceful features gave away his mother’s Elven nature.
