{"id":5377,"date":"2018-12-30T04:19:51","date_gmt":"2018-12-30T04:19:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/localhost\/wandering-inn\/?p=5377"},"modified":"2025-12-24T00:58:23","modified_gmt":"2025-12-24T00:58:23","slug":"interlude-bird","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/2018\/12\/30\/interlude-bird\/","title":{"rendered":"Interlude – Bird"},"content":{"rendered":"

(This story is on break until January 8th for Patreon readers, and January 11th for Public readers!)<\/strong><\/p>\n

 
\nIt was a fated encounter, if you believed in fate. If you didn\u2019t, it was still fated because Bird was Bird and there were only so many times Erin could distract him with a plate of hot fried duck or an egg sunny side up. It so happened that the fated day in question was when Bevussa Slenderscale had stopped by Erin\u2019s inn for another round of negotiations with the Halfseekers.<\/p>\n

It wasn\u2019t something the Garuda looked forwards to, so she\u2019d ordered a dark lager of whatever Erin had on tap to take the edge off. The request had stumped Erin, and she\u2019d gone behind the counter to stare at kegs while Bevussa waited. The Garuda tapped the table, wondering when Jelaqua would appear and they could begin haggling. Apparently, the Selphid was out and about Liscor, and Bevussa intended to drink until she came back.<\/p>\n

Sparingly. Negotiations between Gold-rank Captains were a tricky affair, and Bevussa needed a clear head, especially since alcohol ran through Garudas a lot faster than other races. Selphids were champions at digesting alcohol unfortunately, so Jelaqua could drink all she wanted and only get drunk if she chose. But Bevussa needed some<\/em> kind of relief.<\/p>\n

\u201cEveryone\u2019s so damn tense about what artifacts they\u2019re going to get. And how much gold. I\u2019m losing feathers over this, and I\u2019m certain our team\u2019s actually going to get an artifact.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bevussa complained to Erin as she sat at the table. She heard a muffled voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cUh huh. It\u2019s tough to negotiate?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes! I don\u2019t know how Jelaqua is so calm about it all of a sudden. Now she\u2019s playing hard\u2014it\u2019s like she\u2019s not even worried about the gold! Something\u2019s happened with her. And Griffon Hunt. Do you know anything about it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAbout\u2026what?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe way Jelaqua\u2019s acting\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

The Garuda raised her voice and then gave up. No one was in the inn at midday\u2014Erin\u2019s inn still seemed to only have a rush around dinner when the Players of Celum stopped by. Or maybe everyone was in Celum, experiencing the sunshine. She grumbled to herself instead.<\/p>\n

\u201cEveryone gets upset! And you can\u2019t argue with Keldrass when he\u2019s pissed\u2014he just smokes you out! I know Jelaqua\u2019s after the armor, but I was hoping she\u2019d withdraw her claim on the light-spelled shortsword. Hey, do you have a lager? I can get another drink if you\u2019re out!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUm\u2026I think so! What color is a dark lager supposed to be? Purple?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPurple? No, it\u2019ll be dark brown, blackish! Do you have a purple<\/em> beer back there?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, the light\u2019s not so good\u2014maybe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCan I try it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure\u2014ow! Hold on, let me get a mug!\u201d<\/p>\n

Bevussa sat back as she heard Erin bang about. She glanced towards both doors surreptitiously, but Jelaqua didn\u2019t magically appear. Bevussa sighed, drummed her talons on the table, and then turned her head. She saw an Antinium Worker\u2019s face two inches from her own.<\/p>\n

\u201cHello, I am Bird.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAncestors save me!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Bevussa shouted and nearly fell out of her chair. She flapped her wings to keep her balance and heard Erin exclaim.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat? What\u2019s happening? Ow!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

There was a thump<\/em> as Erin smacked her head on the bar\u2019s counter. Bevussa leaned back in her chair. Bird hadn\u2019t moved.<\/p>\n

\u201cHello, I am Bird.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bevussa cleared her throat.<\/p>\n

\u201cHello?\u201d<\/p>\n

Bird nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cHello. You are a bird, yes?\u201d<\/p>\n

The Garuda stared at him. Then she turned her head.<\/p>\n

\u201cUh, Erin? Your Antinium Worker is saying hi to me. And he\u2019s asking if I\u2019m a bird.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh no. Bird!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Erin shot up from behind the counter. She waved the mug in her hands frantically.<\/p>\n

\u201cPut down the bow! Don\u2019t shoot\u2014oh, good.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bird turned. The Worker was not holding his bow, as was customary. Instead he was holding something strange in his hand. Bevussa blinked. All four of the Worker\u2019s hands were clutching a mess of\u2026<\/p>\n

\u201cGoose feathers?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes. They are goose feathers. Would you trade them with me?\u201d<\/p>\n

Bird offered the feathers to Bevussa. She hesitated and reached out to take one, then stopped. The Garuda looked around, suspecting a prank. Erin, on the other hand, knew better and rushed forwards.<\/p>\n

\u201cBird, no! Bevussa, I\u2019m sorry. Let me handle this. Bird, you know<\/em> what I said about bothering Bevussa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut I put away my bow.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, but you can\u2019t just\u2014why are you holding feathers?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTo trade. I am told trading is a perfectly acceptable form of barter. I wish to trade.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut\u2014hold on, are those from the pillows in your room?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2026Maybe?\u201d<\/p>\n

Erin stared at Bird. She scratched her head, stared at the feathers, then decided to drop the issue. She folded her arms and looked sternly at the Worker.<\/p>\n

\u201cBird, I know you really like\u2026well, birds. But Bevussa\u2019s busy, and you can\u2019t bother her. Especially about birds.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh. I am sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bird physically drooped. His antennae sagged, and he turned around and began to shuffle towards the stairs. Bevussa, who was still completely confused, felt bad and called out.<\/p>\n

\u201cHold on, Erin. Why can\u2019t, uh, Bird speak with me?\u201d<\/p>\n

The [Innkeeper] turned. She hesitated as Bird stopped hopefully.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s complicated. Bevussa, I really don\u2019t know how to explain this, but Bird\u2019s\u2026well, he\u2019s not like the other Antinium.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat is correct. I am Bird.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRight! And I don\u2019t want to alarm you, but he really likes birds. And I thought that, y\u2019know, since you have wings\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Bevussa laughed lightly.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, come on. It can\u2019t be worse than what I get from Drakes all the time. Let Bird sit with me. I\u2019ll share a drink with him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Erin visibly hesitated. She looked from Bevussa to Bird, and the Garuda got the feeling that Erin was doing some rapid risk-assessment.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you sure? I mean, if you\u2019re willing that\u2019d be great. Bird really wanted to meet you, but me and Klbkch and Pawn and Belgrade and Anand all thought\u2014if he says or does anything weird, you can tell him not to. And I\u2019ll be over here\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Amused, the Garuda waved Erin back to the bar.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure. Just sort out which barrel has what. Come on, Bird. Sit down.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you sure? Miss Erin told me not to bother you if you are busy. Are you busy?\u201d<\/p>\n

Bird hesitated as Bevussa drew up a stool. The Garuda frowned as she gave Erin a quick glance. The [Innkeeper] gave Bevussa a mixture of hand gestures and facial expressions only a Goblin could interpret. The Gold-rank adventurer gave up on interpreting it and looked at Bird.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh. Good. Then I will bother you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bird sat down instantly in the chair across from Bevussa. He stared at her. He was still holding the feathers. Bevussa stared at them and then at Bird. She coughed.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo\u2026sorry about that. Nice to meet you. We\u2019ve never formally been introduced, have we? I\u2019ve seen you around, I mean, but\u2014I\u2019m Bevussa, Gold-rank, and, uh, second-in-command<\/em> of the Wings of Pallass.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bird nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am Bird. I am a Worker in the Hive only now I am an Individual. I work in Miss Erin\u2019s inn.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve\u2026noticed. Have you worked here long?\u201d<\/p>\n

The Worker shook his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo. I was assigned to Miss Erin\u2019s inn by Revalantor Klbkch as a matter of security and to protect Miss Erin and to act in a capacity which I am not allowed to inform you about. I have only been here for a little while, but I have my own room and a tower to shoot birds from.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBirds as in\u2026other birds. Not you, right?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat is correct. I am Bird. I hunt birds. With my bow. It is in my room.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bevussa blinked. She looked around for Erin and heard swearing as Erin tried to wrestle with a keg under the counter. Bevussa rubbed at her forehead and began to understand what Erin had meant.<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay, I think I get what you\u2019re saying. Your name is Bird. But you\u2019re a hunter.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat is correct. I am a [Hunter]. I hunt birds.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2026Why did you name yourself Bird?\u201d<\/p>\n

The Worker shrugged.<\/p>\n

\u201cI like birds. Should I not name myself Bird?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, you have to admit it\u2019s confusing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI do?\u201d<\/p>\n

Bird tilted his head back and forth. Bevussa stared at him and then turned and called to Erin.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, how\u2019s that drink going?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI dunno! Do you put wine in kegs? Cause this looks like wine!\u201d<\/p>\n

The Garuda debated asking for a glass regardless, then decided that she wasn\u2019t that desperate. Yet. She turned back to Bird and tried to make sense of it all.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou just liked to call yourself Bird, is that it? That\u2019s fair. I guess.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bird nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes. But I am also named Bird after Henry Edward Bird, who played chess and was important. He was a Human who invented the Bird\u2019s Opening and Bird\u2019s Defense in chess.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bevussa put her head on the table.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m so confused.\u201d<\/p>\n

She just wanted a drink. Bevussa\u2019s head lay on the table for all of three seconds until she felt a very tentative touch on the back of her head. She looked up immediately, and Bird snatched his hand back.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t touch the feathers.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI am sorry. They were very pretty.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, and they\u2019re mine<\/em>. You don\u2019t see me pulling your antennae.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI am sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bird looked down at his hands. He seemed to shrink. Bevussa\u2019s fury instantly cooled off. She stared at Bird.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, sorry. I just thought you were one of those creepy Drakes who\u2014it\u2019s okay.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut it is not because you said so. I am sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Worker stared at his hands. Bevussa looked around helplessly. She was about to shout at Erin that she really needed her at the table rather than a drink, and then a few things clicked in her head. Something Erin had mentioned. She stared back at Bird.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow old are you, Bird?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh. I am two. I will be three sometime in the fall.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bird brightened up. Bevussa stared at him.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re three?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes. I am old for a Worker. Most die when they are around two years old. Due to monsters eating them. We are rotated to the front lines often. I did not die, and now I am at Miss Erin\u2019s inn, where there are monsters too sometimes. But I have not died yet, so that is good.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bird nodded happily. Bevussa stared at him. Then she sat back in her chair.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh. Oh.<\/em> And you\u2019re\u2014the Antinium are really\u2014Ancestors, I had no idea! And\u2014hey, can all Workers speak? Do they all have names?\u201d<\/p>\n

She looked at Bird. He shook his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo. Most Workers have no names. If they did, they would be Individual. And if you ask them and they do not, they would be Aberration.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s that?\u201d<\/p>\n

Bird hesitated.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat is a very bad thing. Aberrations kill other Workers. They say not-good things about the Queen, and Revalantor Klbkch comes and kills them. Or Soldiers do.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo they\u2019re criminals?\u201d<\/p>\n

The Worker hesitated.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2026do not think so. They are just upset.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI see.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Garuda tried to square that with what she\u2019d heard of the Antinium. Aberrations\u2014yes, she\u2019d heard of the Antinium going berserk, but that was in battle. And you almost never saw Antinium outside of their Hives, and obviously no one ever went near<\/em> an Antinium Hive unless you wanted to die. Except in Liscor, the strange city that had welcomed them. She\u2019d heard stories\u2014<\/p>\n

But Bird seemed alright. Strange as a shaved Gnoll and half as sane, but for a two year old,<\/em> she thought he was doing well. Armed with that knowledge, Bevussa smiled more comfortably at Bird.<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay, so you like birds. You enjoy hunting them?\u201d<\/p>\n

And like that, Bevussa opened the floodgates. Bird sat up, his multi-faceted eyes shining.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes. Very much. I shoot birds all day. All night too. I have a new bow that my Queen gave me, and it is very strong. I have shot many birds with it, only I can only shoot them in Celum because there are not many birds in the rain. I have been hoping to see water birds, which must surely exist, but I have not seen any yet. I think they may be invisible, and Belgrade tells me they do not exist, but then Pawn came over and said they may<\/em> exist, and Erin said they might as well, so I am still looking for them. Have you seen water birds?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWater birds? Do you mean\u2026flying fish? Or\u2014or swimming birds?\u201d<\/p>\n

Bird stared at Bevussa.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are fish that fly?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes?\u201d<\/p>\n

At this stage, Bevussa wasn\u2019t sure of anything in life. She sat back as Bird tried to describe what the elusive, and, Bevussa realized, probably imaginary, water birds looked like. She shook her head.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve never seen a bird made out of water. It sounds like something a [Mage] would summon.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh. Do you think I could find one to summon one for me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTo do what, exactly?\u201d<\/p>\n

Bird looked blankly at Bevussa.<\/p>\n

\u201cShoot it of course. And then eat it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s all you want to do?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes. I like shooting birds. And eating them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut you call yourself Bird.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you\u2026like birds?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes. They are my favorite things. I like all birds.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen why\u2014no, wait, I\u2019ve done this before. Okay. You like birds. Hey, I like birds too. Except for the aggressive types.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAggressive types?\u201d<\/p>\n

Bird sat up. Erin screamed as a keg rolled over her foot. Both Bird and Bevussa looked over, but since it wasn\u2019t anything serious, they turned back to the conversation. Bevussa waved a taloned hand, relieved to be on firmer ground. Or rather, in clearer skies as the Garuda would say.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh yeah. There are tons of angry birds in the sky. I guess Liscor doesn\u2019t have many aggressive birds, huh? Oh wait\u2014you do have Razorbeaks, don\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes. Erin calls them Dino Birds. They are very big and sit in the grass.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI bet they do. And they love to swarm wounded animals and people. Nasty things, but not too deadly if you\u2019ve got any kind of armor. But other birds\u2026hm, no, I guess you would be okay up here. Now, around Pallass we\u2019ve got some nasty fliers.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOoh, like what?\u201d<\/p>\n

Bird leaned forwards. Bevussa ticked off species on her talons.<\/p>\n

\u201cAside from the regular birds\u2014that is to say, the ones that don\u2019t have a taste for meat or can\u2019t shoot lightning? Well, southern Izril has Wyverns, those are the big ones everyone knows about. Are they birds? Well, they\u2019re death in the air. One drops on you and you\u2019re dead. But I can see a Wyvern from miles away, and they can\u2019t maneuver at all. No, if I\u2019m in the air, I\u2019m watching out for Vaas Beils.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are they? Are they birds?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI mean, if you want to be charitable, yeah. They\u2019re these large freaks with two sets of beaks\u2014and teeth\u2014that hunt out of clouds. Now, you\u2019d think they\u2019re divers from how big they are, but they\u2019re not. Instead they scream<\/em> with both beaks. It\u2019s awful. It messes with your sense of direction, and then they\u2019re on top of you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOoh. What do they taste like?\u201d<\/p>\n

Bevussa paused.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve never checked. I tend to stab them and let them drop. But I have<\/em> tasted the other bird I have to fight a lot. Starlings.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cStarlings? What powers do they have?\u201d<\/p>\n

Bevussa laughed.<\/p>\n

\u201cPowers? They\u2019re not monsters. They\u2019re just little black birds. I bet you\u2019ve seen them! Only, you\u2019ve probably never seen a swarm<\/em> of them before.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA swarm?\u201d<\/p>\n

Bird edged closer to the table. Bevussa nodded, grimacing as she ran a talon down her beak.<\/p>\n

\u201cWorst things for any flier to run into. I had a group of Oldblood Drakes\u2014kids, really, barely able to get off the ground. And we were flying over a forest when a swarm of starlings took offense. That\u2019s the problem, see. They\u2019re usually not aggressive, but when there are monsters in the sky, starlings learn to attack. And this lot went after us. Now, they\u2019re tiny birds like I said, but there were thousands<\/em> of them attacking all of us, trying to smash us into the ground. I barely got the Drakes down before the starlings took us out of the sky, and I still have scars\u2014hell, one of the Drakes nearly lost an eye, and I got blamed for the entire thing!\u201d<\/p>\n

Bevussa grimaced. Bird didn\u2019t pay attention to her, though. He was dreamily staring off into the distance.<\/p>\n

\u201cThousands.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right. And they\u2019re not the only ones. A lot of birds learn to fight against monsters. Or run. It\u2019s the only way they survive being wiped out. Ever seen a group of eagles take on a Wyvern? It\u2019s not all about size in the sky. And believe me, there\u2019s a lot you ground folk never see.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLike what?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHah! Where should I start? How much do you have time for?\u201d<\/p>\n

Bevussa leaned back, flapping her wings dismissively. But Bird edged closer. He fixed Bevussa with a pleading look.<\/p>\n

\u201cEverything. I want to hear everything.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Garuda woman stopped. She stared at Bird and saw in his eyes the purest and deepest interest she\u2019d ever seen. Slowly, she sat forwards.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, alright. If you want me to talk about the sky\u2014well, I\u2019m a Garuda, but I was born and raised by Drakes. They\u2019re not good fliers, despite the Oldblood thing, but I\u2019ve heard stories all my life and my family took me to the library. And I\u2019ve met Garuda from Chandrar, and they\u2019ve got all the tales.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTales like what?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, of the sky of course! Wyverns and local birds aside, there are legends up there. Birds that hide behind clouds, special ones that only come out when the rainbows shine! Birds that can go higher than the tallest mountain, so high up they have to hold their breaths and fly with magic because the air\u2019s too thin! And yes\u2014even birds that live in the water. Some you have to fight, but others just\u2026appear.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAppear? Like what?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLike, okay, there was this story I heard of a Garuda who got lost and found himself flying over the sea. He had no idea where land was, and he was flying in circles, lower and lower, thinking he was going to fall and drown. And then he saw the air move<\/em> and realized that there was something flying right beneath him! He looked down and saw something flash by. It went by so fast that he never saw it, but the slipstream dragged him for over ten miles, back towards the land!\u201d<\/p>\n

Bird sat transfixed, staring at Bevussa. He glanced out a window towards the rainy sky.<\/p>\n

\u201cWas it a bird?\u201d<\/p>\n

Bevussa nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cApparently. He swears it was twice as large as he was and had red slashes on its wings and a white body. And he\u2019s not the only one who\u2019s seen it. Apparently, this bird travels around Chandrar, and there was a time when a bunch of Wistram Mages came to see if they could capture it. Hah, well, they didn\u2019t get the attention of that bird, but they did<\/em> manage to piss off one of the leviathans of the sky\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

She began talking. Telling Bird stories, some real, some made up, all told to her during her childhood and as she\u2019d swapped tales as adventurers. It was strange. Bevussa had never met anyone else on the ground who loved tales of the sky as she did, but in Bird, she found a greater fascination than even she had.<\/p>\n

The Worker practically leaned over the table, drinking in every word she spoke. And when Bevussa\u2019s throat ran dry, there was Erin at last with a dark lager and several bruises. Bevussa spoke for minutes and then nearly two hours before she had to sit back.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhew.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd? And? What bird is next?\u201d<\/p>\n

Bird bounced excitedly in his chair. Bevussa looked around. Erin was cleaning up her mess behind the counter. The Garuda coughed. Her mug was long empty.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m a bit tired, Bird. Maybe let\u2019s hold off on more stories? Hey Erin, can I get a refill?\u201d<\/p>\n

She waved her mug. Erin turned.<\/p>\n

\u201cComing! Damn, where did I put the lager barrel? Uh oh, I\u2019m getting d\u00e9j\u00e0 vu!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Bird looked crestfallen. Bevussa felt bad, but she told herself not to fall for the Antinium\u2019s disappointment. That was how he\u2019d gotten the last fifteen tales out of her.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can always tell you a story later, Bird. And I\u2019m sure the other adventurers have a few tales.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut you are an expert.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause I have wings? Well, yeah\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, because you are a bird.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bevussa paused. She stared at Bird and checked out her blue and green plumage.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I guess if you want to be technical about it, Garuda are<\/em> bird people. But, uh\u2026we\u2019re not birds.\u201d<\/p>\n

It was actually a sore point with Bevussa. She\u2019d been teased growing up, and her species as a whole got too many bad bird jokes to count. No Garuda liked being called a bird. But Bird the Worker only cocked his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut Miss Bevussa, you have wings.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you fly.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, but\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDoes that not make you a bird?\u201d<\/p>\n

Bevussa\u2019s eyelid twitched. She took a few breaths.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s more to flying and wings, Bird. Or rather, there\u2019s a difference between\u2014look, Garuda aren\u2019t birds. We\u2019re people! We\u2019re not birds, just like a bat isn\u2019t a bird.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Antinium digested that for a moment.<\/p>\n

\u201cBats aren\u2019t birds?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy not? They have wings. And they fly.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, but\u2014what about the moths?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe moth-birds?\u201d<\/p>\n

Bevussa stared at Bird. He stared back with purest certainty in his eyes. Bevussa scrubbed a talon through her feathers and then looked at Erin.<\/p>\n

\u201cMake that two<\/em> lagers, Erin!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou got it! I think. It\u2019ll be there eventually!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGreat.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bevussa turned back to Bird, shaking her head. Erin was a good [Innkeeper]\u2014probably the best one around Liscor, although she\u2019d be in trouble if she moved to Pallass and ran up against some of the good ones there. Still, she was friendly, helpful, and she had a magic door. But her knowledge of alcohol was distressing. She looked at Bird.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou want anything? It\u2019s my treat.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I am fine, thank you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bird shook his head. As he did, he shifted, and Bevussa saw that he was still holding all of the goose feathers in his four hands. She had to point at them.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you still holding those? What are they for, anyways?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFor trading. I thought I could trade them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTo who?\u201d<\/p>\n

Bird pointed at Bevussa.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Garuda paused.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor what?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFeathers.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFeath\u2014<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

And then Bevussa realized what Bird meant. She stared at her brilliant feathers and then looked at the broken and worn feathers he held. She wanted to laugh. But then she noticed how Bird looked at her feathers.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou really like my feathers that much?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey are beautiful. I would trade all my pillows for one feather.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bird stared at Bevussa\u2019s feathers. The Garuda preened a bit. She couldn\u2019t help it. She hesitated and then did something she\u2019d never done, even for the rare Drakes she\u2019d dated.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think I need all your feathers, Bird. But I would be willing to trade one feather for all the ones you\u2019re holding.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou would?\u201d<\/p>\n

The Antinium looked at Bevussa. She nodded, seeing the shining light in his gaze. Slowly, Bevussa reached for a stray feather she knew she\u2019d lose soon. She winced a bit as she plucked it, but then handed it to Bird.<\/p>\n

It was slightly bent and not in good shape. But Bird instantly let go of the feathers in his hands and pushed them towards Bevussa. He reached out and, with trembling hands, accepted the feather. He held it up and stared at it. Bevussa smiled.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you like it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is wonderful.\u201d<\/p>\n

That was all Bird said. He held the feather up, staring at it. Bevussa grinned.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s yours. Think of it as a memento. From one lover of the skies to another. Keep your other feathers. I, uh, don\u2019t want them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bird looked up. He looked at Bevussa and then bowed his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cI will treasure it forever.\u201d<\/p>\n

And that was the magic of Bird. Bevussa had no doubt he would. She turned as Erin approached with two tankards in hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s that? Oh\u2014Bird, did you ask Bevussa for a feather? Bevussa, you didn\u2019t have to give it to him!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI decided to, don\u2019t worry, Erin.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bird protectively covered his feather as Erin sighed and put down the tankards on the table.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you for telling Bird all those stories. I\u2019m sorry Jelaqua hasn\u2019t appeared yet. I think she\u2019s ogling dead Raskghar or something.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Garuda coughed and waved a talon.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s no problem. I actually really enjoyed myself. And speaking of which\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

She\u2019d heard someone coming towards Erin\u2019s regular door outside. Bevussa turned expectantly, and both Bird and Erin looked over. The door opened, and Relc stepped through.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey everyone! I\u2019ve got my day off at last! Anyone got any food?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bevussa sighed. Erin smiled, and Bird turned back to his feather. Relc looked slightly hurt as he wandered over.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, it\u2019s me!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHi, Relc!\u201d<\/p>\n

Erin smiled at the Drake. He grinned.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow\u2019s it going? Hey, is that, uh\u2026Bird? And you\u2019re\u2014hey Miss, don\u2019t I know you?\u201d<\/p>\n

The Drake grinned at Bevussa. The Gold-rank adventurer gave him a polite smile. Relc looked at Bevussa and then at Bird. His eyes widened.<\/p>\n

\u201cHold on. This is the crazy one. And she\u2019s\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

He pulled at Erin\u2019s shoulder as she went to get him a drink. Bevussa frowned as Bird studied her feather. She could hear Relc whispering loudly to Erin as he pointed at her and Bird.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs that safe? Isn\u2019t he like, y\u2019know\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

Relc tapped the side of his head. Erin smacked his arm down.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t be a jerk! He\u2019s just Bird!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, but what does that<\/em> mean?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s wrong with you meeting me, Bird?\u201d<\/p>\n

Bevussa looked at Bird. The Worker looked up.<\/p>\n

\u201cMiss Erin told me I am not allowed to bring my bow when I am around you. She says that if I hit you, I will be in big trouble forever. I cannot shoot at any of the Drakes either.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHit us? Why would you\u2014oh.<\/em> They think you\u2019ll shoot me because I\u2019ve got wings! Because\u2026I\u2019m a bird? Oh, come on!\u201d<\/p>\n

Another piece of the puzzle fell into place. Bevussa smacked her head, then wondered if Erin and the others were really that racist. Then again\u2014she glanced at Bird and realized their fears were well founded. The Antinium nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou have wings. And you fly. Thus you are a bird. But Erin has explained to me why I am not supposed to shoot you, so I will not. Unless you want me to?\u201d<\/p>\n

He glanced at Bevussa. The Gold-rank adventurer idly wondered what would happen if she said yes. It could be funny. Then she recalled the image of Bird sitting with a dozen dead monsters lying around him, feathered with arrows. She sat up and looked Bird in the eye very deliberately.<\/p>\n

\u201cI would not like you to, Bird. Ever.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay, Miss Bevussa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGlad we got that straightened out.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bevussa breathed a sigh of relief. Then she had another thought. She glanced at Bird and smiled.<\/p>\n

\u201cI get the worry, but I can dodge arrows just fine. Even Halrac would have trouble hitting me on the wing. Anyways, you\u2019re<\/em> an ant-man. Technically, you should be worried about me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bird paused. He looked confused.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy would I worry about you, Miss Bevussa?\u201d<\/p>\n

The Garuda smiled.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I\u2019m <\/em>a bird. And you\u2019re\u2026an ant.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI am not an ant. I am an Antinium.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut you have a carapace.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes. But I am not an ant.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut you walk around.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, but I am not an ant.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you sure? Ants walk around and they have carapaces. And just so you know\u2026I have been known to snack on ants.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bird froze. He stared at Bevussa and then looked down at his body. He seemed to process Bevussa\u2019s statement. Then he glanced at the bird woman again. Nervously. Bevussa licked the edges of her beak. Bird stared at her for a long moment and then edged away.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am not food.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure. And I\u2019m not a bird.\u201d<\/p>\n

The two looked at each other. Then Bird stood up.<\/p>\n

\u201cI must go for reasons I have not come up with yet. Goodbye.\u201d<\/p>\n

He scurried towards the stairs, glancing behind him at Bevussa every few steps. She grinned and then felt a bit bad.<\/p>\n

\u201cI hope I didn\u2019t scare him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Erin came over with a mug of her own lager. She tasted it and made a face.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019ll be fine. I think it\u2019s a good lesson for Bird. Hey, you gonna drink your beer? Because I\u2019m not. This stuff tastes bad.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Bevussa realized both of her drinks were in front of her, as yet untouched. She shook her head and lifted her mug to her beak.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s not what I expected an Antinium to be. But I like him. He\u2019s a child, but an adult. It\u2014well, are all of them like him?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot all. But they\u2019re all a bit young and old at the same time.\u201d<\/p>\n

Erin stared sadly at Bird as he hurried up the stairs. He was clearly nervous, but he held the feather like the most precious thing in the world. Like his bow. The two women watched Bird disappear. Bevussa sat with her mug in her hands, thinking of the Antinium Wars, of all the Workers that no doubt lived in the Hives. She glanced at Erin. A hundred things raced through her mind, questions, statements, very few of which would change anything that was reality. She opened her mouth to choose one of them\u2014<\/p>\n

And a Drake slid into a seat next to Bevussa. Both she and Erin turned as Relc appeared. The Drake gave Bevussa a huge grin and flexed his arm a bit as he leaned over. He took a deep breath and then spoke in what he thought was a seductive tone to Bevussa.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, baby. Did you drop out of the sky? Because you look like a bird of paradise to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

He winked as he pointed two fingers at Bevussa. The Garuda stared at him, drink tilted towards her beak. Part of it began dribbling down her front as she and Erin just stared at Relc. He looked from face to face and then turned away.<\/p>\n

\u201cDamn it. I knew I shouldn\u2019t have given all the good lines to Embria.\u201d<\/p>\n

He scuffed away. And Bird sat in his room. At first, he hid in his fortress of fluff, but then he was no longer afraid. He sat and grew sleepy, and when he dreamed, it was not of Bevussa, but of the wondrous birds she\u2019d described flying through the sky. He dreamed he was flying too, flying with a gigantic bow and shooting birds as large as clouds. And the green and blue feather lay beneath Bird\u2019s pillow, the most precious thing in the world.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span> <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

Previous Chapter<\/a> Next Chapter<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

(This story is on break until January 8th for Patreon readers, and January 11th for Public readers!)   It was a fated encounter, if you believed in fate. If you didn\u2019t, it was still fated because Bird was Bird and there were only so many times Erin could distract him with a plate of hot […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":52856846,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_searchwp_excluded":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"patreon-level":0,"patreon_level":0,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[11693085,349],"tags":[],"twi_volume":[11693134],"twi_collection":[],"class_list":["post-5377","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-volume-5","category-writing"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nInterlude - Bird - The Wandering Inn<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/2018\/12\/30\/interlude-bird\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Interlude - Bird\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"(This story is on break until January 8th for Patreon readers, and January 11th for Public readers!)   It was a fated encounter, if you believed in fate. 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