Flight of the Golden Harpy

by Susan Klaus

  Waters stared at Shail. “You’re wise beyond your years, and shame us,” he said. “Despite all that man has accomplished, we could learn from you.”

  “Maybe we can learn from one another, Waters. You have a good heart, and this eases my doubts.”

  “I’m glad,” said Waters. “I haven’t been around you or your harpies very long, but it’s darned obvious the harpies aren’t animals. The hunters had to know this all along. It’s unforgivable.”

  Shail talked with the governor into the dark. He trusted his instincts more than any treaty or law of words. Turner had said that Waters was a good and fair-minded man, and he had been right. Shail began to relax, knowing that peace had finally come.

  Returning to his harpy flock, Shail found Aron waiting. “I told Waters that his humans can leave the port. You no longer need to bring the food.” Strangely, he detected disappointment in Aron, but Aron didn’t explain it.

  “I have learned the number of our losses,” Aron relayed. “Three to the number of fingers, plus six, far less than we expected.” Thirty-six harpies had died in the attack on the swarms.

  “It is less than thought, but one is too many,” Shail said sadly. “With the dawn we shall search for the scattered swarms in the area, and the distance to water shall be long. If the good weather holds, we shall be finished here. The next darkness we leave and the gathering ends. All flocks shall spread out and travel west killing only the queens as we go.”

  “I shall tell the other flock leaders,” Aron said.

  “When you brought the food, did you speak to Waters?”

  “I forced my voice and spoke as you asked,” Aron said. “Waters is a worthy man, and as you said, the humans were grateful, longing for our friendship. Your choices were right, Shail. I no longer distrust your wisdom. I believe the truce shall last.”

  Shail patted Aron’s shoulder. “This is good. Knowledge is power; remember this, Aron. I seek my mother now and hope to bridge our lost time apart.”

  Flying to the mansion, he meet Windy, and they talked for several hours. Once the swarms were gone, his mother would travel west with Kari. She bid him good night, and he again coiled up on the rug in the front room and sought his mate in his dreams. They found one another and passionately embraced and nuzzled, but neither spoke. With the coming of dawn, they returned to the realistic world of the awake.

  * * *

  Shail woke and went out among the harpies. “This light we seek the swarms that are half a light’s travel from the sea,” he said to the gathering from the tree stump. “The swarms beyond shall lose only their queens, and those beetles shall separate, no longer a threat. Today’s task shall be the hardest, for the distance is long and treacherous to the water. If your wings cannot endure the flight, you should not come. Be wise, not brave, in choosing, for I value all your lives.”

  Despite the risk, all males stepped forward, indicating they would go with Shail.

  Aron sighed. “Did you truly expect them to heed your warning? They would follow you with broken wings; such is their devotion. They have given you a new name and call you the prince of dawn.”

  “Why?” Shail asked.

  Aron affectionately touched his shoulder. “Your yellow hair and wings are golden like a dawn sky, and as the dawn chases the darkness from the land, your wisdom and courage have removed the shadow of tyranny and death. No other golden ruler has done this. They know you have also enlightened the humans. When bringing the food, the males sensed the human minds and felt their admiration for you. Do not question this honor, Shail. For me, you are like the precious gem that lies in the riverbed, covered with clay. When the men sought to crush you, they crushed only clay and exposed the bright, unbreakable gem. You outshine all of us.”

  Shail gazed out into the flock and sensed their fear had turned to worship. He felt uncomfortable with the tribute. Days earlier he questioned his rule for the sake of his flock and preferred death. “When small, I was told a golden proverb by my father. He said, ‘That which does not destroy one, makes him stronger.’ I thought it meant if I survived the hunters I would become braver, but the saying was more. Destroying my fears and ignorance, I gained the strength of good judgment.”

  Shail extended his wings in the morning light and announced to the flocks, “We finish what we start.” He flew toward the pale golden sky. The harpies burst into flight and followed.

  Aron caught up and glided alongside Shail. “I shall pair with you on this last attack.”

  Shail watched the giant flock disperse over the multicolored treetops in search of scattered swarms. “I plan to fly farther than the others.”

  Aron unhappily huffed, knowing he and Shail would face the greatest risk with the long, fast flight to the ocean. “Then it shall be like old times when we were fledglings. I shall have to watch your back.”

  They flew over small swarms, leaving them for other harpies, and traveled west for hours. With each mile Aron sniffled and flung his hair.

  “We soon stop, Aron, so end your uneasiness,” Shail relayed. “Ahead is what we seek.”

  In the distance Aron spotted the huge black void that marred the jungle, and he hesitated, slowing his flight to soar over them. “Shail, it is too big. The queens have merged like at the city.”

  Shail’s eyes sparkled. “Then it shall take both of us to gather the queens. Tear some of your sash and place them within. We shall start at each end, meet in the center, and carry the swarm to the sea.”

  “After taking two queens, they shall be upon us,” relayed Aron.

  “Not if we fly fast, Aron. There are too many beetles to kill just their queens. All of these must be destroyed.”

  “Again the death wish,” Aron growled, looking down at the massive swarm.

  “I do not wish to die. I want to hold my mate again and see my son next season.”

  “I, too, long for these things.”

  Shail curiously stared at him. “So this is your disappointment for not returning to the humans. You have found a female harpy.”

  “Yes, in the port. She was like a beautiful flower standing alone in a meadow among dull blades of grass. I asked her to bond, but I spoke too soon, for I shall be killed with your foolishness.”

  Shail was accustomed to Aron’s ranting. “I love you, my brother, and would not do this if I foresaw failure. We are the swiftest of the harpies, and no swarm shall out-fly us. The sooner the swarms are gone, the sooner I return to Kari. It is her I seek, not a thrill or death.”

  “Let us do this.” Aron sighed. “The crazy loca eagle must be strong in a golden’s veins, for this is loco.”

  “When you see the beetles fly, you know I have my first queen.” Shail took off, traveling several miles across the monstrous swarm.

  * * *

  Aron flew down closer to the beetles and fluttered over a mound, waiting for Shail. Their attack had to be synchronized.

  Shail became a gold dot against the black terrain, and then the swarm lifted into the air. Shail had captured his first queen.

  Aron dove down and seized a queen but didn’t wait for her clicking or for the swarm to rise. He flew toward the swarm center and snatched another queen, and then a third. The queens were clicking, and he glanced back. Like a rolling ocean wave, a sea of beetles ascended from the ground, but they were confused by numerous calling queens and attacked one another. Taking advantage of the baffled beetles, Aron flew on and grabbed several more queens. The whole swarm suddenly rose, and Aron tilted his wings skyward and flapped out of their reach. Looking down, he saw the boiling black air. He frantically soared above the chaotic beetles and searched for the gold wings. A frightened sweat dripped from his brow as seconds ticked by without seeing Shail. No living thing could survive the madness below. His heart raced as doubt crept in. He knew the beetles would soon locate his clicking bag and fly upward. He’d be trapped between the swarm and the cold, thin-oxygen sky.

  He saw a flash of yellow in the thick black cloud. The creamy
wings darted toward him. The swarm followed Shail a few feet beyond his heels. Aron swooped down to draw them off Shail, but he faced the beetles that heard his bag.

  “We go,” Shail relayed and pointed east toward the ocean. In a frenzy they beat their wings, the pursuing swarm only a stone toss away. Clearing the black, they reached the untouched edge of the jungle and fell into a sharp pace slow enough for the beetles to follow, yet fast enough to stay out of their reach.

  Shail flung his long hair. “Feel your heart, Aron. Its fast beat tells you that you are alive, and tomorrow is precious.”

  Aron became infuriated. “This taunt with danger pleases you. The swarms were upon you, and you should be dead.”

  “The beetles were so alarmed with many noisy queens that they failed to bite. Do not be angry, Aron. Soon we shall be at peace and lazily lie with our mates and surrounded by fledglings. We shall look back on this memory of when we challenged the giant swarm and were young, fast, and fearless.”

  Aron turned and glanced at the enormous trailing swarm. “I only hope it is a memory.”

  The sun was low in the afternoon sky when Aron saw the ocean in the distance. “The port is north,” he relayed. “We must not get too close.”

  “The swarms seek their queens, not human flesh. There is no worry.”

  “We go south,” Aron barked. “I am tired of your risky games.”

  “Shall you ever give me the respect of a golden ruler?” Shail asked.

  “Perhaps not since you act like an unruly fledgling with no common sense.”

  Shail’s lips curled into a slight smile. “I sense you are not sincere.”

  * * *

  The people of Hampton were outside the domed port and wandered the streets, looking for salvageable items. A dark shadow blotted out the rays of the setting sun, and they looked up. On the horizon they saw the approaching mammoth swarm. Some people screamed in panic and raced back to the port as others crouched and froze with fear.

  Governor Waters stood beside Starla when they saw the swarm. “Everyone back to the port,” he yelled.

  “No, Governor,” she said. “I can see two harpies in front of the swarm, and they control its movements.”

  Waters stopped and stared in amazement. “Just two?”

  “Yes, but one has yellow wings. It is our ruler. He takes the swarm to the ocean, where it shall drown.”

  “Shail certainly has courage.”

  “Yes. No other harpies would risk moving such a swarm,” said Starla.

  The immense swarm passed south of Hampton and continued out over the ocean, and the humans breathed a sigh of relief.

  * * *

  “We have no wood for the queens,” relayed Aron.

  Shail held up the bag. “The material shall float long enough to hold them.”

  They increased their speed and moved slightly ahead of the beetles to allow their own escape. Fluttering over the water, they opened up the material pouches and let the wet queen float on top of the waves. Before darting to the sky, Aron noticed the number of Shail’s queens. He had collected twice his amount. Aron and Shail madly dashed upward and reached a safe height in the atmosphere.

  Gazing down, Aron watched the swarm settle on the water. “Gathering so many queens delayed your getaway. Is all a harpy game for you?”

  “If a game, I won,” Shail relayed. He tilted his wings and flew over the water toward the shore.

  Aron followed him. “You are welcome to the victory. I am glad to still live.”

  At the beach, Shail landed. “Are you as tired as I?” Shail asked and waded into the cool water until knee deep.

  “More,” Aron said and joined him.

  Sweat covered their bodies, and their wing muscles were exhausted. Shail tightly folded in his wings, and like a seabird, he dove into the waves. Aron took a calmer approach. He sat down and splashed water over his head and watched Shail swim back to shore.

  Shail joined Aron and reclined in the water. “My mother told me I would heal and feel joy again. This moment I feel life’s joys. I lie in this cool water with you, my brother, as we savor our defeat of the large swarm. I have not known this peace since I was a fledgling, and we dwelled on the islands many seasons ago.”

  “It is obvious your playfulness has returned. I am glad, for you have been long without it, but I and all harpies feel the joy again because of your rule. Though at times I disapprove of your daredevil nature, I know your bold spirit has brought us the peace.”

  Shail stood. “My life would be incomplete without your disapproval and fuming for caution. I know I am flawed with a reckless nature, but that is why I have you.” He shook his locks and walked up to the beach. “Let us return to the port. I wish to meet the female harpy who stole your heart. She must be special, since you never wanted the burden of a family.”

  Aron went ashore and ruffled his brown feathers. “This is untrue. I have always longed for a family, but feared the loss. With the truce I am ready to fill my nest. Besides, I shall need a son to look after your golden fledgling if he is like his father.”

  Shail only nodded.

  * * *

  The shoreline grew dark with evening, and Shail and Aron spread their wings and flew north along the coast toward the port. Approaching the dome building, they saw numerous campfires beyond the port doors and encircling the fires was the human population of Hampton. Farther out was the harpy flock. Seeing Governor Waters and Windy stand on the front steps, Shail and Aron landed nearby.

  Shail tilted his head at his mother. “Why are the harpies gathered here?”

  “I asked them to come,” Windy said. “Having this union of peace would strengthen the harpy-human bond, and I told them it would please you.”

  Shail gazed at his shy harpies who anxiously forced themselves to remain near the outgoing humans. Some people tried to coax the wild harpies closer with the offer of food. A few bold males skittishly approached and snatched food from the human hands. Fluttering back, they nibbled, not because of hunger, but to prove their courage.

  “They’re a little frightened of us,” Waters said to Shail, “but you can’t blame them after years of being hunted.”

  “Most shall overcome their human fear, learning they are protected, but some shall always have doubts and stay hidden in the trees. The next generation of humans and harpies shall be brothers.”

  A large hovercraft zoomed overhead and sent panic through the flock. Every male became airborne and fled for the trees. Once the craft landed inside the dome port, the harpies returned to the site.

  “Ted and the port mechanics worked hard to get the hover up and running,” Waters said. “To show their gratitude, they wanted to bring you a gift, Shail.”

  Shail wondered what gift he could possibly want from the humans.

  Ted came through the doors and held it open. He smiled at Shail. “I’ve got something for you.”

  Kari walked out the doors and was followed by Charlie.

  Shail stood stunned, unable to move for a moment. He swallowed hard as Kari approached. His shock wore off, and he rushed to her, lifted her into his arms, and passionately kissed her. “I have so longed for your touch,” he relayed.

  “And I yours,” Kari said and tightly hugged him, delirious with jubilation. “So many times I thought I had lost you.”

  Aron edged closer to Starla and placed his arm around her shoulder, and she rested her head against his chest while the golden pair hungrily quenched their craving for one another with kisses and nuzzles. “This was a good gift,” relayed Aron.

  Waters noisily cleared his throat, and Shail and Kari pulled apart, not the least bit embarrassed for the public display of affection. Waters put a microphone close to his mouth. “Ladies, gentlemen, and our harpy friends, I give you Shail the noble golden ruler of the harpies. His wisdom, courage, and honor have saved us all. He is the true hero of Dora.”

  The harpies dropped to their knees and bowed their heads, honoring their Prince of Dawn. T
he humans noticed and followed suit. Rather than wild applause, they went down on their knees with the same quiet tribute.

  Kari and Shail were the only ones left standing. Even the governor knelt and lowered his head. Kari stared at the great crowd and then looked up at her mate. “Shail, they love you, all of them.”

  “All is well now, Kari, as I promised you.” He leaned over and kissed her forehead. He turned and focused on the crowd. “Rise,” he said softly.

  When the humans stood, they showed their admiration as only humans could: a loud roar of voices and clapping hands escalated from the crowd. The spooked harpies took to the air and soared over the human gathering. Shail put his arm around Kari and gazed up at the brown wings and stars.

  Kari watched his blue eyes sparkle in the firelight, and she reflected how initially she saw Shail as a wild, beautiful creature of the jungle who was persecuted by man. How he had changed, but perhaps the change was not his. Maybe his undaunted spirit had finally been revealed to all. She only wished her father were here, but then she smiled. Her dad knew. She stood up on her toes and kissed Shail’s cheek as her handsome husband quietly gazed out at his people.

  BOOKS BY SUSAN KLAUS

  Flight of the Golden Harpy

  Christian Roberts Novels

  Secretariat Reborn

  Shark Fin Soup

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Susan Klaus was born in Sarasota, Florida. She has been published in several magazines, including Cats, ELL, and SRQ. Klaus is the founder and president of the Authors Connection Club, and is also the host of a Web radio show called Authors Connection that went into syndication this year. Flight of the Golden Harpy is Klaus’s first novel.

  This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

  FLIGHT OF THE GOLDEN HARPY