Shari was a fledgling, burnt to a crisp and desecrating in the belly of the Underworld when Derek's ancestors found and rescued her. It took two decades for her to shed the charred remains and grow a new body.
A debt she could never repay, she bonded herself to Derek's family line, showing up whenever their lives were in danger. She was friends with his forefathers, and mourned them when they passed away from natural causes. Until Derek's parents.
He had been an enigma to her ever since he was born. When his parents were killed in her absence, Shari's wail shook the entire kingdom. She had been a constant presence in his life but Derek's disregard for his safety was a source of anguish for her.
She tilted her head. “No.”
Derek stared at her in shock as her word brushed across his mind. Behind him came the unmistakable sound of men crashing through bushes and heading towards him.
“You didn't even think about it,” he yelled, his gazing darting between the men coming at him and the roc.
Shari blinked and lowered her head a bit. “I have thought about it many times and every time I reach the same conclusion.”
“What conclusion?”
“You are exhausting, lad.”
A fireball flew between two trees and struck the cedar behind Derek showering him with burning bark. He winced, his face crumpling in pain. “Please, Shari. I will accept criticisms later.”
She sighed, which sent a gist of wind through the clearing and loose leaves into the air. “You always say that.” She gently lifted her giant wings to flap them.
Derek turned and saw a dozen armed hunters in a formation behind him, angry with their bows raised. The leader, a mage, lifted both hands with a smirk and began gathering a ball of red flames between his palms.
“Shari! If you mean to help me, it has to be now,” he cried, raising pleading eyes to her.
The roc opened its beaks as though laughing. “What are you offering?” She asked and then time slowed, everything moving in slow motion. Derek exhaled in relief knowing she would save him.
“Three sacks of moonfruit for my lady,” he said, bowing.
“Don't patronise me, lad,” she growled. “I'll take five sacks….or I leave you to your death.”
Derek glanced back with wide eyes. The men were moving at the slowest pace. He turned to look at her with a smile. “Five sacks it is! Please let's go.”
Shari lowered one of her enormous wings and Derek jumped onto her back, landing awkwardly. Time returned to its normal pace as they both took off the ground straight into the air.
Arrows of fire lodged into the ground and trees where Derek had been standing moments earlier. He howled with excitement as Shari glided and carried them away from the hunters.
I hope you enjoyed reading this short piece. It's inspired by the Freewrite #dailyprompt phrase "I need a lift”.
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