The Gull Who Would Be A Raven (from the world of Serfdom and Sorcery)
"Greywing your place is here, not inland. You should be stealing fish, and dive-bombing sunbathers."
Greywing perched on the smooth boulder, cool water lapping at his feet. He looked at his mother's soft feathers and wise old eyes. "I've already done that, Mom. It was fun for a while, but I feel like there's more out there for me."
She looked at her son. He was larger than most of their kind, yet more agile too. "Indeed. The world is a big place, with many experiences to be had. But you and I are tied to the sea. What do you hope to gain by leaving it?"
He glanced at his feet before gazing out at the sparkling golden water. The low sun promised another spectacular sunset. "I'm not leaving it, exactly. Just exploring for a while. I feel like I'm missing out on something."
What do you feel is missing?" she pressed.
Greywing plucked a loose feather from his sleek body, idly flipping it high into the warm air. "I don't know... I just want to see something different. It's always the same here. I can't explain it."
She stared into his eyes for several seconds, then bobbed her head a few times. "It's better that you go now, while you're young and strong. But always remember, you're a seagull. You and the sea are one."
With a triumphant screech, Greywing took to the air.
Before he flew inland, he circled the little seaside village. Peddlers were packing up their wares in the town square.
A large family was gathered at a stand, obviously hoping to make a deal for what hadn't been sold at the market. Before he left, the children began to throw fruits and vegetables into a large box - more like a crate, really.
Greywing banked north, and focused on the dark treeline ahead. He flew until dusk.
By the time he was forced to stop, he was well into the forest. He settled in the cool leaves of a tall Oak, and was fast asleep in seconds.
The young bird awoke to bright sunlight and loud caws.
"Ha! He thinks he's a songbird, nesting over there. In a tree of all places."
"Or maybe he thinks he's one of us. Imagine that! A gull who dares to think he's as clever as a raven."
Greywing stretched, and almost fell off of his perch. Raucous laughter told him his clumsiness hadn't gone unnoticed.
He preened, then straightened to his full height. "I'm new here, but that doesn't mean I'm stupid. Show me what you do. Then I'll show you how to do it better."
The birds laughed, their cawing vibrating throughout the forest.
When they finally quieted, the biggest raven stepped forward. "Today we steal a small shiny object called a ring, from a man in the village. And you will watch, knowing that you could never match our skill."
Greywing cocked his head. "Why don't you let me help? I've stolen things many times."
In a split second, the powerful bird was eye to eye with him. "Not like this. You think you know everything. Do you know what happens to birds caught stealing these things that men call rings?"
Greywing tried unsuccessfully to avoid the other bird's eyes. "No."
"If they see us, they look until we have to leave or give it back. In the past, those less clever have even been killed."
Greywing's eyes widened, but he quickly regained his composure. "Give me a chance. Even if I fail, nobody has seen any of you."
"Nooo!" hissed an ancient crone. She flapped her wings.
He stumbled back, blinking. Then he rose to his full height, towering over her. "Why not? Either I get it for you, or you can try tomorrow. What do you have to lose?"
The crone hissed, fluffing out her shaggy feathers. "Everything. If you are caught, they'll lock things up. They'll also start looking for us. My old wings aren't up for flying to another village."
Greywing looked at the large raven who had first approached him. The bird had stepped back, quietly watching the exchange.
Turning to the elderly raven, he assumed a more respectful posture. "I'm sorry, I don't want to cause trouble for you."
She snorted. "Kids! Never know when to keep quiet, and think they know everything."
Greywing looked at his feet. "Excuse me, Ma'am."
She smoothed her feathers, then rested her head on his back. "My name is Shadow, not Ma'am. Maybe there is a way for you to prove yourself. Our master sends us out to gather rare healing herbs a few times a day. It's a dangerous task, equal to getting the ring. But if you fail, only you are harmed. Are you interested?"
After the grandmotherly bird stepped back, he looked around. Every bird was watching the exchange.
Hope for acceptance surged through Greywing. "Just tell me what I have to do, and I will. Who is your master?"
Shadow cawed in approval. "Good, good. I'll take you into the air tomorrow, and point out the landmarks. Our master is a kind wizard who makes healing potions. Usually people just want to hurt us, but he's different. He even gives us any food that we like."
At noon of the next day, Greywing flew high above the treetops. "I wish I didn't have to stay so high. Shadow said there are bandits who like to shoot at birds, but I don't see any people."
"Maybe I can fly just a little lower," he thought, diving down. Suddenly an arrow whizzed by, close enough to ruffle the feathers on his left wing.
Streaking upwards, the gull screeched angrily. He didn't descend again until he arrived at the correct spot.
"You just had to grow here in a tall mountain pass, didn't you?" he muttered at the beautiful Highland Refresher.
Greywing arrived back in the little patch of woods just before dark. He proudly strode up to Shadow, and placed the plants at her feet. "This is for your kindness," he said, head bowed.
"Thank you, young gull. You are hereby officially invited to live amongst us. Your new name will be Fleet Greywing."
Unable to contain his excitement, he screeched in victory. After a celebratory flight to survey his new home, he settled in for the night.
When Greywing awoke, his wings were no longer grey. Indeed, the ravens were no longer black. White dominated the scene - along with a cold he had never imagined.
The ravens quickly shook the fluffy white stuff off, and cawed out their greetings. Greywing shivered.
"What's happening?" he asked Shadow, when she brought him a slice of buttered bread.
"It's called winter. It will last about as long as you have been alive so far, but you don't have to worry about starving. Our master feeds us well."
The young bird looked at the stark landscape. He bobbed his head sadly. "I'm sorry, but I think I made a mistake. This land is not for me, I will begin my journey home after I finish eating."
With a few regretful goodbyes, Greywing flapped his powerful wings, and quickly gained altitude. His unerring instincts seemed to point him towards the fastest route. He headed back towards his own land - and his family.
"Maybe there's more to see and do by the sea than I realized. I could even challenge my friends to steal rings, like the ravens do," he thought, his eyes shining.
This has been a story from the fantasy world of Serfdom and Sorcery. To play the game, go to the Serfdom and Sorcery Official Game Discord
Visit 
Story inspired by a chat with 
Cover image made in Canva Pro using their gallery