"They don't exist, Greatheart. It's only a legend, made up long ago to keep foolish young men from wandering into the canyon alone. It's more dangerous than most other places. If the rapids and tigers weren't enough, there are deadly snakes which nest there," Grandpa said earnestly.
"This is what I'm supposed to be telling you, Grandpa," Greatheart replied with a grin.
"Yes you are, but you're not like the other kids, who only want to lie around, swim, or play all day," Grandpa said, chuckling.
"I'm not a kid anymore, either. I'm almost eighteen," he reminded his grandfather respectfully.
"Yes I know, but I still don't like the idea of you looking for the Tigerbirds. Whole hunting parties have disappeared in that canyon."
"I thought you didn't believe in them?" Greatheart asked.
"I don't believe in the Tigerbirds. But I do believe in snakes, rapids, and tigers," he replied emphatically.
"I'm not going on the river. And I know how to avoid or deal with wild animals," the youth insisted.
"Still, you're not going out there alone," Grandpa said stubbornly.
"What do you have in mind?" Greatheart asked curiously.
"I will go with you. I may not be as fast and strong as you are, but I've seen almost everything," replied Grandpa, with just a little pride.
"That would be awesome!" exclaimed Greatheart enthusiastically.
"Then I'll see you at five tomorrow morning?" Grandpa asked with a grin, which made him look a lot younger than his seventy nine years.
"Sounds good," Greatheart replied, his own grin as infectious as his grandfather's.
"Heaven's Canyon is incredible! I never knew it would be so beautiful here," exclaimed Grandpa, gazing at the magnificent waterfall.
"Haven't you been here before? I thought you traveled every inch of our land?" Greatheart asked.
"Every inch except for this area. Even though I don't actually believe in the old legends, I have always respected my elders. They never expressly forbade us from coming here, but it was implied that if they found out, they would be unhappy. Even they rarely made the trip, and only for a spirit quest if the land became poor," Grandpa replied thoughtfully.
"And now you don't mind?" asked Greatheart.
Grandpa laughed, and said "I'm older than most of them were on their last day with us. I think I'm old enough to take my place amongst the elders."
"That's true," Greatheart replied.
"Then let's get moving," suggested Grandpa, obviously eager to see new sights.
The two followed a game trail down into the canyon. "The walls look even taller from down here," Greatheart observed, still in awe.
"That's why they call it Heaven's Canyon. The walls touch Heaven," Grandpa explained.
"That looks like a good spot for a large nest. Look at all of the ledges and caves. A cave with a good ledge for a nest would be very easy to defend, and that big overhang would keep the babies dry," Greatheart said, pointing towards a spot over halfway up.
"That it would... I don't see anything though," Grandpa said quietly, and perhaps a little sadly.
"It might not be nesting season. It's late summer, after all. And even if it is, they probably hide them really well," Greatheart replied, trying to sound more hopeful than he actually felt.
"Let's find a good place to camp," Grandpa suggested, deliberately changing the subject.
"How about on that flat stone over there? It's far enough away from the brush that we can defend it from animals, but close enough that we can get to cover if we see a Tigerbird," said Greatheart.
"Looks good, and it'll still have some heat stored up in it from the sun," the older man nodded approvingly.
The two worked together, and soon had a simple sleeping shelter erected.
"I've never seen such a sunset, look at the orange, streaked with very thin black clouds. Like a tiger," Grandpa said quietly.
"Or a Tigerbird," Greatheart replied, earning him an indulgent smile from his grandfather.
The two passed a relaxing first night in Heaven's Canyon, under a brilliant sky. At first light, they were up.
"Where shall we explore next?" Grandpa asked, once the supplies had been safely stowed away.
Not used to being in charge, Greatheart hesitated before he answered. "Let's walk around under the area with all the ledges and caves. Maybe we'll find... something."
"I guess it's as good a place as any," agreed Grandpa.
The two began their hike, Grandpa excited about exploring another section of his ancient homeland, and Greatheart almost jogging in anticipation of the secrets which he believed lurked above his chosen destination.
"There are a lot of deer scraps," the older man said as he examined a legbone which still had bits of raw venison attached to it.
"Something must be hunting them," Greatheart replied.
"Yes, I hope we haven't found a tiger's lair," said Grandpa, glancing briefly at the sharp steel head on his thick spear.
"I don't think we have. Don't tigers like thick brush?" asked Greatheart politely, although he already knew the answer.
"Yes, you're right. This area is too open for a tiger," Grandpa admitted.
Both heard it at the same time. Flapping, much like the sound a raven makes as it passes overhead. But much louder.
Before either of them could look up, Grandpa disappeared in a whoosh of air and feathers.
"Grandpa! No!!! Bring him back," Greatheart demanded, as he threw his spear futilely at the beast, which was already a small dot against the canyon wall.
Regaining his composure, the young man carefully watched where the orange and black animal went. Soon after landing, it took off again.
"It's coming back - for me," he thought, his chest pounding. He quickly wrapped himself in his deerskin sleeping mat, and tightly grasped his spear.
Sure enough, the animal made one high pass to locate its prey, which was oddly waiting to be caught. Then it dove, pulling up at the last moment.
Greatheart felt the breath being squeezed out of him, until he shifted position just enough to allow his ribs to expand and contract. Looking around, he was momentarily elated. Soaring effortlessly through the sky, ever higher, was exhilarating. The view was stunning!
"Grandpa," he whispered, reminding himself why he had allowed himself to be captured.
The creature slowed, and hovered above a nest, securely located far back on a large ledge. In back of the ledge was a cave.
Greatheart was unceremoniously dropped into the nest. His former ride then promptly disappeared into the cloudless sky.
"Grandpa!" he shouted frantically.
"In here," came a muffled reply.
Greatheart ran into the cave, to find Grandpa scratching the beak of a horse-sized animal with his spear. It was purring, with a little chirp slipping out every so often.
"This little guy was supposed to have me for lunch, but he took a liking to me instead," Grandpa said with a huge grin.
The chick opened its own mouth in imitation, revealing a row of razor sharp teeth. Grandpa held his breath, until the giant baby thrust its head under him, toppling the old man over.
Grandpa laughed, and slowly got to his feet.
"How are we going to get out of here? When the parents come back, they aren't going to be so friendly," Greatheart pointed out.
"He's not quite old enough to fly yet... I think he could glide down safe enough though," Grandpa said thoughtfully.
"Could he handle both of us?" Greatheart asked, looking doubtfully at the young animal.
"It would be a wild ride, but I think so. If he starts to lose control, we can roll off right before impact," Grandpa suggested.
"What about the chick? Is it old enough to survive away from the nest?" the young man asked, as the animal preened its orange and black wings with its front talons. Unlike a normal bird, it had four legs. The wings rested atop the shoulders, much like in the ancient paintings of griffons. But instead of paws, it had talons.
"If they're anything like other birds of prey they'll keep taking care of him even though he's flown away. If he can flap up into a tree, one of the parents might even let him rest on their back, and fly him back up," Grandpa said.
Then let's do it," replied Greatheart.
Taking one final look around the cave, Grandpa found a tooth half the length of his arm, obviously from an adult. He put it in his pack.
Greatheart selected two striped tail-feathers, each as long as his body. "Tie them on me, like wings," he requested.
"That's a useful souvenir! I think I'll take a couple of them too," Grandpa said, and quickly selected the best ones.
Once the two men were ready, complete with "wings", they lured the playful chick out on the ledge with a bone.
"Get ready, I'm going to toss it. As I do, we both grab him, and try to get on his back," said Grandpa.
He threw it over the cliff, and simultaneously grabbed the chick. Greatheart was on its back in one leap, and pulled the older man aboard.
The confused chick, distracted by being leapt upon, tried unsuccessfully to stop before going over the edge. Realizing its plight, it flapped wildly, gaining momentum in time to avoid tragedy.
An instant before the chick made his rather rough landing, they leaped, flapping their arms like mad. While it didn't give them flight, it broke the fall sufficiently.
All three met the earth without more than a few bruises. The chick looked around, then pounced on a grasshopper like a horse-sized kitten.
"Let's get out of here before his parents come looking," suggested Grandpa.
"I'm ready to go home. And what a story we will have!" Greatheart exclaimed happily.
Cover image made in Canva Pro using their gallery