Seventieth Friday Flash: A Whole Nest of Trouble

Image Source

Rimotar was going to be in trouble again. He could just imagine the look of disappointment on his mother's face. Just like when he forgot a sleeping toad in his robe and it leaped onto the dinner table and broke his grandmother's teapot. Father fixed it, but it was never the same after that.

Now he found himself covered in mud and peering over the edge of a cliff, staring down at a griffin's nest. There were three golden eggs glittering in the morning sunshine. Timing was important, their mother wouldn't be away for long.

The fact he had seen it hunting near his parents' cottage had given him the idea to inspect the nest. They were so tantalizing close. He just had to risk it. Going down Rimotar went from handhold to handhold. Using skill and patience he made his way down, a few minutes later he lowered his foot onto the branch. He tested his weight. It seemed alright.

Turning around he almost lost his balance when noticed how high up he was. Steadying himself and taking a deep breath Rimotar lowered himself down into a sitting position. Inching forward, he wished he had brought his backpack so he could lift all three.

He had to hurry, there was no telling how long their mother would be. The nest smelt horrible and made his eyes water. It was covered in bones, feathers and other remains. Holding his breath he put his hand on the closest egg. It was surprisingly warm. He lifted it up, it was a lot heavier than expected. He looked up at the steep slope, going back up wasn't going to be easy.

There was something moving in the egg. He had better go if he was going to make it back in one piece. Climbing was a lot harder with only one arm free, but his legs were strong and he made good progress. About halfway up heard a loud shriek behind him. The claws dug into his back and the egg slipped out from under his arm as he was pulled up. Luckily Rimotar was able to clamp on to the egg with his feet before it was dashed on the rocks below. He kicked up the egg and grabbed it with both hands, and held it tight against him. The warmth of it reminding him of his mother's embrace.

The griffin pulled him in closer as it glided around. His heart pounding and doing his best to ignore the searing pain Rimotar bit the griffin's lion like front paw. Rimotar, egg and all plummeted down towards the ravine below. In mid air he twisted until he was between the egg and the ground. At least the egg would be safe. His only thought was at least he would going out with a bang and not shackled to a desk like his old man.

A warm feeling flushed through him, like he had been placed in warm oven for a couple of minutes. He shut his eyes and waited for impact, but it never came, or not as bad as he thought it would be. Rimotar stopped an inch away from the floor for the briefest time before dropping the last inch The drop jolted and shook him, but he was still alive.

Was it finally confirmed? Did he really have magical abilities like he had expected? But there was no time to think about it, the griffin was barreling towards him. Scrambling, he hid under a rock. He had to push himself back more when the beast rushed at him and swiped at him with its massive paws. The rock wobbled dangerously, but try as it might it could not get close enough. Squawking angrily it retreated.

Rimotar shifted, trying to get into a more comfortable position. The griffin came rushing back, clawing and swiping with its massive paws. It caught Rimotar by the ankle and ripped up his shoe. It left again. Bleeding from two wounds and trapped he wondered how he would explain all this to his mom.

The egg began to crack.