At the Riverbed (Scavenge): Chapter 1

The four stryx continued their trek through the forest, bags filled with the husks from the beehive and various herbs they had come across along the way. The spring air was delicate and fresh. Flowers in bloom lined their path, a chorus of crickets singing in the dim light of the forest. While it was still the middle of the day, it was well covered in this part of the woods. The ground was safe from the biting rays of the sun. Lush green grass tickled the ankles of the stryx and some strands were already taller than the human’s boots. While it was still the height of the day, the air was cool.

 

 

Three, the human in heavy wraps, led the way. Precious, Abramo’s Kirin, walked at her side, holding the map in her mouth as she trotted. Abramo stayed relatively close to his small companion. His bat was riding on his shoulder next to his Microstryx, Lux. Lux had long since stopped organizing, Abramo’s saddlebag looking neat and tidy. The small dragon was now happily curled up for a nap, his sides rising and falling rhythmically as he snoozed. Randall walked alongside Bard and Heatwave, discussing possible uses for the husks they had gathered. They laughed and carried on together as they marched. There would be no hunting today. Every creature large and small had them on their radar. Nothing predatory was in these woods, and the larger herbivores wouldn’t attack unless provoked. But they weren’t going to be sneaking up on anything like this. Bard zoned out as they walked, his eyes scanning the branches overhead. All sorts of small creatures scurried from branch to branch, knocking twigs and other debris onto the forest floor. 

 

 

When they moved past a wall of trees a voice rang out. “I was wondering when you’d show up.” 

 

 

A large, pale brown gryph with cloud-like feathers sat on the riverside. They recognized her immediately as Numali. The five of them had expected to get there before the gryph, but clearly they did not. Water gently gurgled as it flowed over rocks and fallen branches. More sunlight was able to get in here - the canopy above was much less dense. Rays of light passed through elegantly, dappling the glade. The river itself was shallow and narrow, more of a creek than a true river - but it was majestic nonetheless. It fell off in a small waterfall before leaving the clearing and going back out into the woods.

 

 

“How long have you been here?” Abramo asked as he walked towards her. He slung his saddlebag on the ground, startling Lux and his bat. “Have you been waiting long?”

 

 

“I’d say about an hour or so.” Numali tilted her head to the side. She gestured a wing towards her own bag, a pristine leather duffel already full to bursting with rocks. There were all kinds of different shades, sizes, shapes, and shines. Some were egg-shaped, some were smooth, and some were rough and no real shape at all. Abramo would swear he saw some gold in that bag and couldn’t help but be a little jealous.

 

 

“Goodness, looks like we’re far behind!” Randall chuckled as he saw Numali’s haul. “We’ll have to work hard to catch up.”

 

 

“Sure, but does she have any husks?” Bard puffed out his chest.

 

 

“Does it matter?” Abramo raised a brow. “Have you seen her bag?”

 

 

“I like the husks.” Heatwave interjected. “You can make more stuff out of it.”

 

 

Three unceremoniously chucked her bags onto the ground and immediately sat down on the closest flat rock. She sighed with relief. This was more than a good enough place to rest. Bard followed her lead, sprawling out comfortably on the grass beside her. He had no interest in stone-hunting today. The tyto had already worn himself out with that old beehive. 

 

 

    Abramo’s bat did a stretch and launched off of the raptor’s shoulder, flapping up into the canopy. The stryx were too deep in conversation to notice when it came back with some seeds. The little bat passed it to Lux, who tucked it safely away in one of the discarded bags. The microstryx rifled through the bags for a moment. There was a little bit of space here for stones, but if they added too many it would squish the more delicate contents. With a defeated sigh, Lux started organizing everything again.

 

 

The stryx wandered down to the riverbed and began to look around. Numali had no qualms showing them the best spots. The gryph led them to an area where the water passed smoothly over a raise in the land, depositing many stones and smoothing the ones left. Right away Heatwave found a heavy black stone shaped like an egg. It almost had a marbled pattern. The red raptor was extremely proud of his find and he decided it was a good time to take a break. He curled up on the shore and dusted the sand from the stone before settling to ogle it. Bard gave him an approving nod before dramatically flopping onto his other side. He did a huge yawn before snuggling back into the grass.

 

 

Numali stuck her beak in the water and came up with what appeared to be a small chunk of silver. Water dripped from her beak as she carefully pulled it from the river. Having more than enough stones, she passed the piece to Precious. Precious, too, took this as an excuse to get away from the water. It was messing up their fur and they were extremely unappreciative. Precious was more than happy to join Lux and the bat in the hunt for seeds. Numali watched the kirin walk back up the grassy hill.

 

 

Randall narrowed his eyes to slits. There was a dark shape in the water - he couldn’t see it very well with the movement on the surface. He turned his head to the side and got as close as he could without dunking his face under the water. He still couldn’t tell what he was looking at. So he took a leap of faith and grabbed it. It felt like a stone in his beak - but when he brought it to the surface it quickly grew legs and flailed them about. The tyto dropped the crustacean in surprise.

 

 

Abramo and Numali couldn’t help but have a chuckle at his expense. Randall ran from the water with his wings extended and his feathers poofed up. Heatwave’s laughter echoed from across the clearing and even Three, Lux, the bat, and Precious gathered at the edge to have a look. Upon seeing they weren’t being attacked Three simply shook her head and sit down by Bard. The human gave her friend an affectionate tussle about the cheeks. 

 

 

Numali held up a glittering stone that appeared to have sand trapped inside. She held it to Abramo and the raptor took it graciously. They had built a small pile together on the side of the river, just outside the water. It was nice to not have to take each stone up individually. Abramo would call for Lux when they were ready and the micro would help him stash the stones.

 

 

“It looks good with your feathers. You should make some jewelry from it.” Numali suggested. 

 

 

“You think so?” Abramo fluffed up a little, flicking his feathers dramatically. The gryph snorted and immediately began searching for more stones. She had a good work ethic. The others were much lazier about their stone hunt, taking plenty of time to rest and snooze and talk. Bard wasn’t even trying to find stones. He spoke to Randall on the riverbank instead. Randall was a good sport about the critter he accidentally scooped up.

 

 

 

    “I’m glad you survived your fearful encounter.” Bard jabbed a wing at his new friend. Randall gave a hearty laugh and held out some jerky, which Bard happily took a strip of. “I think the rest of the flock would be a little surprised if we somehow lost you on a rock-hunting trip.”

 

 

    “Rocks can be dreadfully frightening you know.” Randall grinned. “Especially when they’re… you know… not rocks at all!”

 

 

Lux fluttered down and began to pack in the rocks Numali and Abramo had stacked up. Not all of them could fit - and Abramo was happy to share with the others. There was no point in letting it go to waste. When it was all packed away with everyone’s other belongings and finds, they basked in the midday sun and enjoyed the sound of the river. Time went by quickly when they were together.