Unity Commanded ( #JustWriteIt #Wattys2015 )

Chapter Two

"Here's a hail to each flaming dawn,

Here's a cheer to the night that's gone.

May I go a romin' on,

Until the day I die"

~Unknown.

Wind rushed past his ears with a steady roar. Reaching out his hands, he cawed loudly. The entire zip line was just over a thousand feet; it took less than a minute to reach the bottom. Bracing himself, he released the rope from the cable and tucked his head as he rolled onto the ground. Planting his feet firmly into the hard earth as they made contact, he broke into a hurried jog. Cupping his hands around his mouth, he let out another grating caw. "Ca Caw Caw."

Finding a familiar path, he slowed to a brisk walk and readjusted the pack on his back. There was no trace of sunlight left in the sky and the forest around him was growing darker by the second. Navigating the woods at night was difficult. The thick trees blocked out most of the moonlight and the council forbade anyone to burn after dusk. Fires were okay during the day; the thick fog that surrounded the mountains obscured any visible smoke. For fear of copters that routinely searched the area, anything that gave off light was restricted at night. He had grown up in the forest and never lost his way, yet he still found it tough to traverse the dense woodlands without light.

When he reached the small glade, he smiled slightly and cawed again.
"Ca Caw Caw."

Setting his pack down, he pulled out another handful of dried meat. Catching sight of a pair of stiff white wings, he crouched to the ground and smiled warmly at the large bird making its way toward him. The raven screeched happily, as it landed in front of him.

"Wapi! I haven't seen you around boy. Look what I have for you." Link smiled as he tossed the meat in the air.

The raven arched back its neck and snatched the meat from the air. Inching closer it pecked at Link's closed hand.

Stroking the ruffled feathers around its neck, Link laughed. "Greedy tonight, huh?"

Stretching out his arm, Wapi hopped on and cawed. He offered the rest of the meat and the bird didn't hesitate.

"Better go on boy. You know mom doesn't like you at the house." Link stated grudgingly.

Wapi nosed his beak in his hair affectionately and then flew into the night sky. Watching him fly off with fondness, Link thought of the moment he found him. Barely a few days old and abandoned by his mother, Link's father had told him it was pointless to save him. White ravens couldn't survive on their own. Yet here is was, two years later and Wapi was stronger than ever. Perhaps it was because he fed the raven regularly, but Link liked to think that he would survive without him

Once he passed the glade, he took a sharp right and made his way up a small hill. From the top, he could see the village he called home. Making his way down, he passed several one-room cabins until he found his own at the far end of the settlement. His was the only family to have a two-room cabin, because at five members they were the largest in the community. The council allowed his father to add another room on when his mother accidently conceived his twin brother and sister.

Throwing his pack on the ground just outside the door, he hurried inside. A heavenly smell invaded his senses as soon as he entered. A young boy of eleven greeted him eagerly.

"Corn cakes! Corn cakes!" The boy said hopping up and down, flapping his arms energetically.

Trying to look the boy in the eye, Link leaned down and acted surprised. "Corn cakes? What's the occasion Davey?"