The Hidden Mountain Pass

The path led to a ledge, and sitting of the very edge of the ledge was a male Carhawox. He turned his head at your approach. "I am Iven," he said.

You introduce yourself but he didn't seem to be very interested in who you were. It seemed like he was waiting for something, very patiently. The gentle breezes made his ear tufts quiver, but otherwise he was completely motionless.

Time passed, and still you didn't know what he was waiting for. Even worse, you didn't know why you were waiting with him. Finally, you turn to go back the way you came when a brown streak zooms over your head and lands where Iven was just a moment ago.

"Darn it Iven, can't you at least let me win sometime?" she looked up at Iven now hovering above her. "No," was his reply.

The female grins at you. "I'm Niva. Ever since I pounced Iven the first time, I haven't been able to do it since. VERY frustrating!" she giggles. Iven lands nearby and straightens his feathers.

"On the other hand, Osaris over there is really easy to pounce. Which kind of takes the fun out of it." You look up to where Niva indicated and saw another male watching you from above, he joins the rest of you below.

"Indeed, it is true. I'm a deep sleeper, and Niva knows when I take my naps. I don't know what Iven does...maybe he doesn't sleep?" This gets no reply from the other male.

"Ah yes. Niva's little personality quirks. She never lets one forget about those, now do you?"

This somewhat snarky response came from another grey male. This one gave you the overwhelming impression of an owl, though you knew him to be part hawk.

"Oh come on Galiph, don't be such a sourpuss," Niva nearly purred. "You'd be an old stick in the mud if it weren't for me."

"Better that if it allows me a moment rest."

As the two bickered, they didn't notice the brown male coming behind them. Iven and you watched as the he sneakered along the ground like a cat, then raising his head to sense the moment when the wind was right, he bunched his hind legs beneath him, spread his wings and with one glorious leap he managed to pounce both at the same time. For a brief moment there was a flurry of feathers and sqwawks, and then the newcomer flew off with Niva in swift pursuit.

Galiph remained to reorganize his feathers. "That was Lorv. One would think those two were made from the same mold. I do so very hope that the mold has now been broken. This Realm cannot handle more than two of those.

Silently you disagree, having enjoyed the show.

Someone else was apparently enjoying the show as well. He was a real attention grabber. With bright purple fur and even brighter green talons and beak, you'd have to be blind not to see him. And yet, somehow you had managed not to notice him till now.

You stare at him speechless and he just grins back at you innocently, though he was obviously aware of the effect his looks had on others. But it didn't embarass him, on the contrary, he seemed quite proud of his feathers.

"That is Elemor, he doesn't talk, lets his colours speak for themselves."

It was Lorv speaking. Obviously she managed to loose Niva somewhere...or had he. A swift brown blur flattened Lorv to the ground. More feathers flew, more squawks and yips, and then both took the air again. This time you couldn't tell who was chasing who.