Page 43 of Journey to the Elderoak
“It’s a finstrel,” answered Casimir. “And his name is Eldar.”
Eldar made a sound reminiscent of a growl and a bird call combined. Ava held her hand out, attempting to soothe him.
“Careful…finstrels can be dangerous. His beak and talons are sharp,” he cautioned.
“He won’t hurt me,” she insisted as she stepped closer.
“Ava…”
She knelt, face to face with the sharp beak. “Hello, there. I’m a friend.” She kept her hand extended.
Eldar approached with caution. His posture relaxed and feathers fluffed with delight as he nuzzled her hand, small happy chirps sounding in the back of his throat.
“How did you do that?” Casimir whispered.
“Do what?”
“Calm him.” He looked down at her with wonder on his face. “He’s attacked every single volunteer here at least once. Including me.”
“I don’t know,” she answered as she continued to stroke Eldar’s face and scratched under his chin. “I’ve always been able to do it.”
“Like with the ocean drakes…” he trailed off.
“I guess so.”
Casimir walked closer to Ava and Eldar tilted his head toward him. The animal made a strange sound, stepping in between them, as if trying to protect her.
“Whoa,” Casimir said. “It’s me. Remember me?”
Eldar narrowed his eyes and glanced back at Ava. She let out a giggle. “That big ol’ brute isn’t going to hurt you, silly boy,” she said as she petted the top of his head. “He’s quite sweet underneath all the grunting and frowning.”
She chanced a glance at Casimir who was looking at her with a furrowed brow. “I don’t grunt and frownthatmuch.”
She stood and turned toward him, crossing her arms and imitating his frown. “You’re literally frowning right now, general.”
He raised a brow. “Is that supposed to be me?”
Ava couldn’t keep a straight face and broke into a smile. “Yes.”
He lowered his voice to a velvety growl. “You didn’t do it right, princess.”
Ava cleared her throat. That voice. That was all it wouldtake for her to melt into a puddle right there. There was a tinge of humor in his eyes. As if he knew what he was doing to her.
She broke his stare, ignoring the warmth coursing through her body, and turned back to the finstrel who was nudging her thigh and begging for more affection.
They spent a while longer with Eldar before exploring the rest of the property. There were dozens more animals. Small birds, shiny snakelike creatures, glowing foxes and other small mammals. Casimir explained most of them were getting ready to be released and Ava was sad to see them go, while overjoyed at the purpose of this place.
They approached the final enclosure, a large aviary filled with small purple-leaved trees. White bell-shaped flowers grew among the grass and swayed in the breeze while bees visited each bloom to collect their pollen.
Durim was standing in front of the door. “Would you two like to help me release these three firefinches?”
Ava bounced on her toes. “Yes! I want to help. Oh, I’m so excited!”
Casimir chuckled as they followed Durim inside the enclosure. “You don’t even know what a firefinch is, princess.”
“I don’t even care,” she said. “It could be a giant worm and I’d want to help.”
Upon entering, three creatures the size of a large songbird flew toward them and soared over their heads, releasing high pitched cries as they landed on a nearby branch. Raven black scales covered their four-legged bodies and each foot ended in small claws. Tall rabbit-like ears twitched and they regarded the group with giant turquoise eyes. Their pink and green leathery wings were iridescent in the sunlight, while antennae on their heads ended in bio-luminescent tips.
