Traveller Probo
103. 11th Century Constantinople

The misty sunrise faded as sharp gusts heralded in more white, fluffy clouds to obscure the morning sun. With the change in weather, visibility soon dropped and the wind increased as the eagle soared, ever watchful for trespassers. The eagle now had two young to protect, making his vigilance more aggressive.

The male White Tailed Sea Eagle patrolled the airspace near its lonely nest. With his mate he controlled the ancient pile of sticks jammed onto an inaccessible ledge on a rocky islet in the Golden Horn. Humans believed them to be killers of young lambs and goats but the great eagles were also seen as poignant omens. Surrounded as it was by the rushing ocean currents that protected the great city, their rocky refuge was so difficult to access that the nest had remained unmolested by humans who would normally kill the parents and steal the fledglings.

As one of the largest of eagles, the male made for an impressive sight as he scanned his domain carefully for prey, carrion, or for any raptor foolish enough to make inroads into their air-space. Recently, a pair of trespassing Golden Eagles had sought a nest of their own. Young and relatively inexperienced, they had been no match for the great eagle and were soon sent packing.

As a low wall of grey cloud rushed in, the great golden orb of the eagle’s eye identified a movement that gave him cause for interest. There was a dull glint over the city of men. He soared effortlessly on enormous wings that surfed the currents of the sky. The majestic yellow beak aimed as the violator was confirmed. Positioned about a thousand feet above the target, the great eagle followed, alert and pitiless.

When the target paused to hover, the eagle dropped like a thunderbolt, his talons outstretched. Normally, another eagle would have an eye to the skies, especially when straying into the territory of a breeding pair but this target hadn’t fled so the eagle struck with force. Without a cry, the intruder was driven into a savage, downward spiral. Only half the impressive three metre wingspan of the eagle, the intruder was ruined, the force of the attack causing pieces to fly and fall.

To ensure the intruder would never return, the great eagle struck again and again, stabbing and tearing with beak and talon.

Satisfied, the golden eye watched the enemy tumble helplessly before the eagle returned to the louring clouds.

Sᴇarch the FindNovel.net website on G𝘰𝘰gle to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.