60 miles per hour on birdback

“ The boss is going to be angry that you slept in. But don’t worry I saved you this. You’ll have to eat as you ride.”

“….”

" I bet you weren’t expecting me to manage to swipe so much.”

He stroked the putrid bird with the back of the hand holding the bread. Disgusting. Yet despite it all, my stomach gave a furious rumble. When had I last eaten? That leftover curry from the fridge, after I had gotten in from school? Wait, no. I’m not sure that counted. As I rose my doubts grew. I was tall. I mean really tall. Muscles…actual muscles bulged from my arms. My hair was much longer, and my vision was better. I wondered if my smell was also enhanced..but I suspected that thing smelled so bad even in my old body I’d have noticed.

I slid down the ladder and reflexively grabbed the loaf from the boy. There was no doubt about it, this definitely wasn’t my old body. Just what was going on? As we moved through the rest of the barn, I probed him for information. I would have to be subtle. After all, I had no idea what the culture of this world was like. Who was this boy?

“ Louis, how much did you drink last night?”

“….”

I needed to say something, but the words just wouldn’t come out. Great. I’d left my old body behind…but my social anxiety had made the trip. Bold for something that had held me back my whole life. A strange thing happened then.

“ That’s you warrior types. Duty bound to keep up appearances. It’s alright, you earned it. You’d best get that loaf down you. I’ll brew us some traveller's tea for the road.”

We exited the barn to a large courtyard. Behind us was a paddock with more of those stinking birds. They placidly nosed their beaks around the floor. Occasionally one would give a disgusting caw sound before flicking their beak up and swallowing something small and very alive. A large inn stood before me. The elven boy dodged a couple of snoozing farmers and dodged inside. Alongside one edge, several women in homespun wool had set up stalls.

 I wondered over as I finished the bitter loaf, looking down at a selection of hand-crafted oddities. I picked up a small set of brushes. They were thin. Obviously hand hewn, and made of a type of dark twisting wood I couldn’t identify. The brushes were fine, with brown hair. I hadn’t expected to see anything this well made

“ Goujura fur”

The stall holder was a hearty woman with hazel brown eyes. She wore homespun wool, and her hands were rough and callused. She gestured for me to take a closer look. Without thinking I licked my fingers and stroked the brush to a fine point. She raised an eyebrow

.“ That’ll be a half crown for the set.”

I hadn’t committed to buying anything. But I had licked her merchandise. The clothes I was wearing, were made from a finer material. Though they were a little travel warn.

“There’s no use glowering, that’s a good deal.”

Just then the boy hurried back over.

“ Sorry, we had his pouch locked in back…for safekeeping.”

The woman brightened up. I had frozen completely by this point. The boy glanced over at me and shrugged. He opened up a purse and handed a crescent-shaped coin to the woman.

“Thank you, Luc, and you.... adventurer. Were you in the tavern last night? You needn’t have worried. I’d have waited while you got your money. We’re not the big city here, there’s still a little trust. But here you go, your brushes…and I’ll throw in a case. They’re going to make a lovely gift.”

I walked away with the elven boy...Luc. I noticed a few of their farmers had similar pouches tied around their belts. I did the same. Stowing the brushes inside. They seemed miniature when compared to my large calloused hands. A lighter purple bird was placidly standing next to the red. It had a few bags loaded on the back. The red one had a larger sack and a cloak draped over the back. Luc walked over to the lilac mount and hopped easily on. Then stared expectantly at me.

“ Come on, I’ve been patient. But we really have to make up time. Your mount is also getting tetchy. A bird like that needs to be ridden daily, and you’ve been holed up here for weeks!”

I approached the bird. Despite my size, it still seemed huge. I reached out for it, attempting to copy the boy. As I did so it cooed. I deep rumble that started in its belly and rippled out until the bird let out a squark.

“Sure knows his Master. You gotta loyal bird. He’s missed you!”

Great was this thing somehow mine? It bent its leg slightly offering me its back. At least it was well-trained. I pushed forward, and it was like my body knew what it was doing. I vaulted into the air and onto the saddle. I gripped the bridle, as it hopped from side to side.

“ Well, there’s an eager fellow. Let’s get you going. Vera, let's give our friends a bit of a workout shall we?”

The purple bird gave a little chirp, then turned and began to trot. My crimson mount immediately set off attempting to catch the others up. We headed out onto a dusty road. Fields stretched out as far as the eye could see on both sides. As soon as we were on the main road, the birds took off. They rapidly gained speed. My muscles tightened as I gripped on. I was amazed that I didn’t fall off. I started to enjoy myself as we launched ourselves through the countryside. The sun rose, giving way to a brilliant summer’s day. Luc pointed to his right. A small green man..no creature was lurking in one of the fields. Fire danced in its hand as it approached a hay bale.

“There’s one! Time to earn your keep.”