The battle was won, and the invaders of the city cheered. The women, men, and children of the city, those that survived, however, those were the ones weeping, praying to the gods to strike down the victors of the battle. That however went ignored, for perhaps the gods were angered that their emperor had taken a creature and kept it in a cage. For it was a dark practice to encage creatures that were children of the gods; particularly the winged children of the gods.

However, none of the invaders, scantily clad in skins, with dark flesh and raven hair knew of this. They were conquerors, and their king had wanted the city for a long time now. They had decided to strike, just after the people of this city fasted for three days.

Hishonoti stood before the dead emperor’s corpse, the man’s head in hand, upon the stairs of the temple and castle of the man; looking out over the city that was claimed for his king. Hishonoti, a leader of warriors, smirked at his victory, holding the head of the dead ruler up high, his soldiers cheering.

Once he was sure his men were secure in the city, he turned to go investigate the palace, a large building that had additions recently. It was actually the top of the step pyramid that had been added, once the top nothing more than a flat for the ruler to stand on and see in all directions. Now, however, it was a large building with barred windows, and none but the Emperor was allowed in there; no one until now.

Hishonoti walked around with in the palace, his many warriors securing the place that a new ruler would soon live. His soldiers were organized, no looting, or pillaging. It was all methodical, soldiers doing as ordered. There might be light looting in the city, but his men knew they were to secure the streets, put out any fires that were started during the raid and ensure any threats were dealt with swiftly.

He still carried the dead rulers head of course, walking proudly through the halls. One day, perhaps, he would have a home like this; for now, he had battles to fight. Though, if by the panicked expression on the young soldiers face, who was running up to him at top speeds, was an indication, they had not taken out all opposition. “Sir, we have meet with resistance on the top floor. They are guarding something in there, and are fighting vehemently.”

“Is that so.” Hishonoti asked with a frown. The warrior, young and wearing a loin cloth of deer skin, his breast plate of bone, stood there panting. Nodding, Hishonoti motioned for him to lead the way, which he did. They made way to the stairs, above in the stair well there were well armed and stocked with arrow, warriors defending the flight of stairs. Already several of Hishonti’s warriors had been injured and some killed. “I wonder what they guard?”

“No idea, but they are fighting with vehemence.” One of the men comments, his dark brown features smeared with war paint, grinning. “They got something up there, no doubt of that. Wonder what it is worth.”

“One way to find out.” Hishonoti threw the rulers head up there, he heard the men cry out after the wet thud. “Come down and surrender, this is city now belongs to us.”

His answer was in the response of an arrow near his foot. He glanced around at the soldiers, vicious and tired looking warriors. “Grab the shields off the walls, we’ll have to rush them.”

“Yes sir.” The soldiers did as order, taking the ceremonial shields down and readying to take the stairs. The soldiers where quick, keeping the shields at a level in which they could charge upwards and still be defended by the barricades, and charge the warriors did.

With war cries, loud and thunderous, they stormed the stairs, a rain of arrows imbedding in the line of shields. The warriors charge the stairs did not slow, and the warriors defending the top floor drew swords and spears. The clash of bone and stone weapons against wood was heard and soon warriors, a few more not of Hishonoti’s men, but there were some. Hishonoti took to the stairs, his own bone blade drawn as he rounded the top of the stairs. What caught his attention was not his victorious warriors, but the room. It was twice as tall as any room had a right to be, and in the centre, to flower out was a cage, of gold. It was circular at the bottom, with plants in vases and pots, a water fountain in the centre. The bars of the cage however, were imbedded in the stone and flowered out to the walls; creating a huge cage, for what was no doubt a large animal.

“Some sort of large beast must be in there.” One of the men said, walking under the bent bars, hunkered down so he would hopefully be out of reach of anything with claws. It was then they heard twittering from the cage, though they could not see through so much of the greenery that adorned the cage.

“A bird perhaps, one of the larger species.” Hishonoti returned, looking for the bird. “It should be freed from this cage.”

Hishonoti motioned for his guards to get the cage open, and he too started walking around the edges of the cage, looking for the beast that was held within. It took him a moment, and he perhaps wouldn’t have seen the creature in the shadows, had it not moved.

“It is a woman!” He exclaimed, looking at her, the creature however was far from being human. ‘Her’ wings flared up and she screeched at Hishonoti, fluttering away to another perch. It was a moment of silence, then the twittering started again, the bird singing peacefully despite the fact that the warriors had been on a killing spree.

Hishonoti walked until he came to the wall, the bars stopping instead of continuing to create a circle, it was a semi-circle. He saw the bird, and discovered it was not female, but male. Hishonoti took in the creatures snow white flesh, gaunt and thin as if it were starved, its features sharp and lovely. The bird had high cheekbones and a narrow nose with large pitch almond eyes, it’s feathery raven eyebrows sharp. His hair was also raven, with soft feathers that peeked out along his brow. His ears also had feathers, which were fanned out from his neck to his temples, as if he were listening.

The creature stop its chirruping and looked at Hishonoti, and those feathers that had been fanned out, flattened down away from his face as the creature glared at him a bit more. He screamed at Hishonoti again, an ear piercing shriek, though he didn’t fly away as he glared angrily at the man.

“Chirp?” Hishonoti grinned, and the creature seemed taken aback by his mirth. Hishonoti smiled, shaking his head and turning to his warriors. “Find out what the people of this place know about our friend here.”

Hishonoti walked towards the front of the room, the creature fluttering to follow now; more curious than anything. The soldiers, some of them, left to do as asked, still the leader of the armies continued. “Also see if you can find the key to this door. I do not think he needs to be caged. At least I hope not.”

“Yes sir.” The young guard who had told him of the battle on the stairs commented, the young warrior was gazing at the birdman in awe. “Luckily he doesn’t look dangerous.”

“Taichel, looks are deceiving things.” Hishonoti smiled, the young man nodding and running off. Hishonoti shook his head, watching the bird that watched him. He had never seen such a thing, and only heard of such creatures in myth and legend, yet here it was before him; one of the winged peoples.

Hishonoti learned that Pizotzin had captured the creature while it was injured, nursing the thing back to health and holding the bird-man prisoner for it’s lovely singing voice. The creature that Pizotzin had named Itztli; was considered a ‘Child of the Great Feathered Gods’, and the people proclaimed that the attack Hishonoti led was retribution for keeping the Gods’ child prisoner.

Soon Taichel returned with the key, found on the dead rulers cold corpse, and Hishonoti unlocked the cage, sending Itztli into a frenzy. Hishonoti laughed at the creature who shrieked and flew up and away, staying in the air. Itztli flew around the top of his cage, screeching at Hishonoti who walked into the prison, watching the bird fly about.

“Easy now.” Hishonoti told the bird, deciding to walk over to the fountain and sit; waiting for Itztli to settle down. “You might hurt yourself and be stuck here.”

Truthfully, he didn’t like the thought of the creature being held prisoner, as anything with wings deserved the freedom of the skies. He watched Itztli fly about, the winged one watching him warily. Hishonoti decided he wanted to release the creature before his rulers decide that they want the rare thing.

Hishonoti left the cage door open, his men ordered to stand away from the door incase the creature wanted to leave. Itztli eventually settled down, the skirt of white buck skin enveloping his legs as he landed on a carved ledge.

Hishonoti trailed his fingers through the water of the fountain, noting the fish in it that swam around in fear of the human. Hishonoti noticed that Itztli was watching him warily, glancing from him, to the door, to the soldiers.

“You can leave.” Hishonoti didn’t bother looking up, but continued to speak. “The door is open so you may soar in the skies once again. He looked up when the creature cooed at him, Itztli tilting his head cutely, and in a very bird-like manner; the expression curious.

Hishonoti stood up, motioning for Itztli to follow him as he walked over to the door, pausing when the creature tilted his head, a shrewd look to his pitch eyes. Hishonoti sighed, then opened the doors wide, sitting inside the cage.

Itztli raised an feathered brow, not quite understanding the strangeness of the human who was covered in blood. He wasn’t sure if the human was trying to lure him into range to kill him, or was trying to recapture him; obviously Itztli was doubtful of gaining his freedom. Fluttering his wings, Itztli flew to the bottom of the cage, slowly walking towards the doors. He paused by the fountain though, hunkering down and just watching Hishonoti.

“Itztli.” Hishonoti pointed to the bird-man, then to himself he pointed with a finger, “Hishonoti.” Itztli just twittered at him curiously, again tilting his head with a blank expression. Hishonoti sighed, frowning. “Itztli.” Again he pointed as he spoke, “Hishonoti.”

The bird twittered, as if trying to talk the way they did. Itztli failed at it. Hishonoti tried a few more times, and met with the same results of failure. Still, Itztli had moved closer and just out of reach of Hishonoti, who made no move to grab or touch Itztli. Hishonoti chuckled at the twittering, as Itztli tried to talk. Hishonoti shook his head, shrugging, “I wish I could understand you.”

More chirruping to his words, Hishonoti just frowned with a sigh, shaking his head. “I still cannot understand you.” He made hand motions, trying to convey his words as best he could. Itztli mimicked the movements, and made the mouth movements, showing he was capable of learning sign language.

This would have to work for now.

Slowly Hishonoti slid up the bars he had been leaning against, Itztli darting back a few feet; Itztli’s feathers fanning out around his ears. Hishonoti sighed, turning away and walking out of the door of the cage, then paused and looked to Itztli, motioning the bird to follow.

All around Hishonoti’s soldiers stared in awe as the creature came out, looking around with darting eyes, and movements to match. Itztli looked around, his head darting around as he watched the soldiers. They made no move for him, and neither did Hishonoti; Itztli ruffled some feathers, molting as he walked out.

Hishonoti smiled as he saw Itztli spread his large wings, the winged one looking about and heading over to the stairs; then he shrieked and fled back in his cage.

Several of the warriors broke into laughter at the sight, Itztli’s feathers fluttering to the ground. Hishonoti looked to see what had upset the creature, and discovered it was Pizotzin decapitated head that scared him. Looking at his men, he nodded towards the stairs. “I think we have some cleaning to do before he will be coming out of his cage.”

His men nodded, getting to work, some kicking Pizotzin’s head down the stairs and playing a gruesome game with the head as they sought maids to clean the place. Hishonoti, who had led the battle, was given orders by his men to relax and watch after the caged creature. Hishonoti just agreed to it, after all, he had led the attack to the very palace he was now in, and never had he left the front lines. He was injured, though not as badly as some of the other men, and he knew he would be attended to soon. So he just walked back into the huge cage and sat by the fountain; Itztli hiding in the greenery above and singing mournfully.

It only took a few days to actually coax the little birdman from his cage, that and with fruit. Hishonoti had taught Itztli some things, like the hand movements for hungry, sleepy, thirsty, fly, sing, yes and no; still the creature would need time to be able to speak fully through hand movements.

Also, Itztli had learned his name, finally. Itztli couldn’t pronounce it, but he knew it. Anytime one of the soldiers said his name, he would flutter over to them and give them a funny look. Anytime Hishonoti said his name, Itztli would flutter over to him and rub his face against Hishonoti’s cheek and coo like a lovebird.

Of course the fact Hishonoti was friendly with Itztli made it across the city, many people cheering him as a hero, others claiming he was blessed by the Great Winged Ones for setting their child free. Not that Itztli was ever far from Hishonoti, who took care of him. Still, much of the populace saw this as an omen, since the bird didn’t like mean people, and Hishonoti was always kind to Itztli. At least Hishonoti tried to understand Itztli, and did not lock him away in a cage.

Often Itztli could be seen flying about over the city, and upon the palaces’ top most roof, Hishonoti could be seen sitting and waiting for Itztli to return. It was rumoured that Hishonoti tried to shoo the creature away, but Itztli came back to the warrior; which started the rumour that Itztli and Hishonoti were in love. At least Itztli liked the warrior if nothing else, but the affection Itztli showed Hishonoti did not help to quell these rumours.

It was early in the morning, Itztli was fluttering about overhead, his tail trailing behind him from under the white doe skin skirt that he wore. Hishonoti was watching from his usual spot on the palace rooftop, sitting back on the edge, and drinking morning tea.

“Sir!” Taichel called out, climbing up on the roof, and once he was out the window he did not move. He didn’t like heights, and his wide eyes that gazed towards the edge of the roof verified his dislike of being so far from the ground. “Sir, the Emperor Tayauh has sent word, his messenger just arrived.”

Hishonoti stood, stretching and showing little care for how high up he was. He did have his fears, but heights were not one of them. He strode over to Taichel, and not far behind him, Itztli was making a landing to follow. Hishonoti paused, waiting for Itztli to catch up, at which the feathered man cooed as he rubbed his cheek against Hishonoti’s shoulder. “Come on then.”

Itztli chirruped curiously, Taichel chuckling as he crawled back in the window, Hishonoti next, followed by Itztli. They made way to the throne room, were arms guards stood with the messenger, the Emperors personal guards. Hishonoti bowed respectfully, his eyes darting in concern. “Greetings, what news do you bring?”

“Emperor Tayauh has requested you turn the bird, Itztli over to him.” Well that was all pleasantries aside. Itztli twittered curiously at the deer skinned clad messenger, and the warriors. The Messenger glanced at Itztli, then looked back to Hishonoti. “It is his order, he would like to take into his care the creature known as Itztli. It is his order.”

“And the guards here are to insure the order is followed.” Hishonoti supplied, sighing. “Itztli is not some creature that can be kept easily. My men and I will do him no wrong. He is a intelligent creature, that should not be caged.”

“He is an animal.” The messenger responded, motioning to the guards to take Itztli, whose feathers ruffled up, the vaned feathers of his ears fanning out. Before the guards within ten feet of him he was in the air shrieking as he hid behind Hishonoti. The messenger glared at Hishonoti, “I ask you hand him over.”

“That I will not do.” Hishonoti stood tall, glaring at the gathered warriors of the Emperor Tayauh. “He is a creature that is intelligent, and he deserves his freedom.”

“We will defend Itztli.” Taichel returned, drawing his bone knives. Others did the same, and Itztli seemed to tweet fearfully as he glanced between the two groups of people. He hugged up against Hishonoti Looking about with a growing knowledge.

They were fighting for Itztli, and why these men came was unknown.

Itztli trilled something, then took off. Hishonoti yelled out to his men, “Let them give chase!” As the Emperors men gave chase after the winged man, Hishonoti looked desperate to do something.

“Sir, if they get him...” Taichel trailed off, his look concerned.

“Fear not.” Hishonoti returned with a smile, shaking his head. “He has a hideaway, and that is where I will find him should I give pursuit.”

“Will you give pursuit? To ensure his safety?” Taichel asked, making Hishonoti frown. “You will not betray the Emperor.”

“No I won’t.” Hishonoti frowned, sighing and bowing his head.

“I understand.” Taichel bowed, “I wish to be excused for a while sir.”

Hishonoti looked to the young warrior, Taichel, who was brave beyond words. Hishonoti nodded, “Granted, Itztli is at the fall of ruins.” Taichel looked up, seeing the grin Hishonoti gave him, and the young warrior took off at his leaders nod. Hishonoti knew Itztli would be in good hands with the young warrior. He called out lightly, “Do not be seen!”

Whether Taichel noted the words are not, was debatable.

Itztli fluttered, speeding upwards along the waterfall. He had flown low so as to not be easily trackable in the skies, and headed for the small hide away he had discovered. He had come here with Hishonoti; when he had flown over the ruins, he had gotten Hishonoti and brought him here, showing him what he had found.

Itztli had awesome eyesight, so it was not unusual that he could see a mouse darting through underbrush, or a hole in the ground. Still, the bird-man was a bit upset at being chased. Hishonoti had let him flee, but he did not seem intent on stopping the attackers. Perhaps they were a part of his clan. Perhaps not. Strange people had strange rules.

Itztli landed near the ruins, all of it on the banks of the river, overgrown with vibrant greenery. There were statues to the gods, abandoned with time and left to turn to dust; and a small shrine about eight feet wide and six feet tall, it was nothing more than four pillars and a roof. In the center of the shrine, protected by the roof was a winged statue, much like Itztli, only the man had a birdlike face, and his wings were attached to his arms, the feet claws.

Itztli looked at his hands, the long digits skeletal pale as the weathered stone, his nails like claws. He could use his nails as claws for that matter, he often used them to tear into the hard shells of the fruits he liked. Perhaps this stone figurine was an ancestor of his. Perhaps a human and one of these bird creatures had been in love, and he was the result of the union between the two.

He sat down in the shade of the shrine, twittering sadly, and wondering if anyone would come and make sure he was okay. He could survive on his own, but he had no desire to, not after living with people. He wondered if Hishonoti would come to him here, and take him back home once those bad men left. They were obviously bad since the others had drawn weapons against them. He twittered softly, waiting.

Authors note: This isn't my first post, but I just wanted to give these guys a try. This is my first post here at FP. But I have other places I post.