Chapter 4
The Falconer Clan
The morning light spilled over the mountain ridge, casting soft shadows across the village square.
On this day, people began arriving in twos and threes, walking side by side. Even the usually boisterous children stood close to the adults, their faces tinged with a hint of tension.
Before long, a group appeared from beyond the mountain path. They wore unfamiliar clothing, and every one of them had the same leather armguard.
At the head walked their chief, a man in his mid-forties whose back was straight, his broad shoulders and solid chest exuding unshakable authority.
The man stopped at the center of the square and drew a slender whistle from the belt at his waist.
Placing it to his lips, he blew a sharp, high note.
The sound sliced cleanly through the clear morning air, carrying high above the village.
After a brief silence, the cry of a falcon answered from afar.
The next moment, a large shadow crossed the ridge, swooping down with the rush of the wind. It was a great falcon.
After surveying the square with keen eyes, the bird landed firmly on the man’s left arm, its talons gripping the leather armguard.
The chief shifted his arm slightly to steady the falcon’s posture, then tapped the metal fitting on the armguard twice with the whistle.
—Kach, kach. Kach, kach.
In response, the others took whistles from their belts and gave short, sharp blasts.
After a brief pause, they blew again, this time longer and with more force.
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The tones resembled the chief’s, but each carried its own subtle difference.
Silence returned—until falcon cries began answering from all directions.
From beyond the trees, from the cliffs, from distant peaks.
The beat of strong wings drew nearer, and falcons swooped down one after another, settling on the arms of their respective falconers.
The villagers caught their breath at the sight.
Soon applause rose up, along with voices welcoming the long-awaited return of the falconers’ clan.
People stepped forward to greet them, exchanging words, sharing recent news, and laughing together.
A little apart from the center of the commotion, a single girl stood watching.
Her black hair fell to her shoulders, and she looked to be about Maya’s age.
On her armguard perched a small falcon, tilting its head to survey its surroundings.
For some reason, Maya found himself drawn to her. Before he knew it, he had slipped through the crowd and was walking toward her.
“Um… I’m Maya. And you?”
The girl blinked, a faint blush touching her cheeks—a mix of surprise and a trace of shyness.
“…Eryn.”
Her voice was quiet as she gave her name. Silence spread again between them.
Maya glanced at the small falcon and asked,
“Does your falcon have a name?”
Eryn hesitated for a moment, then answered softly,
“…‘High Wing’… Taril.”
“I see—Taril. Nice to meet you, Taril.”
When Maya spoke to him, the bird turned its head toward him and let out a short, clear call.
The sound made Maya smile before he realized it.
Seeing this, Eryn gave a small smile of her own.
Then she lowered her gaze again, gently stroking Taril’s head.
In that gesture, Maya sensed the quiet bond between the girl and her falcon.
“Eryn, have you known Taril for a long time?”
“Since the day he was born.”
It was a short answer, but there was unmistakable warmth in her voice.
“Have you ever gone hunting together?”
“Mm-hm…”
“That’s amazing!” Maya’s eyes shone.
“B-but! I’ve never caught anything big like my father and the others!”
Taken aback by such earnest praise from someone her own age, Eryn hurried to add the words.
“Which one is your father, Eryn?”
Eryn pointed toward the clan’s chief. Then she returned the same question to Maya.
“I’ve never known my father or mother. Ever since I can remember, I’ve lived with my grandmother Amna.”
“I see… I’m sorry.”
Eryn regretted her question a little.
A faint awkward silence passed between them, but Maya gave a small shake of his head to break it.
“No, it’s fine. Everyone in the village is like one big family, so I’ve never really felt lonely. We’re all really close.”
Eryn smiled, looking a little relieved, and replied in kind.
“It’s the same with the falconers’ clan. Not everyone is bound by blood, but we’re all like family.”
“Then… we’re the same, aren’t we?”
“Yes,” Eryn answered, nodding with a warm feeling in her chest.
A voice called to Eryn from the square.
She raised her hand high in response and, pointing toward the gathering, indicated that she had to go.
Maya nodded slowly, and she turned and ran lightly back.
“See you…”
Their small voices seemed to blend into the sound of the mountain village wind.
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AI disclosure: I am a non-native English writer and have used AI for partial translation and light editing. No AI-generated prose.
