| Birds of Different Kind By: M14Mouse ~I also have learned there is a time to reach out and grasp other hands, hands offered in help.~ Last page of Scion: Issue 26. I remember as if it was yesterday. "DUCKY Joe!" I sigh under my breath as the son of Chief Lucia, Hugo ran toward me. I was asked to come here by Chief Lucia to help. I must say I was eager. I and my ex-wife gone our separate paths. I still love her but love isn't the only thing need to make a relationship work. It saddens me a great deal and the village held too many memories. When the offer came from Chief Lucia, I took it and left. I was welcome into the village the minute I step foot. The Duck Clan and Karaya Clan have long been allies and friends. I doubt any thing will change that. Chief Lucia had greet me with a smile and Hugo greet me . . . well, more like, attack me with a hug. Lucia was shock by her son's reaction. I was more surprise by the hug than she was. "Ducky!" Hugo said as he wraps his arms around my leg. He looked up at me with these great big green eyes. "Hugo! You mustn't do that." Chief Lucia said as she tries to remove Hugo from my leg. "Bu..Bu..mommy..I want to sa hello. Hellos means hugs. Lots of hugs! That is what you said!" Hugo said in the most child-like and serious voice. The way he said just made me start to laugh and soon, Chief Lucia follows in laughter. "Well, then. Hello to you. My name is Sergeant Joe." I said as I give the boy a gentle hug. It was strange to hug a boy I just meet. "Seage..tat....Joew." Hugo said as he concerate on saying my name. "Sergeant Joe." "Sea...gent....Jowe." "Sergeant Joe." "Ducky Joe!" Hugo giggles softly. I sigh softly as I give up. He will figure out my name soon or later. I hope sooner. "Come, Hugo. Let allow Sergeant Joe get comfortable. Jimba will show you to your room." Chief Lucia said as she gently removes Hugo from my legs. Hugo gave me a big smile before he vanishes with his mother. Yes, I did get comfortable in the village and its people. Karaya Clan was more reserve people than the Duck Clan. But once you get pass that, Karaya Clan are very dry sense of humor and very enjoyable to be around. I did travel with KarayaClan but I seems to watch Lucia's son, Hugo a good bit of time. Hugo seems to enjoy my company and I his. He was always pointing at something and telling me something. Hugo always seems to be doing something. The boy would never stay in one place. Hugo was a curious child and that curious only grew as he grew older. When he finally allowed to play outside the village. Either, he would play in the fields to or chases the "forest spirits". Hugo has a strange understanding with horses. When he was younger even the days, he wasn't riding. Hugo visit the horses and he would just pat them or just watch them. And when Hugo did ride, he rode like the wind. Hugo had this look on his face. I cannot begin to understand. A look of joy. As he grew older, Hugo never stops moving unless he is asleep or eating. When I was so involved in something else, Hugo would slip away. Now, that I think on it. I think Hugo thought it was a game. Even when I thought I had an eye on him, little Hugo would slip off. In the end, I would always find him. On one of his adventures, he meet Fubar. I remember having to look for Hugo for hours. I was afraid he has gone to forest area near the Duncan Republic borders. When I found him, he was curls up against a griffon asleep! A griffon! The griffon seems quite happy with Hugo sleep next to him. Of course, the second Fubar saw me. Fubar give a loud Kueeee. The noise nearly knocks my feathers off and it also woke up Hugo. Hugo yawns and rubs his eyes. "Sergeant Joe! This is Fubar! He is my newest friend!" Hugo said happily as he curls up next the griffon. "Hugo...do you realizes that your...uh....Fubar is a griffon." I said. "So? He is a friend and he can be your friend too!" Hugo said as he gave me a look. I really didn't know how acted or what to say. It isn't every day that a griffon and a boy become friends. I realize that I must take to his mother on this subject. Chief Lucia didn't have any problem with their friendship. In fact, she encourages it. "Ok, Hugo. You and the grif.....I mean, Fubar can be friends. Fubar must stay away from the village, you understand Hugo?" I said. The boy nod his head happily but Fubar give me this I-don't-like-you-but-I-will-get-along-with-you-because-I-like-Hugo look. Imagine, the first time I saw Hugo riding and flying on Fubar. That day I nearly had a heart attack. As the years pass, Hugo began to take on more duties. Chief Lucia began to teach him the basics such courting, reading, and writing. Jimba teaching him to uses weapons which he came to favor two long daggers. Other villagers would teach him to hunt, cook, and survival. But he always find time to talk to me or play with Fubar. Our daily meetings become the high point of my day. Hugo will tell me about his training and his lessons. He would express his frustation of learning to read or how Jimba push him to hard to learn other weapons or how uncomfortable he is toward other people. I give my advice to him or simply listen. Sometimes, I am not sure that he listens when I do give advice but he would always thank me. ,br> One day, Hugo bought someone with him on our daily meetings. The child's name was Lulu. Lulu was small for his age that made him a good target for the older children. That day, L look like he was toss down a hill. He had dirt in his hair and cuts and bruises running down his arms and face. When Hugo went to get some water from the small pond near our post. As I took care of Lulu, I ask Lulu how he meet Hugo. Lulu look down at the table. "Gexon and Caliz were picking on me again....and Hugo stop them. He stood right in front of them and look them right in the eye. He told them to leave me alone. For a second, I thought theyand Hugo was going to fight...but they hear Jimba calling for them. So, they left and Hugo help me to my feet. I told him that I don't want mama to see me like this....So, he took me here. He told me that you are one of his bestest friends and he would help me....Can you help me?" Lulu said a little. At that moment, I swear my chest didn't stick out with pride. Probably, I look like a proud mother duck but I didn't care. I realizes that Hugo would going to grow up just fine. He would be a good chief in his mother's place. Soon after, our small group of three become four. Lulu would join out in fields hunting or playing with Fubar. Sometimes, Lulu would come alone and talk to me. Fubar like Lulu but he didn't allow him to get on. I think that honor belongs Hugo and Hugo alone. That change when the war comes . . . Lulu's death still sting and I doubt that sting will go away anytime soon....I know it is much worse for Hugo but he was able to forgive his killer. Something, I would never thought he could do . . . but he did. I have never been so proud. Hugo has grow into a great leader. As those memories fade into the present, one more rose from the ash of my mind. What Chief Lucia called our little group. "Birds of different feather flock together." Lucia smiles a little before she turns off to do some other work. She was right . . . but this flock will be different from now on. We must go our separate ways but in spirit, we always will be together. That is what courts. The End. Return to Videogames Fanfiction |
