The rooster crows, ravens fly

As predicted, when Madrone reached the shore's edge Stan's plume of tail feathers quickly shifted to his favorite pair of old denim jeans. "I was gettin' used to them," Dumpling joked. "The tail feathers!" Nearly too tired to appreciate the humor Stan Costa took a moment. He was barefoot. The water was cold, he wondered how Shine survived the days of floating in water that cold. His brain wasn't going to ferret that one out. It was his experience with the Women that would give me his answers. For now he knew Shine needed to be carried to the shelter and all three of them would need sleep.

Dumpling's skirt would have to do as a nest. Without a second thought she found a small hole and tore. Split in two it covered the sandy floor well enough. Gently from Stan's arms, Shine folded herself into a curve. Dumpling spooned against her to warm the girl's back. Stan arched behind Dumpling. Exhaustion blanketed them. Mahina watched, and from their watery outposts Kohola and her family were satisfied, "It continues then." Hi'iaka agreed. There was more to come and this was as good a place to grow new land.

~~~~~

Three ravens flying is not an uncommon sight. Ravens in a Subaru? People might turn and stare. It was still early when the Silver-haired Raven woke his son, and then his daughter. "We have something to do," is all he said. His children were used to minimal conversations and rarely did their father wake them any more. In his vest pocket Raven pulled long feathers. At first Skeena mistook them for Raven's. Blinking sleep from his eyes he recognized the color was not ink blue-black. "Rooster." Aka was either more awake or just more attuned to the differences. She and her own children had a yard full of chickens and a rooster. "Has the rooster crowed?" She asked quietly, Aka had a subtle humor but always well-directed. She knew her father would not be toting those feathers without some special destination in mind.

Pale's green Subaru. The Silver-haired Raven never drove it. Aka had her own set of keys to her mother's car. Skeena rode shotgun. Their father would lead. Flying low with great strokes of his long feathered wings Raven flew over the curving drive from cottage to the main road. It was early enough to avoid most of the commuter traffic. He led his children to Sunlight Beach. Less than five minutes from the cottage, the public access lot was quiet and empty. Even Rabbit was still asleep. Jacob the Surveyor was not asleep. Watchful the barrel-chested bearded advocate quietly observed from behind the trellis of Scarlet Runners. Three Ravens on the beach before sunrise. Three Ravens shifted to Human, now that was something he'd remember. He made no sound, and made no attempt to approach.

This was a familiar place to Aka, a spot she and her children loved to walk. All the Bird Clans recognized her as one of the few who crossed, and though some of the visiting relations fussed over the inter-species mingling it was never an issue. The Silver-haired Raven was a Being respected for his essence. No one messed with him or his people. His appearance was rare here on the public access. Jacob took note, especially so when he recognized the brocade vest buttoned around the great bird's chest. Jacob waited, just in case.

The Tree lined beach was a holding place for the Tall Ones in their later forms of being. Drift wood was a casual way of naming them, like Nurse log was a role given by humans, here on the shore of the Salish Trees served even after they fell. This morning Skeena and his sister walked around the fallen Trees taking the longer route along the bank that led to the Saltwater Marsh. Their father flew to the shelter landing softly on the cobbled roof, and waited, too. "What do you think we'll find?" Skeena knew it had something to do with Pale but would not venture a guess. His sister simply reached for his hand and squeezed.

What did they find? (click to find out)