I just had a little more mountain left. I ground my teeth against the biting cold as I dug my blue diamond encrusted daggers into the icy mountain side pulling myself up with what little strength of mine still remained. As I neared the top I slipped the dagger grasped in my right fist over the edge digging in hard and then pulled the other over and stabbed in. I then grasped both daggers as strongholds to pull myself over and finally collapsed at the top. I slowly stepped across the white powder doing my best not to disrupt the edge of the mountain my life was remaining on. I saw it then. It was so close, just within a small walking distance. The sanctuary.

It was beautiful, luscious green fuzz covered grounds and posey bud flowers growing with vines reaching up as tall as a person. A wonderfully carved fountain spirting crystal fuschia water. And finally the conure. Hidden among the other gentle feathered creatures the conure almost blended in but not quite. Not with the beautiful Kaleidoscope of feathers that covers it. I step forward slowly again. This time not to startle the gentle creature because I know I’ll only have one chance at this. As I get closer my foot cracks a branch. Perfect. The conure flys up seemingly about to fly away. But no I’ve already caught it having held the cage above it’s head only moments before in anticipation of its attempted escape.

I’d done it. The king will be proud. Now I can finally elevate my status above training in his guard. I’ll be able to prove my worth when they see I can get the job done. I’m done I announce.

I’m conscious now. Arising out of the twilight state is a weird experience. Even though it’s not the first time I’ve done it, it’s weird nonetheless. I rise and ask my commander what to do now.

“Now,”he says, “now you kill it.”