The prince listened carefully, with his sword ready just in case. The sound of wings flapping, joined by a sad chirp was becoming louder. Aidan concluded that it was coming from a scorched backpack. It was lying near a burnt pair of boots. As he opened it, a bird in a cage began to sing frantically. It was unlike any other he had seen before. Tiny and plump, it was bluish despite resembling a sparrow. Its feathers glistened as it moved, making the tiny creature look like it was made from pure light.
The prince smiled, charmed by its graceful appearance. "Hello, little one. I see great trouble has befallen upon you. Your master has been defeated," he said with sympathy.
The bird chirped sad, as if begging to be let out.
"It's alright. Have no fear. I will set you free," the prince spoke softly and unlocked the cage.
Freed, the stunning bird flew around him, singing a sweet tune. The creature swirled and turned as if not seeing the sun in ages. The prince laughed wholeheartedly and took a crust of bread from his bag. As he threw it on the ground, the tiny bird landed, singing merrily as it pecked.
The prince observed him with a pleased grin on his face. "Poor little one, you must have been trapped for days," he said with compassion. He watched him for a while longer and said, "Well, I have to go now, birdie. I have a-"
The adorable bird stopped eating and turned its neck towards him. It flew up and landed on his shoulder. Aidan smiled honored. It tilted its head and pecked his ear with its small but sharp beak.
The prince flinched, mad. "Is that how you thank me, you flying little...!" he yelled and swung a hand in his direction.
"Chirp! Be careful with those overgrown paws!" said the bird in a shrill voice.
"What! You can talk?" the prince uttered stunned.
"That's right! I am fluent in five human and all animal languages too," boasted the bird, raising his beak.
Prince Aidan was gawking at the bird in shock. "But how?" he asked.
"Well, you see. Chirp! Chirp! My master was a very odd wizard. He was constantly coming up with various hocus-pocus spells. One of them gave me the power to speak."
There was silence as they looked at each other. All that could be heard was the noise coming from the bird's wings.
"What is it? Cat got your tongue?" the bird chirped, amused.
"I apologize. It is simply hard for me to comprehend. Why would anyone with such great powers, decide to give a tiny feathery creature the power of speech? I mean, why didn't he use another animal. Like a horse?"
The bird's feathers were obviously ruffled. His wings fluttered quicker. "Chirp! Chirp! Just so you know, birds are very smart. Genius even! You people just don't notice it. It must be because you hang around glorified livestock all the time," he squeaked, offended.
The prince's steed swung his mane aggravated, and snapped his teeth at the flying creature. Aidan let out a hearty laugh. The bird flew up to the branch, turning his tail towards them.
"I'm sorry, I did not mean to be rude," Aidan said softly. "I'm a little troubled. The dragon kidnapped my princess and I need to save her."
"That overgrown reptile!" the bird let out a squeak and shook its feathers in rage. "He spits fire as if there is a boiler room in his throat! My poor master. He didn't even get to finish the spell before that monster fried him. It's a good thing that he hid me before that. Chirp!" the small creature said, pressing its sad head into its chest. "Oh! What will I ever do now?"
"I feel your loss, tiny friend. But we need to stay strong, so we can defeat him. Now, what do you know about the dragon?" the prince asked.
"I know many things! Chirp, chirp! He loves the glitter of silver and gold and will use every opportunity to drag it to his hiding place. So far, no one was able to find a way to kill or even hurt him."
"Damn it! I have to figure out a way to overcome him. Otherwise, I will simply end up like these poor souls," Aidan mumbled. Thinking for a while, he stomped the ground with his foot. "I am not smart enough for this."
"But I am! I'll help you," the bird sang suddenly and flew over to his shoulder.
"You will?" the prince smiled politely.
"Yes. You saved my life after all. Chirp! This is my way of repaying you, "the small creature declared.
"That is commendable of you. And now tell me, what is your name?"
"It is Chirp!" the bird squeaked.
The prince hummed. "Alright then. Well, Chirp, my newly acquired feathery friend, let's hear what you have to say," he said in a friendly manner, offering his ear. The bird whispered his plan. Prince Aidan listened intently, occasionally humming and nodding.
After the bird was finished, he pondered pacing around the desolated area.
"Well, what do you think?" the bird tweeted, confident.
The prince turned to him, looking serious. "I think it is a brilliant idea. I couldn't have thought of a better one myself," he yelled, immediately changing his expression. The bird and the horse flinched stunned by his sudden movement.
"Um, I'm happy you think so," the bird stammered.
The prince rubbed his palms together. "Now, there is no time to waste. If we want to do this successfully, we need to be quick. Let's get to work!" he said, determined.
Seeing the prince so pleased, the bird made a loop in the air, with his beautiful long feathers making him glimmer like fire.
The dragon's large black wings could be seen from the distance. Zora was looking outside the window overlooking the long balcony. Ferociously scrubbing a tray, she kept close watch of the surroundings.
"How far away is he?" Anna said, tying a piece of long torn up sheet to another. The rope they made, consisting of all sorts of fabrics, was set down into a spiral, covering a large area of the floor.
Zora spoke, "He's getting closer. Hurry!" She ran to her friend to helping her hide their makeshift rope.