Artist: talbaine
Date: September 24th, 2014

Earlier this summer I found Talbaine's gallery and was impressed by the quality of his work, so naturally I contacted him about doing a commission. This one being of Storm and Blitz, his faithful companion who relays messages back to his loved ones while he's negotiating with other tribes.

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"Messenger"

The sky was a bright crimson color, the warm light of the setting sun being obscured by a few clouds. A medium sized bird hovered using thermals to glide across the valley, searching for something. In a clearing some distance away the hawk noticed his target and began descending towards it.

Storm held his right arm skywards and within a second the hawk landed on his leather gauntlet. Lowering his arm Storm brought the hawk to eye level, his yellow eyes staring into the hawks brown orbs. A smile formed on his muzzle as he softly spoke. "Glad to see you again Blitz!"

Blitz chirped in response as he was happy to see his master again. Storm looked over Blitz's feathers, most of them shades of brown with his torso being pure white. Small patches of brown decorating his chest, a common sight for red-tailed hawks. On his back was a small hollow tube that held a message which Storm pulled out to read. Unrolling the parchment it was written in fluent script that he recognized, holding it to the light to read it out loud.

"Storm, I hope this message finds you well as the village is bustling with activity as the time of harvest is upon us. Our brethren tended to the fields today gathering the first batch of crops. Alas this is only a minor distraction as I miss you dearly, I admire your sense of duty to keep the peace.

I wish you safe travels and may the Mother Wolf guide you."

• Your love, Aurora

A tear rolled down his cheek as he finished reading the message, the poignant ending made Storm felt reassured in his sense of duty. Although he missed Aurora deeply he knew his duties were important. Remember the last words his father told him, to protect this land and to keep the peace.

Blitz chirped again as he watched his master rub the tear away. Storm put the message in his satchel amongst other various items, moving to another pocket he pulled out a slice of venison for Blitz to eat. The hawk began tearing the meat in his razor sharp beak and within seconds it was devoured.

Looking towards the west Storm slowly began walking down the forest path, into the sunset with Blitz hovering above him.

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Storm and Blitz ©StormWolff
Art is ©Talbaine