In Which Gorden Takes A Flight

Gorden, Cola and David padded their way down to the valley floor.

As they neared the "black ribbon" it took on some other characteristics.

"David,"

"Yes Gorden?"

"What the he' are all those boxes-things whizzing along the black-stuff?"

"You can see Humans inside.." David offered.

"Maybe they are Cans of Humans." Cola tentatively suggested, "On their way from the factory to, well, wherever it is that the bigger-animals-who-eat-humans live?"

"I don't know as I've ever believed in those.." Gorden said. "but then I've not met many humans."

"But you do hear talk.." David said.

"I don't know about you two," Cola said, "But I'm wondering how we're going to cross over?"

"What's that sign over there?" Gorden said pointing to a small sign next to a flat-patch of grass, not far from the edge. "Let's have a look."

Cola led the way, by accident it seemed, but Gorden didn't really want to draw attention to his illiteracy.

"It says:

'Raptor Relays

The Ferry 'Cross The Emway

Cheap Rates for Parties.'

What does *that* mean?"

Gorden suddenly froze, some sixth-sense kicked into place and he managed to move his neck to look upwards. Hurtling down, faster than a dropping load

came a bird of Prey.

Gorden began to pray. Cola hadn't noticed, but suddenly jumped when the bird landed next to her - appearing as if by magic,

"Felicitations!" The hawk began, "I'm Harold the Ferry-Keeper." He could see the agitation in the smaller animals. "Don't worry, I get a good living from the ferry and don't have to hunt other creatures."

"Um," Gorden asked, the first one to un-freeze "What's a Ferry?"

"Oh well," the hawk said "I carry you across the Emway (that's what the solid river is called by the way) and you don't have to risk life and paw dodging the boxes!"

"How do you carry us?" Gorden asked.

"Well, normally I just grab you by the shoulders."

"Doesn't that hurt?"

"Well," The bird said "It did at first, but my ankles are stronger now and they can take it."

Gorden thought for a moment.

"How much.." He started but was interrupted by David

"Gorden! He whispered loudly in his ear, "Don't pay the ferryman." Gorden looked at him in amazement. David shook his head and continued "Don't even fix a price!" Gorden started to say "Bu.." And David butted straight in again and said forcibly

"Don't pay the ferryman, until he gets you to the other side!"

The hawk has ears like a bat and offered "That's fine, young sirs, I accept payment after the crossing."

"Tell you what," Gorden said, "How about I hold my staff above my head and

you grab that instead?"

The hawk thought for a moment and then agreed.

"Okay then, you stand their, I'll circle once and then grab you by the staff and the next thing you know you'll be on the other side!"

Gorden nodded and stuck the pose - staff held in his hand sigh above his

head. Well, just touching, he's not got very long arms you see. The Hawk launched himself in the air and circled as expected then rushed down and caught hold of the staff. The breath was knocked out of Gorden as he was whisked up into the blue.

David punched his hand in the air in delight

"Yo! Yo! Yo!" He shouted, jumping forwards with every word as he watched his friend fly off. "You'll believe a rabbit can fly!!!"

She stopped and turned around back to Cola. In his enthusiasm he'd run past the sign and could now see that it had writing on the other side.

"Cola." He called, "What's this say?"

Cola padded over, trying not to fall as she was watching a small furry spec in the sky, then turned to see the sign.

"Oh My!" She said as her mouth dropped open.

"Tell me!" David said, agitated at her surprise

"It says

'Dive And Deliver

Home Food Deliveries For Predators of All Sizes!

Small, Furry, Stupid Animals a Speciality!'

"Oh Gorden!" She said. Eye's wide she turned to face the sky again. The small dot was crossing the Emway, but wasn't going by the shortest route, but towards the nearest trees on the other side.

"Oh Gorden!" She said.

"Cola, You sound a little pathetic you know," David pointed out, "Where's the strong-willled career-doe gone now?"

"Where's Gorden?" Plessey asked, finally floating up.

David pointed up to the dwindling point in the sky, eyes wide and beginning to dampen.