Metal clicked on stone as a boy dressed in leather ran through the courtyard to a massive wooden gate, a large eagle covered in gray feathers warbling indignantly from his shoulder.
“Oh shut up will you,” said the boy. “What are you, a mouse?”
The eagle immediately quieted itself and ruffled its large crest, a look of fury and shock clearly visible on its face. As the two finally reached the large door a man walked out to meet them a look of annoyance evident on his face
“Name?” he asked rather angrily.
“Alexander,” the boy replied. What’s his problem?
“Age?” said writing down notes on a wooden tablet.
“Seventeen,” Alex answered again.
“House?” he said continuing to write.
“Vasilev,” he said getting slightly annoyed.
“Familiar?” the man asked.
“Harpy Eagle,” Alex replied. And he’s annoying as ever
After a moment of thought the man finally said, “Northernmost dormitory, next to the menagerie,” handing him a map.
“Thank you,” said Alex passing through the main gates into a great hall.
He let out a sigh and opened his map.
After a moment he released his bird into the air and said, “Remember Saul, next to the menagerie.”
The bird gave a flat chirp as if frustrated by the lack of faith placed in him.