Mars sat in a field, bored. Earlier that day he had overseen the planting of seeds for the
year. He had gone through the motions again because it was his job but it was not what
he desired anymore.
No, he wanted a life more exciting, of fast moving action, of life and death- not this slow,
seemingly eternal wait for growth and harvest. Once it had excited him but not for a long
time now.
Not since he had first smelled blood in the air and heard the distant clash of swords and
shield. Later he had found the remains left from the battle strewn across a field almost
ready for harvest. Rather than grow angry, Mars had begun to re-think his life.
And so Mars sat in a field, bored, and thinking back on that scene, he wondered about all
he had seen that day when an eagle landed close by.
“Greetings, Mars,” said the eagle, spreading its wings out and looking most regal.
“And greetings to you, sir eagle,” Mars replied impressed at the sight of these great bird,
its wings outspread.
“You yearn, do you not, for another life? One of glory and action?”
“I do. I’m so bored with this bollocks.”
“Even if it this activity is for it’s own sake and serves no purpose?”
“Oh, I don’t mind, escaping reason as well as duty sounds good to me.”
“Then it shall be so,” declared the eagle and it darted straight at Mars, attacking him, its
beak pecking and its claws magically clawing through his skull, leaving no trace upon
his head, but instead within it as the bird re-arranged his brain, changing his character
entirely, corrupting the farmer and turning him into something far different.
And from that day Mars was a warrior who sought the fight wherever he went. A
mercenary for the Empire, looking to extend it wherever and whenever. And he would
even caused rebellion afterward for an excuse to go back for more blood. It never
bothered him why or how the fight came about- he just wanted to be in the killing fields
every day, sunrise to sunset, and beyond if necessary.
year. He had gone through the motions again because it was his job but it was not what
he desired anymore.
No, he wanted a life more exciting, of fast moving action, of life and death- not this slow,
seemingly eternal wait for growth and harvest. Once it had excited him but not for a long
time now.
Not since he had first smelled blood in the air and heard the distant clash of swords and
shield. Later he had found the remains left from the battle strewn across a field almost
ready for harvest. Rather than grow angry, Mars had begun to re-think his life.
And so Mars sat in a field, bored, and thinking back on that scene, he wondered about all
he had seen that day when an eagle landed close by.
“Greetings, Mars,” said the eagle, spreading its wings out and looking most regal.
“And greetings to you, sir eagle,” Mars replied impressed at the sight of these great bird,
its wings outspread.
“You yearn, do you not, for another life? One of glory and action?”
“I do. I’m so bored with this bollocks.”
“Even if it this activity is for it’s own sake and serves no purpose?”
“Oh, I don’t mind, escaping reason as well as duty sounds good to me.”
“Then it shall be so,” declared the eagle and it darted straight at Mars, attacking him, its
beak pecking and its claws magically clawing through his skull, leaving no trace upon
his head, but instead within it as the bird re-arranged his brain, changing his character
entirely, corrupting the farmer and turning him into something far different.
And from that day Mars was a warrior who sought the fight wherever he went. A
mercenary for the Empire, looking to extend it wherever and whenever. And he would
even caused rebellion afterward for an excuse to go back for more blood. It never
bothered him why or how the fight came about- he just wanted to be in the killing fields
every day, sunrise to sunset, and beyond if necessary.
Not written but re-blogged (aka cheated ;) ) for the Light and Shade Challenge ("Hang on, I've written a story about an eagle and a field before," I thought to myself) from the following picture prompt:
There are more Myths of the Solar System here.
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