Just Another Day

Aaron watched Shanku as he had many times before. She would glide out, circle high above the water for a while, and then pull her spear and her wings close to her body for a steep dive into the water. It was almost funny to watch her come back up, fish wriggling on her spear and she laboring to get back in the air. Somehow she always managed to free herself from the water and come gliding back onto the ship.

"Here ya go, ready ta eat!" Shanku said and held a mackerel out to him.

"Really?" Aaron asked incredulously.

"Really," Shanku said sincerely. She turned and flew up to the crow's nest. She landed with a grin and wet plop next to Turai.

"Where've you been?" Turai asked suspiciously, one ear cocked back.

"Lowering expectations!" Shanku laughed.