Timothy Michael Hurst's Blog

Unhinged Sister Ravages Brother Over Scraps—Father: "That's Enough"

Father Intervenes, Discerning Sister's True Target—Brother's Eyes

Devouring a large Salmon Father brought to the nest, Sister pitched scraps over the edge—but this time, Brother intercepted one, emboldened by Mother's earlier praise.

Brother's contented sigh caught Sister's ear, and her rage focused with the tempestuous intensity of a cyclone.

She bore down on him, silent but for the flutter of her wings. Pinning his meager wings to the nest floor, she straddled him and shrieked, "Mine! Mine! Mine! Mine!"

With each shriek, she pecked and slashed at him.

Pausing, Sister spat staccato, spraying Brother with his own blood as each word struck him, "It's! All! MINE!"

"Now what are we going to do about those eyes?" she inquired, peering down with head cocked to one side.

"If I can't have them, then neither. can. he."

For the first time since the pair was born, Father intervened. He slammed Sister to the nest floor, the tip of an iron talon resting light against Sister's throat.

He studied her with unfeeling detachment.

"That's enough. If you threaten Brother's life, or his eyes again, I'll break your wings and throw you in the river myself."

#TheAegletsAnswer #TheKinsmansTree

"How Did You See It?" Mother Marvels at Runt's Uncanny Vision

Tracking Quarry at Distance in Shadow, Young Æglet Earns Rare Praise

Mother and Brother perched side by side at nest's edge, heads bobbing and turning in concert as they tracked a creature across the forest floor.

Brother's eyes locked onto the quarry with ease, even as it slipped into deep shade where Mother faltered. She glanced at him for cues, following his steady gaze.

The prey emerged, and a wonderstruck Mother turned.

"Son, that was amazing! How did you see it? Once it was in the shadows, I couldn't follow it anymore!"

Brother shrugged, unable to explain. "I'm not sure, Mother. I just did it."

Mother insisted he continue. If he was consistent in tracking prey thus, there might be hope for him yet.

Behind them, Sister watched in silence. She sought the quarry Mother and Brother tracked but failed. Consternated, she saw that Mother kept an eye on Brother for cues whenever the older Ægle lost track of the target.

Brother, however, had no difficulty whatsoever.

For all his faults, he exceeded his kind in this one thing.

#TheAegletsAnswer #TheKinsmansTree

Crafty Owl Tries for an Æglet Supper, Receives Thrashing Instead

Shrewd Æglet Launches Ferocious Defense, Prevents Owl from Absconding with Frail Sibling

The Owl's large eyes shone with strange light when he stared at the æglets, and he spoke in low tones, gaining their confidence with tales of lands far abroad. The æglets drew near to hear his hushed words.

Then the strange bird flew at the pair.

He'd underestimated Gael. She'd almost made a supper of him instead. After a brief scuffle, she scared the Owl off — and screeched in bitter disappointment when he escaped.

The Owl had no idea how lucky he was.

#TheAegletsAnswer #TheKinsmansTree

Finding Sanctuary, Nat Awakens to a Bower Full of Wonders

After a Happy Reunion with Astéri, the Young Etom Encounters His First Sprig

"Astéri!" Nat cried, spotting his sparky friend past the leafy stranger.

The Sprig, Miyam, narrowed delighted, shining eyes. "You're an Etom! Am I right?"

Nat proffered his hand. She stared, frozen.

"You put yours out, too," he coached from the corner of a smile.

"Oh! OK!" Miyam exclaimed. He grasped her wooden fingers gently. She stood stock-still, marveling.

The Etom kept some strange company these days. And it was wonderful.

#TheKinsmansTree #ChristianFantasy #IndieAuthor

She Gazed into the Eye of the Storm—the Storm Blinked First
Fierce Fledgling Wins Her Wings, And a Name, Amidst Gusting Gale

"This! This is what she'd been waiting for!"

Sister stood horizontal against the storm's rage. Wings tucked. Talons gripping. The wind held her suspended—parallel to the nest floor—as if already in flight.

Brother watched in terrified awe.

She tipped her head upward, opened her wings, and soared into the churning murk. When she returned triumphant, her parents named her Gael in honor of her conquest.

#TheAegletsAnswer #TheKinsmansTree

Greedy Sibling Leaves Runt Hapless and Hungry
In the Ægles' Aerie, the Strong Thrive While the Weak Survive on Scraps

"Without so much as another glance at Father, Sister fell to with violent pecks, wetting her beak in blood."

Father brings a Mouse to the nest. Sister strikes first, tearing into warm flesh while Brother watches with hungry eyes.

A single drop of blood runs down her beak. She cocks her head toward him. That sly smile returns.

Sister picks the carcass clean, leaving nothing but ragged skin and splintered bones. Then she hooks the scraps on a talon and tosses them at her brother with an offhand flick.

The sticky, bony mess falls over him, blanketing him in gore. He tears at the tough fur and tendons she's left him, choking down what little remains.

Meanwhile, Father and Mother observe but do not intervene. They are hunters. The strong eat the weak, and those too weak to fight for their portion may well die.

Thus, was rivalry between Brother and Sister born.

What would you do if you were Brother?

#TheKinsmansTree

Ægle Family Greets Two New Members
Proud Parents Welcome One Chick with Pride—the Other with Disappointment

"Through the speckled shell, scratching emanated—distinct, yet faint amidst the hungry din—and the beak of one eager to meet his kin peeked through the puncture."

But the chick turned within the shell, presenting soggy down through the jagged window, then falling still.

Mother raised her talon to split the shell wide open. Her wet and weary spawn spilled onto the nest's thatched floor—tongue lolling, wings limp, eyes glassy.

Father had protested the intervention. Now he sulked at the nest's edge, back turned in defeat.

Meanwhile Sister, first-born and vigorous, demanded her breakfast with keening cries.

Thus the stage was set.

#TheKinsmansTree

In the Darkest Hour, a Light Breaks Forth, Heralding New Hope
Into a World Languishing in Shadows, a Pauper Born to the Lowest of the Lowly Elicits Whispers of Deliverance

Decades passed, and the world languished under the Empire of Chōl. Until, one day, a message passed in secret among the abject citizenry—whispers of wild hope in consideration of the rumor.

Into this age, beneath Endego's rubber tree, Nida's egg falls still and dark. She cries out silently to Elyon for mercy.

A mote of light appears, grows in brilliance. Wind transforms the cramped home into a heavenly garden. Light settles over the nest, and the husk blasts away.

The newborn stands—sight coming at birth against all nature. Arms raised, tears streaming, scales falling to reveal beautiful golden eyes glimmering in the radiance.

Into a world languishing in shadows, a pauper born to the lowest of the lowly elicits whispers of deliverance.

#TheKinsmansTree

Shadowy Terror Strikes the Heart of Civilization
No Force Can Stand Against the Mysterious Shadow Army That Eclipses a World Fallen Silent.

The army of dusk apparitions spreads across the known world, ransacking those who oppose them, subjugating all in eventual surrender.

The Nihukolem float over walls, blow through cracks in wooden slats, stride through steel bars to materialize in deadly form behind enemy lines. They are dust, yet with souls distinct—enslaved to darkness, imbued with power to retain solid form when it suits the Empire's purpose.

None can stand against a foe through whom weapons pass as smoke while they slip very real blades between the ribs of their enemies.

The Empire of Chōl rises. The world falls silent.

#TheKinsmansTree

East Meets West on Ancient Plain of Za'aq Ha Dam
The Western Sorrel and the Eastern Commander Meet in Final Battle. Winner Takes All. The World Holds Its Breath.

On the ancient plain of Za'aq Ha Dam, the Western Sorrel leads his compact, disciplined army against Parac's sprawling Eastern forces—outnumbered two to one.

Behind him ride Bellaphorus, Imafel, and Cloust. Before him stretches the dusty war-torn plain. Above his ranks, spearheads sparkle like a starry crown.

The sun rises behind the Eastern army, casting long speared shadows toward the West. Winner takes all. The world holds its breath.

#TheKinsmansTree