I wrote a short story for a friend of mine, Angel Winterbreeze. I wondered what his Wizard, Angel Winterbreeze, would have been like as a child. So I decided to use my imagination and create one. Here it is, I hope you enjoy it.
Angel and the Egg
The snow had just started falling as the two figures came to the gate of the old house. It was in good shape but there were a few pieces of chipped paint and it was clear that the once grand estate had long bypassed its glory days. The only reminder of those proud days was a sign that hung from an arched walkway that, when cleared of snow, read “Winterbreeze”. As the two figures walked under the sign, it seemed to creak and whine about the snowy conditions.
Joining in with the sign, one of the figures, a small boy, whined to the other figure. “This is it momma? This is where Grandma lives?” The questions were followed by two quick puffs of breath, clearly visible in the cold air, as the unhappy little boy blew his untamed platinum hair from his face.
“Yes Angel.” Jolie Winterbreeze sighed as she explained to her son for the sixth time. “This is where Grandma lives. And young man,” she added in a stern, motherly voice. “This is also the house I grew up in and look how great I turned out. Now stop your pouting and help me get our bags so we can go greet Grandma.” She ruffled the boy’s hair which did nothing but create two more puffs of breath as Angel tried to blow the feather-like strands from his face again.
Ever curious, Angel could not keep from asking more questions. “Why do we have to move here again? Is it always snowing here? Are there any weird animals? Are we close to Wizard City?”
“Why do you ask so many questions my little one?” Jolie interrupted him.
“That’s easy momma,” the boy answered with a sliver of a grin. “I’m random.”
Jolie laughed out loud at her little Angel. “I can’t argue with that one.” She grinned back then tickled under Angel’s arms, making the 5 year old squeal. “To answer your questions in order, we moved here because your dad got a job helping Headmaster Ambrose at Ravenwood and grandma is old and needs help sometimes. It snows here sometimes but not always. I never saw any weird animals. And finally, yes we are close to Wizard City.
“Momma,” Angel suddenly became serious, his clover green eyes showing worry. “Do you think I will make any friends?”
The final question made Jolie stop in her tracks. She set her bags down and hugged her child tightly. “Is that what all this pouting is about? You’re afraid you won’t make any friends?” Angel stared at the ground and shook his head. “You have nothing to worry about. You are adventurous, brave, and have a wonderful sense of humor. In fact, I bet the entire town absolutely adores you before the week is through.”
This seemed to cheer the child up considerably as he and his mother reached the stairs. Angel’s grandmother, Adelina, opened the door and a wonderful smell warmed the cold outside. “There you two are,” She smiled brightly. “I just finished making popcorn. Come inside and get warm.”
“Momma you didn’t say she could make popcorn. You know, this place is growing on me.” He practically ran in the house as his mother and grandmother giggled on the front porch.
Once everyone was inside and Angel had an oversized bowl of popcorn in front of him, he munched happily and looked around. The kitchen was almost completely white and complimented the snow outside the large sliding doors. There was a small stain glass window above the doors that made rainbow patterns on the table. In the back yard sat an old barn. Its weathered roof had a few holes in it but there was still hay in the loft and a horse was braving the cold to nibble on whatever grass it could find. Adelina sat beside her grandson and asked him. “Would you like to see the animals in the barn when you are done eating?”
“Yeth mmm,” he said with a mouth full of popcorn.
This made his grandmother giggle again but Jolie was not impressed. “Angel Cristopher Winterbreeze! You know better than to reply with your mouth full.” Her son looked remorseful but also had a mischievous twinkle in his eye when he looked at his grandmother.
When the entire bowl of popcorn had been eaten, Jolie went to unpack as Angel and Adelina headed out to the barn. The old door creaked and resisted but finally opened. Angel was greeted by the horse, who had retreated back to the warmth of the barn. He noticed several hens dozing close together and a ladder leading to the hay loft. “Is anything other than hay up there?” He asked as he pointed to the loft.
“Nothing but hay little one.” Adelina said. “Come over here though. I have something very special to show you.” She guided him to a small corner where a large nest sat. In it, was the largest egg Angel had seen.
“WOW!” his eyes were as wide as they could go. “What kind of egg is it Grandma?”
“I have had it for over 4 years now. He is very shy and will not come out of his shell.”
With one eyebrow raised Angel said to his grandmother. “Umm, Grandma, I don’t mean to be rude or anything but if there has been an unhatched egg in the barn for over 4 years then I‘d say it’s very very rotten and needs to be thrown out."
Adelina laughed heartily which just seemed to confuse the youngster more. When she was able to speak again she explained. “Normally that would be true but you see this is no ordinary egg. This egg walks, eats, dances, and even knows a spell or two. I have seen him out in the yard a couple of times but he always runs when anyone gets too close.”
Angel bent down and knocked on the egg. “I don’t see how that’s possible. It’s just an-.” He never completed his sentence because the egg decided to knock back against Angel’s forehead. “Ow, ow, ow!” He stared in disbelief for a second or two as he rubbed his sore forehead. “Guess he doesn’t like being knocked on.” He finally said with a mischievous grin. “Okay okay little egg. I won’t knock on you anymore but how do you expect to make friends hiding in the barn all day? Come out and play in the snow some.” The egg didn’t move for a second or two then its whole body twisted back and forth like someone shakes their head no. “Why not silly.” Angel asked and the egg responded by scooting closer to the wall. “I see. You’re shy and afraid no one will like you. Is that it?” The egg stood up on webbed feet that poked out of the shell at the bottom and did a couple of short bows as if nodding. “Well you will never know if you don’t come out and say hi first. How about if I give you a name? Will that help? The egg jumped up and down excitedly and did a little dance. He had never had a name before. “Great!” Angel exclaimed. “I already have the perfect name for you too. I am going to call you Chico.” Chico, thrilled with his new name, jumped up and down and danced all around the barn.
“I think he likes his name Angel,” Adelina chuckled as she watched Angel join in on the dancing.
“I think he does too Grandma,” Angel laughed. “Can I keep him and raise him? I plan on being a Legendary Thaumaturge one day and I need a good partner.”
“After what I just saw, I don’t think a pack of Wildclaws could tear you apart.” Adelina said with a grin. “Looks like you have yourself a pet egg.”
From that day forward, Angel became known all about town as the kid with pet egg. He grew up, went off to Wizard City, and became a Legendary Thaumaturge just as he told his grandmother he would and Chico never left his side.
The end
