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Goldeneyes Chapter 1

On the Continent of Land, in the midland province of Sanvean is a small city called New Albany. The animals who live in this region are colloquially referred to as midlanders by the people of the Union of Tine. Midlanders are kindly folk, primarily farmers and ranchers. But the Sanvean valley is also home to many fine colleges. One such midlander is a small pony named Shelton Holden. A dapple grey colored stallion of the equine species known as Haflinger, he is short in stature. Scarcely over 5'6". That's kinda short by equine standards.

But should you meet Shelton, he does not exhibit the usual stocky thickness normally associated with other ponies. He's keen to pose for photos by himself, on account they make him appear much taller than he would otherwise look in person. Shelton's favorite physical attribute is his luxurious silver-grey mane and tail, which he sometimes dyes different colors. Being a flamboyant horse and all. But put a few beers into him, and he'll likely show you another attribute that is even more impressive.

But you didn't hear that from me.

Living in a modest home on Forest drive in downtown Albany, Shelton takes care of his blind sister Shelly. Gathering his motorcycle clothing, Shelton prepares for a night on the town.

Looking into their bedroom, Shelton sees Shelly's blonde mane spilling out from beneath the covers of their bed.

"Come on sis, you can't stay in bed all the time." Shelton said gently, and from beneath the bedding was a muffled harumph.

Shelton smiled, and made his way to the kitchen to put on his helmet, and jacket. "I'll be back around midnight!" Shelton called, and Shelly gave another muffled reply. The stallion smiled, and made his way outside to start his motorcycle.

Glancing over his shoulder, Shelton noticed his sister's shadow upon the blinds. "Oh, good. She's getting up." Shelton said happily.

Watching his sister's shadow slowly make her way through the house, Shelton waited until she was seated before he departed. In case she might have fallen. Absently, the stallion wondered what their lives would be like if his mother and father had not passed away.

Shelton and Shelly are the only children of Gabriel and Missy Holden. Gabriel was a farm hand who loved adventures outdoors, and rowdy parties with his friends. But always, he was a devoted stallion who's heart was as big as his dreams. Missy Holden was a no-nonsense grade school tutor who had fallen head over hooves for the tall and gentle stallion.

They were a promising young couple, but the family's happiness was not to be.

Missy died in childbirth with Shelton, and Gabriel died a few years later, after Shelly had been struck blind from a terrible infection. The Holden children have been dealt many great hardships since the death of their parents. But sometimes, things can change your life forever.

And a chance meeting can lead to things that can take every hurt that you have, and turn that pain into the greatest joy you have ever known. That's where Shelton is off to now. A rendezvous with destiny, in the most unlikely of places... a gay bar.

Riding his Motorcycle through the quaint streets of Albany, Shelton is glad to be going out, despite his guilt at leaving his sister by herself. Loneliness is a bitter enemy of the Holdens, and Shelton tries to protect his sister from it as much as he can. Subsisting on disability, Shelly lives a life of quiet frustration. If Shelly hadn't been struck blind, she could have been anything. She's a brilliant young equine.

Settling down at her computer table, Shelly sightlessly gazes out her window. Her lovely palomino coat shines brightly in the glow of the streetlights outside her window, but it is a loveliness she can never see. Switching on the computer, Shelly sighs restlessly. The mare gets along well enough, but she leads a kind of sad, melancholy life. But the advent of the internet was literally a miracle for the mare's quality of life. Her brother Shelton worked long hours of overtime to buy her the finest computer terminal, and braille finger sensors.

And each time Shelly fires up the system, she pats the console and says "Thank you pony." As she does at this moment. Taking her braille reader, Shelly begins scanning through news articles, and internet blogs. Gently smiling at humorous entries. Outside her window, rush hour traffic is dying down over on Telegraph road. Soon it will quiet down enough for her to entertain the idea of going to sleep. After a few more blogs. Maybe.

Across town, Shelton pulled into the parking lot of Hamburger Mary's and cheered, "It's packed! Yes!!" He hated when his favorite gay joint was dead. Taking off his helmet and jacket, he skipped to the door.

"Hey Shelton!" the shapely lion called, having to yell over the music. "What can I get you tonight?" Shelton looked up and smiled. "Oh, just the usual Ulan." He said loudly. He leaned up and gently head-butted with the waiter, then gave the cat a pleasant smooch. Smiling, Shelton watched the lion's rump sway as he wove his way back through the crowd.

The Dj really had the music cranked tonight, and the dappled horse bobbed his head to the beat. As he sipped his soda, the playful stallion cooed at a pair of beautiful sable antelopes. He swished his tail, brushing against a tall leopard who was passing by. Shelton was rewarded with a coy smile from the cat.

The pony sat back in his chair and surveyed the room, and suddenly held his breath. Across the room, a very tall and a very well dressed gorgeous hunk of a lion was smiling and staring at him. Shelton caught the slight tilt of the head inviting him over. He grinned and danced across the crowded floor until he found himself in the arms of the massive lion. The big cat's bright green eyes hungry with lust.

In the coming nights, Shelly was left alone a little more often than usual. Shelton spent long evenings out with his new boyfriend, and would return home smelling strongly of the cat's musk. Shelly thought this guy smelled better than her brother's usual fare. Though that wasn't saying much.

It was past midnight when Shelton got in. He put the keys in the usual spot, and then trotted into the den. Shelly sat at her computer table, and nickered a greeting to him. He leaned over, and kissed her on the cheek. As Shelly read her news articles, her nostrils flared.

"Mmmm, how was your date with Rakim?" she asked. The scent of the lion's musk was a little stronger than usual, and Shelly guessed that Shelton got to at least third base.

Shelton giggled, and flopped onto the couch.

"Ah..." the stallion said, "I have met a man who makes me really feel small." Shelly snorted, "He must be mister supercock." Shelton giggled, "No dummy, I'm talking about his height. His cock isn't even half as big as mine!" The stallion said smugly.

"Though I think that he's a really good sexual fit for me." Shelton added, and Shelley turned around in her chair. "Mmmmm... you know," she began, "I could really use a bit of sexual fitting from you, my pervy pony."

Shelton groaned, "Dammit woman, I keep telling you I'm gay!" The stallion got up and moved over to his sister to rub her shoulders. "You know sis... you should really get out more and stop being a recluse... meet some nice animal..." Shelly relaxed at his touch and let her ears droop. But she wrinkled her nose at his suggestion. She hadn't been out of the house weeks, and the thought of dating was just too difficult for her to consider right now. Her last date ended rather badly, and besides, Shelton was right here. He knew exactly what she liked, and his body felt incredible. "Of course," he continued, "You might have to share..." She reached back and swatted at his rump. "So," she said, rubbing her head against her brother's middle, "Tell me about Rakim?"

Shelton let out a contented purr, "Well, he's a doctor like I've said... and has great hands...and," Shelton hesitated, "He told me something rather interesting tonight."

After a somewhat difficult discussion, Shelton laid out the specifics to Shelly of what was available from his new friend. It was nothing short of an end to her blindness. New eyes. Shelly's face was emotionless. She had pulled from her brother's touch and had turned around in her chair to face him, her sightless eyes almost boring into him as if she could see him.

"Shelton," she began in a quiet voice, "you mean to tell me that this doctor, that you met six days ago... in a gay bar... can put new eyes into me, and that could restore my vision?" Shelton cringed. He had hoped that this would be welcome news to his sister. Apparently, he had (yet again) badly miscalculated, and was again going to feel the wrath of Shelly's fiery temper.

"Shelly, I'm sorry.... I just...." Shelton stammered. Shelly stood up from her chair and grasped Shelton by the arms. He closed his eyes and turned his head, waiting for the blow to fall. Because of the immense frustration Shelly bore in her heart, she was sometimes given over to fits of great anger. She would lash out at her brother, and this would make the mare feel extremely guilty, and would feed her cycle of frustration, and make it happen all over again.

However, this was not the case tonight. Shelton felt his sister nuzzle his cheek, then her hand slipped up to his chin and pulled his lips to hers. She kissed him very tenderly, a soft groan escaping her throat. Shelton slowly opened his eyes, and exhaled into her mouth. Shelly backed away a pace and turned her head slightly. Shelton was shocked. Shelly's temper was always unpredictable when discussing her disability, but he would never have expected such a tender reaction.

"I need to think about this sweetheart, but... thank you for thinking about me." Shelly said, her face quietly reflective. The revelation her brother gave her had a feeling of destiny. "Can we arrange to see Rakim soon?" Shelly asked, and Shelton's ears perked up so hard they nearly launched like rockets.

"Yes! I mean, um... sure can Sis." Shelly swung her tail in a great round swoosh, and put her hands on her hips. Her expression suddenly very mischievous, and the stallion took a deep breath. "Shelton..." the mare said, taking a step closer to him, "I think I'm ready for that sexual fitting."

***

South of the city of Albany, a company of winged Union Marines was preparing for avian flight certifications. New eagles and hawks were being put through their rigorous qualifications to prepare them to join an airborne platoon. Private Justin Brightwing stood on the tarmac as a Marine aircraft prepared to carry the new Marines aloft. Beaming with pride, Private Brightwing had realized his dream of becoming a Union Marine.

He was an unremarkable young avian, of the eagle species known as Golden. On account of the golden luster of his plumage, and his brilliant golden eyes. Justin stood excitedly with his kestrel friend beside him. The two young men smiled to one another as a small fox with a very large voice commanded the avians to load in to the transport. "Move it! Move it! Move it! Get in there! Get in there! Assholes and elbows ladies!" The avians scrambled inside, and the fox jump captain gave the air crew the all clear to take off, and begin the operation.

Twenty minutes later, something was horribly wrong. The jump captain looked out the door of the operations shack and saw the formation of eagles scattered across the sky, heading toward the landing zone in total disarray. He yelled at a sergeant to get medical transport over to the landing zone, as the fox bolted out the door.

"MEDIC! MEDIC!" Marine eagles shouted, as corpsmen and support personnel were swarming in on the windswept, desert landing zone. The jump captain looked across the scattered platoon, his ears pinned flatly. There was a lot of yelling as the corpsmen tried to sedate one eagle while they worked to staunch the flow of blood from his missing leg, while others were stabilizing an eagle who's head was covered in blood.

It was Private Brightwing. He was mortally wounded. The fox grabbed the peregrine flight instructor, "Lieutenant! Report!" The falcon snapped his gaze to the fox, "Mid air collusion, twenty seconds after aircraft egress. Private Brightwing took a severe blow to the head..." A Chief Corpsman ran over and interrupted, "Captain, I've got to get these two transported to the civilian hospital in Albany! The base clinic just isn't equipped to handle this!"

Back in Albany, the lion Rakim ran into emergency room, pulling his coat on while nurses were quickly making their way to the ICU. Someone from the base had called ahead and let the hospital know that there was a training accident and that two Union Marines had collided in mid air.

The big lion frowned. He hadn't seen an accident like this in years, but it was always very messy, and someone was almost always missing a limb. There was a commotion as a dozen Marine eagles rushed in through the ambulance entrance, carrying their wounded comrades. The big lion fixed his gaze on the group and then he took charge. With his teeth flashing, Rakim began shouting out commands to the nursing staff and Marines alike.

Hours passed. The Marines were milling about in the waiting room as a nurse came out and gestured to the Lieutenant.

"Private Blackfeather is stable and in intensive care for the moment. He's going to be ok." The peregrine lieutenant let out a sigh, "What about Brightwing?" he asked.

The nurse's expression became grave. "I'm sorry, but we tried everything we could. He is currently on life support, we need to make contact with the parents. We are going to need their consent..."

Shelton dozed in his bed, Shelly curled up next to him. He signed, and felt himself slowly begin to wake. Just then the telephone rang loudly. The horse scrambled to answer it before it woke Shelly too much, and put the phone to his cheek. "Shelton, we've got a donor for Shelly. I need you two to get over to the medical center right now." Shelton sat up in bed, fully awake now at Rakim' words. Shelton started to say something, but stopped as he realized what it would take to find a donor that fast.

Fate.

Shelton's motorcycle pulled into the hospital parking lot and screeched to a halt. Rakim strode over to the two horses as they dismounted.

"I'm sorry to scare you, and getting you out here this early in the morning, but we've got precious little time as it is..." Rakim said as he escorted them inside. "Mind you, we still have to fill out the paperwork, and get Shelly prepped, but things look very promising."

The lion led them to the nurse's station and reached behind it and produced a notepad and handed it to Shelton. The pony looked at the form and then back at his sister. The tension hung in the air, and she sensed his apprehension. She reached up and touched his arm and nodded. In a few moments the nurses were helping Shelly into a wheelchair and Shelton reached down and hugged his sister and kissed her on the cheek before they took her to get ready.

"Shelton, I need to tell you something." Rakim said, "I won't be performing the surgery." Shelton looked confused, "Huh? What?" Rakim put his hand on the pony's shoulder. "It's going to an Amnion doctor. I didn't want you to be alarmed." Shelton again looked puzzled. "You mean one of tho..." As Shelton spoke, he heard the elevator chime, and the door slowly open. From the elevator car came a towering, and frightening looking reptilian male. His spindly limbs carried him lightly across the tile floor, making no sound as he stepped.

In a grating mechanical voice, the foreign doctor spoke, "Doctor Rakim, we are in a condition of preparedness. Is the patient progressing toward conformity of purpose?" Shelton turned and looked at the Amnion doctor approaching him.

"Your patient has just been taken for prep," the lion said, "This is her brother." Rakim said, gesturing to Shelton, "Shelton, I'd like you to meet the surgeon performing your sister's transplant."

Shelton had only seen the bizarre reptilian species on the news before, but never in person. The Amnion had a reputation of being the closest thing there was to living computers. Residing on their island nation half a world away, they were chiefly interested in biotechnology. As the strange doctor passed, he ignored Shelton, and proceeded to the OR. Shelton turned and looked up into his friend's face. "Rak, who... who is the donor?"

Rakim sighed, and then nodded. He led Shelton through the halls, telling him about the accident at the Union Marine base and the later outcome. He stopped and knocked at a door, before opening it. Inside, a great female golden eagle was being comforted by a crowd of other avians, presumably her family.

"Mrs. Brightwing," the lion began, his voice very gentle, "I know this is a trying moment, but this is Shelton Holden, his sister... is to be the recipient of your son's eyes."

Shelton blanched and did his best to disappear into thin air as all eyes turned to him. He gulped and felt himself being studied by the great female eagle, her fierce and beautiful face was contorted with anguish. Then Shelton found that she was standing before him. He didn't even notice her cross the room. She bent down, and knelt before the diminutive pony.

"Bless you sonny..." She said in a lovely voice, "Although my heart is greatly pained that my son is passing.... I am happy that the Lords of Time will allow some part of him to endure, and that the wind will again kiss his eyes."

Huge tears welled up in Shelton's eyes, and the eagle's visage blurred away from him. He tried to speak, and tell her that he was thankful, but in that instant he found that she was gone. The room was now empty, except for Rakim, who gently hugged the pony. "Come on Shelton," he said quietly as he held him, "They'll be putting Shelly under anesthesia soon, I think you should see her before that..."

***

Shelly lay on the table, momentarily alone. The oxygen mask fitted snugly over her muzzle. So this will restore her vision? She absently tapped at the metal railing of the gurney. She tried to remember the last thing she had seen in her young life, before her vision was stolen. Faint, foggy memories began to well up. Her memories of sight were hazy at best. Over the years they had taken on more a recollection of a thought, than of an image. The years of being submerged in darkness had washed over her sighted memories and transformed them into something else.

The meningitis infection had almost killed her, and she was very weak that day. She had a recollection of her father, leaning over her, kissing her goodnight. His kind and loving face wore a sad expression. He told her that he was sorry, and that he loved her very, very much. Shelly tried to reach up and touch her father, but her arm was so heavy, and she was so weak. Tears welled up in her daddy's eyes, and he again leaned in close.

"I love you sweetheart..." he said, sounding very far away. The face began to fade, as darkness began to claim her vision. But just then a tear fell out of the blackness and dampened her nose. Shelly gasped, and momentarily regained consciousness as Shelton leaned over her, sobbing heavily.

"Let her go back to sleep Shelton..." she heard a voice say gently, as she felt herself slip into the embrace of sleep.

Shelton looked over at the Amnion surgeon, who was patiently waiting to perform the complicated surgery. He felt agonized, normally he wouldn't want such a creature anywhere near his sister, let alone touch her in such an intimate, and profound way. The pony stepped back into Rakim's embrace as the intern wheeled Shelly's gurney into the operating room.

***

Shelly knew she was dreaming.

It was a strange dream, as if she was being carried along into the sky. There were many arms around her. It seemed to her that each person with her was crying out, calling for her. A vague, undefined feeling touched her, as if remembering a distant dream... of falling from a great height.

Suddenly her dream was banished as real world pain intruded. Her head felt like it was in a vice. Her eye sockets burned. Her skull felt split. She was aware that she wasn't alone. She tried to speak, but her throat refused to work. After a moment, she gurgled pathetically. Someone touched her arm and asked if she could hear him. She tried to answer in the affirmative, but again, could only manage a croak. Voices again, then the pain subsided.

She thought she was dreaming again.

***

Days later, Shelly was in a recovery room. Rakim and Shelton stood over her bed. "Ok Shelly," Rakim said gently, as he worked to remove the bandages from her head, "When I take these off, I want you to keep your eyes closed. I know you're going to want to open them and see if it worked, but let's take this a step at a time." Shelly sat up in her bed while Shelton fidgeted in his chair. The lion looked down at the mare as he pulled away the last of the pads. "I can see light through my eyelids," she said.

Shelton's ears went erect. "That's a good sign. I'm going to rub your face with some saline solution before we go further," the lion said. He held a gauze pad under one eye and let the liquid wash down over her closed eyelid, before ever so gingerly dabbing at it, then repeated the task with her other eye. The streaks of silver light became a blazing light. Shelly pushed her eyelids shut.

"Ok Shelly... you can open your eyes." After a moment of fussing she cracked them open, winced, then started slowly blinking them as Rakim let a little more of the saline flow down over her eyes. Shelton gasped. "What??" Shelly demanded, closing her eyes again. "What can you see Shelly?" Rakim asked. "I can't see a goddamned thing... just a lot of bright blobs" she said. Rakim sounded very pleased. Shelton patted her happily. It seemed the operation was a great success. "Guys..." she asked after a moment. "What do I look like? I mean... is everything okay?" "Yeah sis..." Shelton fidgeted with her hand before kissing her cheek. "It's just that you look a lot different now."

"Ok, like... how different?" Shelton drew back as he heard the edge his sister's voice was starting to take. Her famous temper rapidly building up steam.

"Well...." Rakim cleared his throat. Shelly sat up on her elbows, "Look, you quack... I want to know what I look like... NOW. What kind of eyes were put in me?" "Shelly..." Shelton's tone made her instantly lay back down. He gently touched her elbow. "Shelly, you have the most beautiful eyes now. They are big, and bright, and gorgeous." "Yes, but what KIND of eyes are they?"

"An eagle's, Shelly. A Golden Eagle's." Rakim said.

Shelly exhaled slowly. She carefully opened her eyes again. The great white blur was before her. But in the middle was a darker blur. She could see small things atop that blur that were nervously shifting and swiveling. She realized that she was looking at her brother for the first time since her childhood. She smiled.

"Shelton, I can see you." Tears again welled up in Shelton's eyes. He thanked the Lords of Time.

***

"Shelly, this is Doctor Malcolm." Rakim said, introducing her to a wedge tailed eagle at her next examination. "He's an avian optical specialist. I've asked him to assist on your case." Shelly smiled. Her vision was steadily improving, but the world still appeared as a great white blur.

The wedge-tailed eagle carefully examined Shelly's eyes. He was pleased that her new eyes reacted perfectly when he shone his small flashlight into the liquid black pupils. Shelly was having much fun listening to Doctor Malcolm's delightful southern continental accent and savoring his wonderful scent. "It looks like your new eyes are healing up perfectly, and they are reacting exactly as they should," the eagle said. "There will be many new things to learn with these. You have a different species eye's now, and there will be a great learning curve you will have to traverse."

"Hmmm?" Shelly replied.

"You mainly have the heightened concentration required when looking at distant objects, and you are going to find that your depth perception might become slightly wonky." Malcolm replied. Shelly shifted in her seat, and wondered what the feathers on Doctor Malcolm's chest would feel like. Just then the blurred form of the eagle seemed to take on more of a shape. She became aware of details, and strikingly, the golden discs of his eyes shining out from his dark form.

Shelly's mouth fell open.

***

On a green field not far from the city of Albany, a somber procession of avians, and mammals made their way to the crest of a hill. The mammals were clad in the uniform of Union Marines, and the avians wore the black Marine sash, their sole article of uniform.

The Marines bore the body of Private Justin Brightwing, wrapped in soft fabrics. His Marine sash lay across his body as his former comrades carried him to his final resting place.

The departed eagle's mother and two brothers stood beside the grave. And Eleanor Brightwing softly wept as the procession drew near.

An officer gave a loud call, and the Marines came to a halt. Six of the avians came forward with Private Brightwing's body. Justin's best friend, a young kestrel named Sahar, took the uniform sash from the body.

The kestrel drew near to the mother eagle, and sadly bowed his head as he presented Eleanor with her son's most prized possession. The mother eagle took her son's Marine sash, as her other two sons touched their faces to her wings.

A bald eagle approached the grave, upon his sash he wore the insignia of a Gunnery Sergeant, and his name was Skyheart. Justin's former drill instructor spread his wings, looking proudly to the assembled Marines, "Some people live their whole lives, wondering if they have made a difference." The bald eagle said. "Justin made a difference."

Skyheart then stepped aside, and the six Marines bearing Justin's body came forth. Silently, and with great reverence, the Marines laid Private Justin Brightwing to rest upon the lonely hill, overlooking the city of Albany.

***

Later that day, Shelton arranged a taxi to bring Shelly home. She carefully made her way from the taxi to her front door. And then Shelton assisted her to her room. "Can I get you anything sis?" Shelly patted him, "No thanks pony, I'm really tired." Shelton smiled, "Okay, well I gotta head back to work, they are really short handed. I have asked Mrs. Greer next door to look in on you from time to time." "Thank you pony..." Shelly said weakly as she slowly lowered herself into her bed. Shelton kissed her, but as he did, he found she was already asleep. Gently closing the door, the stallion whispered "I love you..."

Shelly knew she was dreaming again, but she hoped it would last a little longer. She was a little girl again, and she was walking with her father. The kindly horse was walking her through the park, and Shelly was taking in all the sights, scents, and pointing out things. Shelly noticed that the hand that clasped her father's looked strange, it was like a claw. She opened her mouth to speak, but it felt strange. She touched her face, and her nose was hard, and pointed underneath.

Her father just smiled down at her, and the pair kept walking. They came to a clearing, and there stood an eagle. He was golden colored, and he turned to the pair as they approached.

Shelly slowly woke. Her head was killing her, and she struggled to make it to the bathroom. Even though her brain was getting more and more visual information all the time, she still relied on touch to get around. Twenty years of dealing with blindness wasn't going to be undone over night.

She got her aspirin and washed it down with a glass of water. Setting the glass down she shut the medicine cabinet door and looked into the mirror. She let out a shocked squeak. She could see the tawny colored mane that framed her light brown face. And there, in the mirror staring back at her, were the huge golden discs of Doctor Malcolm's eyes.

She reached up and touched her face. The eyes were like blazing, golden rings that pierced everything. She shut her eyes, but could only see the shining rings burning through the darkness, burning away the shadows like a bright new dawn.

She knew she would never be submerged in darkness ever again.

Sometime later, Shelton pulled into his driveway and he saw Shelly outside. She was looking up at the trees, her mouth hanging open slightly. As he got off his bike, Shelly ran over to him. She leaned forward on her toes, and opened her eyes as wide as she could at him, in an exaggerated "I'm looking at you" gesture.

"I can see you!" she squealed, and Shelton hugged her mightily. She stepped back and leaned forward again, opening her eyes as wide as she could, the huge golden discs looking as if they would fly out at him. She could see Shelton's ears moving, and his hair swaying in the breeze. She reached for him, and they settled down on the lawn. Looking up at the trees, she marveled at the green canopy swaying. It was not unlike her brother's mane.

Shelly remembered her walks with her father now. She began to remember her sighted world from long ago. Everything was emerging from her long night of darkness, and she began to cry. The two horses lay there for some time, gently weeping. And when night finally fell over the two horses, Shelly found that the night held no darkness for her.

***

In a great wooden home high on a hillside above the city of Albany, Eleanor Brightwing slowly made her way across the room as her front door bell chimed again. Of late, she seemed to spend her afternoons sitting in her gallery, clutching old photographs, and sadly remembering. Her two other sons looking down from the level above, wishing there was some way they could assuage her grief. The bell chimed yet again, and the golden eagle slowly opened the door to find a small canine there. "Good morning ma'am, I'm with the Continental Herald, I'd like to talk with you about your late son, Justin."

Inviting the dog in, the regal madame placed a cup of tea on the table for the reporter, and he quickly thanked her. "I know this is a very difficult time for you ma'am, but we feel the medical breakthrough that has been achieved is very important."

Eleanor sat upon a tall cushion, and let her wings mantle across her shoulders. She said nothing, but nodded him to continue. "Yes, what we would like is to have yourself, and any family you wish to accompany you, to travel to our studio where we would like to film a piece about the transplantation of your son's eyes into a horse named Shelly Holden." As the reporter spoke, he suddenly became aware of other golden eagles in the room with him. Their fierce eyes boring into him, making his hackles stand on end.

"My Justy..." she chimed after a moment, "Has so recently passed. Please, I will call you as soon as my time of mourning has passed." The reporter quickly stood, and placed his card on the table.

"Absolutely ma'am! Please, at your convenience..." He quickly excused himself, and practically fled the home.

Eleanor turned to her eldest son. The golden avian knelt beside his mother, and she touched his face gently. "My baby. My poor baby..." she whispered, and began to weep in the way eagles weep. Her eyes closed, her head bowing sadly.

Jonathan Brightwing folded his wings around his mother and wept with her, both silently remembering.

***

In a troubled dream, Shelly shrieked from the sky above. Darkness was closing in around her father, like a cruel malevolent force. Shelly flew over him, her wings spread out wide, her legs tucked firmly behind her. The wind was in her face, caressing her eyes. She landed before the horse, her eyes like fiery rings, beating back the blackness. Her father rushed to her, and embraced the young eagle.

Slowly, Shelly found that she was not an eagle, but a young horse... with the same blue eyes as her father. She turned and looked out across the receding blackness, and there stood a tall golden eagle.

He looked to the girl, his gaze was intense, but at the same time, tender. He lifted his hand to wave to her, as blackness began to close around him. He spoke a warm, lyrical note... "Tell my family I love them." The eagle said, "Please tell my..." But as the eagle spoke again, the darkness consumed him, and he passed out of all thought.

Shelly awoke with a start. She held her head in her hands, rubbing her cheeks. These dreams were getting really weird. Shelton stirred next to her, and she patted him. The room looked odd to her, and as she looked to her brother.

She saw him clearly in the gloom of the bedroom. His sleepy face was slowly waking, and there was no haze, no fuzziness. Only her brother. His beautiful blue eyes opened, and he smiled as he saw the thoughtful mask she wore.

"You can see me clearly, can't you?" Shelton asked.

"Yes." She said after a moment. She closed her eyes, and opened them again. Shelton's blue eyes looked like her father's, except they didn't bear the sadness she remembered of the brokenhearted stallion. Shelton's face didn't bear the tragic loss of a loving wife, nor the terrible illness of his young daughter. Shelton's face was bright, and excited, and... tears began to well up in his eyes. But they were joyous tears.

"Don't cry silly..." she said to him, reaching out confidently and touching his face. Shelly's golden eyes shone ever brighter, and Shelton knew things would never be the same for either of them.

Later that morning the telephone rang, "Shelton Holden?" the quizzical voice asked. Shelton stood in the kitchen, the telephone receiver in his hand, suddenly seeming like it was a snake that he held. "Um... yes?" "I represent the Continental Herald. I'd like to talk with you about your sister's groundbreaking eye transplant..."

Shelton slapped the phone back into the hangar. His face was strained, his ears pinned back flatly. He absolutely did not want this kind of attention. The phone rang again, but he simply lifted the receiver, and slapped it back down. He stepped away and reached for his apron. The phone rang. "Look, I DON'T want to talk about my sister's transplant!" Shelton began. "Well... would you consider going out tonight instead?" The voice purred on the other end of the phone. Shelton let out a sigh and leaned against the wall.

"Sorry about that Rakim."

"I take it you've been contacted by the media? I'm sorry about that. We tried our best to keep it under wraps, but someone talked. We don't know if it was the military, or the eagle's family. But don't worry about them though, you don't have to speak to them if you don't want to." Shelton sighed, and thanked his friend. "You still want to go out tonight?" Shelton let out a chuckle. He saw Shelly ease her way into the kitchen. She still felt her way around, but she looked at her brother, and smiled warmly. "I'll get back to you on that," he said. There was a chuckle on the other end, before goodbyes were exchanged.

"Reporters were calling, asking about you."

"Hmmm, maybe I could get onto one of those news shows!" Shelly beamed. Shelton was taken aback, "You would really go for that Shelly?" The mare's ears swiveled, "Could be nifty. Besides, what if someone else could benefit from all this?" Shelton was not convinced, but he put on his apron, and began making some oats for their breakfast. "Things are certainly changing," he thought.

***

Later that day, Shelton made his way to the break room at Advanced Engineering to eat his lunch. He paused at the door as he saw that it was crowded with most of the crews from the day and night shifts. The chatter died down as he opened the door and stepped in.

Dale, his canine terrier friend stood up and cleared his throat. "Uh, Shelton, us guys were worried about you and your sister, after all of her medical treatments and stuff, so we took up a collection for you..." He presented several stuffed envelopes. "We want you to have this so you guys will be okay." Shelton stood there, speechless. "I... uh... look... you didn't have to do that. The treatments and everything are all paid for." But the men were adamant.

"No, horse, take the cash! You never know what you guys might end up needing!" someone said. Shelton hugged every one of them, and put the money into his coveralls.

There had been many such donations in the two months since Shelly's operation. In fact, the horses were finding neighbors that lived several miles away were stopping by, giving Shelton and Shelly sizable sums of money. All of these sudden donations added up to several hundred thousand Union pounds, the value of which panicked the pony. When he brought the idea up to Shelly, they both decided to give the money to the clinic to help pay for the operation.

There was no need to of course, but it definitely made Shelton feel better.

***

That evening, Shelton made a large salad with lots of carrots for the two of them, and they indulged in a serving of flame-cooked wild beast meat, that they sandwiched between two bread loaves, with some dairy cheese spread. It was insanely good, and they sat for long moments afterward sucking the juice from their fingertips. Shelly continued to marvel at everyday things, like what grease looks like on your hands.

"How was your day sweetie?" Shelly nickered, and Shelton flattened his ears, "The guys gave us a bunch of money today. I didn't count it really closely, but it might be upwards of five thousand pounds." Shelly smiled, "The guys love you a lot pony. Don't feel bad about it! They just want us to be okay."

"That's what they said at the time," Shelton said softly, and got up to clear away the dishes. Shelly went into the den and eased down at her computer table, and turned on her braille reader to scan headlines and blogs. It occurred to Shelton that Shelly did not know how to read printed words. She just sat at her table, eyes closed, grinning and chortling at some headline as it came through the sensor around her finger. Shelton stood there, watching his sister read as a smile crossed his face.

Just then, there was a soft tap at the front door. Shelton turned, and went to answer. A tall eagle stood in the doorway. Shelton thought he recognized the avian. He opened his mouth to speak, but the eagle spoke first in a silky mature voice, "Hello, I am Eleanor Brightwing."

Across the room was a gasp. "You're his mother." Shelly whispered from behind Shelton.

Eleanor looked across the small room, and saw her son's eyes looking back at her. Eleanor grasped her wing tips and pulled them across her shoulders like a shawl, bowing her head. Shelton looked to Shelly and stepped back, inviting the eagle in.

Shelly stood there apprehensively, then she suddenly rushed to the towering eagle and hugged her, burying her face in the golden soft feathers. Shelton faintly heard her whisper

"Momma...."

"Why on earth has she called the eagle that??" Shelton wondered, his ears involuntarily flattening. The eagle knelt down, and looked deeply into Shelly's new eyes. Tears began to well up in them, something that could never have happened when her son wore them. "I dream about an eagle." Shelly said to the mother eagle. "I think it's your son."

Eleanor looked at her thoughtfully, running her hand through Shelly's soft hair. The tall eagle tilted her head one way, then the other as she smoothed the troubled horse's mane.

"Animal kind often says that the eyes are the window to the soul. Eagle kind believes that the eyes are not just a window to the soul, but are it's vessel."

Shelton looked from the older woman, to the younger. He was quite confused. Shelly led Mrs. Brightwing into the kitchen where the two sat at the table and chatted long into the night.

Shelton noticed that the longer they chatted, the more the mother eagle seemed to brighten.

Shelly seemed to also come out of her shell. She was happy to be opening up to someone about the dreams she had been having. And to Eleanor, no doubt remained that some part of her son had indeed endured. This young horse was revealing things about her Justin that no other person would have known... private things, known but to her and Justin alone.

Finally the eagle made ready to leave. Shelly escorted the eagle to the door, then turned to bid her goodnight. "Mother, I..." Shelly caught herself, blushing deeply. Eleanor knelt down again, and took Shelly's hands in hers.

"It is not wrong to call me that, dear..." the mother eagle said.

The two looked long at one another, and then embraced again. Shelton could see that the two needed one another, and he was very happy that he would have a chance to properly thank the eagle for her gift to Shelly. The eagle who's eyes had become Shelly's vision was now a heroic figure to his sister. And the hero's mother who had made the brave decision to allow her son's eyes to be gifted had become Shelly's Joan of Arc.

He was happy that the mother eagle had visited, although this first meeting was quite awkward to say the least.

The eagle stepped out onto the front walk, and spread her wings wide. After a warm glance back, she took several strong strides forward, and launched herself into the air.

As they watched the mother eagle fly away, they both felt a huge weight had been lifted from their hearts.

"She's a very nice lady..." Shelton said. Shelly nodded, and hugged her brother. "As nice a mother as anyone would ever wish for." Shelly sighed.

***

Days later, Eleanor had ventured far away from the city of Albany. She sought out a great and ancient structure, nestled at the base of the stone mountain. A temple of avian kind. Therein dwelt Imar, the black eagle. A priest of the avian temple, Imar and others of his kind served the avians of land as scholars, and spiritual guides.

The great temple had many halls and chambers accessible only from the sky, and in a shaft of sunlight streaming down from above, the great black eagle sat quietly in thought. His species was known as Imperator, for his kind were descended from the great kings of old. Meditating quietly, he tilted his massive head skyward in the cool morning air. His coal-black plumage caught the morning sun and shimmered with purples, blues and reds. He felt the warmth spreading through him as he meditated on a question... his huge chest slowly rising and falling as he contemplated his answer.

Eleanor sat patiently, waiting for the black eagle to render his guidance. Waiting for a word of hope.

Imar slowly rose, and turned to the golden eagle. He spoke in the lyrical avian language of eagles but with a deep baritone note that made the mother eagle feel both awed, and comforted.

"Such a question has never been brought before our kind, Lady Eleanor. Indeed, your question shakes the very core of our knowledge." The black eagle's wings slowly spread as he spoke, but then furled before he began pacing to and fro.

"Does your son still live within this young equine?" His turned his gaze to Eleanor, "Our souls move through a great sea of time, and leave a gentle wake as we pass. Your son has departed these shores, his life faintly echoing through this young woman. Your son's gift to her is not only sight, but also an echo of his passing." The black eagle knelt beside Eleanor.

"Look into her eyes, and remember your son, Lady Eleanor. But do not hope to find him there." Eleanor's wings crumpled to the wooden floor, and a pang of sorrow touched Imar. "Lady Eleanor..." he said gently, "This young woman has been very moved by your son's gift... touched in a way many of us could scarcely fathom. True, your son is departed, but true still is the echo of his being that she carries within herself."

Imar cupped her face in his huge hands, "Go to her. Let her express the feelings and memories that Justin's gift has imparted within her. For in so doing, it will mend both of your hearts. Never forget to cherish the ones who have passed, but also remember the ones who still love you." Eleanor's feathers stood up for a moment, knowing that he was referring to her sons at home who still loved and needed her.

Eleanor bowed, "You are both wise and kind, Imar..." she said, but as she looked up, she found that he was gone.

***

Shelly was dreaming. In it, she stood at the edge of a sweeping precipice. Her mane blew about her face as the strong winds swept over her. She was very young, perhaps only five years old. She was a young equine filly, but she possessed large golden raptor's eyes. Growing from her back were beautiful golden wings. She stood proudly, thinking herself a mythical Hippogriff.

Her eagle father stood over her protectively, his shining golden eyes smiled down upon her. He gestured out across the valley, and pointed to the eagle, and raven folk who made lazy circles in the warm thermal currents rising up around them. Her father took her into his arms, his wings spread wide. With a leap, he bore her aloft, leaving the cliff far below, climbing higher and higher over the valley.

Avian folk in the air with them sang their greetings to them, and welcomed her to the sky. Her father gently let her go, promising to watch over her. Saying he would never let her fall. She opened her wings, and began gliding ahead of her watchful guardian. She let out an exuberant call as she began to gain altitude, and climb with the other folk of the sky. Her father laughed, a loud happy song, as he watched her take to wing, while the other avians called back, and their calls and chimes began to mingle into a single rousing chorus.

With a groan, Shelly reached over, and swatted Shelton's alarm clock "Damn, that was a cool dream too. I'll catch you next time, Justy." Shelly rose, and stumbled to the bathroom.

After seeing Shelton off with a kiss, and a swat, Shelly made ready to begin her day. She gathered some water bottles, and some snacks and set them in her backpack. As she walked to the foyer, she began to reach for her walking stick. Once an indispensable tool for walking out doors, she regarded it for a few moments. "Maybe I'll hang it on the wall someday." She smiled to herself and left it by the door.

She strolled along the avenues, waving to neighbors, and chatting with curious children who overflowed with questions about her eyes. She laughed and said that she was the one with all of the questions. Her new eyes made her feel as if she could take flight.

Gazing down a broad avenue, she concentrated on a distant object, and it seemed to rush to meet her. Crisp details appeared where none had been previously. Gazing harder, more details sprang from the distant, hazy background. The telescopic effect of her eyes staggered her. Doctor Malcolm had been correct that she would need a lot of time to adjust to this new reality.

Shelly made her way to the nearby garden shop where she spent many long moments browsing and admiring the beautiful flowers.

"It's a good thing Shel gave the money we got to the clinic, because I would have bought this store by now." She laughed to herself. As she rounded an isle, she came face to face with a large Owl. He stood, looking into Shelly's eyes. Shelly dropped her gaze, and tried to cover her face with her mane. "Forgive me lady..." The owl said, "I did not mean to stare." The owl bowed, and passed by.

"Well, at least you were looking at my eyes." Shelly said shyly.

Shelly began to realize how different she must look now. She wondered how people must have stared before, when she had her blank white eyes. Only she had been oblivious to their curiosity. After the operation, and her vision cleared, Shelly had spent many long hours pouring over old photographs of herself. Her milky white eyes, staring straight ahead. She wished that their belongings from her old life had survived the years of foster care. She would give anything to see a photograph of her mother and father. She missed them terribly. They would be so excited by all that has happened. She thought of Eleanor. She was so kind, and loving. Shelly wondered if her own mother would be as kind as her. With that thought, Shelly made her way to Aerie street, where the eagles lived.

***

Jonathan woke to his mother's singing. A sound he had not heard in many a long months. He sprang from his bed, and poked his head out over the stairway railing. Below, his mother was flittering about the house, cleaning and organizing.

Her wings held so high that she looked like she could spring into flight. Jonathan squeaked a greeting, and his mother cooed a happy reply. He leapt over the railing, and with a flourish of his wings, lightly touched down into the living room.

"Look what a mess you children make!" His mother cawed, "You would think that scrubjays lived here!" Jonathan brushed his wings against his mother, and then made his way to the kitchen.

"Mother, have we fresh beast flesh?" Eleanor rolled her eyes. "I don't know, maybe..." Just then there was a knock at the door. Eleanor turned, and her feathers stood on end.

As she neared the door, she could see the tawny colored mane through the window. "Shelly!" the mother eagle called.

Jonathan heard her mother invite the horse in, and he didn't know what to do. This woman bore the eyes of his dead brother, and he didn't know if he had the courage to look upon them. He started to round the corner to retreat back to his room when he came face to face with Shelly.

The liquid black depths of her pupils met his, and the young eagle's feathers flattened. Shelly sensed his unease and dropped her gaze, politely clearing her throat. Eleanor stepped between them, and hugged her son, gesturing him to take leave.

An uneasy silence filled the kitchen as the two women sat looking at one another, not knowing where to begin. "Shelly... I want you to know," Eleanor began, "I wish to spend time with you, and only you. My son is... no more, and there is nothing behind his eyes save for you, and the memory of Justin's being."

Shelly was taken aback. She had started to believe that Justin might possibly be living within her somehow, and she had hoped that Eleanor might provide some kind of answers.

"Eleanor..." the horse stammered. Eleanor raised her hand. "It would still be a blessing to be a mother to you. If you would have me in your life..." Shelly's ears perked high, and she beamed.

"Getting new eyes was always an impossible dream. Finding a family seemed even more impossible." The eagle clasped her hands around Shelly's and gripped them warmly. The two let a long moment pass before their conversation shifted to more everyday things.

Jonathan strained to listen from his perch. His mother seemed so happy. This horse seemed a great comfort to her. Despite himself, he felt he was beginning to like the mammal. He decided to leave the two alone. But he felt suddenly anxious, and he too desired company. To speak of his own feelings. His own anguish still very heavy on his heart.

He opened the window to his room, and leapt out, catching the wind, and spiraling up into the morning sky. He would go to the horse's brother, for he had seen the address that his mother had written down. He knew they lived on Forest street, near the intersection of Telegraph road. Jonathan had no idea what he would say. But he wanted to get to know these horses better. Because he knew his mother was kind. He saw her motherly instincts stirring strongly. He knew he would be seeing a lot more of these equines. And he desired to find out more about them. So Jonathan flew toward the center of Albany, toward the Holden residence.

***

Shelton sighed as he climbed back onto his bike. He was to take more time off, with pay of course, to take care of his sister. The horse really felt like he needed to busy himself, and work was what he felt he really needed. No matter, maybe he'd address the long neglected roofing project his house needed.

He pulled into the driveway, and sprinted to his door. "Hey Shel!" he called, but the stallion found the house empty. "She must have gone for a walk," he mused. Something so everyday as a walk, yet before the operation, a walk was a peril fraught ordeal for the mare.

Looking to the coat rack, Shelton saw her walking stick. He smiled to himself, and started to remove his motorcycle armor. Just then there was a knock at the door, and Shelton found a young eagle there. "Hello..." the avian peeped shyly, "I'm Jonathan Brightwing..." And Shelton smiled warmly, "Hello!"

***

Shelton invited the eagle in, and the two young men settled into Shelton's parlor. Jonathan looked at his hands for a moment, and then smiled to Shelton. "Thanks for inviting me in." the eagle said, trying to make conversation.

Shelton smiled, and then said softly, "I'm sorry about your brother."

Jonathan nodded, and the two made small talk before they gradually warmed to one another. Soon, their conversation became more personal, "That's very sad..." Jonathan said as he rose from the sofa and settled onto a chair closer to the stallion. "Yeah, it's just how life is sometimes." the horse replied slowly. Jonathan absently preened his pinfeathers. "That's quite a difference between your kind, and mine." "I couldn't imagine my mother dying while giving birth to me." The eagle dipped his head thoughtfully. Shelton leaned forward.

"What about your dad? I get the impression he isn't around anymore?" The eagle cast his gaze far away. "Do you remember the air disaster from five years ago? Flight 441 that crashed in a storm fifty miles south of Albany?" Shelton gasped, "No....."

And Jonathan nodded sadly. "A tragic irony, isn't it? An eagle, dying in an airbus crash. Tell me, Shelton, how did your father die?" Shelton thought for a moment, "We don't know. He just died. Sometime after Shelly was blinded by the infection. Shelly thinks he died of a broken heart." Jonathan's feathers flattened, "And then you went to foster care?" Shelton sighed, and shook his head yes.

"Yes, but I have to admit, there were really a lot of nice people who cared for us. But they seemed to do it more from a sense of duty, than out of love." Shelton said, gazing out the large window into his garden.

Jonathan felt touched. Absently, he reached out and placed his hand over Shelton's. Shelton looked up, and smiled. Jonathan suddenly jerked his hand back, looking embarrassed, and confused.

"So Jonathan, when you get restless, you go out flying, right?" The eagle's wings suddenly perked. "I sure do!" Jonathan peeped. Shelton had a sly grin. "Want to see the kind of flying I do when I'm restless?"

***

Shelton twisted the throttle on his BMW 1200, and the cycle surged forward. The eagle struggled to hang on to the pony as the bike quickly accelerated down the empty farm road. The eagle made hoots, and screeches of pleasure as the cycle thundered along at triple digit speeds.

Jonathan's wings were held tightly behind him, and as Shelton rounded a bend, the eagle suddenly spread them wide, and he launched into the air. Shelton hit the brakes, thinking for a frightful second that the bird had fallen off, but then saw the eagle swoop from above, and touch back down into the seat behind the horse. He let out the breath that he didn't realize he had been holding.

Jonathan called excitedly, "Shelton, hit the accelerator again! Let's fly!" And Shelton grinned wide, twisting the throttle once more, pinning the gas wide open. The eagle again launched skyward, screeching happily as he surged upwards, gaining altitude faster than his swiftest powerdive. Shelton smiled to himself. "Is this what it's like having a brother?" he wondered.

***

Shelly wandered the halls of the Brightwing home looking at their family photos. She stopped and touched a photo of Justin, which showed him standing at his military graduation, proudly wearing his freshly presented Marine sash.

She recalled one of her dreams of Justin, the young eagle was confessing his doubts and fears to his mother, and Eleanor, lovingly supporting him, and inspiring him to pursue his dream of becoming a Union Marine. She began to understand that Eleanor likely felt responsible for her son's death. She realized that the mother eagle felt tremendous guilt over urging her son to pursue the profession that ultimately claimed his life.

"You would have liked Justy..." Ashley Brightwing, Eleanor's middle son said softly. Joining her at the wall. "Even though he was our baby brother, he towered over all of us. He was a great eagle, and I'm glad he could have helped you Miss Shelly." The eagle lowered his head, and Shelly hugged him. Ashley's wings gently embraced the horse. They held each other for a few moments before a high pitched rumble picked up in strength and then paused outside before dying away.

Jonathan hopped off of the motorcycle, chattering excitedly, and the eagle and the horse skipped up to the front door. Shelly opening it to meet them, grinning wide. "Shelton! What are you doing here?" Her brother hugged her.

"A little bird told me you were here."

Eleanor found that everyone was suddenly assembled in the front room, chatting happily, and the mother eagle beamed. "Who's hungry?" She called. Jonathan grasped his beak, and cast a glance at Shelton, "Oh, you are not meat eating animals..." Shelly crept over to the eagle in a mock stalk, her hands held out like a mantis, "Oh, we do savor the beast flesh!" she cried, and she foozled his feathers.

The group settled down to their first meal together. It was an unlikely assembly, but one who's bonds were growing deeper. A thought played around in the back of Shelton's mind.

"It has been said that friends are the family that we choose. Indeed..." He smiled to himself as the two species sat together, one touched by the world of the other.

Copyright 2009, by Chris Sawyer. Equineartist[at]Gmail.com