The sun rises on the horizon filling the sky with vibrant hues of red and orange. Far to the north, tendrils of smoke reach up to the sky from a point close to the river at the base of a mountain. A dark speak emerges from the smoke and follows the river south. The southern end of the valley narrows, turning from fields to forest. The river flows faster here, cutting deeper into the earth. The mixed deciduous forest crowds the banks of the river, partially enveloping it. Multicolored leaves of red and orange compliment the sunrise.
The speck is closer now and the shape of the pinion feathers mark it to be a falcon. High above the valley floor the bird flies back and forth across the river all the while traveling south. The valley narrows further, becoming a ravine as the river turns into rapids. The forest thins out here as it tenaciously clings to the rock walls. The river plummets over a rocky ledge and then drops about a hundred feet into a pool below before continuing it's journey south. The forest crowds in again, practically hiding the pool and river. The falcon spirals downward, coming to rest at the waters edge, alighting upon the spine of an overturned canoe.
Lying beside the boat half out of the water is a boy in his mid teens. His light brown hair is caked with mud as well as his long tunic and loose fitting trousers. He stirs slightly, lifting his head and looking around. Gradually he pulls himself out of the water and sits up on the shore. His head hangs forward and his shoulders slump. A slight breeze ruffles his hair and rustles the leaves on the trees. A couple of brown, dead leaves fall to the water and float away. Only a small amount of sunlight filters through the canopy to reach the forest floor. Eventually the young man lifts his head and spots the bird watching him. The falcon tilts it's head sideways and their eyes meet. "Do you know who I am" the young man asks?
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