The next morning, Shaun Cole was awakened by two chirping sounds.
He opened his eyes.
Right in front of him, Snow was tilting her head, looking at him. Beside her stood another gyrfalcon.
This gyrfalcon was slightly smaller than Snow. Its entire body was white, but its beak was darker and thicker, and its talons looked even more powerful. At this moment, its sharp eyes were filled with hostility and anger—like a man who had just discovered someone getting far too close to his wife.
The comparison wasn't exactly elegant, but Shaun Cole could clearly feel it—
That was exactly what this gyrfalcon was thinking.
"Snow," Shaun Cole sat up and asked with a smile,
"is this your husband?"
"Gu… ji… gu-gu…"
Snow nodded.
Even though he couldn't understand her chirps, Shaun Cole clearly grasped her meaning.
"Hehe. Hello, Mr. Gyrfalcon,"
Shaun Cole said cheerfully to the male bird.
"My name is Shaun Cole. I'm your wife's friend."
"Gu… gu-gu…"
The male gyrfalcon let out two low calls, his eyes still filled with fierce suspicion as he stared at Shaun Cole.
Meeting his gaze, Shaun Cole looked straight back. Soon, the ancient language he had used the day before flowed from his lips once again.
One minute later—
Snow and the male gyrfalcon stood on either side of Shaun Cole, rubbing their heads affectionately against his neck.
"Hehe," Shaun Cole laughed.
"How about I call you Da Bai?"
At once, the male gyrfalcon flapped his wings and smacked Shaun Cole on the head.
Shaun Cole laughed and didn't move at all.
Now that they had formed a bond, no matter what, the birds would never harm him. Sometimes, he truly felt that eagles were far easier to get along with than people.
"Alright, alright—just kidding,"
Shaun Cole said with a grin.
"How about Aquila instead? The emperor among eagles. Sounds pretty impressive, doesn't it?"
This time, the male gyrfalcon nodded, clearly approving of the name.
"Good,"
Shaun Cole smiled.
"You can both live here from now on. I'll build you a proper home in a bit."
The moment he finished speaking, Snow began chirping excitedly.
"Oh?"
Shaun Cole asked.
"You want to bring your children over too?"
Snow and Aquila both nodded.
"Hehe, that's fine,"
Shaun Cole said.
"I'll finish building your home first, then I'll go with you to bring your kids back."
The two eagles exchanged a glance, then nodded in agreement.
After settling things with the pair, Shaun Cole got up and began building a nest for them.
Half an hour later, the nest was complete.
Shaun Cole walked to the edge of the protruding rock and looked up at Snow and Aquila circling overhead.
Then—
He leapt.
Spreading his arms wide, he jumped straight down.
At the same time, Snow and Aquila let out sharp cries and dove after him.
They knew humans couldn't fly. Seeing their newly made friend leap from such a height, they were certain he would be gravely injured—or worse.
They dove at over three hundred kilometers per hour, trying to save him.
But Shaun Cole was even faster.