Narcissus sleepily waddles out of what is left of the shelter. Narcisa was already up. I (Cawlin), Penelope and Philip were leaving.
Narcissus: Be very careful to not get caught. Come back soon!
Philip: yes, the faster we leave, the better!
Narcisa: Good luck!
In the backgroud we could hear a sleepy hoot. It was Athena.
We flew over the main road towards the old bridge that is right above the island. It is used by animals that go to pasture. Next to it, there is a higher bridge over which cars drive. Then we turned towards Sanovita. We met plenty of sparrows and starlings along the way. After about half an hour of flying we reached a herd of sheep. They were busy drinking water, and next to them there was a friendly lapwing. He had heard of Codrin, the talking starling, and confirmed that he was still in Gizela. He also said his song could be heard around the village: he sounded depressed, and clearly wanted to be free.
Sanovita is the city of the dump. It is a combination of the very old and the very new. Its streets are still roamed by turkeys, geese, ducks and chicken. The old men and women of Sanovita look as if time had been still for the past two hundred years or so. They wear dark, practical clothes. The men wear a vest and cotton approns, which clash with the phones in their pockets. The women wear head scarfes. One old lady dressed traditionally had a backpack of hierbicide. Its smell made me sick. We flew on past the shinny mountain. Sanovita is home to the biggest dump site in the Timis county. All the glass, metal and shinny plastics reflect the sunlight making it look like a glittering mountain or like a second stinky sun.
Me: "I'll give up collecting shinny things after this! They would remind me of this smell!"
Penelope: Humans wrap their food in almost indestructible plastics, foam or shinny aluminium. Then they trash them mixed with food and other forms of waste. This coupled with trash from factories make up the stinky mountain.
Philip: Watch out! Another stinking metal thing is coming. They all hold deliveries for the dump mountain.
Me: "It's hard for me to fly here because I'm new to this, but people put up with the smell, and even built new villas here. They must cost many pretty pennies. The houses here are either very old or very new."
Penelope: Here is a BMW. It's a car that used to be driven only by the very rich. This one is driven by the son of the old man over there.
Me: The one who looks as if it's 1821.
Philip: Enough with the chatter. Let's fly to Gizela and find Codrin.
Along the way there were plenty of bee-eaters. Before the village, we found the cows of Gizela. I have counted more than a dozen heads, and about five horses.
We soon heard lound, uncultivated human voices. They came from the bar. It must be the only entertainment that Gizela has. As we flew by, we heard someone say "Mircea, how is your starling? I'll buy you two beers if you bring it this evening!". "I might bring it for three beers or for a bottle of wine, but only after I plant my tomatoes" answered Mircea. It was easy to follow Mircea home. A starling's voice could be heard through his open window. Now it was crucial to make as little noise as possible. Philip flew in and introduced himself while myself and Penelope perched on a nearby tree. Codrin started speaking human to prove himself. I quickly went in to prick the lock. Soon Codrin was out. On our way back we avoided the main road, and flew over the fields instead. The path was full of shrikes. I had to watch over Philip and Penelope and caw loudly when any of them came too close. There were plenty of places to take a break. Codrin was out of practice because of his long period in captivity, and flew slowly.
We were back at the island just before the sun set. Everybody was waiting for us. I cawed unnecessarily:
"We are back! Here is Codrin!"
Codrin: I am the starling that talks human. As you got me out of that stinky cage, I will come with you part of the way, and be your interpreter.
Narcisa: good, you'll be a great distraction when we sneak onto our first ship.
Athena:"Ho, Ho!"
Codrin quickly tries to fly away, but I shout: "it's only Athena. She is our friend and protector. She won't eat you!"
The starling comes back rather nervously. Athena lands by Codrin.Athena: "Don't be scared, I won't eat you. Starlings aren't tasty enough. I stand the temptation of Penelope and Philip, too. Since Narcissus wants you to help, I'll protect you!"
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