“What Pegman saw” is a weekly challenge based on Google Streetview. Using the location provided, you must write a piece of flash fiction of no more than 150 words. You can read the rules here. You can find today’s location on this page, from where you can also get the Inlinkz code. This week’s prompt is Mongolia.
Image by Jacqueline Macou from Pixabay
The Hunter
Over the years, his thighs had moulded themselves to the curve of the leather saddle, and his brow was furrowed from squinting against the snow-glare. His left forearm was heavily muscled from carrying the bird, hour after hour, day after day.
Altan felt sad that his son wasn’t with him, but it was a good day – the air smelled bright, and the snow under his horse’s hooves sounded crisp. The bird perched on the leather gauntlet, feathers ruffled by the ever-present breeze. Occasionally it shook its head and Altan would chant gently, soothing it.
His horse crested the ridge and halted.
Altan slipped off the bird’s hood, watched the eyes focus, watched the head moving as it scanned the slope below.
Then it launched itself and dived, faster and faster, slamming into the wolf. Altan chanted triumphantly. Perhaps one day his baby grandson too would hunt with a golden eagle!
Autumn Leaves 