The Little Drummer Bird#3

The nut was never seen again

This is a little seasonal serial, some festive merriment, a gift of an advent calendar to you who reads this from this teller, a sculpture and a bit of story each day.

Part#1 , Part#2 , Part#3 , Part#4 , Part#5 , Part#6 , Part#7 ,Part#8 , Part#9 , Part#10 , Part#11 , Part#12 , Part#13 , Part#14 , Part#15 , Part#16 , Part#17 , Part#18 , Part#19 , Part#20 , Part#21 , Part#22 , Part#23 , Part#24

Today is the third, who waits beyond?

The dark was not lifting even a little, and the little Drummer Bird wondered if the night would ever end. Onwards he flew, glancing up at the guiding star high in the nightsky, the drum tapping against his feet sent waves of warmth, keeping the cold at bay.

On one occasion, he saw the flicker of light in the dark, peeking through the trees, like lit wick of caged lamp. So, he flew closer towards it, and there sitting by a waning campfire was a figure.

Somewhat of a giant, a soldier whose skin was white as snow and coat was red as blood.

"Hello Mr.Bird, just for you I'll build this fire up again, you should last a little longer in this long night, even if I don't"

"He doesn't know" the Drum scoffed. "Give a bit of a drum birdbrain!"

Drummer did so, and the soldier's stiff face loosened with wonder at the warmth the drumming made.

"How miraculous, I haven't felt this warm since before the war, but still, I am hollow. Thank you anyway little bird"

"Hollow? Drum, why does it fall short?"

"Eight out of ten times leaves two birdbrain"

The soldier slowly waved a hand in dismissal.

"Don't fight with your drum, little bird, it would be quite the miracle for this cold tin chest of mine to feel warm"

Drummer looked askance at the soldier.

"I lost my whole chest in the war, with this magic tin torso they kept me alive to fight, but not long after, it was at an end"

"There's an old story" The Drum observed.

Drummer was silent, never quite knowing what to chirp in times like these.

"Here's another old one, when I returned home, my village was no more, ever since I've been wandering the woods"

"You've kept your goatee well in spite of that!" Drummer said, hoping it would be of some cheer.

A small chuckle came from the soldier.

"An old habit, but tell me little bird, how did you find yourself out in this night where Cold and Dark roam?"

So, Drummer told him the good news, the Lord if the manor's open doors, the winter feast for all.

Hearing this, the soldier stood up and beat his hollow heartless chest.

"Though I am unworthy to pass through his doors, after hearing of your task, I must insist that you let me travel with you for your protection, there's nasty things wandering about this night"

The drum let out an annoyed beat of his own accord.

"Not worthy, of course you aren't, none of you are, but you don't get to decide if his doors are open to you are not! He said they're open to all who the bird meets, so they're open for you!"

The soldier considered the rant of the drum.

"You're right, It isn't my place to deny myself passage into his Manor."

Drummer puffed up his feathers.

"Now that you've both had your back and forth, how will you protect anyone with no weapon?"

To the bird's question, he pulled a nut from his pocket, and before the Drum and Drummer, crushed the mighty nut to powder.

"No wonder they kept you alive to fight Nutcracker!" so Drummer declared.

"Well, now birdbrain if you meet something drumming won't solve, you have brute force on your side!"

"It would be good if I don't have to, tell me bird, how did you come upon me?"

Drummer pointed a wing to the nightsky to the guiding star, and the soldier nodded.

"Many times I relied on his aid myself, come, let us be off"

The Nutcracker gathered Drummer and Drum in his arms, and set off. For Drummer's part, he was glad enough to not be flapping about in the dark any longer.

"You better keep drumming birdbrain, or the pair of you will freeze to death"

Out in the dark wilds, the sound of a drum echoed through the air.

How much longer would the long night last?

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