It was a week until Eris' 17th birthday, and Razar still hadn't thought of a suitable present. He had contemplated everything from rings, necklaces and chains to an 'upgrade' to her jet. Yet somehow nothing had seemed right. He kicked a rock in frustration.

'She's my girlfriend! I must be able to think of something!' he thought to himself. He decided to go for a morning flight to clear his mind.

After an hour of gliding gently through cool clouds, he realised that he had unwittingly flown to the eagle spires. Eris was busy today, so he knew he couldn't drop in to see her, but he decided that there was no harm in having a walk around her home.

'Perhaps being around her people will give me ideas, yes?' he reasoned with himself.

Adroitly, he alighted on the magnificent marble, trying not to scratch the delicate stone with his harsh claws. He ignored the strange looks he was getting from some of the eagles; he was used to them. Instead, he stopped to take a breath and took in his surroundings. The room he was in was round, about fifty feet in diameter and had a domed, glass celling, supported by triangular brass beams. White- and blue-feathered birds stood in small clusters, and he guessed that there were about two dozen. The floor was adorned with a brightly coloured compass set into the stone, and a door was placed in the walls by each of the points. The northern door, which he had just entered, as well as the southern door, led to the outside. The eastern door opened to a spiral staircase, which in turn allowed access to a busy observatory.

It was the western door that interested Razar most. By it, there was a notice board, upon which were tacked the names of several plays, and the time and date at which they would be shown. Upon closer inspection, it became apparent that the room on the other side of the door was the Chimean Grand Theatre. The raven remembered that Eris' favourite playwright went by the artist's name of Shiverlance. He checked the notice board without asking the eagle advisor for help (which made the latter noticeably and amusingly uncomfortable). He found a performance of 'A Midsummer Daydream' on the appropriate day, and booked a private box. Satisfied that she would love his present, he slipped the tickets into a pouch on his belt and sauntered off, whistling.

Seven days later, the two lovebirds flew hand in hand to the theatre. Razar had not told Eris exactly what his present would be, but she had a general idea. She was giddy and excited. When they landed, she jumped up and down impatiently. The raven whipped the tickets from his pouch and -upon seeing them- the eagle wrapped her arms around his waist and pecked him on the beak. They entered the airy hallways leading to the open-air auditorium (the eagles feared no rain, since the spires reached above the clouds). They climbed a set of ornate stairs to the highest level, and found their box. It was very much to Eris' liking, both having a good view of the stage, and being private enough for nobody to be able to look in. at the back, there was a small room with a bar, and in the front was a balcony with solid walls, a gilded bannister and three tiered sets of two chairs. A blue curtain hung on either side of the opening, tied back with golden ribbons. The floor was adorned with a carpet depicting the countenance of one of the inventors of modern eagle theatre. By the entrance stood a nude female statue, who held her hands out welcomingly, holding a bunch of grapes in the right, and a pitcher of wine in the left. The sculpture was made of brilliant white marble, but the left side of its face was pure black. Razar inspected the bar, and found there to be several mild alcoholic, as well as non-alcoholic beverages. In addition, there was a whole, rich chocolate cake and a bowl filled with various fruits. The door could be secured with a bolt from the inside, which Eris did immediately. Seeming to relax, she unwound on one of the chairs in the front row, setting her feet up on the bannister.

Half an hour of casual conversation, and some sips of whine later,

All became silent in the amphitheatre. Almost all the seats were filled.

People from all over Chima had come; mostly eagles, but

Plenty of lions had also showed up.

Yes, it was quite a sight. The auditorium was awash with all colours of the rainbow.

Blasting trumpets announcing his arrival, an eagle walked humbly onto the stage.

"It is I, Shiverlance. Composer and creator of the play you are about to see". Eris

Rubbed her hands together with childish glee, unable to take her eyes off the bird.

"Tis time now for you to embark on this magical journey, and to set yourself into the

Heads of an extended family of lions, living in a large house, and enjoying all the

Dubious comforts of prosperity. All looks well, yet looks can be deceiving. Betrayal

And treachery is afoot on this fateful, and historic, day, dozens upon dozens of

Years ago…"

Keeping the attention of the audience (quite expertly, Razar thought), Shiverlance

Inspected the crowd. Everyone had listened to his speech, but now they all, Eris

Obviously included, wanted to see action. They all sat on the edges of his seats.

Not a sound was heard as the curtains opened.