Akaaw spotted the group of crows that suddenly pushed forward from the flock, distancing itself and acting as if it knew where it was going. He knew that it had to be Fingot’s whelp, for no one in the entire horde would be so presumptious or so stupid. The young bird was far too ambitious for his own good, and if he wasn’t careful, his actions were going to get him into trouble. Akaaw cackled in quiet laughter as he saw Fingot race to catch up with his son, no doubt to rein his favorite offspring in.
“Rakaak!” he cried to own son who flew near to him somewhere to his right. “You have the lead today.”
He motioned to the high Last Peak directly before them but still many leagues away.
“We will be turning right and spying a bit on the Entwood before crossing over into Dunland.”
Rakaak flew near and spoke, “I thought the Hand commanded us to search west of the mountains. Shouldn’t we be turning left?”
Akaaw suddenly swung right with a quick and violent motion and collided violently with his son. He grabbed him forcefully with his talons but did not sink them into the soft flesh of Rakaak’s back. With his wings disabled in the vice-like grip of his father, the young crow hung helplessly.
“You will do as I say!” Akkaw hissed into his son’s ear. “And you will never question me in front of others.”
He released the younger crow, and the creban plummeted several yards before regaining his composure enough to spread his wings. Without a word to his father, he gave a loud cry and sped westward, drawing the horde behind him and leaving the foolish Mitikaw flying far behind and in the wrong direction. Akaaw finally noticed that Fingot’s lad seemed to have an awfully large following this day.
“Ch’rrrp!” he commanded, and a young servant dropped immediately to his side.
“Go back to master Fingot and ask him to join me at his soonest convenience. I feel it is time he and I had a little chat.”
With a croak of acknowledgement, the servant sped off with his message.
[ December 17, 2002: Message edited by: The Barrow-Wight ]
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The Barrow-Wight
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