Feathers of Bravery

Jessica + Aihla

As I was quickly trying to undo the netting that had captured a small dove, I heard Meylo call out to me. He was patrolling the sky and letting us know what he sees and which direction we should head in. I tilted my head up, letting him know that I can hear him. He was alerting me to a mother and her child being attacked by some sort of crazed raven. The moment I cut most of the ropes from the net and informed the other birds that were with me to where they can hide, I flew over to where he said they were.

The moment I turned the corner I could smell him before I even saw him. Crazed was an understatement. The bird was completely dirty and his feathers were either matted or torn. I picked up speed in my flight and made sure to fully unfurl my talons. Latching on to him digging them in deep, I spread my wings wide and pull back. With the force of my back flight, I lift my legs and toss him up to the ceiling trying to keep him from snapping anymore at the mother and at me. The feral cawing that came from the bird, I didn't hesitate to pull my dagger out and stab him in the neck as he came crashing down.

I made sure to check if he was dead before turning my back to him and checking the mother and her child. "Your wounds aren't that bad, head to the Inn and stay there. Make sure to get them clean. Don't come out until I tell you it's safe." I usher her towards the building after also checking the little hatchling. Luckily for him, the mother was using her own body as a shield.

When I saw that they made it to the Inn, I moved on to the next person that needed my help. There were a few moments when I would see Meylo flying above dodging the arrows that were being shot at him and Aihla fighting with her blades and in her traditional closed eyes fashion. Meylo called to us a few more times, letting us know where there were more trapped birds. Not an hour later did we hear Meylo again this time he sounded panicked. The contraption that he described sounded a lot like an altrika.

That had my wings going into overdrive. Heading out of the town, right on the border I see our crow fighting against multiple birds and the machine. To my right Aihla joins me and throws one of her daggers at the bird that's handling the crank. Three birds come up to meet us as we began our dive with our own weapons drawn. It wasn't much of a fight since these bandits seemed to have no actual tact in their attack. As soon as I dealt with my bird I launched my chain to wrap around the group that was beginning to circle Meylo. That helped him take them out in one swing.

After a quick check to see if he's ok, Aihla gives me my order to disable the altrika. I've been a letahr for years now but only began my training to disable larger arms such as the machine for the high guards. I knew exactly what to do for the machine in general but it's the spell casting that has me worried. You can put nearly every type of spell inside its little chamber in the center and the blast will disperse it far more than average. This machine was originally designed by the old mages to spread vaccines and cures amongst towns that were inflicted with disease or dark magick.

But like just like the rain that can help grow crops can also cause flooding and heavy storms, there was a dark side to the altrika. What was once used to help spread good became a weapon for evil. Eventually all altrikas were confiscated and only one is allowed to remain for each kingdom and even then a special rune was placed upon them so that the High Guards were the only ones who could touch them. That means that these crazed and wild bandits must've stolen one since it appeared to be in such good condition that they didn't make one themselves.

So getting on with my task, I tried to ignore the shouts of more of them coming out of the woods.

********

At the sight of an actual altrika was both awesome and terrifying. I had only seen them as drawings in the books describing how they functioned but it was Jess who took the training to disarm them. She was only a month in but I knew she was more than capable. My concern right now is the large band that was heading our way, at least forty of them. I look over at Meylo and although he's breathing hard, his face is serious and his sword ready.

With so many of them, I had no choice but to break Meylo's sense of reality a little bit. I just hope it's not enough to distract him too much that it slows him down. Reaching for my charm I unleash a disorienting spell.

"Ignorare." I whisper. Meylo obviously heard me and saw my charm. Coming from my mouth looked like pink arrows of mist shooting out and headed straight to the heads of the birds coming our way. Unlike most who see the spell being casted their way, these feral birds paid no attention to it as they continued toward us but instantly began wobbling off as if fighting off heavy sleep once they were hit. I couldn't look at the crow next to me to see his reaction, like nearly all spells, they have a time limit. I'm tired and already used a spell previous to this. I don't know how long this one will last so I have to act quickly.

Pulling out my last two daggers, I closed my eyes and focused on all that my ears can pick up. The first one that caught my attention was the sparrow to my right that had a couple of jars jingling in his pouch on his belt. I could barely smell anything besides their bad dirty and rotten flesh, but that didn't that mean the aroma of toxic plants emanating from the little jars. I saw him as the biggest threat. Moving swiftly I glide my blade across his throat, quick and painless. A few more seconds and he'll close his eyes permanently. Within those passing seconds, I finally heard Meylo moving and his sword clashing with others.

I need to remain focus on the task at hand but when this is all over I hope we can talk to Meylo calmly.