[Rimbaud]

Leaving the forest floor proved a difficult task for the aged Fingot Sparrowbane, despite the encouragement from Pip'kha, who seemed increasingly exasperated. Although the part of the forest they were under was dense, and allowed only a filtered green lighting, the young crow could sense night fast approaching. He did not want to be here on the forest floor when darkness fell, he was terrified enough already.

Despite this he was full of admiration and pride for the venerated advisor. The injured, exhausted crow was bruised and torn and seemed hardly likely to make the trip back in one go, but within him Pip'kha sensed a rekindling of an indefatigable spirit. The beak was broken but the eyes flashed with fire and sight.

He wondered if they would ever return to the murder. Nightfall approached. The forest light drifted away like unravelling whispers of dream, the darkling menace surounding them.

* * * * * * * * *

The moon vied with the last red rays of the descending sun-orb by the time they cleared the canopy of leaves. They flew low and awkwardly; Pip'kha sent Rik'ki'kew and Kawdor to scan in front of them in the failing light. He himself strayed no further than a wing's length from Fingot, who said nothing, but gasped audibly with each beat.

Fingot himself was barely thinking of the flight, pushing the pain away. He struggled to rememeber the things he had to speak of to Akaaw. In the Chief's eagerness to push the murder forwards he had neglected in part of his mission. He had ideas...by the last of all ravens, this hurts...

They flew on slowly, the two younger birds circling them impatiently, Pip'kha urging and cajoling, Fingot careful and deliberate.

In the end, to Pip'kha's surprise, they made it in one trip and the problem was not Fingot's condition when they neared their destination, but in discerning it at all. Finally, after some abortive flights across the area of the forest, Pip'kha caught a brief glimpse of moonlight playing on still water. He dipped his wings and called to the others. It was nearly midnight.

[ February 03, 2003: Message edited by: Rimbaud ]