New Birds

Unlikely Recruits Part 28

Marshall was now hurrying to finish up the aviary chores. His hair was still damp and his thoughts entirely on Samantha. Simon was hanging out with him, which he often did when not on nest duty. When Simon clacked his beak, Marshall looked up to see Louis and Farling on the outside of the aviary, walking briskly along the path towards the aviary's door. They were arguing. The small bucket, which Louis held by its wire handle, was attracting some of the painted storks and younger marabous to follow them, along this side of the netting. By the time Louis and Farling entered they were swamped on all sides by birds.

Louis held his old, yellow scribbler in his opposite hand. The one he sometimes used when jotting down daily reminders. Presently, he was using it to shoo away the birds from the bucket, as he pushed through.

Farling carried his red-covered book of scriptures close to his chest. The two men were now quiet, but Louis's walk was purposeful and hurried.

"They're coming our way," Marshall said to Simon. "And whatever is in that bucket it isn't for me."

Simon stepped behind Marshall. Marshall looked over his shoulder at the bird. "When have you ever turned down something to eat?"

When Louis and the preacher finally reached them, Marshall came to understand Simon's reluctance. Louis 's face was flushed, his manner edgy. This was not about another game of chess.

Farling shook his head as he studied Simon. "I think if you sent a painted, it would make a better piece of scripture."

"This is not about your next sermon. It's about warning Cameron," Louis said.

"But this one is too stubborn," Farling said. "I see defiance in him."

Louis tapped the yellow scribbler, which was now rolled up like a tube, against his thigh and sighed. "He's the smartest one I got. I can prove he'll do this for us. Marshall, go to the far end of the aviary and wait there." Louis instructed as he lowered the pail to the ground, before reaching down into it and tossing Simon a small piece of rat. Simon caught it easily and swallowed it.

Farling held up a hand to stop Marshall. "I require an explanation, not a demonstration. I should be down at the watchtower. Not here."

"I sent Samantha down to watch for now," Louis said. "This will only take a few minutes. I just want to show you that Simon will follow instructions. That he will bring a message to Cameron about what's happening here."

"Okay, but Marshall stays here with the bird. It's obvious they have a bond. That bird will follow Marshall if instructed or not," Farling said. "It doesn't know me, so I'll go."

Louis tried to hand Farling the bucket of rat meat.

"Why would I want that?"

"To praise him."

"Do you think Cameron has rat meat on him? No, you and that bucket should go stand near the wading pool."

Louis paused for a moment. "Fine," he finally said as he crossed over to the wading pool followed by a now smaller contingent of birds.

Marshall felt a twinge of guilt that Simon and some others remained with him and hadn't followed Louis and his bucket. As much as he wanted to become a birdman like Louis, it wasn't his wish to upstage him. Tilly had explained to him that what Louis and Simon shared was more rivalry than bond, and that Marshall needn't worry. But Marshall could tell that it perplexed Louis that some of his storks were slowly switching loyalties.

Farling went in the opposite direction of the pool. When he reached a certain distance, he turned and sat down, cross-legged, apparently not concerned with the splashes of whitewash that spotted that area. "Okay, Marshall, send him to me, but be quick. I want to get back," he shouted as he opened his book and started writing in the margins again.