Two Moons

Chapter 8 | Rot

Wind rushed between the outstretched feathers of Margrull's wings as he soared briskly through the sparse woodland on the outside of his home territory, only flapping his wings every so often, more out of habit that necessity.  On the current ahead of him was the massive white and brown general of his flock- Harvsluk.  The wind harshly rustled the spotted feathers of his chest while his fierce eyes scanned the forest ahead of them.  A few other highly ranked flock-members filled in the rest of the group's formation- Sergeant Keenan being among them.  Beside him was a much smaller dark and sharp-nosed reedacon, with a compact form and smaller wings that needed to beat more often to keep pace.  Behind them was a mottled black and orange-red reedacon with a harsh demeanor, holding up the back of the formation.

As the five of them glided through rows of trees, Harvsluk perked his head and ears as he saw the outline of the large tree ahead of them, with two reedacons perched expectantly within its branches.  His ear flicked a silent cue to the other remiges, all of whom steadied their gaze on the horizon.  Their sloping decent towards them would have stirred all kinds of creatures on the forest floor below, were it not a silent one.  Keenan and the other two alighted on the branches beneath the new reedacons, while Margrull joined Harvsluk on the upper branch.  The general halted his descent with a few massive, lofty thrusts of his wings, before his talons clutched the tree.  His wings arched as he remained crouched, bowing his head to the slimmer, yet tall reedacon who had watched him land.  "Admiral Soleil." He greeted him with a booming growl.

"Good to see you again, General Harvsluk." The reedacon grinned and warmly welcomed the newcomers; only when Harvsluk straightened up did the others rise up from their bows as well.  Admiral Soleil was a sleek, though dusty reedacon, with gray feathers and nearly hypnotic white stripes.  The tips of his wings and tail were solid black, and the feathers around his face gave way to bare yellow skin, outlining his hazel eyes.  "I hope the trip wasn't too tiresome.  Had I a general still, we could've met in your territory but... I'm afraid I'm a bit weary to leave my flock behind."  His accompanying reedacon looked past him and Harvsluk to Margrull, and he met her gaze.  She was smaller and more stout, with greenish-grey feathers and yellow highlights throughout her plumage, though her eyes were large and strikingly white.  Despite his polite smile, her stare burned into Margrull, and he awkwardly focused his attention back to the general.

"The trip was just fine," Harvsluk assured him with a hefty chuckle, "Whitherdell has been peaceful, especially with your tribe taking the brunt of the trouble.  Though... my condolences for General Zehke."

"Ah, better on his ears than mine.  Come now, its time to get out of this chilling breeze," Soleil insisted, unfurling his wings.  His long legs barely bent- the wing pushed up on his wings before he had even taken off, and he flapped hastily before spreading them out to soar.  His remex took off after him, and the rest joined.  Harvsluk didn't hesitate to rise up beside the admiral, wingtip to wingtip, as they followed him towards Dubonyth's central village.

The seven of them hadn't been flying for too long before something disturbed the leaves far to the right of them.  A lone reedacon bore towards them, with a frantic pace unlike theirs.  "Admiral Soleil...!" He called out breathlessly, and as the two Dubonyth reedacons slowed, Harvsluk groaned, "Do your coverts usually break formation this often?"

"Cliff is orderly," The white-eyed reedacon answered bluntly, "He wouldn't normally get worked up.  Something must be wrong." She cast an expecting glance to Soleil, who furrowed his brow and slowed the group more into a hover.  Their wings beat strongly as the covert flew up to him, and Soleil addressed him quickly, "Cliff, the remiges from Whitherdell are here.  I hope this is important."

"Yes, Admiral," Cliff panted as the others stared expectantly, "My band's come across another kylid intruder."

"What!?" Soleil snarled, joined by soft growls and huffs from the others as well, "Another?  Where??"  Cliff nodded, "Between Threepeaks and the brook, but... oddly enough, we found this one dead."  His elaboration left a few stunned faces, including Soleil, who pondered for a moment before turning back to the others.  Harvsluk met his gaze, already predicting his next words.  "Well then, on the subject of your arrivals," Soleil cocked his head inquisitively, "I don't suppose you and your group would like to see the scope of our troubles right now, hm?"