Flocks - The New Wonders

Chapter 4

Squawking Bird gathered up Lily Talon and Broad Feather, and flew them to the gathering place, a clearing full of bushes, patches, flowers, and a giant oak tree used for perching on; Squawking Bird hid in the shadows on the highest branch and looked down at the clearing. Noises then familiar voices sounded from behind a bush and the other Flocks came, staring at Broad Feather and Lily Talon warily, then sat down away from them. Broad Feather ran to a root and sat on it, ruffling her feathers against the wind. He heard the other leader's sit on the branches below him, Blu, then Polly, and lastly, Beak. Squawing Bird squawked, and the whole clearing quieted from its chattering and talking. "FeatherFlock is doing fine again. We got a new apprentice, Lily Talon, and my new second in command, Broad Feather. And I'm named Squawking Bird now." He exclaimed, ruffling his tail. Beak cawed in a retort but said nothing in particular. "My new name is Flying Hawk, leader of LeafFlock. Everything doing well, almost lost a bird," Beak stared at him scornfully, then added, "We have two new traditions. Flimsy Talon and Hooking Claw." Flying Hawk yelled above the clamor. "Hooking Claw is...Flimsy Talon's mother, unfortunately." He added, then went silent. Squawking Bird flicked his wing but kept silent. Blu's eyes gleamed as he finally spoke, "LightningFlock is doing very nice, and we changed our names too. Mine is Blue River, and we have five new traditions. Claw Talon, Leaf Talon, Brown Talon, and their parents, Floating Star and Porkepine Spike." Blue River puffed out his chest. Luckily he didn't say that he fought me... He squawked appreciably. Polly stood up, opening her feathers. "MallowFlock is doing fine, as usual. My new name is Hollow Beak, and we have a new part of our Flock. My mate, Cloudy Sky." Hollow Beak ruffled her feathers, starting to burst with pride. He looked worried at the hungry gleam in her eyes. Broad Feather congratulated her, but Lily Talon, and the rest kept silent and wary. "Well...I guess the gathering's over-"

"Excuse me, but who made you in charge of who comes and go's at the gathering? We may go as we please." A voice squawked in the clamour, interrupting Squawking Bird. Squawking Bird showed his head out of the shadowy trees and cawed. "Feather-brain! I'm not commanding you to magically find me a weird piece of grenade from a rogue bird. If I was, I would preferably talon you to death." Squawking Bird retorted, making a scratching sound on the branches bark. Then he added in a low tone, creeping back into the shadows, "Respect you creator that helped you make the Flocks and bring you to the life you were in." Squawking Bird hid in the shadows until scared murmurs spread through the clearing like a wildfire, then flew out of the clearing to their own territories, leaving FeatherFlock in the middle of the clearing; the flapping of wings rang in his ears and almost felt deaf, then lighted up. He walked out and flew down. "Lets...just go home." Squawking Bird sighed out, and flew up and towards his own territory, feeling the comfort of Broad Feather and his daughter, Lily Talon tagging at his shoulders. Whatever Blue River and the other leaders were challenging, it wouldn't work on him or send him fleeing for the trees...