Caidoz

Chapter 13

I ducked my head as a black bird flew over where it had just been a second ago, with his talons outstretched, grabbing at the air. They were merciless, ripping and tearing at my exposed skin and clothes.
   Procyon kept up the pace, swatting at anything that got in his way with his large paws. They didn't just come by air. Some birds landed on the grounds and chased us with their wings outstretched.
   "This is hopeless! You told me not to fight, okay I won't fight, but I hope you have a plan!"
    The big dog growled at me but continued running. Striding after him, I continued to duck and dodge the blitz.

   I valued my options. Mabye I could use the energy of the water moisture in the air to wash them away, I thought. I realized this plan would require more energy than I had managed to regain as a bird scratched my bare shoulder. What if I grabbed Procyon's daggers from his satchel and used them? This plan was no better than the first.

   I had no idea how to use them and I'm sure he wouldn't be pleased I had used my hands if we got out alive. I felt a sharp beak price my at my ankles and I ran faster. Perhaps it would be best to climb a tree and, I dismissed this idea at the start. They could fly up and I would be trapped. I will have to trust Procyon.
   The big dog turned sharply at the next curve of the forest and then I saw light up ahead. The black birds doubled their pace, screaming their harsh cries and tearing at my hair.
   "Let go!" I yelled as I ran.

The Crab mentally snapped its pincers and to my suprise, the birds on me flew off. They were only to be replaced by more. I saw Procyon disappear in the harsh light. The black birds tried to block my way but he stuck his snout out and barked loudly, startling them terribly. For that instant, they scattered like the night coming undone by a thousand shadows. I jumped through the light, closing my eyes against the brightness.

   When I opened them again, I saw Procyon sitting nearby. I caught a glimpse of angry beaks and wing movement but they made no move through the slight darkness of the woods. One bird released another shriek and they all glide off.
   Probably sighted their next meal, I thought darkly. I walked over to Procyon to see him beside a fast flowing river. The grass was a bit greener than the one in the clearing, but turning brown all the same.

   Some trees from the forest stand somewhat alone and they are thicker then the skinny dead ones in the forest. "Procyon, thanks for the save back there."
    The dog guffawed as far as that kind of this was appilable for a dog. He got up and put his front legs on the nearest lone maple tree, then he returned to his spot and lifted a paw making circling movements. I got the picture.

I turned around and placed myself on the large tree, turning my back so Procyon could change. I heard the sounds of his painful process clearly, but then like a fuzzy radio, someone echoed in my head. {Cancer?... this....this....useless guys}
{Acubens?!}
{I.... heard something...} The static seemed to clear slightly.
{Acubens!}
{Cancer!? But...dead!}

{I'm alive, I survived the fall}
{... can't hear...}
{I'm coming home as soon I can Acubens!}
{No! Stay....castle....Leo...hide.... there!}
All connection cut off when I felt a hand on my shoulder. "Cancer!"
"Huh?" I asked, dazed.
"You seem out of it. Are you okay?"

"Yea- No. I'm not okay." I said tearfully.
"What's bothering you?" He asked.
"I.. I am the.. Forget it, I don't know what I'm talking about." He looked slightly frantic for that moment, but then calmed.
"Of course you know, I would not know anyone but you to explain your situation." How does he know so much yet so little!? My thoughts exclaimed. "I know we just escaped from a particularly vicious horde of Malus Melapinnatus-"
"A pack of what?" I asked, intrigued.

"Those birds, Malus Melapinnatus, which means literally means 'bad black feathered.'"
"What language is that?"
"Latin. You'd be suprised how many things are named specifically in Simeh. But I just call the names by their first, it helps."
"You speak latin?" I was suprised. Thought Procyon seemed intelligent, I hadn't actually thought him to be a scholar.

   He adjusted the brown leather strap that held his small leg bag on his thigh. I now knew it contained a book, but the specific type of story or information it contained was a mystery to me, just as everything else was with the Constellarmation.
"I usually don't have to. Mostly, it's just names. Like I was saying before you interrupted, we should get going."

   I manged a brief nod, though the comment about my interruption had been like a strong blow of a spiked mace to my unprepared heart. I faced him. "Where are we going next?"
"We need to climb over those small mountains ahead. " Procyon turned and pointed at the distant flat peaks.
   I looked at him, incredulous, as I glanced at the nearest and seemly easiest option beside us."Why not just cross the stream? Look, there's even a cobblestone bridge!"