Change Birds

Chapter 8

The trip went by very subtly, except for a little disagreement with a mother crow guarding her babies, but a quick warning squawk from father was all it took for the crow to fly back and guard them from the nest.

When the castle's tallest spire appeared in the distance, a spark of excitement lit in my chest, growing into a fire that felt like it would burn me from the inside out. Father gave me a quick chirp and I knew to keep quiet while he conversed with the king. We landed on the window sill and it was the king who opened it this time. He paused when he saw me, but he nodded to my father imperiously. "Ah. I recognize you. Your name is Shrike I believe."

My father nodded and fluttered in, shifting back on the floor. He was bigger and taller than the king of Scottlind, but not by much. If they were to get in a fight, father would win, but he'd probably come very close to losing. "I have an idea you're majesty. The king of Swedyn has always treated my family with cruelty and malice, locking away my wife and little ones to punish me and Magpie here."

At that moment, I shifted back and sat awkwardly nearby on the window sill. My father turned to the king of Scottlind and held a hand to his chest in the Scottlind salute. "I'd be happy to serve you instead for the sake of my family."

I was a bit shocked at first. My father was always very headstrong and independent. I'd never heard him talk like he needed help before. Then I realized it must all add up in his mind. The family would be safe and his son could have a chance at falling in live with a princess. It was a win-win. The king looked a bit apprehensive for a moment and then sighed, nodding slowly. "Alright. I accept, but under one condition. You and your family can live in my attics if you wish, but if you live there, you have to be my bellringers, tolling the bells in the morning, at noon, and in the evening. Deal?"

My father smiled and held a hand out. "Deal. Seems simple enough. Now if live here, you won't try to harm my family will you?"

The king shook his head and clasped hands with my father, shaking strongly. I smiled, but made sure to hide it when the king straightened, studying me. "Stand up boy. Let me see you properly."

I stood upright as fast as I could, almost stumbling. He walked around me, poking my biceps and prodding the muscles in my back and abdomen. He summed me up under his breath and soon came around front to study my face. I felt very awkward, but I kept my eyes on his, refusing to show fear. He stopped stalking around me and chuckled, turning to my father. "I misjudged him the other day. He looks like a fine lad for Sarah. She's been bothering me nonstop all week about him, getting mad about how I'd tried to scare him off. I'm impressed. He's strong and more handsome than any lad I've seen here going for her."

My heart leapt with joy with every sentence. "Does that mean I can...?"

He chuckled and patted my shoulder. "Date her? Sure, but I need to warn you. If you break her heart, I'll break you. Got it."

I nodded and my father chuckled, patting my shoulder as he walked to the window. "Alright then. We'll be back in a few days, maybe a week. My wife is a regular human and so she has to walk. That and I have two young children so the going will be slow."

The king nodded and gestured to a portrait on the wall of him, his wife, and five girls. "Feel lucky that you have a son. I've got five daughters, all within three years of one another. I had one daughter, then triplets, then Sarah. My oldest daughter left at age fifteen to explore the world and hasn't come back. I figure she's settled down and doesn't want to come back and so I just handed the heir down to the oldest triplet."

My father laughed and then shifted, nodding quickly to the king and flying off. I followed him quickly, but cut around him to stop in front and make him pause. He sent me a confused chirp and I shook my head as I tried to hover. I flew back towards the castle and lighted on Sarah's window.

She was inside braiding her hair when she turned and smiled brightly, rushing over to open the window. I leapt in and shifted quickly, giving her a hard kiss before looking over at where my father stood on the sill in bird form. She jumped and looked at me weird. "Who's that?"

I smiled. "That's my father. Dad, meet Sarah. Sarah, meet Shrike."

My father changed and smiled at her, holding out a hand. "Pleased to meet the girl my son has fallen head over tail feathers for." She giggled as she shook his hand. "I don't think I've ever heard it said that way."

I chuckled and then gestured at dad that I wanted

some privacy. He obliged, changing back and flying out the window to wait on a gargoyle nearby.