Autumn in the Forest

Autumn in the Forest

Thursday, December 1, 2016

"The First to Die"

As always, life is trying to swallow me whole. As a result, I am going to post excerpts from my published novel, "Season of Crows." This scene takes place at the beginning of the battle with the crows. Ash is guarding the entrance to the King's Chamber on the Home Tree.

~*~

“Walnut Keepers!” Roan’s deep voice rumbled across The Commons. “Stand fast. Let loose your fear. The crows are nearly upon us, and you must fight with your very soul or die!”

Every hair of every creature stood on end at these words. This was their time. This was their moment to make a difference in the world.

Ash stood fast on the king’s balcony and gripped his spear tightly, scanning the bits of sky visible between the leaves. Just inside the tree, Sky had crept up to the opening of the King’s Chamber to peer out.

“The time has come, old friend,” he said quietly to Ash.

He started at the sound of Sky’s voice. “What do you mean, young prince?” It was odd to be called old friend by someone so young.

The heir of Evershade grew uncharacteristically sober. “You saved my life many months ago, but it may have been for nothing. I may not live through the night.”

“Nonsense, young prince,” Ash said, managing a weak smile. “I am here to guard you. Besides, if you die, who would be heir to the throne?”

A loud caw sounded close by, and he was certain he could hear the beating of wings.

“Get back inside!” he hissed.

At once, a flurry of black wings and shrieking cries filled the air. The noise was maddening. A solitary crow wove its way through the canopy to The Commons, its head turning left and right in search of an easy target. It spied him and veered right sharply, gliding toward the balcony. From nowhere, a dart zipped through the air, glancing off the crow’s black beak and penetrating its eye. The crow gave a shriek and tumbled clumsily forward onto the balcony, right onto Ash's outstretched spear.

He stood in place, horrified to find the black bird impaled on the end of his weapon. A sickening pulse traveled the length of the wooden shaft to his paws, and it was a moment before he realized the pulse was the dying bird’s heartbeat. The young crow screamed and stumbled backward, hitting the rail and falling over the side, the spear still protruding from its chest. The bird landed with a nauseating thud far below, where it flopped helplessly about on the ground.

Petal appeared on the steps below, paws clamped over her mouth in horror.

“It was you?” he asked in wonderment.

She nodded.

The two leaned over the railing from their respective places and watched with an equal mixture of awe and disgust as Mr. Barkwhistle waddled over to the fallen crow and beat it to death with his strong, flat tail.

~*~
 
"Season of Crows" is available on Amazon in both paperback and ebook formats.
 
 


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