“My men!” the envoy screamed, clutching at a table in shock, forced to watch as her handpicked elite became meat. Victory was literally snatched away.

One of the birds came at Petronio, its beady eyes well aware that this prize was precious.

Petronio had finally met his match. No cunning would free him from this encounter. He turned to face the bird. So be it.

Grasp Senior had kept himself out of the action so far. He was currently cowering under a table nearby, able to see with awful clarity what was about to happen. Ignoring years of selfishness, he scuttled out from behind his cover and dived toward Petronio. “My son!” he shouted.

All these years, the boy had only wanted his father’s approval. Is this what it took? Petronio’s brain calculated the possibilities and came up with one rather excellent outcome. He would not be crossing the River Sticks today. Petronio opened his arms to welcome his father’s saving embrace. But, at the very last second, he shoved hard, eyes locking onto the raven’s. “Take this lump of overpriced fat! You’re welcome to it!”

The incoming bird was presented with an even juicier morsel. Animal instincts took over. As Petronio ducked under the table to save himself, his father gave one last, gurgling scream. Councillor Grasp had committed the only selfless act of his greed-driven life. His reward was a claw that pierced his neck and instantly severed his windpipe. Its task done, the bird flew off to support its brethren as Grasp slowly fell to his knees, then thumped onto the boards.

Ark looked up. One of the ravens had veered away. Ark recognized the pattern of feathers around the neck. It was Hedd. What was he up to? Oh no! The bird was flying straight toward the only other creature that dared to travel the sky. However, this enemy had wings of steel. What could a raven do against such technical superiority? The answer was obvious.

Don’t! Ark called, silently and desperately.

Hedd flicked back one last glance that contained only sadness. Am with you to the end, boy of woods. Again we shall meet. Raven promise.

Ark could do nothing more. No prayer, no sleight of hand, no begging to the trees would stop this bird’s intent. He watched in horror as Hedd gave a single, screeching crark. The thwack-thwack of the flypod faltered in its beat. Hedd had flown straight into the blades.

Ark gave a single, powerless cry as the tears rolled down his cheeks.

And then the brave bird was gone, leaving only a drizzle of honest blood cascading to the forest floor. Ark clenched his fist tight at the unfairness of it all. Why did doing what was right hurt so much?