191 CXCI. The Flock (2/2)

He approached her and, leaning out of his horse, whispered something in her ear, refreshing her memory.

”Really? I want to see it up close!” she exclaimed, curious to see the magenta blood with her own eyes.

Dag stood in front of her horse, blocking her road: ”Let's move on, we have a mission to accomplish. There will surely be other opportunities, sister” he replied, trying to make Gridd realize that she should not speak so explicitly in front of strangers, the two young warriors of her Clan.

Gridd got the message and turned the horse, continuing down the street, amid the questioning glances of her two pupils.

”What happened, Master? Why did they hit the crow? I don't understand” said the young Shieldmaiden, approaching her.

”Nothing important, Lara... my brother and his men love to play weird games, things between them” she said, smiling.

As they got back on the road, Dag and his companions looked into each other's eyes, telling them to stay alert.

Aslan accelerated the pace and Dag positioned himself next to Gridd, on the front line.

She looked at him, noticing his gaze focused on the road.

Without saying anything, the warriors continued to travel until late afternoon.

”The Sun is setting more slowly this season... I think we can wait to camp and...”

”Ouch!”

Gridd's words were interrupted by Lara, who uttered a verse from the back.

”Lara! What happened?” asked Gridd.

Immediately, she too was hit by something on her shoulder, at great speed.

She turned quickly and was hit again, behind her back.

”Up!” shouted Dag, who had his eyes pointed at the canopies of the few trees in the area.

”What the fuck?!” said Karl, after looking up.

Dozens of crows were perched on the branches and were attacking them in a dive.

”What the fuck do these birds want from us?” asked Gridd, pulling the bridles of Light, who was frightened after realizing she was under attack.

”Move!” exclaimed Dag, descending from Aslan's back and entrusting his bridles to Gridd, who retreated.

”Karl and Reidar did the same, leaving control of their horses to Agnes, who remained on her man's, positioning herself next to Gridd and the two warriors.

The crows began croaking in unison, producing a loud noise that spread across the muddy plain around them.

Dag stood still, his hands resting on his weapons as if he was a gunman ready to pull out his guns in a duel.

Meanwhile, Reidar charged an arrow, generating two more magic ones, which fired at the birds, striking three of them that died instantly.