Lupus Rex Read Free

the grain and laughed, showing not the least concern.
    Jackdaw disappeared back into the Murder’s Tree, leaving the air above in foretelling stillness. Moments after, with a great whooshing, the Murder’s Tree exploded with black winged shapes. The crows descended on the field. Many of the other birds, mice, and rabbits ran for cover, but a good few held fast. Ysil and Cormo both froze in apprehension, too afraid to fly, lest they draw specific attention to themselves. Monroth also froze, and if the look in his eye was of any sign, it was fear that held him and not bravery. A cold chill came to Ysil’s heart, and he could feel the wind from the beating of the crow’s wings. The gray hare Sulari stood on his hind legs and pitched his ears to the sky as the huge form of Fragit, the crow General, crashed down directly in front of him. The rest of the murder followed, all landing to form a rough circle around the hare, quail, and badger. Ysil, Cormo, and Monroth huddled in closer to the elders. There were also a number of other quail and rabbits within the crows’ boundary. Harlequin was there. The lesser animals all fidgeted and hopped nervously about, looking to one another and the crows.
    If they were to decide such, they could easily destroy us all , Ysil thought, his feathers standing up as with the smell of lightning. Should I fly anyway? But the young quail found no such courage, nor did he see any in his friend Cormo, or from any of the others. The murder moved in, closing up any gaps in the circle. Ysil knew a good number of them by name and reputation, though he had never spoken to the first. Milus, the third-born prince, was there; as was Sintus, who was firstborn. Nascus, the second-born prince, Ysil did not count in the number.
    “How dare you eat the grain before the stores are filled! Quail! Rabbits! Mice! It is not in the order!” bellowed Fragit.
    Many of the animals cowered, some quail even hiding their heads under their wings. A few rabbits tightened up into small, furry balls, attempting to be invisible. But the old gray hare, Rompus, and Cotur Mono stood their ground. Sulari rose higher on his hind legs and with as much height as he could muster (easily as tall as the mighty crow), looked the General straight in the eye and said, “We will follow order. There were some of our number who grew careless with the news of the King’s passing. They grew frightened that your kind would come and clear the fields for your own bellies before we had the chance to get our part. I have assured them the great General Fragit would never allow something of that sort to happen.” Sulari eyed him thoughtfully. “That is true, eh, General?”
    The General only grew more frustrated and agitated at the mere thought of such a thing. “Sulari, watch your tongue or I may rip it out—a tender morsel to precede dinner! You must be aware that of all times to maintain order, now is that time indeed.” With this, the badger, who had been standing beside Sulari, moved to his rear. The hare stood his ground, as did Cotur Mono. Fragit hopped back a step from the three and shook his wings to gather attention. “Now! All hear! Animals watching from the bush and here in the field! Tomorrow there will be the Reckoning! All will clear the field and surrounding bush by tomorrow’s quarter sun! None may witness the Reckoning but for crow kind. This is the order!” And with that he hopped another step back and turned, preparing to take to wing.
    “Wait, O great and respected General,” called Rompus, finding sudden courage and stepping out from behind Sulari’s back. Fragit stopped and looked back in annoyance. “If we are to go, it may come rain. Pickings of the best grain we must store this morning, and then the spoils taken later after the man has threshed. If we must leave tomorrow, we will not be able to gather those spoils. The rest could go bad . . . and with all gone, your kind, O mighty General, will be the only to