"It is still the way it is. Sunfeather never had anything like this happen to him. He never needed to use this penalty. We do." Goldenfeather growled, giving Apricot a fierce stare.(Claw) "That custom was made back in the old days, when the flocks didn't have order!" Apricot protested, "Surely we have evolved since then! Sunfeather never used the death penalty. Why should we start doing it now?" she gazed around at her flockmates, as if trying to encourage them to speak up. Most just looked at the ground or at Goldenfeather, any place other than her pleading eyes.
(Claw) Apricot stared at Amethyst in horror. How am I supposed to save her if she doesn't want to save herself?
(Claw) A hen stepped out of the crowd, her face was dark. She looked up at Goldenfeather with cold eyes. "Would you, Leader of Claw Flock, allow me, the Warrior Python, to have the honor of punishing this traitor?"
(Claw) Apricot stared at her sister in shocked silence. But, deep down inside, she had fully expected something like this to happen.
He turned his head to Python. "Python Warrior of Claw Flock, I give you the honor of punishing Amethyst Top Broody of Claw Flock."
~~~
River watched. An unreadable expression on her face.
~~~
"Cold, get off Amethyst." Goldenfeather commanded. And the warrior obliged, stepping back into the mass of chickens of Claw Flock.