(Urg, kind of wish I hadn't read those last few paragraphs
)
The powerful flapping of wings, the battle shrieks of two hens mercilessly battering each other carried on the soft breeze to Bloodwing's ears. He stirred groggily, putting a wing up to block the sunlight. Why couldn't they just let him sleep? He turned over, groaned, and shut his eyes tight, putting his head under one wing.
Then he heard it.
It was a chilling sound, the kind only imagined in nightmares or in the darkest thoughts. It was the snapping of bones.
Immediately Bloodwing jolted to his feet, and before his senses could get a full bearing, plummeted through the foliage, his wings pulsing, held steady and prepared for battle. Leaves whipped his face, nettles stung his cheeks and pollen tickled his eyes, but he didn't care. Although he had no proof, he knew what had made the sound. Scarlet had found someone to beat up.
The metallic taste of blood lingered in the air as he stopped at the edge of the battle scene. Two chickens were fleeing, one carrying a smaller bird so mangled, he could have sworn she was dead all ready. In the midst of the clearing, not to his surprise, was Scarletnight. Blood pooled at her feet, and the very sight boiled hate deep in Bloodwing's heart towards whoever had done this atrocity.
"Are you all right?" he strode over to Scarlet, still warily searching the low lying trees, which were not cooperative in disclosing the animals within their leafy folds.
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