I kept my head down as we hiked along to concentrate on the rocks
and roots that were scattered on the trail. I didn’t want to stumble again.
I kept replaying the scene with the birds in my mind. I was positive something
had attacked me. I suspected if it wasn’t birds, then the dark shapes
we had seen in our last mission for the King were here. I touched my
goggles dangling at my side. The King said where I was going I wouldn’t
need them to see. This must be what he meant. A sudden flash of light
on the ridge to my right made me gasp and jump.
 

“More birds, Siege?” Sarg’s voice was full of ridicule.
 

I gritted my teeth. “No, I’m fine. Just thought of something.”
 

Another flash of light appeared on my left, but this time the bright
light was pulsing. Peace washed over me. Something good was on that
ravine, watching over us. I felt my heart rate slow. My shoulders relaxed, but then after I had walked another hundred steps, I gasped as a mass of
dark shadows blotted out the sun.
 

“Now, there’s your birds, Siege.” Sarg’s voice grated on my nerves.
 

A grove of trees lay directly ahead with hundreds of birds circling
overhead, landing, and taking off, making a terrible racket.
 

“Looks like vultures,” said Face. “Must be where they nest.”
 

“Eew. I don’t want to get pooped on,” said Blondie.
 

“There’s no other direct way,” said Boss. “We’d have to circle miles
out of our way to go around it.”
 

As I stepped into the dark forest, after initially feeling relief from the
sun, I actually felt uncomfortable. “Does anyone else feel cold?” I said.
 

“You kiddin’? This feels great,” said T1.
 

“Yeah, what a break from the heat,” said T2.
 

“Siege, it’s over one hundred degrees. How can you be cold?” said Esso.
 

“Don’t know,” I said. Then, I realized I wasn’t feeling physically cold. Dark shapes were swirling all around the tree canopy. Three shapes flew
down and settled on top of three large vultures on our right. The giant
birds squawked, extended their wings, and shuddered as they absorbed
the dark shapes.
 

“Easy there,” said Face. “We won’t hurt you. Just passing by.”
 

“This is so weird,” said Beni. “Look how their eyes are following each person.” Face and Beni stood on the path directly opposite the birds
with long sticks in one hand and their pocketknives flashing in the other.
 

“Go ahead, Siege,” Face whispered. “Nice and easy.”
 

I walked as slowly and quietly as I could, past an icy cold blast of air.
The birds stared, and one on the right opened its beak. Her seal is bright,
too bright. I drew in a sharp breath. The birds gave out ugly squawks. The
bird on the left opened its beak. Can’t attack her directly. A cold rush of
air covered my body. The middle bird extended its wings. Face and Beni
stiffened. It opened its large beak. More icy drafts. Strike the shepherd,
and the sheep will scatter.