KORBIN
A raucous crow, a rootless tree
A coiled adder, night-old ice
A coiled adder, night-old ice
The beak clacked a few times, in acknowledgment that the introduction had been noticed. The marked silence that followed suggested that the raven had to do no such explaining; if only Sah knew how unlikely it was for the Korbin-bird to ever shift, he might understand why. There mere suggestion of it had the bird stiffening on its mobile perch, and something hunted flashed through its icy gaze. Pain more grueling than the throb of a healing wing.
It was there, and gone again, and the bird was able to mask it - or was it? Had the boy noticed? - by guiding them to the right at the crossroad. The path was taking them towards the residential area, where the houses grew older and more prominent.
"Korrrbin," the bird rasped after a while. Was it a name? A nonsense sound? Crow for 'please shut up'? Who could say.
It was there, and gone again, and the bird was able to mask it - or was it? Had the boy noticed? - by guiding them to the right at the crossroad. The path was taking them towards the residential area, where the houses grew older and more prominent.
"Korrrbin," the bird rasped after a while. Was it a name? A nonsense sound? Crow for 'please shut up'? Who could say.
A racing stallion who has wrenched a leg,
Are never safe: let no man trust them.
Are never safe: let no man trust them.
