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Dujek frowned ’And what so amuses your master, bird?’

’Bird?’ the Great Raven shrieked ’I aed matriarch of Moon’s Spawn’s cacophonous, vast runted ’Matriarch to the Great Ravens? You speak for them all, do you? I’d accept that -- Hood knows you’re loud enough’

’Upstart! Dujek Onearm, my master’s a you don’t know,’ the renegade High Fist interjected

’Outrageous audacity -- show respect, mortal, else I choose your carcass to feed on when the day comes!’

’You’d likely break your beak on my hide, Crone, but you’re welcorowled, ’Do you still have that beak-strap, Hurlochel?’

’I do, sir’

The Great Raven hissed, ducking her head and half raising her vast wings ’Don’t you dare, ox! Repeat that affront at your peril!’

’Then hold your tongue’ Brood faced the others and waved them to the entrance Crone, perched over everyone, bobbed her head as each soldier strode beneath her When it was the Mhybe’s turn the Great Raven chuckled ’The child in your hand is about to surprise us all, old woman’

The Rhivi paused ’What do you sense, old crow?’

Crone laughed in silence before replying, ’Is, child Silverfox’

The girl studied the Great Raven for a moment, then said, ’Hello, Crone I had not before realized that your kind were born in the rotting flesh of a-’

’Silence!’ Crone shrieked ’Such knowledge should never be spoken! You must learn to remain silent, child -- for your own safety-’