Song of War Chapter Five

Zeus woke early to start his patrol of the middle path. He sees fragments of broken robin eggs on the ground. After several more feet he sees some more. After surveying the area he spots Sundown approaching from the ridge.
"There are more of those on the north path also."
"Not good."
Before they can continue their conversation Ritmo flies and lands on a branch above them.
"Zeus! Sundown! King Maestro has requested you come quick! Sebastian is there with important news!"
Zeus nods. "We'll be there."

Zeus and Sundown arrive at the Royal tree which sits off the main path several feet behind the eastern most mulberry tree. Torch was already there along with Ma and Pa. Maestro and Harmony sit on their special branch as the rest of the court sit in branches above them. Sebastian is sitting on the lowest branch with a chickadee under his wing.
"Everyone this is Chet," Sebastian starts. "He has some disturbing news. Go ahead, Chet. Nothing to fear here."
Chet takes a big breath to calm his nerves.
"Yesterday I was in the bushes off the main path between the sand pits and where the grackles had settled. Soon there were several grackles on the ground and one talked about it being a good spot for a toll. I stayed put not wanting to give away my position. Soon Lon came up the path."
Ma gives an audible gasp.
"After threatening Lon the lead grackle questioned him. Found that he was on his way to visit Ma and Pa. He told them about the Royal Robins and their numbers and some of the names. Then the lead grackle finished with some questions about Zeus because they had seen him."
Zeus looks at Sundown and shrugs while Pa tries to console Ma.
Chet looks directly at Ma. "They let him go. Lon is alright. They sent him back home."
"Oh thank goodness!" she exclaims.
Chet continues, "A few minutes later Sid came by and they quickly had him cornered."
Zeus knew Sid was a squirrel that lived along the main path but closer to the lake.
"Sid said he didn't have anything to offer just as Lon had," Chet shared. "But the grackles were rougher with him as four each held a foot tightly in their beaks while the leader threatened to peck his eyes. Soon Sid was giving up the locations of all the robin nests he knew about."
Gasps and howls went up from the Royal court.
Zeus and Sundown grimace as they exchanged glances.
"Thank you Chet," said Sebastian.
"Yes, thank you Chet!" King Maestro adds. "This is so troubling. We had reports of many robins returning to raided nests last night."
"Sundown and I have seen shells scattered on the middle and north paths," Zeus shared.
"Only one response to this," King Maestro said before he lets out a tone Zeus had never heard before. Soon the rest of the Royal court are making the same sound. Zeus soon learned it was a declaration and that was their song of war.

Song of War Chapter Four

Lon is happily strolling down the path looking forward to time with his sister when two birds flew down in front of him.

"Stop!" shouts Yak.

Lon is startled and takes a step back as ten more grackles flew down behind him attempting to block his retreat.

"You'll have to pay the toll," Yak continues as a dozen more grackles land behind him.
"What?" Lon replies nervously.
"Do you have any food?" Yak asks.
"No"
"Tsk. Tsk. You'll have to pay or else!"
Then all the other grackles offer up a chant of "Or else! Or else! Or else!"
Lon starts to shake and says "I have nothing."
Yak tilts his head and inquires "Information?"
Lon feels his stomach churn as he says "What would you like to know?"
"Ha! See you do have something!"

Yak takes a step forward as the other grackles formed a solid circle around the two while other grackles flew down to fill the gaps. It only takes a few minutes for Yak to complete his interrogation before sending Lon back from where he came.

"See your sister another day!" Yak shouts as Lon took off in a full sprint.

That evening a baby robin wakes as there is rustling at the edge of the nest. 
"Mama?"
Before he could make another sound a dark feathered grackle is upon him and his two sleeping siblings. 

Song of War Chapter Three

Zeus knew they were trouble the first time he saw them. Actually he heard them first. Dozens of grackles are in the tops of two evergreens and a walnut tree. All seem to be shouting the same greedy chant.

"Mine! Mine! Mine!" over and over again is all Zeus can hear as he walks by the three trees and proceeds down the path.

He is unaware of the many eyes that follow him.

"That is a big one!" said Ik.
"We'll worry about him later" answers Yuk.
Yak leaned in and adds "Yes, later."

A loud cluck from the top of the tree signals their leader is summoning them. Rok and his mate Iz are the leaders of this flock nearly 200 strong. Ik, Yuk and Yak are his generals and follow his every whim.

"No time to waste!" Rok starts. "Yak go set up a toll. Yuk oversee the rotation in the walnut tree. Ik take a few and see what else is around here."

"Yes sir!" all three shout and then flew off.

Iz drops down from her higher vantage point and cuddles next to Rok. 
"Good times ahead" she said.
"Yes but much work first"
Then he starts the grackles in the evergreens in a new round of "Mine! Mine! Mine!"

Zeus had walked down the path near Torch's house and found his friend waking from a nap under a tree. 
"Seen that new flock of birds at the walnut tree?" Zeus asks.
"Not yet but Sebastian has been getting the word out. He didn't have anything nice to say about them."
"Did he say if they eat walnuts?"
"Ha! They don't but he said they put walnut juice on their feathers."
"Eeewww!"
" I know. But that is why they are camping there."
"Hope it's just temporary"