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.