Song of War Chapter 12

Rok and Iz hear the approaching sounds of chaos before Ik and Yuk come swooping in. 
"Incoming!" shouts Ik.
"It's over!" adds Yuk.
The remaining grackles take defensive positions in the evergreen around their leaders preparing for a last stand. Robin after robin lands in the nearby walnut tree while all the other birds take spots in the surrounding trees. Zeus and Sundown stand at the base of the tree while Torch and Zuki stay on the path with Ma and Pa and a late arriving Clem.

"It's time you go!" Maestro calls from the walnut tree.
"You'll just let us go?" Rok responds.
"No need for more bloodshed," Maestro answers.
Rok nods and looks around "It was a good run. Best place we ever found."
"We would have shared if you asked."
"That is not our way."
"Then you did terrible things."
"That is our way."
"That is why you must go and never come back!"

Rok shrugs and looks at Iz. "Corn is about ready toward the setting sun."
She sadly whispers "Let's go."
Rok puffs out his chest and looks around one last time. "Good place here."

Rok takes flight followed by Iz and grackle after grackle. Ik and Yuk are the last to leave and shoot dirty glances at Buster in the last occupied tree.
"Scram!" screeches Buster.

After a few moments Maestro lands on the ground near Zeus.
"Thank you for all you have done!"
Zeus nods and responds "Just glad that is over. He was right about one thing."
"What was that?"
"It is a good place here."
Both laugh and Maestro declares "It is time for a celebration! Everyone please join us at the Royal tree for song and merriment!"

Shouts of joy rain down from the surrounding trees. After all the others had gone Zeus and his three patrol buddies remain on the path.

"Not going to join in?" asks Zuki.
"Soon enough," Zeus answers. "Just want to enjoy a few moments of silence."
"Don't be too long or you'll miss me sing," jokes Sundown.
"Oh no!" Torch offers before bursting in to laughter.
"I'll be there shortly. Go enjoy yourselves!"

Zeus watches them walk off thankful to have such good friends. This is a good place indeed.

Song of War Chapter 11

The words of Zeus still ring in the minds of many as they start the final battle.

King Maestro remembers "Cowards prey on the weak but we have strength in numbers!" He gives the signal as Adagio leads the first wave of robins against several grackles by the mulberries. Allegro leads the next wave immediately followed up by Tempo. As one wave swoops in the others pull off to momentarily regroup.

Buster recalls "Now is the time to band together and fight to protect what is ours!" Instead of his usual constant attack on one target Buster lands quick strikes against one, two, three then four. He loops back around go give them some more.

Ma and Pa spread the words of the speech to those who could not be there and Ma especially liked "Alone we are limited but we are not alone!" 
As the grackles retreat across the path over the adjoining yards the dogs can be heard barking their displeasure. 
"Go away! Go away!" bark Bruiser, Foreman and Frazier.
"Leave our friends alone!" adds Montgomery.
"Go! Now!" orders Major.

Ik and Yuk attempt to prepare the grackles for a counter attack when they spot Sebastian as he lands on the most forefront branch. 

Sebastian had enjoyed one segment of Zeus' speech in particular: "We are a community. We are friends and family. We are one!" 
Sebastian raises both his wings and hundreds of birds fly in to form a living wall in front of the mulberries. Every house finch, sparrow, nuthatch, chickadee and cardinal in the area joined in to help. Then all the robins joined on the outer edges soon to be followed by Buster at the top right corner. In union they all screamed at the top of their lungs "Go!" at the grackles.

Ik and Yuk look at each other in stunned disbelief and Ik then gives the signal for retreat. The grackles head west to the tree of their leader. Soon they realize the others are in pursuit.

Song of War Chapter Ten

The next morning Zeus patrols the middle path when he spots a ball of fur up ahead. As he approaches he realizes it is a small bunny. Zeus put a paw gently on one side as he leans down to get his left ear by the face. There is faint breathing which Zeus is happy to hear but he is concerned by the wounds on the little one. There are several peck marks all over the body and the left eye did not look good.

Zeus lets out a distress scream then goes back to comforting the bunny. He tries to keep his touches soft and can tell the bunny is a little more at ease. Torch comes running from the direction of the north path and quickly focuses on the bunny.

"What happened?"
"Not sure but have a guess."
Zeus leans down by the face again and whispers "There, there little one you will be fine."
The bunny tries to respond "G..g..g"
"Save your energy little one" Zeus answers.
Then he heard it. The bunny whispers "gackle".
Zeus looks up at Torch who confirms, "I heard it too."

Two sparrows fly in and land on a branch above them. Specifically they are Dark-eyed juncos who are the brothers Dan and Don. "We heard your call," Dan starts. "How can we help?"

Zeus thinks for a moment then responds. "Will one of you go and let Ma and Pa know. Just say the little one is hurt but don't say how bad."
"On it" Don replies and flies off.
"Will you alert the crown?" Zeus inquires to Dan. "Have word spread we need to have a meet by the tree again."
Dan nods three times and answers "Will do!" and flies off.

Zeus looks at his friend. "Please go help spread the word. Make sure Sebastian knows to be there. I will be there after Ma and Pa get here."
Torch nods and leans in to whisper "Stay strong little one!"

After watching Torch make his way down the middle path and cut through a yard toward the main path, Zeus starts to collect his thoughts. He called for the gathering and feels he has to come up with the right words. The time has come to end this.

Song of War Chapter Nine

Zeus patrols the main path and approaches the edge of the mulberry trees from the east. There is no mistaking it is a battlefield as grackles and robins fight in the trees and in the air. After a few moments Zeus realizes that the grackles had bolstered their ranks.

From over the tree tops a grackle swoops as a larger bird is in hot pursuit. The grackle screams in fear and agony as a blue jay makes powerful pecks against the back of his head. Zeus recognizes Buster and as Buster notices Zeus he breaks off his attack allowing the grackle to flee to the west.

Buster lands on the top of the fence as Zeus makes his way over.

"Appears you made your choice," Zeus started.
"Word of what you cats did reached far and didn't want to be on the wrong side of that. Offered my services to the crown."
"We appreciate that."
"We?"
"We are one here."
"Interesting. I like that."
Zeus nodded toward the battle and said "We had thinned their numbers but they appear as strong as ever."
"No matter. I will knock their numbers down one by one."
"I'm sure you will. Glad to have you here."

Buster nods and takes off to rejoin the battle. 

Song of War Chapter Eight

Zeus woke from his nap in the bushes behind the house with the bird feeder. Lizzie and Tina had watched him eat their offering before he made his way to his favorite napping spot. It was the chatter of the birds that woke him. 

Six house finches are hopping around the feeder taking turns getting some seeds. One appears more aggressive occasionally knocking one of the others off the feeder as he went for more. There is plenty of food but they eat like it might be their last meal. 

A grackle lands on the rail of the porch opposite the feeder. He announces himself with a rude "Mine!"

A couple of the finches flinch but they stay around the feeder. One glances back at the grackle and shrugs his shoulders. 

The grackle takes a step closer on the rail and repeats "Mine!"

The aggressive finch ironically answers, "Wait your turn!" 
The other finches added "Yeah!" in agreement. 

The grackle tilts his head, takes a step forward and then a step back. After a few seconds he flies off to the west. 

Zeus is impressed with how the finches had stood their ground. He is well rested and ready to patrol.

Song of War Chapter Seven

Rok could hear the wails before they come into sight. Ik and Yuk make their way to their leader side by side as they are over come with grief. As they settle on the high branch Yuk looks back and forth between Rok and Iz several times before declaring "Yak is gone!".

Rok leans forward "Gone?"
"Dead!" Ik replies. "Along with many others. Only two made it back to report. It was the cats! Horrible! Horrible!"
Rok's eyes were wide with disbelief then narrowed as his mind raced. "This is a dark day for us. But we must continue on. Let Yak be our inspiration. Let him be our rallying cry. We will gets ours in the name of Yak."
Ik and Yuk nod and stifle their sobs. 
"Ik, pick your best flyer and have him go two days toward the setting sun. He must find my cousin Zok. Tell Zok what happened and ask for as many he can spare to help in our conquest."
"On it," Ik replied and then flew off.
"Yuk, we need those mulberries. Rally the troops and do whatever it takes. You'll have help soon enough."
"Will do," answers Yuk. He then stood tall, puffed out his chest, and did a salute with his right wing before taking flight. 

Iz edges closer to her mate and whispers so no one could hear. "This is a mighty blow."
Rok whispers in return. " Yes. But if we can still use Yak we must. He was reckless but a good warrior."
"Is this place worth it?"
"Everything we could want is here. Best we've found in a long time. We must make every effort to claim it."
"At what cost?"
"Don't know yet."
Iz nods and nuzzles her head on Rok's shoulder. "It should be ours then."