Glenagh stared at the page, his heart thumping excitedly. Here was the key. At last he knew what was needed to bring Swordbird and make him stay. He dipped his quill pen in the inkwell and started to write quickly on a fresh piece of paper.
Aska, Reymarsh, and his tribe fighters pushed on with their journey to Stone-Run during the night. They passed the White Cap Mountains quite smoothly, avoiding the Sklarkills by traveling in darkness. In the morning they soon passed the border and entered Stone-Run.
“I’m in your embrace again, dear Stone-Run,” Aska murmured happily. She forgot all the hardships on the journey and sped up, flying faster and faster.
The shortest way of getting to the Bluewingle camp was to pass the cardinals’ home first. So Aska, Reymarsh, and his robins headed there. Before they drew near, some cardinals darted out. “You’re back, Aska!” they cried.
Aska introduced Reymarsh and the robins to them, and the birds talked while they flew.
“Where’s Miltin?” one of the cardinals asked.
Everybird became sad and silent at the question, especially Reymarsh, whose face filled with grief. Aska said in a low voice, “He had been too seriously wounded at Fortress Glooming, and we were attacked in the mountains as well. He passed away not long after he reached home.”
The birds fell silent, mourning.
After a while Aska broke the silence. “How’s my tribe?”
“We have bad news, Aska,” a cardinal answered with his head bowed. “Your tribe trees were burned by Turnatt’s birds.”
Aska gasped in horror. “Have birds taken the flight to Sky Land?”
“Only a few, may Swordbird bless their souls. The rest are living with us now. Come and see them.”
Before the cardinal finished his sentence, they had already landed on the threshold of the Sunrise camp. Flame-back, Skylion, Glenagh, and others greeted them warmly, welcoming them inside.
Reymarsh took the red Leasorn gem out of his tunic. “Here’s the Leasorn that you urgently need,” he said, passing the gem to Flame-back. “With it, and the ‘Song of Swordbird,’ the great Swordbird can be called.”
Flame-back accepted the Leasorn and gingerly held it close to his eyes, examining it. The multifaceted gem was translucent and bright, and it seemed as though there were countless crystal windows inside. When Flame-back turned it slowly, it gave off gleaming red sparks. Everybird gathered around the gem in awe.
“Have you got the ‘Song of Swordbird’?” Reymarsh asked Flame-back and Skylion.
Skylion turned his head to Glenagh.
“Yes.” Glenagh nodded.
Reymarsh said, “Last time, when my tribe called for Swordbird, Swordbird didn’t stay long enough after he appeared. We don’t know what we did wrong. I only hope things will be different for your tribe.”
“I believe so,” Glenagh began with enthusiasm. “I found the instructions for the second verse of the ‘Song of Swordbird’ in the most unexpected place.” He held up a piece of paper.
“A second verse!” Reymarsh cried. “I’ve never heard of it.”
“You’re right,” Glenagh explained. “If we make the second verse ourselves, and it comes from our hearts, then Swordbird will not just appear but stay. I’ve finished the second verse. Here.”
Reymarsh read it eagerly. “Great. It’s well written. Let’s make some more copies for everybird.”
“Don’t forget us!” a loud voice sang out. Lorpil, standing nearby, had been listening. “If there is music involved, the Willowleaf Theater must play and sing. We have our professional pride, you know.”
Skylion laughed and promised to get copies of the music to the theater birds. “But where should we put the gem during the ritual, Reymarsh?”
“Well, when we did it, we first put the gem on a platform. But realizing the danger of its getting snatched away by the enemy birds, we let a tribesbird carry it in his beak. It’s dangerous work,” Reymarsh said. “That bird could easily become a target for the enemy.”
“Let me hold the Leasorn during the ritual. I’m not afraid,” Aska said quietly.
Glenagh patted her back. “You’ve done a lot for Stone-Run, young lass. You should rest a bit.”
“I need to fulfill Miltin’s last wishes.” Aska dipped her head. Everybird became silent when they heard this.
As Aska left the meeting room, she saw a blue jay standing in front of her. He held a red rose held in his claw, the first rose blossom of the year.
“It’s you, Cody. What a surprise!” Aska exclaimed.
“This flower is for you, our heroine,” Cody said sincerely, and handed the rose to Aska.
When Turnatt realized that Shadow was not going to return, he was so angry that he slammed the Book of Heresy shut. He shook his wings and screeched his rage so loud that it made everybird’s ears in Fortress Glooming ring for several seconds.
He would no longer send his captain and soldiers to do this job, Turnatt decided. He would lead an attack against the woodbirds himself.
They stared through the splendor of the lights,
through the clouds of faint colors that veiled
the sky, for they knew behind them,
he was here, finally here.
– FROM A STORY IN THE OLD SCRIPTURE
21 SWORDBIRD!
The afternoon sun lazily shone on the cardinals’ camp. Everything seemed to be calm, but the birds were still wary. They knew Turnatt would not leave them alone for long.
A young cardinal on watch poked his head out of a tree but suddenly drew back in terror. “Turnatt’s coming! He’s got an army of crows and ravens to attack us!”
Surprise and alarm spread among the woodbirds in the blink of an eye. Everybird pushed aside leaves to get a better view. There they were, in the southern sky, a dark speck leading a flow of smaller specks, coming closer and closer.
“Get our troops ready!”
“Where’s the Leasorn gem? Give it to me!”
“I’ll pass the song sheets!”
Reymarsh boomed in his deep voice, “Everybird, prepare for battle! Quick!” Soon about 80 woodbirds prepared to greet Turnatt’s 130 or more crows and ravens. The cardinals, blue jays, and robins pulled out their weapons. They formed a circle around the cardinals’ camp with their backs to the tribe trees. Some were stationed in the air; others were on the ground. The woodbirds raised their weapons as the leaders of the red, the blue, and the robins roared their war cries simultaneously.
“Power of the sun! Sunrise, charge!” the cardinals shouted.
“Attack! Bluewingles forever!” the blue jays yelled.
The robins did not miss a beat. “Death to the enemies! Waterthorn, fight!”
The war cries enraged Turnatt. “Go on and yell for all you’re worth,” he growled. He ordered his captain to send out attack signals. Turnatt’s soldiers rushed at the defending birds, who braced themselves to hold their line and keep the attackers off. Arrows flew. Birds screamed in pain. They battled in the air, wings and swords flashing. But the defenders were outnumbered. They could not hold out forever.
Aska, Glenagh, Cody, and the theater members flew as quickly as they could to the top of the main camp tree. Aska held the Leasorn gem in her beak, and the theater birds brought their instruments to play the song. Dilby played the harmonica, Kastin the flute, and Mayflower the clarinet. Alexandra plucked the harp, Parrale tapped a small drum, and Lorpil shook the maracas. Cody, leading the song, turned his face to the blue sky: