Ragtag by Karl Wolf-Morgenländer

Author:Karl Wolf-Morgenländer [Wolf-Morgenländer, Karl]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins

Night fell upon the city. More than two dozen raptors had gathered in the attic of the Old South Church as word of Bergelmir's death spread like wildfire. They bowed their heads as Surt stalked back and forth. The peregrine falcon was in a horrible mood. Nobody wanted to address him. Finally Gunlad stepped forward.

"My lord, there is the matter of succession. With Bergelmir gone—"

Surt whirled, his beady eyes filled with rage. The hawk looked away, and the falcon continued to pace.

"With Bergelmir gone," Gunlad continued after clearing his throat, "you are now emperor. We all pledge our loyalty."

The raptors hailed their new leader. Surt didn't seem to care much about his new rank. He loomed over the raptors. "Who killed Bergelmir?"

The hawks averted their eyes. Nobody dared respond.

"I asked a question!" Surt snarled. "You're telling me nobody knows? Why was nobody here?"

Hod stepped forward. "Bergelmir ordered me to pursue the clan leaders. He said he wanted to deal with Hoogol himself."

"And did you catch them?"

The kestrel nervously shifted his weight. "I'm sorry, m'lord. They escaped."

"Weakling!" Surt roared, and struck Hod with one of his talons. The kestrel stumbled back, his face bleeding.

"Let that be a lesson," Surt hissed. "The next time you fail me, you won't escape with a mere scratch."

"Yes, m'lord," Hod muttered, and backed away.

"What happened to Bergelmir?" Surt yelled as he turned to the others. "Do you really expect me to believe that an old owl killed the ruler of the Talon Empire?"

A familiar voice suddenly rang out from the far side of the attic. "It wasn't Hoogol who killed Bergelmir."

Surt and the other raptors watched as Loki emerged from the shadows. "I saw the whole thing from a tree," the crow said. "Bergelmir and Hoogol were locked in a fight to the death. The osprey would have won, had he not been pushed to his death."

"Pushed by whom?" Surt demanded. Loki hesitated, and Surt took a menacing stop forward. "Answer me! Pushed by whom?"

"By a young swallow," Loki said quietly, "named Ragtag."

The raptors squawked among themselves.

"Quiet!" Surt roared, then loomed over the crow. "You're telling me that a swallow killed an osprey?"

"That's exactly what I'm telling you."

"And what of Hoogol?"

"Hoogol no longer matters. The owl is either dead or will be soon. Bergelmir saw to that."

Surt shook with rage as he faced his troops. "I swear to you that Bergelmir shall be avenged. Find this Ragtag! If you have to kill every bird in the city, do it. But bring him to me alive!" Half the raptors departed at once.

"As for the rest of these miserable creatures, destroy them!" Surt continued. "Wipe the Feathered Alliance from the sky. Show no mercy to those who killed our leader!"

Loki cautiously hopped forward and bowed before the falcon.

"Please remember, my lord, that the crows are to be spared."

Surt whirled on him. "The crows will not be spared! They are traitors, liars, and thieves. They will be treated as such!"

"The crows were to remain free!" Loki protested. "That was the agreement I made with Bergelmir.

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