It's Crow.
It's a...woman, I guess. An old woman. And it looks like she's in pain.
It's an old woman. She looks to be in pain.
She's fallen, and she needs help getting up.
Apparently, she needs help getting home.
It's a disgarded wagon wheel.
It's too big to be dragged around the forest. And I really can't see myself needing a wagon wheel.
Oh please, pretty lady, pretty please, help me! I've fallen and I can't...ssstand up.
Please, please, pretty pleassse, help me home!
What happened to you?
Oh, I was out picking bonesss-- Berries...berries for my stew...and...and flowers, yes, pretty flowersss! But then I tripped over a big old root, and twisted my ankle. It hurts ssso. Please help me home, pretty lady. Please?
Where do you live?
I live not far from here, not far at all, no. Help me home and I'll cook you a fine stew, I promissse, yes, I promise. Just help me home, and I'll reward you for your compassion, yes, you'll have your reward.
Who are you?
Oh, I'm nobody, nobody at all, just a frail old woman picking bonesss-- Berries! Picking berries for her stew so she can feed her pris-- Guests! Feed her guestsss, and fatten them up for the...long winter.
Why do you keep swallowing your words?
Because I'm just a frail, old, forgetful woman. Yesss.
All right, I'll help you home.
Oh, yesss! Thanks, plump little trea-- Nice and pretty girl, thanksss.
I'm sorry, but I'm busy.
No, no, pleassse! Please help a frail, old woman home.
I ssstill need your help, plump pudd-- Pretty girl. I can't walk all the way home by myssself, you see. Help me home and I'll cook you...a good, thick, creamy stew. Yum. I'm getting hungry myssself. Let's go!
Have you decided to be good and kind and help an old woman home, my sssweet?
Lead the way, ma'am.
I can't, sorry.
Yesss, let's go. Come on, jussst follow me, my sssweet treat!
Crow? Is that you?
(panting) Do you always travel like you got a two-headed Basparian nymphate on your tail? I couldn't keep up half the time.
Of course, there was that pair of stunning robin redbreasts... Twins, did you know? It's not as if I could just leave them without a kiss or two. Or twelve, as it turned out.
Ah, maybe I'm just outta shape after being stuck in boxes and cages and knapsacks for the past twenty years.
You got a sense of humor?
Oh, funny, that's funny.
What are you doing here, Crow?
What am I doing here? What am I doing here? How about a "nice to see you, Crow", or "I've missed you so much, Crow", or at least a "glad to see you outta that chest, Crow".
It is nice to see you, Crow. How did you escape?
Cunning, m'lady. Of course, that keg of Androgan stone-liquor the old geezer got his hands on didn't hurt. I've never seen such a shameful display of public drunkenness in my life.
So I decided to split before they put me back in the cage. That place was like a prison, without the amenities. And let's not even mention the food. Did you ever try roasted Elgwan dung? Well, don't. Ever.
It's not as if I came after you because I like you, though. You don't have any feathers.
Thank God for that. Okay, if you want to join me, I wouldn't mind some company. I'm guessing you'll be using your wings, though, and not your feet?
The ground's no place for a free spirit like myself, baby. Besides, I hear there are a lot of good looking birds in this forest, and lemme tell you, they don't parade about on the ground like winged chickens.
Of course it's me! How many birds do you know with both good looks and a sense of humor?
The old man was gonna gamble me away again, y'know? Went straight back to the cups handler after the, uhm, celebration.
Well, not since the last time I had a thimbleful of wine. Boy, were those ladies in for a surprise. When they were told I could talk I'm sure they didn't count on my encyclopedic knowledge of Dolmari obscenities.
I guess it is you.
So I pecked a button here and some soft tissue there, and fled. I had nowhere else to fly, so I decided to join you on your, uh, quest. It sounded like a spot of good, old fashioned fun. Like a Bird's Own adventure.
Sure. But how do I get your attention if I need to talk to you?
Just try to slow down once in a while, let me catch up?
Sorry. But wait a second, I got a little flute. I could use it to call you.
I'm not a sheepdog, let's get that straight. You play your tune and I'll consider your request. I won't be flapping to attention like a tamed soldier hawk.
Can you whistle, like this? (whistles shrilly)
Deal. We'd better get moving, though. It's getting late.
Aye, aye, cap'n. I'll try to keep an eye out ahead, in case there's, uh, trouble.
