The hunter silently walked back from the forest, squirrels dangling from a piece of rope that hung around his shoulder. The crossbow settled across his chest as he walked through the forest, hearing the sound of the birds in the air, calling one another and chattering through the forest. Though there was one, who continued to stay near the hunter, observing him, keeping watch on him.
Cynraede knew he was following him, but honestly what could a raven do? As he turned to look at it, it swooped past his face, landing on the ground before him, looking up to him and staring at him. Its large, seemingly dead eyes stared at the hunter with a tilted head, cawing loudly as it hopped closer to the hunter who stood his ground. The creature took a short flight once more, landing upon his shoulder and looking down to the squirrels that dangled across the string.
"Well, hello. Hungry, are we? Tell me my little friend, what can this hunter do for you?"
The bird looked at him with a tilted head, cawing loudly once more, turning his head to the path before him.
"You speak the truth, my friend? Then they should be dealt with, but not today."
Cynraede pulled up his hood and covered himself in his cloak, taking up a stick and using it as a cane. He made his way down the dirt road, the raven upon his shoulder. The bird had been right, no sooner than he passed a large oak tree, two men came from behind it, and two more behind him. He resisted a smile, focusing on the task at hand. The man who approached had a wide grin upon his face, motioning to the others as his screechy voice broke the silence.
"Oi! Bird man, this is a toll road. Yeh can pass but its forty silver, and sixty for the bird!"
Cynraede nodded slowly, speaking in a weak, grobbly voice.
"You, wouldn't deprive me from my companion would you? I'm just a traveller making my way to Bree town, I wish no trouble... I have not the coin to pay, nor the strength to work."
The men looked to each other and laughed, one drawing his blade and waving it at the man and yelled at him, though soon stopped as he watched the raven on his shoulder spread its wings, cawing threateningly at the man. The group stared at each other for a moment, there was an odd presence about this man that made them feel uneasy, something within their minds stirred and thoughts raced through their minds. The leader looked to Cynraede who was hunched over and gripping at his cloak gently, holding himself up with the make shift staff.
"What is wrong with your bird.. Is it sick?"
The man looked to Cynraede who bore a grin and shook his head.
"No, she merely does not like strangers and she is hungry, it has been long since we ate. It is why I stopped in Bree, wished for a spot of ale and some bread before our journey.."
The men stared at each other and backed off, the man sheathed his dagger and held his hands up as he backed away.
"We wish you no harm old man, safe travels.."
The hunter smiled as he slowly hobbled his way to Bree, the raven perched upon his shoulders as her eyes darted all around them. He smiled and looked to her.
"You need a name.. Uial.. Yes, you shall be Uial.."
