Family Duties [Open Herd Meeting]

Oh, my tongue's the only muscle in my body that works harder than my heart More filtered in: faces Korri didn't recognize, but studied intently. Young, many of them. He wondered if this meant anything. If it was proof of the savagery of this land, or of its strange appetites, or of nothing at all. He kept his expression neutral, no more than politely curious. Still waiting — waiting for some stain on the otherwise spotless first impression the Kingdom of Halyven had made on him. It did not come. Korri's head jerked up as he spotted Kiada's entrance. A small swell of delight rose in him as she came to stand at his side. Though he barely knew her, it was good to see a friendly face. And apparently one that considered him friendly as well! He snorted softly at her, and answered in a wry voice: "Better late than never." Then Rixen was speaking. Getting to the meat of things. Both Korri's ears pricked up to catch the words. He was silent for a moment, digesting them, as some of the others called out to offer their services. He could .... he could do this, couldn't he? Just decide who he was going to be here? Instinctively, he reached for Auga's opinion, but of course she wasn't there. Just the echoing blankness of his own mind. The worried echoes of his own thoughts. Who am I, anyway? Korri shuffled his wings. Took a single step forward. "I would be honored to stay on as a messenger," he called out. "I think my wings are well-suited to the task." And I have no desire to kill for anyone ever again, he thought privately. Of course, if it were asked of him, he had the feeling he would comply. What else did he know? What else was he made for? Other than to obey? He wondered vaguely if he could become someone else. Something else. Shuffling his wings once more, Korri fell silent and stepped back. Unease surged in his guts, but he couldn't find much logical fault with his decision. He could stay here and serve them. If the worst happened... he could leave. He would be all right.

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