Silent tension filled the air around them with Zhang Qianbai's words. Wind and Xiao Niao also started getting nervous. What if he decided to kill Wind on the spot? He kept that silent glare glued onto Wind. It sent shivers down her spine.
SSSHHHIIINNNGGG-----
He pulled out his sword!? 'What's going on??!!', Xiao Niao had thought the worst case scenario for Wind. He might end up killing the poor eagle!
Pointing the sword's sharp tip at Wind's neck, a thin string of killing intent made its way from Zhang Qianbai, towards Wind. Xiao Niao had made a decision just then. If the prince were to hurt her friend, even if she was indebted to him, she would fight.
"Do you intend to fight me?", the prince spoke in an amused tone after he had glanced at her.
The murderous intent suddenly vanished. As if it was never there in the first place. Zhang Qianbai already put his sword back. "Wind! I think he's letting you tag along! I knew he wouldn't do anything bad.", Xiao Niao DEFINITELY had faith in her saviour. She obviously didn't think he would do it for real!
"Yeah, suuurree you did." Wind had sounded sarcastic when she answered Xiao Niao, who had not looked Wind in the eyes after being found out.
"So... do I get to ride a horse too?" Heima already started walking away with the prince on her back. The soldiers had already finished up too, and met up with him.
"N-no. We have to fly and keep watch! It's our duty!" She didn't want to know how that scary prince would react to having two big birds sitting with him.
"Don't worry! I'll be the best guard ever! I won't fail you!" Wind was pretty happy with receiving such an 'important task' and already flew off full of smiles.
Xiao Niao also flew up. She made sure to fly slow enough that her and the group would stay together. 'Hmm.. if that prince came from the other side of the forest, why was he heading forward away from the forest?' She still had questions but couldn't ask and wouldn't get an answer to quench her curiosity.
Even if her curiosity over where they were headed couldn't be answered for the time being, she also had something she wanted to test. And that was, the skill she never used since she bought it, Mimic!
'This should work like how I want it to...' She slowed down her flying speed and thought of which sound to make.
'The jaguar!' That jaguar that injured her had made very cat-like roars when it chased after her.
RROOAAAWWRRR------!!
All she did was think of the sound she heard and it came out when she opened her mouth even a little! It was a little unsettling for Xiao Niao to have roared like a jaguar. Her loud roar also alarmed the third prince's group, as well as Wind. Everyone looked in all directions after halting in their tracks.
'Oops.. hehee.....' It was definitely her mistake to choose such a loud and fearsome roar. Moments after, Xiao Niao felt like she was being watched. It was that third prince! He was looking up at her. That guy probably traced the sound back to her. What a mistake she has made...!! T^T
Zhang Qianbai ordered to continue walking and told them to ignore Xiao Niao's mimic. At least they would arrive faster to their destination if they did. Of course, Xiao Niao also thought twice about what she would Mimic fro, now on. 'Kuh-! I didn't think the mimics would be so realistic!'
She continued making small sounds like twigs or leaves, which wasn't abnormal if they heard, since quite a few trees were around. She only stopped mimicking those small sounds after getting a notification and entering a grassland.
[Innate Skill: Mimic (level 2)]
[Innate Skill: Advanced Flight(level 2)]
'So my flight advanced too. I guess it makes sense after flying for so long.' Xiao Niao wasn't too surprised.
Hmm? A few small animals like rabbits and deer were walking in the tall grasses. It made her remember her appetite. "They would quite delicious~~" Just thinking of how good that roast rabbit from before tasted made her drool.
"Xiao Niao, do you want to catch some together?" Apparently, she had said it out loud instead of in her head and Wind just so happened to be right next to her without her realizing it.
'What a coincidence...' But after considering it, Xiao Niao hadn't killed anything herself except for bugs. It could also be good practice. "Sure, why not?" It was going to be fun!
Both of them had started gliding silently and slowly over the tall patches of grass. They had made a plan on how to catch the most rabbits. Having spotted a group of small brown rabbits, Xiao Niao slowly glided down into the tall grass without a sound. Wind flew higher and prepared to catch the rabbits.
RRROOOAAAAWWWRRR------!!!
The sound of a jaguar right next to them made every single one run in the opposite direction out of the grass. Little did they know that Wind started her dive and killed quite a fair amount. Although a few did manage to get away.
"We make really good teamwork!"
"Yeah!" In total, Xiao Niao had counted five brown rabbits stacked in a pile.
Fortunately, each of them could potentially carry three rabbits each. She had come carried two with her feet and one in her mouth, by the ears. Wind only had to carry one in her beak and one more with both her talons.
Of course the soldiers and the prince didnt know they went to get rabbits, so it was a little surprising when the birds carried so many rabbit back to them. And it was perfect for them to set up camp until the next day. Not many predators and plenty of food!
"Alright, set up the tents." Zhang Qianbai gave his approval to set camp. He was probably thinking that it was the right choice to keep the birds.
The tents were set up and the meat was being prepared by three soldiers who volunteered to skin it.
"Ah~~ I can't wait to eat some rabbit~!" Xiao Niao was excited for it.
"Actually, I've never eaten freshly cooked meat." Wind was usually fed a mix of dog food and jerky. "EEHH~~~!!!! Cooked meat is the best thing in the world!" Xiao Niao could sort of understand it. All she ever ate before joining the prince's group, was usually bugs.
But now she could enjoy delicious food when she wanted~! She had to admit she was significantly happier than before.
"The food's done cooking!!" The soldiers worked pretty fast and managed to finish the rabbit quicker than expected. The moment she heard them, Xiao Niao rushed to grab a skewer for each each of them.
"Try it, it's the best!" She held one in her beak while offering another one to Wind. They were both pretty excited. Xiao Niao wanted to eat this delicious meal again, while Wind would be trying it for the first time. It was exciting!
The skewer of meat was glistening! In the eyes of Wind, it looked like something out of a fantasy! "Uwaa~ I can't wait to eat it!"