The small crow closed his eyes and braced for the ensuing pain of immolation that was sure to follow... If it wasn't a pattern that followed precisely the path of the webbing on his body. All of the powerful threads were consumed, and he was free.
He opened his eyes, and flexed the digits of his black talons, still in much disbelief of his circumstances. Thrall uprighted him, and lowered him to the ground gently. He spread his wings and looked nonplussed between the angel and the harpy, who had come to his aid out of nowhere.
He flapped his wings as if to appreciate his newfound freedom, and then he spoke, with an embarrassed flair. "Thank you, shadow man. I guess I judged you and your scary sword too badly."
Next he turned toward Xantheaa, opening his beak to offer her thanks as well, but what came out of it was something completely different. "Would you like to have a meal at my home? I have collected a vast assortment of pistachios and pomegranates that will make a lovely feast for such generous guests. Only the best for you, my lovely savioress."
Thrall laughed, and said "That would be quite alright, thank you. We are in something of a hurry. If you would like to reward us, some information abou-"
"Oh, but I insist, my friends! Come, come to my nest. We will enjoy such a tremendous welcome into the beautiful land of Egypt! Such wonders I could show you!"
"Wonders?" Xantheaa replied, her curiosity immediately stoked.
"Oh yes! You will find no greater wonders as this in the entire world! The pyramids, the sphinx, the length of the river Nile, surely no greater magnificence exists upon the face of Geb's golden earth! I saw you appear in your shiny circle chariot. Are you new to the seat of the house of Ra?"
"Why, yes in fact! We just arrived. I know nearly nothing about your world, and I would love to learn."
"Well, there you have it. You simply must come to join 'Aswad. I will tell you all about our great land, and how it all came to be."
"There is no time!" Thrall argued. "We are on a mission, if you remember. Tell us about the sp-"
"Time? Feh! More will come when you need it. But life only happens but for a fleeting moment. Why not let your beautiful Griphon enjoy herself a bit?"
"B-beautiful?" She blushed. It was only the second time she had been complimented on her appearance, but she had never really considered herself beautiful. Fair was one thing, but to be regarded as the most alluring was the pride of every harpy. "Oh, I do like him. I'm not sure how we are to join this eswado group, but I'm happy to find out if they'll have me! Show me the way, er... What is your name?"
'Aswad tilted his head in the standard avian expression of complete and total loss, just like Xantheaa was oft to do. "But you just said the name that I have. There is no group there is only 'Aswad." He flew up and landed on her shoulder. "Are you asking to become 'Aswad's nest mate? I accept. You will stay with me."
"Ah!" She shouted. "Oh, no-no-no-no-no. I am afraid that there has been a big misunderstanding! I cannot join your nest!"
"Why of course you can. And you must. 'Aswad has much space for you in his home. Come, follow me. I will have you bear many chicks as reward for saving me."
"B-b-b-bearing chicks? I-I, I could not. I cannot!"
He just stared at her like she had admitted her own innocence. "Ah, I see. Have you not laid eggs before? I find the ages of Griphons hard to gauge. Do not worry, I will show you how."
"I know how!" she blustered, spreading her wings wide in a huff. This stupid animal was not listening to her! "I simply choose not to! Where I come from, that sort of activity should be saved for... well...! Thrall, why are you not saying anything?!"
"Every time I try to speak, your new birdfriend tries to cut me off. I figured I'd wait until you tired him do-"
"It is okay to be nervous," 'Aswad continued, reassuringly, in his conversation with her. He hadn't even noticed Thrall speaking, eliciting a loud expletive of disbelief from the fallen angel. "Every young fowl is during their first season, but you will get used to it as the years go on. I will give you many great and strong chicks, for my parents were strong, and their murder before them."
"He is not my birdfriend! Augh! Get off of me!" she shouted, shaking her wing rapidly to remove him. He held on as tightly as his little legs allowed. "I am not interested. Cannot you understand that?!"
"I see that you are familiar with the Egyptian way of greeting. It is good that women know their place, and offer their hand before the men. My full name is Ghurab 'Aswad, and I suppose you will soon have the name 'Aswad as well? What will be your full name?"
He didn't take the hint, but the talk of names gave the young lady an idea, for what might finally get through to him. A little white lie wouldn't hurt to sell her point, after all. "Ah—Uh, My full name would be Xantheaa Thrall." The Seraph's eyebrows shot up at this implication, but he didn't utter a word. What was she playing at?
The black bird's mouth hung open. She already had a last name? Surely her family must be very wealthy to give their women such a luxury. Or.. wait, wasn't her friend's name Thrall as well?
She continued. "For you see, the creature before you and I are already of one body. We must share a name as well. Isn't that right, darling?"
She cut him a scathing look, as if to say "Get me out of this mess." He cleared his throat, and nodded. "Why, of course, Xantheaa. I would never dream of having anyone else as my life partner."
Her eyes widened, and she spread her lips in a wide smile, turning to the crow on her shoulder. "So, you see? This is why I cannot join your murder."
"O-oh...I see." The crow sighed, and hung his head dejectedly. He leapt down from her shoulder to the soil down below. It looked almost as if he had turned lifeless. "I apologize for leaping to conclusions."
Carrion crows do not live for very long, and they engage for life. The fact that one that looked to be two years old was still looking for a mate was troubling news to Thrall, who pitied the small creature. He was probably nearing middle age, and with no offspring to carry his legacy, the crow's name would probably die with him.
"If you would have us, we would still like to join you for that meal," he supplied, hoping to cheer him up."
"Ha ha! So you joke with me! Where would I find enough food for two giant beasts of the field? Ask me what you will and be done with me."
He knew full well that the crow had no intentions of actually feeding them. It is customary to accept invitations that would be blissfully ignored by the offeror.
Thrall smiled, satisfied that his joke was appreciated.