“Kas?” He called as he approached the oak door of the two story hut. From beneath the shadowed awning of the thatched roof, the black, beady eyes of birds watched him. He stepped inside to a small, dim hearth room lit by streams of daylight coming through gaps in the roof.
“Kassival?” He called again.
“Brother,” a cool voice answered, “it’s been some time… I almost didn’t believe the flock’s whispers. How is father?” A lanky man garbed in dark clothes and a thin, green robe stepped to the edge of the second floor balcony. Long, blue feathers trailed behind him and lined his arms.
“I’m not here for a family reunion, Kas-“
“Echo, Davian,” Kassival snapped, “I know you were never fond of the name, but if this isn’t going to be a family visit, then I’d appreciate it if you addressed me properly.” His mane of silver-blue feathers rose and fell irritably and he cocked his head at an odd angle to look down at Davian.
Davian hated it when he did that. It always looked wrong, like there really was a bird behind those eyes instead of a man. Sometimes he wondered just how much of his humanity was left after all these years. Maybe it wasn’t a man playing the part of a bird, but a bird disguising itself as a man.
Davian grimaced, but nodded compliantly before continuing. “I’m looking for someone. I suspect he passed through these woods in the last few days.”
Echo extended his feathered arms and leapt down from the second floor, beating the air in a single flap to slow his descent. His taloned feet clacked against the stone floor as he lazily paced towards him. “There have been many people in and out of the forest lately. You’ll have to be a tad more specific.”
“You’d have noticed him. Pale green skin, black horns, and three swords strapped over a leather vest.” Davian said.
Echo was silent a moment, though he seemed to be crooning under his breath. His eyes stared into nothingness before they refocused on his brother. “And say that I could find him and lead you to him; what would you do with him?”
“It’s not for me to decide. He stole from the nobles of the vine country, his fate will be up to them. Why do you care?”
“Dear brother, I am a shadow broker, it is my job to know details.” Echo waved a dismissive hand.
“So will you help?”
“I will, on one condition. I just so happen to know that he has something else on him. Nothing of consequence to you or your nobles in the vale, but quite valuable to me. I can’t go after him myself and my flock can only do so much, but you…” Echo gave him a cold vulture’s grin that always managed to send an uncomfortable chill through him.
“…What is it?” Davian played along.
“A small, black box.” Echo answered, then added, “And don’t worry about trying to open it, I promise you it won’t crack if it is what I believe it to be.”
Davian sighed, “And what do you believe is inside this box?”
“That’s of no concern to you.”
“If it’s stolen, then I must return it.”
“You will return neither the box nor the noble’s possessions if you don’t agree to the terms. This particular individual is excellent at hiding if you give him the time to arrange himself. Are you willing to risk your good record by letting him slip through your fingers? Besides, even I don’t know where he got it. All I know is that it’s worth more to me than it is to you.”
Davian hesitated, fruitlessly trying to read his brother’s masked intentions. As much as he disliked the prospect of being Kassival’s errand boy, it would be the end of his career if this thief went free.
“…Very well,” Davian growled.
“Excellent, I’m glad we could come to an understanding. Follow my flock, they will guide you.” Echo waved his arm, stirring a dozen blue mocking jays from their roosts in the rafters. Like a cloud, they raced through the open windows to the forest outside, vanishing into the trees.
Davian grudgingly nodded and turned to leave with Echo’s warning at his back, “And Davian,” he said, “know that I will be watching from the boughs.”