Chapter Text
Maeve walked through the market, looking puzzled as a man jumped off a stand, arms reaching out, catching nothing. He cursed and ran off chasing the faint cawing. She looked around, catching the eye of Luiza. The older woman laughed, shaking her head.
“Haven’t you heard the news?”
Maeve shook her head. “No, I missed this morning's sermon.”
Luiza linked her arm with Maeve's, joining her on her walk. “Mother Miranda declared a challenge. Anyone who’s able to get the key off that bird wins anything their heart desires. Her hand in marriage and all the lei you can imagine.”
“Are they planning on hurting the bird?”
“People are debating that,” Luiza said gently. “Right now, they are just trying to grab it.”
Maeve looked around, trying to see the bird that made everyone go insane. She smirked at the crow on top of the church, a silver key around its neck. His head tilted this way and that as he watched some villagers make tweeting sounds or just yelling, “here bird!”.
It was a few days of chaos. Groups of men walked around with nets, ladders, bread, and made cawing sounds. Men, women, and even some children kept their eyes and ears open for the crow.
Luiza happily told Maeve and Elena how a group of young boys earned a few lei by climbing a house to serve as a lookout. Mothers held their toddlers in one arm and bread in the other. Elena shared how she saw a man with muddy leaves on him. “He was lying on the ground holding a rope tied to a stick, holding up a box. There was one piece of bread as a trap.”
Victor helped Maeve with filling her basket when he brought up the challenge. “My father and mother walk around with shiny coins and silverware tied to them in hopes of catching that crow.” The next day, his parents were the talk of the town for claiming they had petted the animal. A few others followed their lead. Maeve gave Victor a pat on the back in sympathy.
The next sermon was tense, not out of fear or anger, but because the crow sat proudly on Mother Miranda’s shoulder. Puffed out knowing he’s untouchable. Mother Miranda gave him a few gentle pets, showing claim. It made him puff up more. Maeve sat in the back, giggling gently at the silly crow. She slipped out as the sermon ended, right before people walked closer to the priestess in hopes of grabbing the key.
Miranda watched her leave. Eyes calculating. Blue eyes flaring to gold as she notices a man has his hand out.
“Mother Miranda, if I may-“
“You may continue.” Her companion flapped his wings, letting out a snappy caw before taking off. Soaring out of the open window.
🐦⬛🐦⬛🐦⬛🐦⬛🐦⬛🐦⬛🐦⬛🐦⬛🐦⬛
Maeve sat on the porch, wiping her hands of dirt. She stretches up toward the sun. Groaning at the feeling. She looked at her garden, then the place of the sun.
“I have some time.” She sat on the ground, dusting off the soil and flour from her skirt. Maeve pulled a little bag from her pocket, sunflower seeds. She popped two into her mouth, enjoying the salty taste before cracking them open.
“Caw.” Maeve looked to her side. A crow looked at her, its head tilted, watching. Its eyes focused on the seeds, yet watching Maeve closely.
“Would you like some?” She poured a few more seeds on her palm, holding it out for the crow.
The crow hopped in place for a bit. With another caw, he hopped closer. Quick as thunder, he launched at the seeds. Beak pecking at her palm. “Oi’ ruddy bird. Gentle!”
The crow cawed in a gravel laugh. He perched himself back on the fence, looking proud. Maeve glared at him, tucking the pouch of seeds back in her pocket. A small handful in her hand. “Rude bird.”
He finished the seeds, looking at her still. “No more, you don’t peck the hand that feeds you.”
He cawed as he flew off. Maeve sighed, watching him circle above her. She opened her hand, grabbing a few more seeds for herself when the crow dived down, stealing the remaining seeds.
“You little thief!” Maeve scolded.
The crow landed on her roof. Puffed out proudly. He cawed twice and ate the seeds. Maeve smiled just a bit, shaking her head as she walked inside.
The next day, Maeve watched through her shop's window as the villagers were in a full hunting swing. Men held kids on their shoulders, letting the kids try to catch the crow. A few had coins and other shiny trinkets on them. Others were teaming up, taking shifts throughout the day. The crow they hunted sat comfortably on the counter, preening its feathers.
“Hello again,” Maeve said when she saw him.
The crow rosed it’s head, the silver key catching the light. His head tilted almost like he was challenging her.
“No need for that. I don't want the key.” Maeve turned around, continuing her work.
The avian hopped closer, watching as she placed the rolled raw dough on a tray. His eyes peered over at the raisins on another counter. He flew over to them eatting as many as he could. “Hey!” he looked up at the woman. Maeve was frowning at him, and flour splashed on her forehead.
“You little thief. If you keep stealing from me, that’ll be your name.”
He puffed up, proud at that idea, and he continued eating the raisins. “Little thief.”