When Fen reached the top of the cliff, there were giant birds all around him. A twelve foot corvus bird arched back, spread its wings wide, and brought its beak down in Fen’s direction, narrowly missing his arm. It struck twice more, each time coming within inches of his body. Tired and trembling, he searched the cliff for an escape, but the cliff top was barren. As he looked up, he was face to face with the screeching bird. It moved quickly and jabbed his left side with its fine pointed beak. The taste of blood emboldened the animal and it lunged forward making biting motions. As Fen lay on the ground, a sense of rage and determination swept over him.

Holding his injured side with his left hand, he rose to his feet, slung a rope around the bird’s neck, and pulled it taught. Shrieking and beating its wings wildly, it leaned down to snatch up the rope in its beak as he pulled on the other end and moved closer. He pulled again on the spellbound rope, and the magic within took hold.