"Cuquaaawked!!"
Buddy squawked, chest puffed wide as he planted himself between the nobles and the scrambling townsfolk. His glare burned like a challenge, any man foolish enough to block the people would have to face him first.
He lowered his head slowly, snapped his beak inches from a noble's face.
The man stumbled back, tripping over his own robe, his face slick with sweat.
"I–I remember this bird!" he stammered, pointing toward the pekko.
"This… this beast… I will bring word of this to Count Garius! To let such a foul creature, such as this grotesque brute, run wild in the capital! He will answer for this insult!"
Buddy let out a sharp, rolling cry. Half-squawk, half-laugh mocking sound that grated like a gull's screech. He tilted his head sideways, one beady eye fixed on the nobles.
He puffed his chest and beat his wings, each flap sending a rush of air that rattled the nobles' silks and made them stagger back in alarm.
