“Have you got the ‘Song of Swordbird’?” Reymarsh asked Flame-back and Skylion.

Skylion turned his head to Glenagh.

“Yes.” Glenagh nodded.

Reymarsh said, “Last time, when my tribe called for Swordbird, Swordbird didn’t stay long enough after he appeared. We don’t know what we did wrong. I only hope things will be different for your tribe.”

“I believe so,” Glenagh began with enthusiasm. “I found the instructions for the second verse of the ‘Song of Swordbird’ in the most unexpected place.” He held up a piece of paper.

“A second verse!” Reymarsh cried. “I’ve never heard of it.”

“You’re right,” Glenagh explained. “If we make the second verse ourselves, and it comes from our hearts, then Swordbird will not just appear but stay. I’ve finished the second verse. Here.”

Reymarsh read it eagerly. “Great. It’s well written. Let’s make some more copies for everybird.”

“Don’t forget us!” a loud voice sang out. Lorpil, standing nearby, had been listening. “If there is music involved, the Willowleaf Theater must play and sing. We have our professional pride, you know.”

Skylion laughed and promised to get copies of the music to the theater birds. “But where should we put the gem during the ritual, Reymarsh?”

“Well, when we did it, we first put the gem on a platform. But realizing the danger of its getting snatched away by the enemy birds, we let a tribesbird carry it in his beak. It’s dangerous work,” Reymarsh said. “That bird could easily become a target for the enemy.”

“Let me hold the Leasorn during the ritual. I’m not afraid,” Aska said quietly.

Glenagh patted her back. “You’ve done a lot for Stone-Run, young lass. You should rest a bit.”

“I need to fulfill Miltin’s last wishes.” Aska dipped her head. Everybird became silent when they heard this.

As Aska left the meeting room, she saw a blue jay standing in front of her. He held a red rose held in his claw, the first rose blossom of the year.

“It’s you, Cody. What a surprise!” Aska exclaimed.

“This flower is for you, our heroine,” Cody said sincerely, and handed the rose to Aska.

When Turnatt realized that Shadow was not going to return, he was so angry that he slammed the Book of Heresy shut. He shook his wings and screeched his rage so loud that it made everybird’s ears in Fortress Glooming ring for several seconds.

He would no longer send his captain and soldiers to do this job, Turnatt decided. He would lead an attack against the woodbirds himself.

The afternoon sun lazily shone on the cardinals’ camp. Everything seemed to be calm, but the birds were still wary. They knew Turnatt would not leave them alone for long.

A young cardinal on watch poked his head out of a tree but suddenly drew back in terror. “Turnatt’s coming! He’s got an army of crows and ravens to attack us!”

Surprise and alarm spread among the woodbirds in the blink of an eye. Everybird pushed aside leaves to get a better view. There they were, in the southern sky, a dark speck leading a flow of smaller specks, coming closer and closer.

“Get our troops ready!”

“Where’s the Leasorn gem? Give it to me!”

“I’ll pass the song sheets!”

Reymarsh boomed in his deep voice, “Everybird, prepare for battle! Quick!” Soon about 80 woodbirds prepared to greet Turnatt’s 130 or more crows and ravens. The cardinals, blue jays, and robins pulled out their weapons. They formed a circle around the cardinals’ camp with their backs to the tribe trees. Some were stationed in the air; others were on the ground. The woodbirds raised their weapons as the leaders of the red, the blue, and the robins roared their war cries simultaneously.

“Power of the sun! Sunrise, charge!” the cardinals shouted.

“Attack! Bluewingles forever!” the blue jays yelled.

The robins did not miss a beat. “Death to the enemies! Waterthorn, fight!”

The war cries enraged Turnatt. “Go on and yell for all you’re worth,” he growled. He ordered his captain to send out attack signals. Turnatt’s soldiers rushed at the defending birds, who braced themselves to hold their line and keep the attackers off. Arrows flew. Birds screamed in pain. They battled in the air, wings and swords flashing. But the defenders were outnumbered. They could not hold out forever.

Aska, Glenagh, Cody, and the theater members flew as quickly as they could to the top of the main camp tree. Aska held the Leasorn gem in her beak, and the theater birds brought their instruments to play the song. Dilby played the harmonica, Kastin the flute, and Mayflower the clarinet. Alexandra plucked the harp, Parrale tapped a small drum, and Lorpil shook the maracas. Cody, leading the song, turned his face to the blue sky:

The others followed his example, and soon they were all singing their hearts out. The song was so touching that the air trembled at it; the song was so magical that the trees swayed with it.

The theater members played with so much emotion that they were lost in the music. Never before had they played so well. The red Leasorn in Aska’s beak shone brighter and brighter, more and more beautiful with every note. From the gem, countless beams of red light streaked out to the sky, as if awaiting the arrival of Swordbird. Aska raised her head high. The blinding light was unbearable, but she remained motionless with her eyes closed. Swordbird! Come to Stone-Run, Swordbird! she thought over and over.

The song increased in volume at every note, and it seemed as if the whole forest could hear it. It encouraged the woodbirds and frightened the crows and ravens. The words about peace and freedom made the woodbirds stronger and more courageous. The crows and ravens began to falter.

Turnatt was a little troubled by the singing, but he told himself again and again, “Don’t listen to that rubbish song!”

The hawk lord turned to his captain, Slime-beak. “Get those soldiers back to fighting!” he bellowed. “Pay no attention to that song!”

The captain hurried away. To calm his uneasiness, the hawk joined the fighting. Whomever he met, he killed, but each woodbird was braver than the last.

As soon as the final note of the first verse faded into the air, the sky grew darkish gray. It became grayer, and grayer…and flash! There was never so bright a light, so intense that all the birds couldn’t help closing their eyes. It seemed for a second that everything in the forest was as white as new snow. Nothing happened to the woodbirds and the theater birds, but some of the soldiers of Fortress Glooming screamed as their visions became dark forever.