Haunted Wood The sun also rises

germanicus bore down with a grunt. his own breath seared his nostrils. the cow resisted, lowing even as her fate was determined. the eagle gave all his strength to it.

crowfeather materialized. the boy's teeth cut into the thick hide and the cow sagged beneath the shadow's added weight. germanicus lashed his head to and fro, frothing the water into a grim foam.

it was soon rosy with blood.

he fastened himself grimly.

in time, the rest of the cow's body slowly toppled, lifeless, into the water.