The crows had been flying for many days, taking breaks when they could, getting supplies when they could and Augustus finally reached a spot where he knew they would be safe. He went over the rules with them on how to pick food with caution. They would be close to humans now during their stay where things could go wrong quickly. While Augustus found some humans could be nice, there were also very cruel ones to be avoided. Of all the rules he shared with the young ones, fear and caution were the first priority. The elders would show them around so that they would learn these new routines, but Augustus would not be helping this year. He had a dangerous journey to complete to visit an old friend, but would place him in the middle of the lives of many humans. He wished his murder well, then he flew off towards the place of humans.
Later that day he arrived at the place of the huge human figure. Augustus was originally attracted to it since it was the only human that did not move, but over time he realized it wasn't human, just a large solid figure that looked like a human. He landed on top and looked around to see if he recognized anyone. At one time humans would come to see him on the statue, feed him, and they would talk to him. He called out with a simple caw, yet no one came so he sat there a while using his sharp vision trying to find a familiar face as he listened carefully for any sound he recognized. Then he heard it, but he did not believe it. The sound was a long way off so he flew in that direction keeping his hearing tuned to find the source and he eventually found it.
There in the mounds of treasure that humans throw away Augustus saw him fighting off one of his own kind in a struggle for food. It was Angus the magpie. How was he still alive? He looked battered, tired, almost sick fighting for his right to eat. He landed close by and scared off the magpie that was trying to attack him. In his confusion he charged at Augustus like he was in competition for the local delicacies. He stopped just short of hitting him and began screaming at him.
"Ay chup nub dresdel hangle crey!!"
Augustus leaned into his face. "Really Angus? You know I don't speak a peck of that language."
Angus jumped backward in shock, then moved forward again looking the crow over in shock. "Augustus?" he asked.
"Yes, Augustus. Who else looks this good?" He strutted around showing off his feathers, rubbing his beak.
Angus rushed at him and poked him a few times "Augustus, my old friend how are you."
"Doing better than you. What happened my friend, you do not look well?"
"Well the young ones rose up in power to cast me out, I tried to fight back, but there were too many of them. I was crushed, cast out and they even pursue me, stealing any food I find."
"That is not the way it should be, we take care of those who grow old, respecting their knowledge and following their advice. It makes me sad to see you like this, Angus, perhaps we can help each other."
"How could I help you in the condition that I am in?"
"Well it just so happens that I need to find someone. If you know where to find them it would help me greatly. In exchange I can bring you to some place to eat with protection from those who harm you." Augustus looked his old friend over. "Even without the knowledge I will still find you a safe place to eat, I will not leave you hungry."
These words brought joy to the heart of Angus, hope in his hopeless world. "Whatever I can do, I will help you."
"Well it is an old thing, so I hope you remember. When I was younger there was a human who took great interest in my affairs and helped me greatly with food and teachings."
"I remember the one you talk about. He is no longer at the place he used to be, he left a long time ago."
"I am hoping to find him now.I need help with a riddle and I was hoping that he could help me."
Angus stood proud, "Why would you not try your riddle with me first? I am old an wise after all."
"Well even the owls did not know the answers to this, but I will try. Are you ready?"
"I am always ready!" Angus exclaimed.
"szary niebieski"
"Uh…what? I thought you said it was a riddle?"
"It is all I have, which is why I long to find my old friend for help."
"If that is all you have then you may need more help than that, but I know where to find him…at least I know the last place I saw your human. He is different now and keeps strange company. He may have replaced you with another black bird as well."
"There is no replacing me…I am Augustus. I think he liked us beings of the wild more than humans, our time together was good for me. I think he is the only one who can help me with this riddle. I would be grateful if you could lead me there."
"I shall, follow me."
Angus took them on flight across the domain of humans and Augustus enjoyed seeing all the old places he would visit. The little places that made food, the one that use to spoil him with meat pieces, the tall place that would ring a few times a day. Augustus remembers many birds resting there as he tried to remember why so many would stay there. Even though it rang loudly they found it to be a peaceful place, a restful place. The place with great spots to stand and dive from….oh the memories.
Finally they reached a small human habitation on the edge of everything and Angus landed on the top of it with Augustus landing beside him. "The last I saw him he was living here," Angus said as he pointed downward with his beak. "That opening you made find him when the sun is setting, I do not see him during the time of light. Others have come and gone, but I last found him alone in there. I hope you get the answers you seek."
"I hope I do too," Augustus said as he committed this location to memory as he planned to return in the evening. He looked over Angus and was moved with sorrow. What a poor looking bird. "Thank you my old friend, now let me show you something, come," and he flew off with Angus in pursuit.
Augustus flew along the tree line of the forest for a long while then eventually dove deeper into the woods where only the wild birds go. Angus was intimidated, but he trusted Augustus since he had proven himself in the past. Finally they arrived at a clearing with a small stream running below them. It was very beautiful. Augustus landed in a large tree with Angus beside him. He looked over at Angus, smiled, then let out a large call. "Caw, car-caw, Augustus."
Within minutes the tree was filled with crows to the point of it being completely black. Augustus spoke to them all. "This is Angus, he is my friend and has no family. I wish to make him family. Let us vote. I can attest to his honor." Soon the whole tree erupted with coos and caws finally falling silent. Augustus turned to Angus.
"Congratulations, you are now a crow. Be patient to learn our ways. You now have family, you now have a place." A small crow landed beside Angus. "This is Cornvo, he will take you to eat."
Angus could not contain his tears as he wiped them with his wings and lightly kissed the wings of Augustus. "Thank you. This….I was not expecting…why?" Angus was lost in the waves of emotion and the deep feeling of acceptance he had never felt before.
"Because you have worth. Your kind did not see it, but here you are family. Please stay with us, you will not be cast out ever."
"I will stay, thank you." He turned to Cornvo, "Ok, I am ready" he said as they flew off together as Augustus watched them go. Augustus knew he was an old bird who may not have much time left, but what time he had Augustus wanted Angus to have someone there for him in the end.
Augustus let others know where he was going as he flew off back in the direction of his old human friend looking for answers he hoped to find. He was unsure how things would work out, but Augustus always seemed to find the answers he needed for the riddles life presented to him. He was a a very wise crow who never gave up his hope.
When he arrived at the dwelling it was dark so Augustus made his way around the side and found a comfortable area with large bushes to find the perfect hiding spot to get some rest. He snuggled into a warm spot, placed his head under his wing and began to rest hoping his friend would come home soon.
He dreamed of Garius, the blue/grey fox, and how so much changed as she came into their world. He dreamed of Garius bringing her home to the other wolves and how defiant he was to all those around him. Garius always seemed to know what was best for the pack even though the pack did not. His dreams took him to their first meeting as Garius was struggling to find meat for his pack and was out on a hunt by himself trying his best to feed them.
As Garius was looking out over a ridge with a valley below him watching and waiting for an answers, Augustus landed close by him. "What is empty on the inside, full on the outside, and walks in circles?"
Garius looked at him with disdain. "I do not have time for your riddles, crow. I am busy."
"Crow? I am Augustus. I offer no harm, only a riddle."
"So, you have attitude. I think there is enough of you there to fill my belly."
"There may be enough for you, but what of the rest of your pack? They can all be filled, but you must answer my riddle. Riddles are fun. What is empty on the inside, full on the outside, and walks in circles?"
"Grufff" Garius sighed. "What is empty on the inside, full on the outside, and walks in circles? A tree."
"Ooo, good answer. I like that…you are a thinker. We can make this work. What is empty on the inside, full on the outside, and walks in circles? Why, it's you!" The crow began laughing, much to Garius' displeasure. "You roam with an empty stomach, have a full coat and you walk in circles finding no food. I am surprised you have not found your own scent."
While lost in his laughter Augustus found himself caught under the wolf's paws and his teeth in his face. "Is this so funny now?"
Augustus kept laughing, despite his current circumstances he thought his riddle was one of his best and he fell deeper into his hysterics. The whole situation finally began to break down Garius' defences as he found himself beginning to laugh as well. To anyone watching the whole scene seemed impossible with a wolf and a crow lying beside each other rolling with laughter.
Once their energy was gone Garius turned to the crow and told him, "You are correct, it is a good riddle. I won no prizes, but you have won my respect…well a bit."
Augustus stood up and wiped himself off and turned his attention to Garius. "I think there is a way we can both win. I like you wolf."
"The name is Garius. Win what?"
"Well….how about food? You wolves are hunters, the best I have seen. Us crows are spotters, we can see things far away and tell you what is coming. I think there I know of an arrangement that can work."
Garius listened to his proposition and was impressed with his offer. This crow was wise and the benefits were great for both sides. This deal would give them the best lives they could have and working together could only make them stronger. "I like you Augustus, I think we have a deal."
"It's a deal," Augustus reached out with his wing to touch the paw of Garius only to have him torn away from him by a giant bear's mouth. "Garius!!" he screamed waking from his dream as he opened his eyes seeing it was night and he was free from his dream. He shook his head, cleared his thoughts, then looked around. There was a light on in the human dwelling so he hopped out of the bush and flew to the lighted opening. There inside sat his human friend. He looked slightly different with something growing on his face, but it was him.
There was a feeling of familiarity with the whole situation as Augustus remembered all their times together and he wondered if he would remember him so he tapped on the invisible wall that separated them. The human inside looked around, then focused on the window seeing the crow. He jumped up and ran to the window slowly opening it to greet his visitor. "Hello, and who might you be?"
Standing proud the visitor raised his head and cried only one word. "Augustus" as the man's jaw dropped wide open and a tear found a way out of his eye.
"Augustus? How?" The man stood there in amazement wondering how this crow had survived so long. He was sure they only lived a few years, now realizing that he must be wrong because there before him was the crow who at one time spent much time with him learning and being fed. He was always impressed with its ability to learn, retain so much information, and learn language. It was this same crow that started his fascination with nature, a crow he thought had died a long time ago as it had left never to return. Now here it stood before him looking so grand, so beautiful before him. The man rushed to grab a stick of preserved meat from his plate that he was eating from and gave it to the crow who gobbled it down quickly.
Augustus was happy to see his old friend even though he looked slightly different now. He gladly took the food he offered by him as he had such a busy day he forgot to feed himself. He almost found himself lost in the moment as there were so many memories he was thinking about and all the fun times they had. He knew he would have a chance to visit with his friend before he would have to return to the wild with his family, yet there was still business to attend to while he was here and he needed to see to that first in case his friend needed time to solve the riddle. He looked at his human friend and shared his riddle with him.
"szary niebieski" he cried out.
The man was taken aback by this outburst from Augustus the crow.
"Shary what?! What is that you are saying?"
Augustus repeated it over and over as the man went to grab himself a pen and paper to write this down as he heard it. "Shary nehbeskee" he wrote as he began to speak it over and over. Finally the two had a harmony and he was sure he was pronouncing it correctly.
"I am unsure what this means, my friend. I know a language professor at the university I once attended. I will go see if I can find him tomorrow to see if he can help, ok?"
"Augustus," the crow cried back almost as if he understood what was being said. They spent a short while together and then as quickly as he appeared the crow was gone again. He had provided a mystery and the man would do his best to find answers in the hopes that his friend Augustus would return soon.