Souls Entwined Through Time

The next day began in a somber and slightly alarming mood. The sun was taking very long to rise and the usual chirping of birds was replaced by the soft caw of crows. Over two dozen had taken up residence on the Del Montague manor. They perched on top of every structure and waited for daybreak. With each passing hour more crows flocked to the manor until there was nearly a hundred in number.

The guards and knights who were stationed for the night shift were alarmed. Though the crows were not doing anything other than perching and occasionally crowing, the sight in itself was eerie. An undeniable reflection of the tragedy that had unfolded. But why were the crows here and not at the cemetery?

More crows flocked. Nearly two hundred now.

The servants began to filter out to do their morning chores. They all gasped at the sight that greeted them. While some were transfixed out of awe, others ran back inside to inform the others.

The butler went to Duchess Tyren, knowing the Duke was not in the right state of mind to be troubled with anything. He raised his hand and was about to knock on the door when a maid came out. 

"Oh, good morning Jeremiah."

"Good morning, Miss Lee." He looked over her shoulder. "Is the Duchess awake?"

"No, she is still soundly asleep. My lady has not been sleeping well as of late and the funeral completely exhausted her." Maid Lee closed the door behind her. "I'd advice you not to disturb her. Let her wake up once she is fully rested."

Muffled voices filtered up.

Lee's brows furrowed. "What seems to be the problem?"

Jeremiah took her hand and guided her to the large glass windows next to the tea room. He pointed. "Look at this omen."

Lee gasped and covered her mouth with her hands. The entire courtyard was covered in crows. They even swarmed on the ground. The window sill was laden with a murder.

"What is this? What's happening?" Lee asked her companion.

"Lady Felicia's curse, no doubt." 

The woman's eyes widened in horror. Before she could respond the crows outside the window began to hit their beaks against the glass. Aggressively. 

Lee and Jeremiah both jumped back in shock. Thankfully the glass was strong, but the sound was chilling. The crows switched their strategy and began to slam their bodies against the glass. That sound was even more terrifying. Combined with their unblinking red eyes and the slightly muffled cawing, both the butler and maid ran away.

Broken screams came from downstairs and the sound of knights yelling and heavy stomping filled the air.

"Oh God!"

Lee and Jeremiah ran down the stairs as several servants ran upstairs looking frantic.

"Close the windows!"

"Close the balconies!"

"Seal up everything!"

Outside pandemonium raged. It happened all at once. At first, the crows had become silent and immobile. Their red eyes glowing. The soft sound of the morning breeze could be heard. Everyone could hear themselves breathe, it was so quite. Then suddenly, as if commanded, all the crows opened their beaks and cawed as loudly as possible. 

Before anyone could do more than cover their ears, the murder menace flapped their wings and dived at the people of the manor. Using both beaks and claws, they descended with a vengeance. Cries of pain and screams filled the air. Blood flowed from torn faces and scalps. Eyes were gouged out of their sockets and tongues ripped out. 

Even the knights with helmets and armor got their hands shredded when they tried to shield their faces.

Everyone rushed inside, but only a handful made it as the others had already collapsed in pain or were blinded by their own blood. The crows had taken to feasting upon their victims while they were still alive and thrashing on the ground. Some of the servants tried to help each other, but it proved impossible.

Once inside the doors were closed. Murders of crows managed to fly inside and were hacked by the guards swords. Many flied up the stairs and headed directly for Lady Helena's room. 

The servants rushed about to seal the door and windows, but sadly a large number had already flown in through the balconies. The assault was so bad that the sounds of screams were no longer drowned out by the cawing.

Miles away at the central Cathedral, the Pope chanted heavily and pulled at the curse until it was back under his control. For a brief moment it was hemorrhaging. He could sense some other disaster had struck.

Back at the Del Montague manor, the crows ceased their assault. Each one abruptly dropped dead and hit the ground, as if struck by lightning. The resounding smacks of so many bird bodies sounded like stones hitting the earth. It scared the people inside. 

Unfortunately, everyone who was still outside was near dead if not completely dead.

Inside, a haunting silence filled the rooms. The sudden death of the crows had everyone holding their breaths. Not a single person was unscathed. Some were more bloodied than others.

One unfortunate maid, who had both ears ripped off by the crows claws was being assisted by two other maids who were trying to stop the bleeding. Sadly, their attempts failed and the poor girl died on the spot.

With the immediate threat of death no longer present, weeping ensued. Amongst the female servants and even some of the men. Only the knights remained stoic. The front door were slowly pushed open and revealed the gruesome sight of the attack. More screams echoed. Countless dead bodies were strewn about the sea of black bodies. Feathers were in the air and the blood of both people and birds tainted the cobblestones.

People wailed in agony as they reached the mutilated bodies of their friends and workers. Some of whom, happened to be family members.

One cook, whose younger sister had just started working as a maid, lifted her body into his arms and cried into the heavens.

"Why!? Goddess, why!?"