47 Ducks 1.16

16.

Caesar looked up and saw the eagle. The bird of prey spanned over nine feet with its wings spread and the body frame was over three feet. The bird was named for its golden feathers that covered all its body while the crown was dark shades of red with white. The eagle did not land but used its claw to remove the dead chickens. It flew up after grabbing Schmidt and then in midair, it tossed the carcass away. It did the same for Schulz and Smith and the dead duckling lovers before it land before the ducks.

“Golden Eagle is the name.” The imposing looking bird of prey looked to the ducks. “I am sworn to protect King Drumsticks. Your assembled army looked so pathetic.”

“And you looked like a pompous bird with some feathers in needed of preening.” It was Cleop who replied. The eagle looked to the definitive duck and gave out a shriek that was like a sarcastic yowl to some.

“The puny Queen of the Niles. Pardon my lack of mannerism.” The eagle spoke out in arrogance. “I heard that you had abandoned your empire for some miscreant for a lover.”

“Enough jabbering.” Cleop signaled her ducks to attack. A pack of the Niles Duck despite their emancipated conditions charged at the eagle. It was outnumbered twelve to one but the eagle was a formidable opponent. It slaughtered the ducks in a flash of movements. The ducks never stood a ‘roasted’ chance. The eagle rushed towards the ducks and picked them off with the talons or the beak. The eagle beak was designed to pick at the flesh of its prey, and tore at it off the skin to reach the delicate flesh.

“Legionaries, form the testudo.” Caesar called out and the three thousand ducks went into their planned formation. Each testudo consists of twenty four ducks each. In the testudo formation, the men would align their wings  to form a packed formation covered with the wings on the front and top. The first row of men, possibly excluding the men on the flanks, would hold their wings to their bill so as to cover the formation's front. The wings would be held in such a way that they presented a shield wall to all sides. The men in the back ranks would place their wings over their heads to protect the formation from above. If necessary, the legionaries on the sides and rear of the formation could stand sideways or backwards with shields held as the front rows, so as to protect the formation's sides and rear.

The two testudo slowly advanced towards the eagle but it was no match for the talons of the bird. The eagle had not the usual talons but it was extended by natural evolution. It soared and dive on the testudo to break the formation before it caused them to disperse or die in the process. Once it dispersed the ducks, it landed among it and use d the talons to kill them. The ducks did not stand a chance and tried to escape but the eagle was everywhere. It soared and dived before it snatched one of the ducks.

“Withdraw!” Caesar called out but not before it lost another testudo. The surviving ducks which consist of the Legionaries and Guards came together. Caesar looked to Othello. “We need to use the new weapons, but I have too few ducks. Can we have your guards to assist?”

Othello nodded. The surviving ducks from the original forty seven ducks formed the new testudo and approached the eagle. The eagle shrieked out and soared to the skies. The newly formed testudo made its approach. Just when the eagle was to hit it, the ducks displayed the reeds which they shot off at the eagle. The eagle broke off its attack and soared back to the sky. It came for a second time but from the side. There Othello and Iago both rushed out with their extended wings with the reeds. The two ducks did their moves and deterred off the eagle. It was London who jumped to the opportunity when it struck up from the bottom with its wings extended to the eagle belly. London flapped it wings to soar up before it held the wings upfront to slash the eagle belly. The soft lining of the belly was slashed and the eagle went into a spiral twist in midair. The eagle then dropped to the ground and was pounded by the ducks.

“A sneak attack, duck. Have you no honor?” The eagle croaked out. London looked to the wounded eagle.

“Honor matters not to me but victory ensured my existence for one more day.” London replied before it kick out with its webbed leg. The ducks was without mercy when it took their vengeance on their death mates. They used their wings or legs on the eagle.

“The Golden Eagle is dead!” It was the call that the ducks wanted to hear. The twenty thousand ducks quacked out in bravery and charged towards Kentucky Court. The chickens stricken by fear retreated to the safety of the coop.