47 Ducks 1.17

17.

Caesar approached the coop marked as number seven. It was a Broiler stronghold. These breed of chickens are the sturdy ones and seasoned warriors. They had been branded one of the best among the feathers breeds. Caesar looked to the assembled Legionaries. They were outnumbered by three to two there, but none was retreating. Suddenly the ducks broke out in quacks.

Here's four worms on the bill

To those who’s brave to come,

To 'list and fight the chickens today

Over the Coops and far away.

( adapted from John Tams’ lyrics of “Over the Hill”. )

“Have at them, you ugly sods.” Caesar quacked out. The Legionaries charged at the Broilers. The ducks were like crazed birds with their wings and webbed legs sticking out. The coop was a wooden structure with over five levels spanning over five hundred feet in area. The ducks went in not only by the front entrances but also at the upper levels openings. They were slaughtering the braver Broilers while the cowardly one escaped with their feathers in disarray. Caesar struck at the Broiler in the throat before it slammed its body against the other. Brutus was near but never too near to the Commander. It was puzzling for Caesar why the other was following it, but it soon saw Anthony. The other had earned its wrath for the treatment of Caesar. It was then Brutus struck out. The devious duck thrust its wings at the Commander in the back.

“Not you too?” Caesar turned to look at the traitor duck. Brutus quacked out and did another slash with the wing at the Commander. Caesar fell to the ground before Brutus stepped on it.

“To me, Legionaries.” Brutus quacked out. “The Commander is dead. I am your new Commander.”

Brutus reign was short lived when a Broiler came from the rear to thrust the claw into the other. The Broiler was then killed by Anthony who rallied the ducks to fight on. It looked to the dying Brutus.

“You were a fool, Brutus. The way to kill the Commander was by his back but robbed him of his love. Once he was taken of that, he was a roasted duck.” Anthony smiled. It had then commanded the Legionaries.

Across the Court at Coop Two, Iago was leading the ducks into battle. It paused at the entrance to Coop Two, and looked to it. It was like Coop Seven but that one had its own chickens holding out. It looked to avoid more killings and then choose to lay siege to it.

“We will starve them out.” Iago told the other ducks. “We will not let any of the chickens escaped. I will see to the Commander.”

Iago wadded over to join Othello at Coop One; the main coop of the King. The King had holed itself there with a handful of its personal guards. The Broilers have abandoned their King but the later was not giving out. It was asking for a personal duel.

“I will go in alone.” Othello told Iago but the later insisted on going together. Both the ducks mount the steps into Coop One and then to the King’ chamber.

“Welcome, Commander.” King Drumsticks greeted the Commander. The King was an elderly rooster with two exceptionally large thighs. “I welcome you here once again. Your accomplishment is commendable.”

Othello saw Colonel Saunders standing by the King, and there were several guards of the King there. There was several containers there filled with some liquid. It then noticed Iago had stepped towards the King.

“The unnamed ally of mine. I salute you for having survived so long.” King Drumsticks spoke to Iago. “Unfortunately, I cannot offer you much now. We are at the brink of defeat now.”

“Iago?” Othello was surprised at the statement by the King. “Are you …”

Iago looked to the other and quacked out.

“I am Iago the Elder of the Roasted Clan.” The duck bellowed out its bill. “We have been subjected to your Mallard rule for too long. We seek independence. We have allied with the chickens for some seasons now.”

“You a Roasted? I had long suspected you were but Roderigo spoke for you. So did Cassius.”

“All fools.” Iago quacked out. “Enough talk. You will die today.”

The guards there spilled the containers. It was an oily substance and soon covered the flooring. The chickens stepped forth and used their claws to hold their balance. Othello found its webbed pads failing to get any grip on the flooring.