The
Team
5.
Zero
London was a Mallard breed with a distinct unique characteristics; it had the
ability to blend into any surroundings and held the record of being the only
duck alive to visit Chicken Court and come out still alive. The duck distinct
difference with others was its affinity for young earth worms squeezed and not
squashed in the mud; lightly done with a dash of reeds powder so it would be
queasy when swallowed.
“Ducks,
would anyone want to share my worm?” London have a worm perched on its bill; prepared
to its preference. “It’s fresh from the other side of the lake. I had it swam
over by the jaws of the grouper. I have a delivery arrangement with their
school since I rescued your Prince Mac Worm last season.
“Stuff
it, London.” Othello interjected in. “You were a Guard reject….”
“And Legionnaires too.” Caesar added in. “You were an Ugly Darkling.”
The
Ugly Darkling was a foul term to call on any duck.
“But
I am the best in my area of non-intrusive tasks, plus I have a kill rate of
over sixteen including one Labrador this season.” London replied. “Its coat
hung over my nesting.” It then reached for the leaf hanging by the side. It
placed it bill on it, and then let the spot of liquid there rolled to its bill.
“Morning dew at its best.”
“I
am also the one who knew how the inner design of the Court.” London continued
on. “Mind you, I am the best. And I don’t want to name as the Ugly Darkling. I
have my own shares of female ducks. The name is Duck by lineage. London Duck
was the given name. So don’t buff it anymore.”
Merlin
stepped in to calm the situation. London was not selected for only those
skills. That duck was also a skilled butcher. London had completed over twelve
critical missions for the Emperor and twice had invaded the Court. For those
accomplishments the duck was given the rare treat of the twin worms from the
same school. The treat was called the double ‘0” menu; license to thrill.
“Othello,
Caesar. Assemble your men tomorrow. With London, all forty seven of you will
form the assault team.” Merlin looked at them. “Your code name is Ronin.”
“Master-less
warriors.” London’ bill opened up to whistle a tune like that of a hunter’s
call. The other two commanders took their leave of the chamber. Merlin looked
towards the remaining duck.
“London,
why must you be a difficult one for them?” Merlin asked.
“M”
London called Merlin by the initial. “I was trained to kill and not guard. More
to it, my skills was to be alone and not in a pack. More to it, I disliked
discipline. The other two are patty with it. I liked my lard on the females.”
“London,
get them in and out.” Merlin told the other duck. “Don’t get waylaid.”
“Waylaid?”
London snort up the bill. “I don’t get waylaid. I laid them by the numbers.
Tell me which duckling have not … Never mind, I got to go.”
Meanwhile
outside, Caesar had returned to his own camp with the Legionaries. He met up
with the officers; Brutus and Anthony.
“We
got a mission to kill the Chickens.” Caesar told the two. “But we have several
issues. Othello is coming along with twenty six guards. I am to bring in the
same numbers. It’s to do with his signs.”
“And
I want in.” That was Cleop. “Where you go, I will come in too.”
“That
leaves me with twenty one to select from.” Caesar replied.
“Nineteen,
Caesar. We are coming with you.” Brutus replied. “You will need us to watch
your back. Rest with her, Caesar. We will find your nineteen warriors.”
Caesar
nodded and was led away by the seductress Cleop. On the other side of the camp,
Othello looked to his own officers. The two standing before the commander was
Iago, Cassius and Roderigo. The trio was the best of the Guards.
“I
need nineteen more warriors. Who do you recommend?” Othello asked. Before Iago
could reply, another Guard walked in to the meeting.
“Commander
Othello, I would like to volunteer.” It was Guard Casanova. In tow behind the
Guard was the one named Morgan aka Juliet.
“So would Morgan. We owed it to the Emperor.”
“Casa,
you may come but not Morgan. She is not a Guard. More to it, she’s …”
“Merlin’s
niece? Please don’t patronize me. I can fight like one of you. I am trained in
the arts too. More to it, you may need a female lure to win sometimes.”
Othello
smiled at Morgan’ quacks. It was also curious to know more of Morgan. There
were rumors that Merlin influenced El Gluck to ravish Morgan’ mother so that it
could be Adviser to the Emperor. Othello believed the death of El Gluck had
more to do with Morgan than the chickens.
Later that evening, at a secluded nesting a
young pair of ducks had a taste of consummated love. Casa pulled itself off
Morgan’ back and wadded over on wobbling webbed steps. It stopped by a water
plate and dipped its bill into it.
“Casa?”
The duck heard the soft whisper from the other. It turned around to look at the
other which had preened her ruffled feathers. “Was it…”
Casa
strolled over and rest its bill on the other. Its green crown was slightly
ruffled which Morgan used its bill to nudged them into place.
“I
am sorry if I was selfish.” Casa whispered into the other’s ear. “It was my
first time. Honest.”
Both
the ducks preened their feathers when Casa asked Morgan on her volunteer to go
ahead with the mission.
“Casa,
it’s the truth what I told you that happened last night. I did not kill the
Emperor.” Morgan quacked in a low tone. “He was still Emperor even though he…”
“Leave
it, Morgan. I understand you.” Casa comforted Morgan. “Did I ever tell you have
nice feathers?”
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