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Hello, listeners, be advised that this show is an immersive audio experience.

It may seem like sounds are coming from the sides or behind you. Listener discretion

is advised, as this content is intended for adult audiences only. Kukud presents Birds of Empire

Season 2, created by Jason Liu. Zwery, Master of the Herd.

As long as she lived, Zuri never spoke one word to a human soul, never pressed her tongue

and the muscles of her mouth into vowels and plosives to say what she needed, voice what she wanted.

The urge simply stayed away.

Her mouth filled with breath and emptied as it please, and that for her was enough.

Standing taller than most girls from a young age, Zuri moved like a willow tree come to life.

The droop of her limbs and the grace of her bowing made it feel like her body was sliding apart as she walked,

coming together again anew with each step.

Eyes like acorns on the fire.

Since the early days of their beginning, wolves worshipped horses as an ancestor of their gods.

Zula, God of Wynn, was born from the open heart of an ancient horse, so the tale went.

If you could raise the dead queens and hunters from the beckon of the wind whirl,

none would remember a time without the beasts who move like thunder. Then they were not alone. If ever you were allowed into the hanging crypts where the descendants of bird royalty are enshrined, you would find upon

the oaken walls, poems, and tales of the long-faced creatures that glide upon the soil.

You would hear their poets bring them to life as carriers of death.

One such poem, too long to recite, tells of the birth of all eight hells, and how each

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