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Listener discretion is advised, as this content is intended for adult audiences only. For more

details, see the episode description. Cucode presents Birds of Empire Season 2, created by Jason

Lou.

Thank you. created by Jason Liu. Only the ancients know the origins of the raid and the death pack between the bears and the

birds. Sky and soil. Elements that never touch, forever racing away from each other

like children from the plow. Halcyon and Cricket perched upon a cage in the midst of an impossible

rescue. As he lay waiting, Antler asked the guards only that his life not end this way.

Choked in poison, far from any who know his name.

And now an old friend drops from the sky like the rain that might never come. Halcyon, can you see? Where is the call coming from? I'm trying. I'm trying. Wait, there. Hurry. We don't have much time. Ah! Halcyon! I'm okay. Just left. Cricket? I'm not really you. Cricket? Is not really you? Antler! I thought the guys were having to laugh before calling me home. What are you doing here? Getting you out of here. I don't see any guards, but we'll have to work quick. Did Thorne send you? He did. You look just as I remember. Yeah, it feels like none so much as a day. Cricket! Who's this? Introductions later. Cricket, the key. I'm not going with anyone without a name. This is Halcyon, and you can trust her with your life as I do. Cricket, the key. I can see the guards patrolling. No, they can barely see. Only those torches keep us from total darkness. Cricket? The key. It's not moving. I'm trying.

Wait! Just get the lock off, Cricket. I'm trying! Why is it so quiet? What of the other prisoners? Most of them are, uh, murder. What? If we survive this ordeal, I'll tell you what I've lived through. I got it open. Wait, wait. The door is opening. I can't... Oh, they know we're here. Yes, they do. Let's go. Come on. Are you hurt? God, just wait. Find the strength. Pull the rope. Let them know to bring us up.

I am.

What do we do?

The bow on your back.

You know how to use it, stranger?

Better than any you'd know.

Or shoot out the torches.

Give us some cover until my men above can haul us up.

Aye.

You're good.

...