I sort of wrote my chicken into my book, Salt, Sky, and Fire. I mention sweet Speckles but morphed her into a starling, because it fit the story better.
You can read the excerpt below:
From Chapter Seven – where Captain Fraser Connell, a mercenary, meets with Ozora a mage for hire:
“Prove otherwise—” She said. “—and I will turn you into starling.” She leaned across the table to emphasize her point. “And leave you that way.”
My laugh burst out, but at her wide-eyed, serious stare, it cut off. “I’m duly chastened, Lady…?” I paused, waiting for her to fill in the blank.
“Ozora.” She sat back, folded her hands in her lap, and corrected me. “I’m not titled, nor do Journey mages use them.”
“Why a starling?” My curiosity prompted me to ask.
“Did you know starlings are excellent mimics? I had an auntie who nursed one with a broken wing. Little Speckles learned to repeat certain things auntie said, even his name.” Ozora’s lips curved with satisfaction before turning up in a broader smile to the server who’d approached our table. “Good morning, Raven, how are you?
I blinked in confusion at her non-answer while they exchanged quick chit-chat and Ozora ordered a sumptuous breakfast.
“Were you going to answer my question?” I prompted after Raven left with our orders.
“Because then, just like Speckles, you could tell everyone who you were and have to eat bugs.” That was unquestionably a challenge in her sweet expression and sparkling eyes.
“Very specific.” I nodded, impressed.
She shrugged. “People think because I travel alone, I must be an easy target.”
“How many starlings would recognize you, Ozora?”
The see-sawing motion she made with one hand seemed to belie her cheery, “Not too many.”
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Serena Dracis 