103 Onset of battle (1)

Large groups of predatory birds swarmed around the walled city where the expeditionary forces were defending against a mighty horde of barbarians. The birds were large beasts of prey, with huge sharp beaks and a wingspan of eighteen feet. They could easily carry off a human adult male and were dangerous creatures when in groups. These birds were attracted by the corpses of the dead outside the walls of the city. Each night, the barbarians would test the defense of the walls and would launch attacks alongside summoned beasts.