Stoltsera

By Alex Fosnaugh

A crow flew wildly into the periphery of my vision. As if he planned it, he uses my surprise to gain easy access to his favorite pecking spot, my forehead. He tugs a bit at the crown wrapped comfortably around my skull. I wildly swat at him for a minute before my stubborn wife, Ailbhe, bursts out into a fit of laughter. One last attempt to best my enemy ends with him flying away. My dear friend, Stolt, is likely finding another victim to pester with his nonsense.

"Torvald, are you still having problems with that bird?" Ailbhe asks with a grin.

"Yes I am. The stupid bird won't give up on trying to steal this crown."  I cradle it in my hands, admiring the close attention to detail. The continuously flowing, interconnected lines work in beautiful harmony with each other. They appear to create knots in the metal. 

"Well. It is beautiful. If I was a bird, I'd try to steal it too. Your father was a true craftsman." Stolt is a stubborn critter to say the least. His unrelenting war against me has lasted for many months. About a year after becoming a Jarl is when this unusual behavior began. At first, he did more watching than attacking. I'd walk out of a building and there he'd be. Perched up on the roof of another building, his head following my movements. His beady black eyes mostly blended in with his blue-tinted, black feathers. He'd hop along with me while I walked. No matter where I went, little Stolt would be there. Eventually, his curiosity turned into mischief. 

He first began our war during winter. Snow had piled up on the roof of our house and when I walked out he caused a mini avalanche. Covered in snow, I looked up and there was Stolt. Although he is unable to smile, I could tell he was very pleased with himself based on the loud cawing. His next great offense came in the spring. Stolt took it upon himself to collect as many stones as possible. Then he hid these stones in my shoes, on my chairs,  and in any inconvenient place he could find. After that, he began his physical assaults. Regularly dive bombing me and a few other villagers. He never went for Ailbhe. He instead hopped up to her to give her tiny trinkets and coins. Cawing gleefully after she picked them up. 

I have long since given up on trying to understand that bird. Everytime he attacks he goes for my crown. I first assumed he liked how shiny it was. However, he still pecks at it even if it’s covered in dirt. Regardless of how it looks he tries to take it. Only when it's in my possession though. If Ailbhe is holding it, he will hop up to her. Then caw quietly while flapping his wings. When she says no, he'll fly away without a fight. 

Today I haven't seen him. Usually he can be seen a few times a day. Almost like he is waiting for the perfect moment to attack. At midday, I sit down to eat with Ailbhe. He swoops down and lands in front of me. His beady eyes watch me intently as he sets down a thin metal band. He caws and pushes it forward. Is he trying to trade? I pick it up and he flies away. I get a good look and notice the work that looks surprisingly like my fathers, if a bit worn down and rough.