On The Seventh Day of Christmas My True Love Gave To Me...

The scream, once it registered as an actual shriek of terror from a human throat and not just the calling birds getting enthusiastic over something, sent David and Owen running.

Sound didn't travel as well in the castle as one would think with the high ceilings but that helped to narrow down where the screams - yes, more now, from the same throat - were coming from.

The two men burst into the master bedroom and Fox, clad only in a dressing gown flung herself into her husband's arms.

"In the tub," she gasped, voice hoarse. Owen went without being asked, holding his fists up ready to defend his master and lady. "In the tub; David I didn't see them but they were there and one bit me," the redhead was babbling in shock. Owen peeked around the doorway into the bathroom and was greeted with a loud enthusiastic honk.

The blond straightened, stared for a moment, and closed the door.

"Owen?" Xanatos asked cautiously. In his arms his wife trembled and at the door his best friend solemnly took a key from the nearest side table drawer and locked the bathroom door.

"I'll have the Princess Chambers ready for you," Owen said calmly. Behind him there was more honking and a splash from the bathroom and Fox let out a small sob. "Please," the blond's usually bland expression became one of concern. "Don't tell Lexington," there was another round of honking and Owen visibly flinched. "I don't think he could take the news."

The blond left David to comfort his shaken wife but that was less kind of him, in David's opinion, and more cowardly.

"I can't do this, David. I can't take this anymore," Fox sobbed into his chest. "I can't raise my son in a castle full of fowl. We have to move. Please David, we have to-"

A flock of calling birds four strong flew through the slightly ajar door and Fox took the opportunity to go back to screaming.