The unicorn snorted at the name "Nobility", although Robin put a warning hand on the animal's back.  "Be nice," he warned.  Nobility whinnied, and tossed his head in response.   With a final wave to Mrs. Periwinkle and the other birds who had gathered to watch them depart, Robin wrapped his arm around Jude's waist, flexing his thighs as he lightly kicked the unicorn's flank.  The animal sped forward, legs flashing in a brilliant display of white, all muscle and power and speed.  The castle dwindled away behind them, and trees flashed by on either side.  A brilliant blue, glassy lake passed by on the left, with still more colorful fish leaping from the glittering surface.<br/><br/>Time passed, as Jude and Robin and Nobility sped along the road.  They passed over bridges and fields of soft grass, passed forests teeming with life.  They climbed over hills and descended through valleys, and the further they went, the less signs of civilisation there seemed to be.<br/><br/>At long last, when the grassland had faded to a richly yellow prairie, some shadows appeared in the sky.  Robin frowned up at them but said nothing, only held onto Jude all the higher.<br/><br/>The shadows seemed to follow Nobility, though, and when he stopped at the edge of a riverbank, they grew larger.  Judge could see that they were birdlike in shape, like vultures dipped in oil, although their heads were small and fanged, instead of beaks.  They made a shrill hissing shriek as they flew overhead, circling around the riders.  One let out a blood-curdling cry and swooped in, talons poised to rip and tear.  Nobility turned, however, snorting in anger, and charged the creature.  The dark flying thing swooped up at the last moment to avoid the lethal horn, making hissing, snickering sounds as it retreated up higher in the sky with its fellows.<br/><br/>"Carrion crows," said Robin, quietly.  "Creatures of the Blight."<br/>