"No, he just says that a lot," says Victor.

"Right but that'd just make it plausibly deniable."

"I'm not sure ravens understand plausible deniability," says Victor.

"Regular ravens don't, but who knows what magical ravens are like? I don't."

"He doesn't talk that much better than a parrot."

He squints at Muninn. "I'm onto you, mister."

"I'm the prettiest!"

Victor smiles.

"See, when we need him most because our lives are in dire peril and the only thing that could save us is a well-placed talking bird, he will reveal his true intelligence and then be smug forevermore."

"That does sound like exactly the sort of thing he would do if he were as intelligent as you think he is."

"Does it? I didn't know I was good with birds. Wicked."

"Well, it might still be a coincidence."

"Nope, I am henceforth Dayo, the Bird King."

Victor turns his head slightly to address Muninn and asks, "Do you want him as your king?"

"What's it to you?"

He laughs softly.

"No, see, you're getting the systems of government confused, here. It's a monarchy not a democracy."

"Liberté, égalité, fraternité!" croaks Muninn.

Victor looks slightly puzzled. Was that French? He's not sure.

"Did you just quote the motto of France. Did you just make a reference to the French Revolution?"

"Did he?" blinks Victor.

"Yes! Yes he did!"

"Muninn," he says, "did you just make a reference to the French Revolution?"

Muninn makes a noise remarkably like a sigh.

"That's what I get for making assumptions about your education," he says. "But don't tell anybody. I'm living like this for a reason."

"Yes! I win! I'm totally bird king! What's the reason?"