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= BLACKBIRD =

@readblackbird.bsky.social

A fledgeling webcomic about the misadventures of the fiercest vigilante warrior in the Nine Kingdoms, and the cursed child she spares from a cruel fate. New pages are posted here, and on ComicFury: readblackbird.cfw.me

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= BLACKBIRD = @readblackbird.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Blackbird -- Chapter 1 Page 8

Page 8 of the webcomic Blackbird. Leaving the shady tavern, Astryd and Sera walk towards the town's market square, to purchase food & ingredients. While Astryd becomes suspicious that there is another element watching her besides the town's guards, Sera becomes uncomfortable with the attention her presence begins to draw. However, before she can ask Astryd whether they can leave, a voice loudly calls out to "Blackbird", drawing immediate alert from Astryd.
Panel 1 dialogue: (Sera, thought) "I... think I had better not ask about that, so..." (Sera) "T-Then... you're not from around here?" (Astryd) "No. I've been roaming for a long time, now."
Panel 2 dialogue: (Sera) "Even to the other kingdoms?" (Astryd) "I've been to most of them. My old home was in a kingdom far to the north of here." (Astryd, thought) "So many questions..." (Sera) "I've never met anyone from beyond Arradel before..."
Panel 3 dialogue: (Astryd) "Any fair cut you have, please." (Butcher) "Certainly." (Sera, thought) "Meat, and eggs..."
Panel 4 dialogue: (Baker) "I'm sorry to have to extort you like this, Miss Astryd. The company takes a merciless share, these days." (Astryd) "It's no trouble. Thank you." (Sera, thought) "Bread... Smells good..."
Panel 5 dialogue: (Astryd) "...This should be enough." (SFX) "Clink" (Astryd, thought) "...Something's not right here..." (Merchant) "Yes... ...That's fine." (Sera, thought) "Greens, some frui--"
Panel 6 dialogue: (Astryd, thought) "The town guard is keeping watchful eye, the same as anywhere, but..." (Astryd, thought) "I sense something else as well. Why would--" (Sera) "Um... Astryd..."
Panel 7 dialogue: (Sera) "Sorry... I-It's just that... People are starting to stare... If you're all done, could we--"
Panel 8 dialogue: (Unknown) "STOP RIGHT THERE, BLACKBIRD!!"

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= BLACKBIRD = @readblackbird.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

Blackbird -- Chapter 1 Page 7

Page 7 of the webcomic Blackbird. Astryd and Sera head further into the town of Lurenveld at Astryd's lead, reaching an ominous door below a bridge over a spillway adjoining the nearby river. When they enter, a dimly-lit room of various unfriendly and dangerous-looking sorts stares back silently, causing Astryd to realise her "usual" may not be appropriate for a child off the streets. Sera, however, peers into the doorway in curious awe.
Panel 1 dialogue: (Astryd) "Very good. It's nice to meet you, Sera. Now let's go -- towards town." (SFX) "Nod"
Panel 2 dialogue: (Sera) "...You must have a family name too, right?" (Astryd) "...Amsel."
Panel 3 dialogue: (Sera, thought) "Astryd Amsel..."
Panel 4 dialogue: (Astryd) "The place I usually ate when I last visited Lurenveld is down this way." (Sera, thought) "In the sewer...? Really?"
Panel 6 dialogue: (SFX) "Creeeeak..." (Astryd) "..."
Panel 7 dialogue: (Astryd) "...On second thought, I should probably handle this on my own."
Panel 8 dialogue: (Sera, thought) "Woah..."

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= BLACKBIRD = @readblackbird.bsky.social · 29/09/2025

Blackbird -- Chapter 1 Page 6

Page 6 of a webcomic called Blackbird, divided into 7 panels.
Panel 1: The child frets with trepidation.
Panel 1 dialogue: (Child) "..." (Thought) "She really is scary... and I don't know why she'd try to help me..." (Thought) "It can't be as simple as that, can it? But... can I even say no?"
Panel 2: A close-up of Astryd's face, as she sighs in frustration.
Panel 2 dialogue: (Astryd) *Sigh*
Panel 3: Astryd kneels, with a more contrite expression.
Panel 3 dialogue: (Astryd) "I'm sorry. Talking to... anyone, really -- I'm not much for it at the best of times. But I meant what I said. And I won't force you to take even one step you don't want to, so..."
Panel 4: The child considers the implications of Astryd's words, as she fidgets with her fingers.
Panel 4 dialogue: (Thought) "I see... Then I might have been right that she was 'struggling' before..." (Thought) "Maybe that means I could try to trust her, so..." (Child) "T-Then... um..."
Panel 5: A close-up of the child as she makes a coy smile.
Panel 5 dialogue: (Child) "There's something that you missed... ...coming up and talking to me. You forgot to ask me for my name."
Panel 6: Astryd drops her head and exhales, smiling in concession.
Panel 6 dialogue: (Astryd) "...Right. You're right. ...Then, allow me to ask -- what's your name?"
Panel 7: The child laughs in relief, and introduces herself, stepping further from the dark alley.
Panel 7 dialogue: (Thought) "Yeah... Somehow, I think that it might just be okay if I go with her." (Child) "Hee hee! It's Sera... Sera Feltera."

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= BLACKBIRD = @readblackbird.bsky.social · 30/08/2025

Note: The caption's chapter number for this page is incorrect! Apologies for any confusion.

000

= BLACKBIRD = @readblackbird.bsky.social · 30/08/2025

Blackbird -- Chapter 1 Page 5

Page 5 of a webcomic called Blackbird, divided into 5 panels.
Panel 1: Astryd places her hand firmly on the girl's shoulder.
Panel 1 dialogue: (Thought) "Misfortune? Stigma and exclusion? I'm no stranger to either -- I accepted both when I chose my path."
Panel 2: A close-up of Astryd's mouth as she rebukes the girl's intent to seclude herself.
Panel 2 dialogue: (Thought) "Helping the people of Lurenveld will be harder if I don't make haste, but..." (Astryd) "Don't even think about it."
Panel 3: Astryd suddenly rises to her feet, surprising the girl.
Panel 3 dialogue: (Thought) "I won't suffer this child to waste away in the shadows a moment longer." (Child) "!?"
Panel 4: Stepping back, Astryd gestures down the road towards the centre of the village.
Panel 4 dialogue: "We'll eat, and then I'll see to getting you a bath, bed, and clean clothes. Let's go."
Panel 5: The girl starts after Astryd, stuttering out her hesitance.
Panel 5 dialogue: (Thought) "What? I don't understand..." (Child) "No, I-- Wait--"

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= BLACKBIRD = @readblackbird.bsky.social · 24/08/2025

Blackbird -- Chapter 2 Page 4

Page 4 of a webcomic called Blackbird, divided into five panels.
Panel 1: The girl allows Astryd to brush back her overgrown hair, revealing the full extent to which the side of her head and ear are overtaken by scale-like growths and protruding spikes, and allowing a closer look at her serpentine slit-pupiled eyes.
Panel 1 dialogue: (SFX) "FLINCH" (Child) "..."
Panel 2: A closeup of Astryd's eye as her brow furrows studying the girl's appearance.
Panel 2 dialogue: (Thought) "As I thought, it can only be one thing... THE ASPECT OF THE DRAGON." (Thought) "While each other aspect of these rare, beast-like growths is considered good fortune, the dragon's omen is deathly ill. She bears the likeness of THE USURPER, in his serpentine form -- said to be the ancient catalyst for all of our world's evils and the wickedness of man."
Panel 3: A stylised visual of a dragon head, sporting menacing spikes and sharp eyes.
Panel 3 dialogue: (Thought) "Meaning the townsfolk have avoided her out of fear and superstition, compassion be damned..."
Panel 4: The girl pulls back, covering her cheek with her hair again.
Panel 4 dialogue: (Thought) "Like always, that cold silence..." (Child) "I-I know-- I'm sorry. I'll stay out of your way, so..."
Panel 5: Astryd is visibly affected by what she surmises to be a necessary, learned behaviour from the girl, frowning and flushing with concern.
Panel 5 dialogue: (Thought) "This poor girl... How many times must this have happened, for her to be trying to protect herself like this?"

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= BLACKBIRD = @readblackbird.bsky.social · 23/08/2025

Blackbird -- Chapter 1 Page 3

Page 3 of a webcomic called Blackbird, divided into six panels.
Panel 1: Astryd tries to tries to set the girl at ease, while pondering her circumstances.
Panel 1 dialogue: (Thought) "She's really on edge, even for a runaway... and those eyes..." (Astryd) "I'm not going to hurt you, okay? I just want to know what's happening."
Panel 2: The girl answers, wondering about what Astryd is doing.
Panel 2 dialogue: (Child) "I-- No... I'm... on my own..." (Thought) "It's almost like she's... struggling?"
Panel 3: Astryd reaches out a hand, while forcing herself to affect a less confrontational demeanour.
Panel 3 dialogue: (Thought) "And if I'm right, she'll have been all but ignored out here..." (Astryd) "Can y--" (Thought) "Be gentle, Astryd..." (Astryd) "MAY I see your face?"
Panel 4: Recoiling at the suggestion, the girl eventually gives the condition for her cooperation.
Panel 4 dialogue: (Child) "Nn--" (Thought) "It'll only make you leave like everyone else... but..." (Child) "..." "O-Only if you promise me that I can eat afterwards..."
Panel 5: With a sincere expression, Astryd agrees in simple terms.
Panel 5 dialogue: (Astryd) "Yes. I promise."
Panel 6: The girl carefully gets to her feet and steps forward from the alley.
Panel 6 dialogue: (Child) "Then... okay."

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= BLACKBIRD = @readblackbird.bsky.social · 22/08/2025

Blackbird -- Chapter 1 Page 2

Page 2 of a webcomic called Blackbird, divided into eight panels.
Panel 1: The dark-haired woman arrives in the town.
Panel 1 dialogue: (Thought) "LURENVELD. A mild, welcoming town, last I was here... but even the air is tense now. The one of these LORDS at work here must be more competent than the last..."
Panel 2: As she continues into town past the shaded alley, the woman's train of thought is interrupted.
Panel 2 dialogue: (Thought) "First, I should see if Jerome has--"
Panel 3: Turning to notice the girl hiding there, the woman calls out.
Panel 3 dialogue: (Woman) "...You got somewhere to go home to, kid?" (Child) "!!"
Panel 4/5: The girl cowers as we see the imposing sight of the woman from her view, looming over the alleyway and blocking the light.
Panel 4 dialogue: (Thought) "She's huge... is that a SWORD?" (Child) "..."
Panel 5 dialogue: (Woman) "Family? Anything?"
Panel 6: The woman frowns, as she realises she is intimidating the girl.
Panel 6 dialogue: (Thought) "Oh... right." (Thought) "Right... Talking to children... Er..."
Panel 7: The woman crouches down, revealing the menacing vertical scar across the left side of her face, and some of the black armour beneath her cloak.
Panel 7 dialogue: (Woman) "...Sorry. My name's ASTRYD. I'm here to help--"
Panel 8: The girl appears comically petrified, tears of fear on her face as she trembles.
Panel 8 dialogue: (Thought) "She's EXACTLY as scary as at first glance!!"

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= BLACKBIRD = @readblackbird.bsky.social · 22/08/2025

Blackbird -- Chapter 1 Page 1

Page 1 of a webcomic called Blackbird, divided into seven panels.
Panel 1: A group of townsfolk delivering burlap sacks from a wagon gossip & bicker in front of a shaded alley.
Panel 1 dialogue: (Man 1) "Did you hear? That Brookhaven turned on their young lord!" (Man 2) "That's just what we need... more reason for OURS to tighten the vice." (Man 3) "Would you two quit jawing and get this done?"
Panel 2: A pair of small, dirtied hands reach out from darkness, in a begging gesture.
Panel 3: The townsfolk notice the gesture, recognising the person performing it.
Panel 3 dialogue: (Man 2) "Oh... Right..." (Man 1) "D'you think anyone fed her yesterday...?"
Panel 4: The townsfolk continue to bicker.
Panel 4 dialogue: (Man 3) "No-one I'll be greeting this week, that's for sure. Bad bloody luck is what it is." (Man 2) "Moreover, if the young lords DID lose Brookhaven, anything we spared her from a quota would mean serious trouble..."
Panel 5: A continuation of panel 4.
Panel 5 dialogue: (Man 1) "I wouldn't doubt it. We all heard tell that THE BLACKBIRD was seen downriver, after all." (Man 2) "Aye... and she surely won't stop there." (Man 3) "Leaving folk like us to clean up the mess, like always."
Panel 6: The beggar, a small girl with messy hair and conspicuous spikes protruding from her ear, clutches her hand to her chest as a tear rolls down her cheek, while out of view, the townsfolk dismiss her and leave.
Panel 6 dialogue: "Let's just go. Someone else will risk taking pity on her." "It's easy enough to say it, but..."
Panel 7: Elsewhere, a woman carrying a large sword & wearing a weathered cloak strides through a forest of pines, along a path leading to a humble town.

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