Red Crow
Written by ChromeWarriorXIII
Prologue?
Long ago there existed an order that ruled the land through magic and might. They were known as the Order of Flight. They were magicians of the highest rank; even new recruits of the Order could easily best any sorcerer in combat. Not only magicians, the Order of Flight were also regarded for their amazing combat abilities. It was said that one Order member had the strength of over one hundred men.
Among the Order of Flight were the Birds of Prey, the highest ranking officers of the army. The Birds of Prey were chosen at birth and immediately taken to be trained. The Birds of Prey consisted of ten members: Hawk, Buzzard, Harrier, Kite, Vulture, Osprey, Falcon, Caracara, Peregrine, and Owl. The highest of all Order of Flight members was known as Eagle. Eagle was ruler until death or until a stronger Eagle was found, and had to be a being that even at birth demonstrated abilities far more advanced then any normal Order of Flight soldier. Besides the Birds of Prey the Order consisted of other guilds that specialized in different magic.
The guilds were different as instead of being chosen at birth, members were accepted by becoming masters at a certain style of magic. There were the Flame Tongues, who specialized in fire magic. The Flame Tongues were also master strategists and many of them became advisors to the king. The Lower Union, masters of death and dark magic. They were disliked because of their secrecy but respected because of the power of their magic. The Lightning Legion, controllers of weather and storms were always too quick to act. They were considered to have minds like lightning and could process things faster they any other member of the Order of Flight. The other most famous guild was the Army of None who specialized, not in magic, but in armed combat instead. Though still magicians, the Army of None was the most dislike by the rest of the Order because of their non-acceptance of magic. They usually ended up as Royal Guards to the king because of their skill with weapons.
After centuries of ruling over the world the Order went underground for reasons no one knew or wanted to find out. But the reason would soon be known; the Order? had a traitor.
Chapter 1?
Crow swung his sword at his master feeling the crash of metal send shocks up his arm. He parried his master?s attack and countered with an upward slice. His master dodged easily and let loose a flurry of slashes that left Crow?s arm numb from the reverberations.
?Okay, that is good for now,? Falcon said. A single drop of sweat worked its way down his rough face falling from his chin down to the packed dirt below. He sheathed his sword and hung his buckler from his waist. Crow hooked his claymore on his back and took of his helmet, which he placed on the ground beside him. ?That was good,? Falcon spoke calm but firm. ?You should go get some lunch. Then meet me back here for more training.?
?Of course, master,? Crow said with a small bow. He was about to leave when he turned back to face Falcon. ?Master, why is it that you weren?t always a member of the Birds of Prey??
?Now is not the time for those questions. They will be answered later in the many months you will spend training with me,? Falcon said sternly.
?Months?? Crow said surprised.
?Of course, you did not think that you would be accepted into the Order of Flight army from just a week of training did you??
?No, but?? Crow stammered.
?I wouldn?t send someone with your level of training to protect our king in battle. That would surely earn me removal from the Birds of Prey,? Falcon stated. ?Now, go to lunch. Do not come back until you have gotten something to eat.? Crow nodded his head and after picking up his helmet, bowed to his master before he walked inside the giant tower that was the Tower of Flight.
Falcon stood there for a moment, thinking about his new apprentice. He looked over his shoulder and saw Dove walking towards him.
?Master Falcon,? Dove said with the traditional short bow. Falcon observed his first apprentice. She had changed so much since the day that they first met. Now, Dove had become the leader of the Flame Tongues, she was also a personal advisor to the king and Falcon trusted her with his life.
?Dove,? Falcon replied with a bow.
?You don?t have to bow to me Falcon. You?re my superior,? Dove said questioningly.
?We are equals Dove,?
?You are a Bird of Prey, I am not, that makes you my superior,? Dove said starting to get frustrated.
?Not if I say that we are equals. That?s an order,? Falcon replied a smirk working its way across his face. Dove just shook her head in annoyance. She knew that Falcon was serious about the order he had just given her and she remembered that when she bid him farewell. They went their opposite ways and Crow returned from lunch just as Dove was out of sight.
?Master,? Crow said with a bow.
?Let us continue from where we left off,? Falcon said, drawing his sword, its blade gleaming in the afternoon sun. He unhooked his buckler shield from his waist, grasping it in his left hand. Crow reached over his shoulder, grabbing the handle of his claymore. He swung it out in front of him and put his other hand on. Falcon looked deep into Crows dark brown eyes, and was impressed to see that Crow had done a good job hiding his emotions.
They stood there, both waiting for the other to strike first. Suddenly, Falcon lunged, hacking at Crow with a grace that none could impersonate. Crow managed to block all of the blows with his much wider blade. Then he swung, striking Falcon?s shield, sending him sliding back through the dirt. They both paused for a moment to catch their breath, but before long, Falcon was back at it. Crow swung downward, and instead of blocking just with his shield Falcon braced it with his sword as well. Crow kept on constant pressure and observed the look on Falcon?s face, which was as emotionless as before. Without warning, Falcon shoved his shield and sword to the side, sending Crow face first towards the ground. He spread his legs apart, creating a larger center of balance and caught himself. Falcon swung his blade at Crows throat, but Crow changed his grip on the claymore and with a twist of his wrist brought it up to defend his neck. Once again, metal struck metal, creating the sound that gives all warriors the urge to keep fighting.
The battle raged on between them for many more minutes and all through it, Falcon never seemed any more tired then before. Crow on the other hand, had sweat dripping down his face and could feel it soaking his hair under his helmet.
It took a long time, but finally Crow let up and Falcon dealt the killing blow, stabbing through Crow?s unprotected neck. Of course the blade did no harm because of the spells on the area that prevented them from killing each other. Crow dropped his sword from exhaustion and tore his helmet from his head, letting it fall to ground next to his sword. He collapsed, breathing heavily. Falcon sheathed his sword and removed it from his waist, placing it gently on the hard ground. He dropped his shield next to it before sitting on the ground across from Crow.