Birds of a Feather

[Fimbulroot]

The lone Empire courier had stopped to rest near a tree along the rut scarred road in Nagarythe. His posting there had come at quite a shock, but he was honor bound to fulfill his duty, no matter where the order sent him. Peering out to the slowly sinking sun on the horizon, he stood in awe admiring the brilliant orange and yellow hues of the dusky sky. As beautiful as the spectacle was, he turned his attention towards the nearby camp just over the next hill, longing for his cot and a hot, steaming bowl of stew, a sight far more satisfying in his mind as he approached the end of his latest run. The roads of the Shadowlands were fraught with danger these days and he dared not tally long.

He leaned against a nearby tree to rest his back and began to fumble in his satchel to retrieve a small skin of water he'd brought along. In a twist of fate, the container slipped his grasp, landing with a sloshy thud on the moss covered stone at his feet. As he bent over to retrieve it, an incoming black feathered bolt whizzed through the air, lodging itself into the tree where his head would've been. The startled man quickly scanned the surrounding area looking for the culprit while drawing his battered shortsword from its sheath, the familiar shing echoing into the now eerie silence. Without warning, a cloaked figure leapt from the shadows, his barbed scimitar in hand, swinging wildly. Taken aback by the sudden ambush the courier, inexperienced in combat, parried the attacks as best he could, the clang of metal on metal ringing in his ears as they struggled in the wilderness.

The attacker moved swiftly, striking his hapless opponent over and over, tiring him with each blow. Falling back, the man tripped over an exposed root and dropped his sword, landing on his back. Resigned to his fate, he awaited his doom as the figure loomed over him, sword raised high for the final strike. Catching a final glimpse, the helpless man could now clearly see his opponent as the winds pushed back the blackened cloak, revealing the familiar uniform of the Druchii beneath. As the Dark Elf began his downward arc, his killing blow was interrupted by the sudden introduction of another blade. The two weapons met in mid-air with a loud clang and the shocked dark elf glanced over to see what troublesome fellow had dared interrupt his prize.

Both the courier and his foe went wide eyed in wonderment as they gazed upon the newly arrived combatant. Before them stood a Knight of the Blazing Sun, ironically silhouetted by the evening's fiery orb. The glory of the day's last light shone around him in an almost ethereal glow as if he'd emerged from the sun itself. The dark elf, regaining his senses,turned his ire towards the new threat as the courier clumsily scrambled back to his feet. Through the narrow slit of his feathered helm, the knight eyed the dark elf, as if calculating every move he was about to make.

The two began trading blows but it soon became evident the dark elf was outmatched. As they fought he angrily spewed insults at the knight, though neither his blade nor his venomous tongue seemed to have much effect. Putting his weight behind the gesture, the knight slammed his shield into the dark elf and unbalanced him. Struggling to regain his stance, the dark elf failed to notice the wide arcing swing that met his exposed neck, severing his head from his body. The lifeless shell fell to the ground in a thud while the head rolled down the incline, finally coming to rest against a boulder.

The man, who had been watching the spectacle with awe, ran over to the knight to thank him. "In all my days I've never seen such a performance, sir knight, nor would I have imagined seeing another of the Griffon order so far into elf lands" he said, bowing his head in thanks, "Nevel, courier of the Griffon Order, at your service". The knight responded in kind, "Vonric Kassmeyer, Knight of the Blazing Sun at yours". The man went wide eyed at the proclamation. "Taal's teeth!" he exclaimed excitedly, "I'd heard stories of a knight in Ulthuan wreaking havoc with the dark elves!". Vonric gave a sheepish grin, he never had liked being in the lime light. "If you don't mind me saying so, it's a real honor to meet you sir" the man stated proudly before continuing, "It does my heart good to see another of our order here. Mother always said, birds of a feather stick together n'all that...and when..."

As the two continued down the road towards camp the courier rambled on, his words faded into abstract sound as the knight's own thoughts drowned them out. His assignment here was nearly at an end. A fellow knight was due to meet him at the next camp, to relieve him. His sights were now set on returning home, to aid in the defense of his homeland. It was there that he felt Myrmidia's call , and it would be there that his story would truly begin.

[Kragg]

Great read! Thanks!