Draken Fire : Chapter 2

(Author's note: Just to let y'all know, Raven is not really as mature as he is yet, it'll take the harsh realities and the brutal hardship of war to do that. So Raven is still flubbering as it is.)
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Raven reluctantly finished the last bites of his loaf and gulped down some water while Hawk impatiently tapped his foot, arms crossed by the door. Adjusting his cloak, Raven strided over to where Hawk stood, opened the door and stepped out into the yard. Hawk called out, "Don't you want to take the horses?" "No time! Get some excercise, you!" Raven called back, already at the gate. Hawk shook his head and jogged after Raven. Raven was always in a hurry, and his nervousness is not helping.

Hawk finally caught up wiyth Raven, panting, and planted a hand on Raven's shoulder. Raven slowed down as Hawk tried to catch his breath. "Look, relax little brother. It's not as though they'll start without us." Seeing Raven's unconvinced face, Hawk continued, "I know it's your first time, but trust me I've been there before. It pays to relax, and be rational. Raven just stared blankly, and finally he breathed out a sigh. Hawk gave Raven a brotherly pat, and walked on ahead. Raven looked to the fast rising sun, pulled his hood down and followed after Hawk.

The fortress soon loomered over them. Raven stopped short in front of the drawbridge to admire and drink in the sights. The fortress was like a piece of art to him, the way the battlements were arranged, the very architecture of the fortress itself, it all appealed to Raven. Hawk gave a grim smile and pulled Raven along to the front of the gate. Two guards stood there on duty, and nodded their heads as Hawked walked up to them. Not recognizing Raven, they hastily lowered their spears to challenge the 'newcomer'. Raven immediately reached for his dagger in the depths of his cloak, preparing to defend himself when Hawk quickly stepped in between. "He's with me, you can trust him," Hawk said, using one hand to push down the guard's spears and the other to hold Raven's arm. The guards looked to each other, gave each other a shrug and stood at ease. Raven sheathed his half-drawn dagger and followed Hawk through a small door in the gate itself. No pointing opening the main gate for just two visitors. As Raven walked by a guard, he could almost make out, "'ever can trust tis Assassin types," Raven frowned, the guard just looked on ahead as though nothing has passed his mouth. Raven said nothing, and stepped through the door.

Hawk led the way through the huge courtyard and into the castle itself. Silently, he guided Raven through the maze-like corridors of the castle, stopping from time to time to let Raven marvel at the sights. Hawk could do nothing to stop Raven from being distracted so easily, he too was often kept enthralled on his first visit. So all Hawk could do was to give Raven the occasional push, and sometimes he would stop just to explain some of the sights. Sooner or later, they reached the meeting chamber. A Chancellor stood outside, awaiting their arrival. He gave a small bow to the brothers and ushered them through the door, leading them into a huge chamber. A huge oaken table was the main piece of furniture in the room, and several chairs were placed around it. Raven had counted about a dozen as he gazed about the room. So this is just a small meeting, thought Raven as he looked about. The chancellor led them to their seats, no one else was there. Raven looked to Hawk, who gave him a smug smile that said I told you so, looked back.

"Any refreshments, sirs?" The chancellor enquired. Raven looked to Hawk once more, who shrugged. "I'll have what he have." Raven jerked a thumb in his direction. Hawk smiled. "Nothing for me, thanks." Raven turned sharply to glare at Hawk, who just gave a small laugh for having fooled his little brother. Raven turned back to face the chancellor. "In that case water, thank you." The chancellor just shook his head in confusion and went to fetch the water.

Raven took the time to examine the chamber in greater detail. A few portraits decorated the walls, but one wall was covered white with just plaster, no ornaments on it. Raven wondered for a moment about the purpose of the wall when Hawk gave him a little nudge. Raven turned once more, but a newcomer had just caught his eye. A figure had entered the room, giving the chancellor a small bow, who in turn waved a hand to an empty seat. Raven realized it to be the seat beside him. Raven narrowed his eyes, and brought his hood down even more to keep his face in the shadows. As the cloaked figure took his seat, he brought his hands up to take off his hood. Then, Raven realized it was a she, and that he knew the lady. A head of blonde hair appeared, allowed to grow up to just beyond shoulder length. As the lady raised her hand to run it through her hair, Raven spotted the Phoenix Pendant on her cloak.

Phoenix, thought Raven, almost instantly smitten. He turned to glare at Hawk, who coincidentally took the time to pick a conversation with the chancellor who had appeared with the water. Raven grabbed for the mug, briefing saying a small word of thanks, and took a gulp, taking care not to splash its contents on himself. He continued to eye Phoenix at the corner of his eye. What is she doing here? Raven thought, trying to calm himself down. Meanwhile Phoenix leaned forward, clasping her hands together as she awaited for the meeting to commence. Raven was now frantic. Phoenix was an apprentice with Raven back when they were in the Guild, but after graduation they never got much of a chance to contact with each other. And now she's sitting right beside me, Raven took another gulp of water to calm himself.

Phoenix seemed to realize that Raven was eyeing her, for she gave a coy smile and twiddled her thumbs as though nothing has happened. Raven gave a little inaudible groan. She's doing this on purpose, thought Raven. Finally Phoenix ended her little game and faced Raven. "Ah, Raven, it's been a while. How long has it been?" "Too long, milady." Raven said with a small smile. Phoenix smiled in return, "You'll never stop calling me that now, will you Raven?" Raven gave a faint shrug, glad that he was back to his former, cool self. He reached up and removed his hood. "No, not soon yet Phoenix."

By then the chamber was starting to fill. Hawk was busy conversing with a tall man, while the chancellor dashed about seeing that the members were comfortable. "Any idea why we were called, Raven?" Phoenix asked out of a sudden. Raven crossed his arms and leaned against the back of his seat. "No idea, but I guess they must have someone they want taken out such that they need the Guild's services."

"Then why send the two of us? Shouldn't they just send you?"

Raven turned and raised an eyebrow. "Me?"

Phoenix turned her head to the side, a smug grin on her face. "Shouldn't they send the best?"

Raven shook his head. "Even the best need someone else to accompany him.'

"Forgetting the Guild ideology now are we?"

"Hmph," Raven sank a bit lower. "What's wrong with that." It wasn't a question, but a statement that Raven took in defeat. The Guild did not encourage Assassins to have too strong a relationship with any others, for fear of distraction. Raven had never adhered to that ideology.

Phoenix said. Raven thought for a moment, and was about to say something when a voice sounded in his ear. "You're an Assassin aren't you?" Raven almost jumped, and turned sharply to see the owner of the voice. It belonged to a yound man, garbed in rich, luxurious clothing. A small Pendant with the Crown insignia could just be made out from other the covers of his clothing. Hawk stopped in his conversation, and bent towards Raven's ear. "The Prince," Hawk whispered. Raven nodded in acknowledgement, and the Prince took that to be a yes to his earlier question. His eyes gleamed with excitement. "Cool! I've never really got much of a chance to see the outside, much less an Assassin." Raven raised his eyebrow again. Phoenix looked on ahead, but seemed to be listening in to the conversation. The Prince continued. "Yeah, Father never lets me out of the fortress much, says something about danger here and then. But I want to see it all! I want to see what my tutors have shown me! I want to..." the Prince was cut short when the Chancellor pulled a bellrope to signal for the beginning of the meeting. The Prince looked to the door, and turned back to Raven. "I've got to go, nice meeting you Mr Assassin!" He raced to the head of the table and sat himself on one of the smaller chairs. Raven turned to face the front. "Well that was interesting," Phoenix gave a small laugh.

Character Story: Phoenix

Raven's wife and his second-in-command after the Unification Wars, Phoenix has a warm, outgoing personality and people have often wondered how she go along well with Raven in the first place. Both of them know better. By the end of the Unification Wars, the both of them eloped, witnessed by only a select few.

Phoenix trained at the Guild along with Raven and Biper, and her combat skills is matched only by Raven. She fell behind on Tactical Studies and Leadership, causing her to land a close second behind Raven. Her style of assassination however was rather controversial, as she prefers the use of a long sword which she has named Firebird. Other assassins are known for using daggers and poisons, making her a sort of an 'outcast'. This resulted in Phoenix not being chosen for missions often before the Unification Wars.

During the Wars, Phoenix was part of Raven's Draken Fire. Together with Beorn, Joper, Cassowary and later Hawk and Copperhead, they carried a series of surgical strikes in the Enemy's camps. During her time with the Draken Fire, she picked up many skills from her teammates. Cassowary taught her archery while Beorn instructed her on the magical arts just as he did Raven. These new skills she picked up made her awfully versatile in combat, and it was her that took out a Troll Commander during the rescue mission of the Prince. This however made her the enemy and target of the Troll Commander's lieutenants, the brothers Pudge and Durge, who felt it upon them to return the favour.

Phoenix continued to serve as the second-in-command to Raven, and went on several adventures before deciding she had enough excitement to last a while. She decided to settle down at Raven's estate, but this peace lasted only for a few weeks before rumours of Beorn's alleged madness reacher her ears. Itching for adventure, Phoenix set off immediately, reuniting with old friends Joper and Beorn, whose 'madness' had merely turned out to be a rumour. However, amongst their reunion a new threat emerged in the form of Roc, who would have almost done Phoenix in if Raven hadn't turned up to intervene. The young wandered then divulged Raven's whereabouts and despite Raven's warnings, Phoenix went on to challenge the Avatar. Beorn and Joper went with her.

The fight ended in crushing defeat, and Phoenix was thrown off a cliff face, appearing to have fallen to her doom. The truth was that despite having betrayed them, Roc had listened to his conscience and teleported Phoenix to safety before she collided with solid rock. Beorn and Joper hastily gathered her and departed, while Roc had to cut a lock of her hair off to prove Phoenix's death. Meeting up with Cassowary, the party then headed out for their former Draken Fire hideout, where they helped the stricken Phoenix recover. By the time she has fully recovered, her heart was broken when she heard that Raven had fallen to his darker self, and had joined the Enemy. When the Second War erupted, Phoenix took on a new alias Phoenix Reborn, and reformed the Draken Fire to once more aid in the defense of Avia.

Draken Fire: Chapter 1

There are two sides to a Coin,

One is always in the light, the other in shadow.

All it would take is one flip,

To bring the other to light.

Raven awoke, sweat dripping down his brow. This was the third time in two weeks that he had these nightmares, and each time the experience grew more and more intense. Raven ran a hand through his mop of brown hair, took a deep breath, closed his eyes and gave a little sigh. The images were still in mind, burning lividly in his mind’s eye. Raven tried to focus on other thoughts, but the images remained. Sitting upright, feeling much more awake now, he looked out of the window to see that dawn was beginning to break. The sun spread forth its rays, scattering the darkness and driving shadow into hiding, along with it Raven’s fears of the nightmares.

Raven was not feeling afraid of nightmares, he had long outgrown that. It was the imagery presented by the dream, an unresolved riddle, a prophecy not yet deciphered. It seemed to Raven to be a grim outlook of what the future could hold… Raven tried his best to push these thoughts aside. They won’t pleasant. He lay back, trying to get to sleep, but to no avail. Giving up, he swung his legs over the bed and was putting on his dressing robe when a knock sounded. A candle appeared at the door.

“Raven? Are you awak?” Rydia poked her head from behind the door. The candle she held in her hand illuminated her frail frame and a worried look on her face. Raven turned and almost scowled. His housekeeper had a knack of knowing when something was wrong, it made Raven feel queasy at times. Raven didn’t want the concern now, so he tried to divert Rydia’s attention to other matters. Giving a small smile, Raven ran his fingers through his hair once more. “Yes I am, and you don’t have to worry about me all the time. I can take care of myself.” “Not lest you’re married and away from this household you ain’t!”

“Assassins don’t get married, Rydia.”

Rydia was silenced, a thoughtful look on her face. “Well then, I guess I’ll still be taking care of you then. Breakfast is ready in a while. Go do something about that hair will you?” With that Rydia left, and Raven could hear the soft pattering of her footsteps as she walked down the stairs. Raven sub-consciously ran his fingers through his hair once more. He hated it when Rydia nagged him. It was as though he was still being treated as a child. Raven looked at himself in the mirror, scratching the stubble that was growing from his chin. “I mean, I’m almost 21 now, you’ll think I’ll get a bit more respect.”

Raven threw on a brown tunic and pants, and fastened the One Eyed Raven pendant onto his cloak. Strapping on his arm braces, dagger belt and boots, he turned his head just in time to hear a new set of footsteps approaching his door, distinctively heavier than Rydia’s. He knew who it was, and quickly hid beside the doorway to his room. In a few strides, the visitor stepped into the room, drew a sword and swung it in Raven’s direction, and was effectively blocked by Raven’s dagger. “At least someone is finally awake, little brother.”

“I don’t need to be awake to even parry your huge swipes, Hawk. “

“So says the artiste himself.” Hawk said while he sheathed his sword. Dressed in a grey tunic similar in design to Raven’s, Hawk was taller and much broader at the shoulders, or so was the illusion caused by his shoulder plates. Sporting a goatee, Hawk kept his hair straight, though leaving it to grow up to his back.

“So says the knight. Don’t you even have fighting styles that doesn’t present so many opportunities for strikes?”

“Aye, but now’s not the time to discuss combat. You and I have that meeting to go to and you’ve yet to get breakfast.”

“You can’t possibly have gotten up before I did... Wait, you can.”

“That I have, and without any nightmares to help me too.” Hawk gave a little smirk as he gazed upon Raven’s shocked expression.

“How do you know of them?”

“Little brother, when you get up as early as I do, you’ll find that the estate is usually quieter than in the day. I didn’t even need ears of an elf to hear your rumble on the bed or your shouts in your sleep.”

“One must start towonder why you rise so early.”

“Aye, but haven’t you heard of the maxim…”

“Yes, early bird, go get your breakfast of worms already.” Raven grumbled as he sheathed his dagger. Adjusting his cloak, he brushed past Hawk and went down to the dining area with Hawk closely behind. On the table, Raven spied two plates, not one.

“Ah hah, you haven’t have breakfast yet either.”

“Aye, can’t a man have a meal with his brother? It’s a big meeting too. Makes me wonder why you were picked to represent the Guild.” Raven said nothing, and seated himself. Hawk seated right beside Raven, and pulled a plate towards him. “I think I know, Father.”

“Father doesn’t love me as he does you, Hawk.”

“Aye, that be the truth. Have always wondered why that was the case.”

“Maybe because you chose to be a knight?”

“I didn’t choose, I was forced to be a squire.”

“Hmph,” Raven chewed on a piece of bread. Hawk drank a gulp out of his goblet.

“Perhaps the Guild wishes to test your skills Raven.”

“Perhaps."

Character Story: Raven

Raven is the Head of Assassins under the service of the King, acting as a mentor to to the young king from time to time. Trained at the Guild, Raven was a top student, being tutored by his father the Master of the Guild himself. His excellence was only rivalled by two others, Phoenix and Viper, and he is one of the few students who is capable of wielding the mystical arts together with his martial arts to enhance his effectiveness at dispatching foes.

Raven however was never the 'model' assassin. During the final initiation test when he was an apprentice, he was to take out a group of tax-avoiders. However, he was halted when he saw the warmth of the family, a luxury that he rarely enjoyed. His father, being his invigilator, carried out the deed upon seeing Raven's hesitation and repoported to the Guild that RAVEN hjad passed the test. In secret, his father subjected Raven to a long series of torture and conditioning to drill the Guild's maxim into him, "If there is no emotion, there can be no pain." In the end, Raven became a cold-hearted, but yet fearless assassin.

Deep within Raven however was left a good bit of his old self. He had no qualms with taking vital targets, bu if it was for the sake of senseless killing he wouldn't do it. He felt pity for those left behind, but his consience is but a weak support compared to the the lvoe he felt for fellow Assassin Phoenix. Phoenix is the only Assassin that could match Raven's skill in combat, and this earned his respect. They were often thrown together in life-threatening situations and this formed a sort of bond between both of them. When Raven was made Head of Assassins to the king, he and Phoenix had a secret marriage to leagally seal their bond.

During the Unification Wars, Raven, together with a group of diehards he likes to call his 'Draken Fire' (so-called because of their first experience with the Enemy) often carried out raids on enemy camps to cripple the Enemy's military machine. When the then Prince was captured, he enlisted the help of his brother Hawk and together with his Draken Fire carried out a daring rescue mission, succeeding in returning the Prince to Avia. When the Prince was crowned King of Avia, he remembered the deed of Raven and in turn made him the Head of Assassins with Phoenix as his second-in-command, Hawak his Head of Army. The rest chose other ways to live their retirement.

As Head of Assassins, Raven was usually sent to take out targets that present a threat to the secuirty of Avia. One of these was to assassinate a pirate captain that terrorized the port towns of Belegon and Valnor. It is then when he discovered Albatross, his banished younger brother who turned out to be the Pirate Captain himself. Upon return, he persuaded the King to grant Albatross clemency, and made him Admiral of the Avian Fleet.

Despite the conclusion of the Unification Wars, the Enemy persist. One of their greatest agents, a spellcaster by the name of Draco, had a personal vandetta against Raven himself. With the help of his apprentice Roc, he drew Phoenix into a trap in which he defeated Phoenix. Fearing Phoenix's death, Raven raced to the deserts of Hapa to find Draco dealing the supposed last blow to Phoenix, sending her down the cliff face. The final support to his old self was gone. Raven ceased to exist, rage and anger took over and he struck down his old enemy after a duel. Dark Raven arose from the shadows and no longer felt loyalty for the Kingdom that had supposedly 'betrayed' him. Dark Raven defected to the Enemy, and led the armies in the Second Unification Wars. He would not recover for a long while, not till he had droven his knife into the hearts of his brother Hawk and Dwarven hero Grom Earthshaker.

Tales of Avia

This is a side-line kind of thing, a series of stories based on my characters. I'll get the actual thing up and running soon.