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.)
===================================

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.