The enormous cathedral of Jedeo had been built as a centerpiece in the mountainside city of Jedeoheim. The city itself was a triumph of engineering, with its Gothic structures, towering granite statues, and enormous walls carved with the history of Jedeo during the Night Wars. It was a black stone building, adorned with watchful gargoyles and decorated with intricate stained glass windows, depicting the heroes of Jedeo’s lore.
Avalon walked down the long hallway, banners of the Silent Ones draping the walls to either side of her. A depiction of a sun with a downward blade in the foreground adorned each banner with its white and gold colors. The arched buttresses webbed all around her. Keystones etched with incantations were inlaid on each doorway she walked through.
Avalon’s white and black trimmed coat billowed as she raised her hood. Her sword was sheathed on the small of her back. She bowed to each monk she passed. She had found her calling as a Silent One, a holy warrior dedicated to serving the divine light of Jedeo.
It had been nearly five years ago to the day that she first stood in front of the massive golden oak doors of this very cathedral.
Avalon grabbed the cast-iron knocker and pounded it on the door for a third time before it slowly creaked open. Before her stood a rotund old man with a white wool habit. He looked the travel-worn Avalon up and down. She reeked something fierce and was wrapped in a stained tan cloak. Her face was covered by a large scarf so that the monk could only see her fierce eyes.
“You girl, what is it that you want?”
Avalon undid her scarf, “Please sir, I’ve been traveling for years to reach this sacred place. I have heard countless tales that this is the citadel of the Silent Ones. I have killed many to reach this place. I beg of you, please teach me!”
The man stood silent, muttering unintelligibly, before walking back inside, slamming the door behind him. Avalon was motionless. Before she could knock again the door opened. This time a woman in a long white coat with a silver trim, appeared before Avalon.
“You girl, what is it that you want?”
Avalon was silent with annoyance. She had just told the monk why she was here, and she did not care much for having to repeat herself.
“Speak up,” the woman said sharply.
“I am here to become a Silent One.”
“Is that all?” said the woman, clearly unimpressed, “Why should we make you a Silent One?” she asked, lifting up the ragged cloaks that Avalon was wearing in disgust.
“I have traveled very far–” Avalon started.
“So have many before you.”
“And I have killed many–”
“So have many before you.”
“I seek redemption!” Avalon blurted out, fearing she would be interrupted again.
The woman sized her up before arching her brow, “It is true, you have seen your share of scraps. The life of a Silent One is not for the faint of heart. Do you have the patience and discipline required of a Silent One?”
Avalon nodded, “I do. Just give me a chance!”
The woman rubbed her chin, “I don’t think you do.”
Avalon steepled her fingers, “Let me prove myself!”
The Silent One walked back into the cathedral, slamming the door behind her.
Avalon stood at the door, waiting, wanting. For days she stood without sleep, without food. Even through the pouring rain and the deathly chill night she waited.
Days passed, and finally the door opened once more. The same woman as before gracefully stepped out. She looked at the shivering girl before her and spoke firmly, “Walk away now and I will see that you are given shelter and food, perhaps new clothes and a warm bath. Just admit you are not ready to become a Silent One.”
Avalon closed her eyes, her tears were cold to the touch. Walking away would have been an easier choice for a lesser woman, but she was not ready to give up herself.
“I will become a Silent One,” Avalon stated, her diligent attitude rung in her voice.
“We shall see,” The woman said slamming the door in Avalon’s face once more.
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Three more days passed. Avalon shivered in the cold seaside air. Her tired body was giving up on her as she stood swaying back and forth in utter exhaustion. The thought of the door opening was the only thing that kept her going. She could not quit now. She had survived becoming a Rabbit, so surely she could survive becoming a Silent One.
As she was reaching the bitter end of what she could handle, the rotund monk came out with a heavy quilt and bowl of steaming porridge, “For you, ma’am,” he said, trying to hand it off to the nearly non-responsive Avalon.
Her hands trembled as she went to take the quilt and food, but stopped short. Her face was gaunt, her lips were parched and cracked, and her body shook from the cold that lay deep in her bones.
“I will become a Silent One,” she said with a weak, shaky voice.
“You would rather die than quit?”
“I would rather die than live another life as the criminal that I am.”
The man nodded and quickly slammed the door. However, Avalon did not have to wait much longer to see the familiar woman again.
“I have seen that you have patience and discipline, but so have many that came before you.”
Avalon lowered her head, readying herself for another few nights of mental and physical torture.
“But, unlike many that have come before you, you show determination. A trait that we seek in all of our Silent Ones. You, girl, are ready to join us.”
Avalon’s head shot up, her eyes wide with joy.
“Quickly, come inside. You must be freezing.”
Avalon smirked. The trial that she went through was much harder than the training, moreso because she was already finely tuned in her Rabbit training. A Silent One could fight hard, but she knew that a Rabbit would fight harder. Perhaps this was the reason why she rose through the ranks so quickly. Perhaps this was the reason why the Red Wing wished to see her.
Avalon knocked on the wooden door to the study of with a quick rap. Instantly, she was beckoned to enter.
The Red Wing’s study was nothing more than a prayer mat and a shrine to Jedeo. Several swords were displayed on the walls. The Red Wing herself had her Silencer sword placed on the shrine, which she prayed to.
“Iron Wing Avalon, remove your Silencer in the presence of your Red Wing. Have you been taught nothing?”
Avalon bowed quickly and unbuckled her belt and scabbard, placing her sword on the ground, “Forgive me, Master. I forget who I am, sometimes.”
The Red Wing turned to face her, an eyebrow raised, “It seems you forgot again. I am your Red Wing, not your master.”
“Red Wing Sa’veen, I am truly sorry,” Avalon apologized, bowing several times before Sa’veen motioned for her to stop.
“Avalon, do you have any idea why you’ve been summoned here?”
“No, my Red Wing.”
“How well-versed are you with Jedean lore?”
Avalon pondered, she was keen with combat and meditation. She reveled in the history of Silent One battles, especially battles involving Jedeo, but in the lore itself, she was no scholar.
“I… know enough to get by,” She admitted.
Sa’veen smiled, “Why are we called the ‘Silent Ones?”
Avalon knew this one. It was the same question she first asked her instructor, “My Red Wing, we are called ‘Silent Ones because we silence the Night.”
“What is our Silencer?”
“Our sword, imbued with a sliver from Jedeo’s own blade.”
“Who was the first of our kind?”
Avalon stopped short of this. She always assumed that Jedeo was the first Silent One, but she was not, “Autumn, sister of Jedeo.”
“When Autumn created the first order, she took a vow of silence. Why?”
Avalon was not sure of this one either. This was getting into the deeper and more obscure parts of Jedean lore. She also wondered the purpose behind the quiz? Was this all a final test? She knew she had to make a guess, “Because…Jedeo was mute.”
“Yes, partially right. Do you remember how Jedeo’s voice was lost when her throat was cut during an attempt on her life? Autumn established the first order on the anniversary of that day. In homage, Autumn took a vow of silence. Another reason why we are called ‘Silent Ones’,” Sa’veen stood, taking her blade from the shrine, “Avalon, you have proved to be a most valued Silent One. It is time that you take on more duties. I wish to make you Silver Wing.”
“I’m skipping a rank?” Avalon gasped.
“Not just that, I wish to send you to Lost Dawns in Cypress to start a temple there. You’ll need that extra rank to start training Silent Ones,” Sa’veen said seriously.
Cypress, Avalon’s old home. She knew that one day her past would catch up with her, but she was not sure she was prepared for such a day.
“Silver Wing Avalon, what do you say.”
“When do I leave?”
“In the morning, I’ve prepared a platoon of thirty Silent Ones to assist you, as well as a Bronze Wing to serve as a lieutenant.”
Avalon gawked at the news, “Thirty Silent Ones? Why so many?”
Sa’veen snapped her fingers, “Ah yes, I did forget to mention that Long Whisper is going to war with Estinia alongside Varis. You will be joining the young king.”
Avalon raised an eyebrow. The news got wilder and wilder, “Why would we be getting involved in such a conflict?”
“With the Silent Ones establishing a presence in Long Whisper and Varis, it shows good faith to assist those countries in times of great need. Are you prepared to assist in such a task?”
Avalon had seen combat all her life. All she knew was how to take lives. Whether it was under the banner of the Black Rabbits, Silent Ones, or anyone else, it was all the same to her.
“Jedeo will grant me strength,” Avalon said, holding her fist to her heart and bowing her head.
“Amen.”