I dreamt of the rain.
The same rain that filled my entire childhood.
The same cold rain that showered down on the alleyways that I hid in, sloughing the grime off the walls and into whatever small crevice I would have been hiding in.
I dreamt of the same drops of rain that poured like stones, the same stones that were thrown at the many beggars, like myself, living in the winding narrow streets of Aquillum.
I found myself walking down the same paths I used to walk and beg in, the same narrow winding passageways I used to evade any furious shopkeepers who would desperately search for the sewer child who stole their wares.
I walked and walked, until I found myself in the heart of Aquillum, the city of the Iron Hawk. The plaza held a tribute to the guardian of the realm, a statue of the Iron Hawk atop a evergreen tree, its eyes glaring, piercing the mist and ever on the look for foes hidden beneath the leaves and branches of the forests below.
But as I set foot within the plaza, I felt as if the gaze of the Hawk was upon me, its sight as cold and disregarding as the rain that fell relentlessly.
Though not quite as cold as the blade that drove itself through my back.
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“It looks like it’s going to rain today as well”
“Bah, when does it not rain here. The Iron Hawk himself will take flight once more before the rainclouds ever empty.”
“I’m just worried we’re going to be forced through another march in this rain. Sean nearly fell off the trail last time.”
It’s loud as ever….
“You should worry about yourself more. Instructor Hearst was not pleased with you yesterday. Hell, even I was a bit shocked. How do you even fail to remember those basic reconnaissance protocols?”
“Fuck off, the last time we went over that it was 2 years ago back when we were still being evaluated. The fact that you can still remember all that is weird.”
“Hey, just remember that it won’t be me that gets kicked out because they didn’t study hard enough.”
“What time is it right now that you two are arguing like two cocks in the same henhouse?” I groggily sat up from my cot, looking over at my two roommates, Adam and Trest.
Trest looked back at me with a slightly apologetic smile, evidently guilty that he woke me up. Meanwhile, Adam simply grunted. “Late enough for all of us to get ready.”
I stood up in our cramped room, and reached for the water pitcher, only to find it empty. I groaned slightly, it meant that I had to be the one to leave the warm confines of our barracks to fetch water from the well.
Adam looked over and, seeing me holding the water pitcher, he smirked and showed me a cup of water, half full, which he promptly downed.
Motherfucker.
I shot him my best death glare and prepared myself to go out to the courtyard. I looked out the window and saw the rain that the two had been talking about when they so rudely woken me. It was a thick and heavy rain, coming down in sheets and nearly obscuring our view of the courtyard. Even though our compound was well up high in the mountains the fall rains came down often and heavy.
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Though, thanks to that we enjoy a rather plentiful harvest in what little arable farmlands we possess.
I felt a slight aching sensation in my chest, and rubbed the old scar that was there, slightly beneath my left collarbone. I was lucky to have survived that blow that day…
A slight nudge on my shoulder from Trest broke me from my contemplative mood and I walked out the still quiet barracks, ready to be hit by the uncomfortable weather. The stairs creaked as I went down to the courtyard, and then I rushed out to the well, trying to get my water before being drenched too thoroughly in the rain.
Just another morning in Aquillum.
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All the Recruit-Wards of the Aquillan guard are expected to be in proper combat uniforms, which simply meant thick leather attire, by the 6th bell toll from the water clock. While most other regions used sun dials, our weather was ill suited for such a device, and as such we made do with the horrible clanging noise that emitted from the clocks.
Adam winced each time the bell clanged. He always complained about the damn things, claiming that they would deafen him sooner or later. I smiled to myself as he sighed loudly, that’s what he deserved for making me fetch water in the rain.
“ATTENTION!”
All the Recruit-Wards snapped into position as the Instructors came down from their separate building. The grizzled Head instructor, with his salt and pepper hair and broad shoulders could be seen first, eyeing the Recruit-Wards with his hawk like blue eyes, seeing if anyone was in ill form.
Instructor Hearst was following right behind him, steel grey eyes and equally steely grey hair and neatly trimmed mustache visible even in the heavy rain. He looked over at Trest disapprovingly, evidently Trest’s lack of knowledge was still fresh in his mind and by the looks of it he seemed quite eager to remedy it.
The other Instructors soon followed, strangely all wearing their dress uniforms, long black leather overcoats with steel grey trimmings and buttons. Even the Head Instructor and Instructor Hearst was wearing their uniforms.
Despite the strange situation, all the Recruit-Wards stood stock still, quietly awaiting to be addressed. Discipline before all else was the motto of the Head Instructor, and he made sure that no one ever forgot. I shivered slightly, the image of those unruly few from the first days as Recruit-Wards being force marched through the mountain passes for 12 hours without stop was enough to make even Trest behave in front of the Instructors.
The Head Instructor began talking in his loud and carrying voice.
“Many of you will no doubt already know of what I am about to speak of. Many of you have no doubt already heard from the traveling minsters about the situation regarding the Meeting of the Five planned for this year. Well, I am here to say that those rumours are true. Our Lord demands we set out in force for the capital.”
Immediately, the entire courtyard filled with whispering and many nudges. Some of the Recruit-Wards began grinning to each other, no doubt eager to see the capital, while others wondered what this could possibly mean.
The Head Instructor continued,
“Normally, we would not take you lot with us. I certainly would not take you with us. You are still inexperienced, and lack many of the crucial skills needed to serve as proper Iron Guard. Remember that your actions speak not for yourselves but for all of you. Any hint of misdemeanor and I will personally see to it that you are driven out. You are to be rested for today. Spend this time to ready your equipment and prepare for the journey to the capital. We leave in two days. Dismissed.”
“SALUTE!”
The loud clack of boot heels meeting boot heels rang through the morning air as everyone burst into conversation. The Instructors filed out, heading to the Lord’s keep. Everyone was simply excited, and Trent and Adam soon came over to me, eye gleaming with anticipation and excitement.
Trent burst into a wide grin, “Do you think we’ll be able to meet some capital ladies?”
I laughed as Adam grimaced and replied, “How many capital ladies do you seriously think are going to be interested in a poor Recruit-Ward?”
Trent replied sheepishly, “Hey, can’t blame me for hoping.”
“What do you think this is all about though? We’ve never set out in force like this towards the capital. How is this not an act of aggression towards the other lords?” Adam wondered.
“I don’t know, but such matters are for the Lord to decide, and we to obey. Although, I do imagine that this isn’t without reason. After all, the Raven always makes the last move.” I turned towards the armory as I finished.
Trest smiled as he saw where I was headed towards.
“Adam let’s get our things ready. You and I both know that you’re going to take all those damnable tools with you, and that you’re going to force me to help you. Anyways, do you think its true that the ladies in the capital can breathe fire?....”
I entered the armory as Trest dragged Adam off back into the barracks. While I did need to organize my own belongings as well, I had something that I wanted to do first. Something I always did when I woke up.
The armory is always dusty, no matter how long the doors are open and the room is swept. The smell of grease used to protect steel and leather always lingers as well. I went over to where my sword is kept every night and picked it up. As always, I ran my hand over the scabbard, where my name, the name the Lord of the Iron Raven, Lord Corvus had given me, is embossed.
Astus.