FSE

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Kicit hurried off to the edge of the refuge, his attention narrowly focused on his immediate steps. So much so that he ended up running into a group of Felines who themselves were busy taking stock of their wares. Upon almost tripping over one of their bags Kicit swiftly turned and bowed low with quick platitudes and apologies. Then turned back on his way without even fully looking at the small group. The felines for their part were more taken back by the fact they had just seen an Avian than anything and quickly whispered to themselves about the strange sight in hushed tones; not that Kicit would have heard anyway. He was too deep within his own mind.

He just needed some space, or so he thought. Kicit prided himself in having an excellent command of his emotions, particularly in the presence of those who were over him. Having been under Master Elacce’s tutelage for so long he had started to notice that even when away from the Master his emotions were all but absent. He never considered this a bad thing really as it created a much better environment for him to learn. It hadn’t been many times that his emotions had boiled over even in the forge of Apprenticeship, a few times during particularly grueling exercises and lack of sleep or food but it had never been because of a decision and more due to circumstance. Kicit understood that.

However, the downright strange decisions by the Master, the odd way he had been acting towards Kicit. It rubbed his feathers the wrong way and a swirling dull anger had been forming in the pit of his stomach. It grew day by day. Then the forge that was a battle forced it to boil over.

“I saw her! Streaks of light at her fingertips, as clear as if she were casting!” He had said, nearly tripping over the Avian trills after Kelkera wondered off to find Mathias. But instead of interest Master Elacce had eyed him sternly and stayed quiet. “I see this as a fantastic opportunity, Master! I can show you how much I’ve progressed with teaching her for the next few weeks and you can take it back to the Ibbaw council for evidence that I’m ready to select an A-”

“Kicit, we’re not here to train locals.” Elacce interrupted, intently right before Kicit had landed on the word apprentice. Immediately the young Avian felt the bluntness of his words.

“I’m not saying train the locals, I’m saying to show you I can!” Kicit protested back but Elacce snapped his beak and bristled his dark feathers, towering over his apprentice.

“Kicit,” he screeched in the Avian tongue. “I will not say it again. You are not to mention anything of it to the Vulpine. We are not here to help local feuds and arguments.” The Master's voice fell but its tone still stood firm, as if he were accosting a young Avian for playing too close to the fire. Kicit had pulled back and lowered his eyes away from the Master thinking of how to respond more than surprised at the response from his normally reserved Master.

“But Master, with respect, she saved my life. I owe her something.” He said, in a tone to try and avoid any potential punishment.

“You saved hers and the rest of the Refuge’s with quick thinking and a masterfully cast Release, you don’t owe her anything.” Kicit noticed that he had slightly changed his tone in order to pull back on the aggressiveness but anger still welled within him. “Until we leave this Refuge you are not to mention the art of Release to her, or to anyone else in the Refuge. Understood?”

***

Kicit had begrudgingly nodded his head and followed it up with a forced “yes master,” but the burning anger and perceived injustice welled inside him. He trudged towards the edge of the field that the Refuge was set in the middle of before he collapsed. His legs had finally given out. But it was ok, he was far enough to be alone with his thoughts. His eyes scanned the treeline, a wall of moss strewn trees gently bristling in the wind. Kicit followed the wind with his eyes, anticipating its next movement before it occurred.

A fleeting thought, quicker than the very wind blowing through the trees. What if he just took off? The intense words he had queued up for himself just for thinking it prevented further exploration, but the thought had been there.

***

Kicit sat on the edge of the field for some time, long enough for the sun to rise high in the afternoon sky. He knew he had to get back to the Refuge soon but taking this time was nice, it felt good to sit and be alone. It sent him back to the Risen Isle and exploring through the Royal Hawk Timberland when he was younger. Memories of running along Kisen Soun and climbing to the top of Riyew Peak, all while trading theories about what had happened to their Progenitor’s lost tome with other Students of Ibbaw Flight, flooded back to him. It felt so long ago already and as far as he knew those friends of his already had their names etched into the Order and were teaching Apprentices of their own, well on their way.

Kicit finally belted out in his anger with a screech, frustrated about being kept in the dark for no reason. Sure they were on a diplomatic mission but that didn’t mean he couldn’t do things. More time passed before Kicit tested his legs and found that they were listening to him again. He began to pick himself back up but then he heard rustling. Instinctively he turned to the sound and queued up a Release in his head, though he wasn’t sure he could even successfully cast it.

“Hello? Anyone there?” A voice called out. It was the Esurian tongue, but that didn’t mean much as most of the Beasts around here spoke it. It wasn’t until he emerged from the treeline did Kicit jump to his feet and instantly ready himself for an attack. He was an Esurian, a cloak reminiscent of Kicit’s own wrapped around his neck but instead of being well kept like his, it was in tatters. Rips and tears covered it and Kicit could tell even from where he was that he was not the first owner. Under that was a collection of mismatched clothes and pouches, was he some sort of traveler? Kicit’s ever cautious eyes scanned him for any sort of weapon first and then his stature, particularly his hands, to see if they were ready to draw a release. Yet, he didn’t notice anything that would indicate an attack.

The Esurian caught Kicit’s gaze and a great smile broke across his face. “Found it!” He yelled and started trudging to Kicit.

“Hold it,” Kicit said, holding out his left wing while keeping his right ready to draw a Release. “Who are you?” The Esurian held his hands out wide, opening up the cloak and further showing a lack of weapons.

“My name’s Sullin,” he started making his way towards Kicit who backpedaled with him. “I’m not here to attack anyone.” Sullin looked beyond Kicit at the dark smoke that still rose from the Refuge, remnants of the fires Kicit had put out. His face drained of what little color it had and his hands dropped in defeat. “Damn it, too late.” A few tense moments passed between them before Kicit finally spoke again.

“What’s an Esurian like you doing out here?” He offered. Sullin started to move towards Kicit again.

“Are you all that’s left?” Sullin asked, his voice on the verge of breaking.

“No.” Kicit responded, almost instinctively due to him mostly trying to figure out what this Esurian was doing out here. But the response caused Sullin’s face to raise and smile to tweak the side of his mouth again.

“Thank the heavens, I tried to get here as quickly as I could to warn all of you but I underestimated the thickness of the forest. You’d think something called The Ruptured Grove would be a bit easier to traverse.” Sullin approached Kicit and took in the Avian with a nod. “An Avian, wow, didn’t think any lived on Accaran. Absolutely stunning!”

“I don’t live here,” it was the only thing that Kicit could come up with while trying to rationalize the odd occurrence.

“My mistake, Risen Isle then?” He offered and Kicit cocked his head at the mention of his home. He hadn’t been aware that any Esurians knew about Avians, much less about his home. Kicit responded with a slight nod and the Esurian jutted out one of his furless, featherless bony hands towards him. Kicit looked at the open hand but kept his talons close and after a few quiet moments Sullin pulled his back. “No worries, what are you doing here?” He gestured his hands towards the Refuge.

“I’m traveling with…” Kicit paused for a moment remembering what Mastre Elacce had said about discussing Magic and decided to keep everything vague. “I’m traveling with my Master and are currently taking a rest within Beast’s Refuge.” Kicit said. Sullin’s eyes grew wide at the mention of Master and he nodded with a slightly humorous look on his face, his eyebrows arching at the word.

“Master! My my my that’s something.” His words were etched with more curiosity than questioning. “A Master who has taken an Apprentice! Fascinating! Must be quite skilled yourself.” Kicit took a step back from Sullin, surprised that he knew what he meant when he said Master while the Esurian looked past him again. “Well how about that, sounds like the town was lucky to have your Master here.” He nodded assuredly at his deduction.

“It was me,” Kicit clacked and Sullin’s eyes widened. “I protected the Refuge from the fire.” Sullin took another longer gaze at the Refuge in the distance, his brain seemingly struggling with the fact. Kicit, determined to show what he could do continued. “My Master…hurt his wing. I fought soldiers and dealt with the fire.” Kicit preened in the small boast, part of him did internally recoil at the ill language and white lie towards his Master but he thought he deserved to boast even if it were slight. Sullin’s eyes grew ever wider as he saw the lack of destruction of the town.

“I knew what those soldiers were capable of, wow…” he looked over Kicit again. “That’s impressive.” Immediately, Kicit surged with pride and his feathers rustled at the compliment.

“Thank you Sullin, my name is Kicit.” He lowered his head, still keenly aware of what the Esurian was doing. But, that was just it, he wasn’t doing anything that would indicate to Kicit danger or cause for caution, only that he was an Esurian. Still it was an odd predicament and Kicit wondered what to do.

“Ah Kicit, wonderful wonderful name to be sure,” Sullin shook his head up and down as if confirming the name in his head. “Do all Avian names have such a distinct click to them?” He asked seemingly oblivious to the strangeness of the whole thing. Not knowing how to answer, Kicit didn’t respond, which seemed to be the right thing to do as Sullin drew in a deep breath and started towards Beast’s Refuge. “Either way, I don’t suppose there’s water? I’m as thirsty as a young’n at the bar.” Sullin said moved past him. Kicit, bewildered at the sudden change in topic followed after him.

“Sir, many will not take too kindly to seeing you arrive.” Kicit spoke in a voice loud enough to reach Sullin. His legs still wobbling as he walked.

“Oh I’m certainly sure of it but I have you to vouch for me!” Sullin responded in a voice that didn’t fit the scene in front of him.

***

Just as Kicit had thought, Sullin was noticed before he had a chance to get within earshot of the Refuge and was affronted by Tontashi, the towering guard was now sporting half an ear and a new bandage hugging a fresh burn down her left arm. Her right pad carried a sword, evidence of use still stained on it. Her face twisted and swirled to a snarl and her booming voice carried on the wind like an eruption.

“Another snake!” Her grip tightened on her weapon and she pointed the menacing tip towards the approaching Esurian. Sullin, much to Kicit’s surprise, didn’t so much as flinch at the death in his face and instead gently held out his hands like he’d done to Kicit.

“I bring no ill feelings, I have only come to offer my services as I am too late.” He said keeping his hands out. Tontashi raised her sword, a rage of lost friends driving her movements until she took notice of Kicit following up behind him and she hesitated.

“Avian?” She growled, her snarl starting to wane. Around them other guards started to congregate, all training their weapons on the Esurian but gaze affixed on Kicit. “And just what were you doing out there?” She added.

“Apologies.” Kicit began, “I had needed some space to rest after a Release I cast and settled near the treeline. Sullin here emerged from the woods talking about how late he had been.” Tontashi reset her gaze back on Sullin who raised an eyebrow at Kicit’s response. Tontashi looked him up and down before sighing out of her nose.

“Late? Like late for an attack?” She barked. But Sullin’s face immediately sank and he vigorously shook his head.

“No no no! Not that, honestly! I am late in delivering the message of the attack. Had heard the soldiers talking about it as they left Atheson and thought I could make it here quicker than them but the Ruptured Grove turned out to be quite…thick.” He said and Tontashi lowered her sword, followed by the rest of the group.

“Have a habit of eavesdropping on guards huh?” She asked and Sullin nodded his head quickly.

“Oh yes, I begged right near the gate you see and they don’t think anyone is within earshot but they forget about me!” He added and Tontashi sighed.

“He may be helpful.” She started and Sullin’s face immediately lifted, but she wasn’t finished. “And tear off his clothes,” she said with a flick of her muzzle. “He may be hiding something.” Sullin let loose a nervous chuckle and pulled his arms back.

“Y..you can’t be serious? In such esteemed company as all you folk?” Sullin gestured around towards the others but they all stared at him with such an intensity that Kicit was surprised that he kept his posture and had not resorted to cowering. Though realizing that he didn’t have much of a choice in the matter Sullin eventually dipped his head in a belated acknowledgement and began to disrobe. Taking to doing it himself to avoid the embarrassment of them being torn off.

He started with his tattered travelers cloak but with each new article he pulled off and dropped to the ground his attention turned back to Tontashi who didn’t show as much as a twitch, so he moved onto the next article. Before long Sullin had undressed down to his undergarments, his bare, furless legs, arms and chest in full view. Only then did Tontashi finally stop him with a growl. “Why thank you.” Sullin smiled realizing he didn’t need to go one step further.

“Tie him up in the edge of town until I can decide what to do with him.” Tontashi barked and two other guards, a Cervine and Feline, moved towards the half naked Esurian, grasping his arms before he had a chance to move.

“Well hey now, I’m not here to hurt anyone!” Sullin protested but Tontashi leaned in, her sharp glinting teeth, still stained with blood from the morning, in full view of the Esurian.

“Neither were we.” The sharpness of her voice finally shut the Esurian up and he was dragged away. She followed them with her gaze for a while before turning back to Kicit, who had started to feel quite awkward about the whole thing, especially with Sullin’s clothes still on the ground. Another guard had started to rummage through them, searching for any weapons before bunching it all up and following the others. Once out of ear shot though, she finally spoke again. “Kicit, right?”

“Yes,” he responded, quite surprised that she knew his name.

“Stories are starting to spread about one of the Avian mages and how he managed to compel the fire to water.” One of her eyebrows raised slightly. “That you?”

“It was yes.” Kicit said keeping his response short but allowing himself to puff out his feathers a bit. She sheathed her sword and rubbed her muzzle with a curious look in her eyes.

“Interesting.” Was all she said. Kicit couldn’t help but call back to his conversation with Master Elacce about the Avian’s relationship with Canines. Out of all the Beasts they were the ones he had seen the most as many had taken up residence within Other’s Harbor on the Risen Isle, the only other Species even allowed to step on the shores. Was she aware of the relationship? Did she think she could demand something out of Kicit right here and now? He pulled his cloak back over his body to cover it completely.

“It takes a lot out of me, I must confess.” Kicit said, though by now he had mostly recovered and felt well enough to do it again if he had to. He just didn’t want to give Tontashi the wrong impression. She nodded and turned without saying another word leaving Kicit to himself.