You know what! I'm posting it...the story that I've been tooling with for an eternity at this point. I kept flip-flopping between posting it to a place like this or trying to get it published but I thought no time like the present. I want to get it out there, want to push something out into the world. Maybe someone will enjoy it and that's a lot better than just sitting on my hard drive while I think about things to do.

I am very proud of myself for actually writing this. It's been years in the making. This is the very start of all that I have written, as of now it's over 120k words long and alot more is on the way. I will try and post on a consistent schedule as there is lots to post! But without further ado - The Avian's Apprentice.

It's much better if you download the PDF!

Illustrated by: https://bsky.app/profile/freddy1565.bsky.social
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The Esurian Islands - magic is alive and well. Those that can use it are able to mold the world around them; given they have the skill to do so.

Kelkera is a Vulpine stuck within a Esurian town. For years she has looked through the small window in her closet room, wondering where the travelers who frequent her town are from and where they are going. She's finally getting some more responsibility, to actually stand behind the bar for once! But then things take a turn for the worse when the town watch arrives......eager to blame the lone Vulpine for things she did not do.

Kicit is an Avian Caster apprenticed under one of the Nine Masters; the black corvid Master Elacce. It has been eight long years under the Master's talon and long overdue for him to finally join the ranks within Rukiem's Order and to select his own Apprentice, a topic Master Elacce has been strangely quiet about. Instead of advancing Kicit, Master Elacce tells him they have a mission off of the Risen Isle and Kicit finds himself aboard a Canine vessel sailing to the Esurian Island Accaran without any idea of why.

Follow Kicit as he is confronted with a new world that is far different than the one he knew on his small Island. Filled with new people, species, spells, plots, histories and secrets desperately wanting to be seen. But after all, Kicit is a Caster, he can deal with it...can't he?

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The glow of the three great moons filled the vast fields of the Leukos Plains. The trio of pale orbs slowly tracked across the sky, one after another; following the same path they did every night watching over the islands below. Kelkera watched them, enraptured by their silent nightly march across the sky.
“It’s quite chilly tonight.” Luka said, tearing Kelkera’s attention away from the moons and breaking the trance that she had let herself fall into. “Well, at least for me. You’re probably just fine.”
“What do you think the Moons are?” Kelkera asked, turning her gaze back to the darkening sky. Luka sat up, shivering.
“I’m serious, it's getting really cold.” Luka groaned. Kelkera sighed and sat up with her and reached for the small knapsack that she had brought with them. Producing a light blanket she tossed it to Luka who only looked confused. “You brought two blankets?” She asked, patting the one they were sitting on.
“I knew you’d probably get cold so I brought it for you. Don’t get it too dirty though, I borrowed it out of a room at the Day’s End and I doubt Elenor would appreciate me using it.” Kelkera said, placing the knapsack back down next to her. Luka adjusted herself so she was sitting cross-legged and wrapped the blanket around herself. The only sound for a few moments was the fire crackling and insects chirping with it. A small irrigation stream babbled along in the distance adding a soft clam to the evening.
“Why do you stick around there, The Days End.” Luka finally muttered, the choppiness of her words catching Kelkera slightly off guard.
“It’s work, I get paid.”
“Yeah, barely and it seems every time something goes wrong it's on you and that pay goes away.” Luka had pounced on the words forcing Kelkera’s attention away from the sky and towards her friend.
“I mean, Elnora isn’t as bad as she seems.” Kelekra paused, looking towards the dirt. “I don’t know, it’s basically all I’ve known plus I get a free room.”
“A free closet you mean.” Another silence and the topic died. Luka opened her mouth again but the words caught in her throat and she quickly retreated. Kelkera had heard it though and met her in the eye.
“What were you going to say?” Kelkera asked, in a playful tone. Luka shifted slightly in her blanket and opened her mouth again.
“I kind of wanted to ask, I’ve known you for a long time and well, what’s it like?” Her question confused Kelkera who finally turned her full focus on Luka.
“What do you mean, what’s what like?”
“You know, what is it like being…being a Beast?” She finally said. This time her eyes had fallen to the ground in shame of asking but all Kelkera could do was laugh.
“That’s it? Luka, it’s been years and you’re scared to ask me that?” Kelkera chuckled and looked down at her own body. Unlike Luka, an Esurian, she was covered in gray and white fur. Her hands, in the place of palms and fingertips, had thick pads and black claws, more akin to paws. Her crossed legs bore more of a semblance to a feral dog's hind legs then Lukas and her feet were arranged like large canine pads. A muzzle protruded out of her face and a pair of triangle-like ears sat on top of her head constantly listening to their surroundings evidenced by slight involuntary twitches.
“Well, I don’t know anything different.” Kelkera said. “So I’m not quite sure how to answer that.”
“What is it like to have fur though? I imagine it to be like an incredibly soft blanket surrounding me at all times.” Luka settled into the wrapped blanket even more as she spoke, imagining the feeling being permanent.
“If by soft and warm you mean scratchy and at times blistering hot then yes, it is.” Kelkera chuckled lightly and rubbed her pads together. “But really, I guess it's a bit odd, you know, living in an Esurian town. Even being here as long as I have I still get looks, stares. Sometimes people at the Tavern speak to me slowly like I’m stupid or something and need to really get their point across, to that I usually drop a bit of fur in their drink. Then there’s Tobias.” Kelkera’s attitude dropped with her nose and she avoided Luka’s line of sight. The fire sounds filled the air but then Luka broke it again.
“Kelkera, you’re definitely not stupid.” She beamed. “You’re the smartest person I know! Not everyone can say they taught themselves how to read.”
“Kind of read.” Kelkera corrected. “Only kind of. It’s not like I could go into the Magistrates office, take anything off the shelf and just start reading it.
“Kind of reading is reading to me and better than anything I could do. But I mean, with you being able to do that and with the stares that you get. Why don’t you just-” A longer than it should have pause filled the air, “leave?”
By now any light from the sun had long descended past the horizon and the fire’s light radiated only a few paces in any direction giving the illusion that they had been swallowed by darkness.
“Are you saying you want me to leave?” Kelkera asked, a bit of a waver and sight tinge in her voice betrayed her calmness.
“No no, not at all, I just want you to be-” Luka searched her brain. “Happy.”
“I’ll be happy if we can do this more often.” Kelkera smiled, in her case, a slight curve at the end of her muzzle. “It’s been way too long.” She raised her arms in the air in a big stretch and slowly got to her feet, brushing away some dirt that had found its way into her fur. “But I think I should head back, it’s a big day tomorrow.”
“A big day?” Luka asked, following Kelkera’s actions of standing up and stretching. She folded the blanket and handed it back to Kelkera who picked up the knapsack and stuffed it back inside.
“At least an interesting day. Elenor and Antony are meeting with the Magistrate tomorrow in an attempt to persuade him to give them the empty building right at the entrance of Market Square. It’d mean more business and better sales.” Kelkera said, moving to snuff out the fire with some padfuls of dirt.
“What does that have to do with you?”
“It means that I’ll be running the bar alone for a good portion of the day; can’t say I’m terribly excited.”
“So that’s why you wanted to escape for a bit.” Luka said as the two started their small trek back to Carran’s Rest. Kelkera nodded and moved closer to Luka, wrapping her arm around her friends as she guided Kelkera through the night.

***

The sun rose on the golden Leukos Plains, sprawling far into the horizon. Green grass broke up field after field of grain that circled out around the small town of Carran's Rest, the travelers town. Kelkera could just barely make out small moving figures in the distance who were working the fields along with others who were traveling along the roads to one of the bustling cities of which Carran's Rest was not.
Carran's Rest was a place for travelers to rest for a day or two while they made their journeys between the likes of Atheson, Fallkirk, Basil, or even Rusia the school of casting to the east. Kelkera had seen travelers from every part of the Accaran come through her home though they rarely did more to her than stare in her direction. It used to be they did it in secret, but she had noticed now they just stared; even if they knew she noticed them.
“Wonder where they’re headed.” She whispered under her tongue from the vantage of the second story window. It was a thought that came to mind many times for Kelkera but one she rarely got the answer to. She tore her eyes from the scenic view and got back to what she was supposed to be doing, cleaning out the room for the next guest. Her hope that there would be many vacancies so she could avoid going downstairs to start the day at the bar had not proven fruitful, as only two had left in the night. Instead, she paid more meticulous attention to cleaning the rooms than she had ever done before. Sweeping every nook and cranny, batting down the cobwebs that had been the corners for weeks, searching every corner for anything the previous tenants may have left. Usually, if they did Elnora would turn around and sell for a free profit. Yet as the list of things she could do dwindled, Kelkera sighed, rendered her job complete and headed downstairs to the tavern.
Kelkera had been in Carran’s Rest her entire life and had been working in The Day’s End for most of that. The owner, Elnora, had at one time been kindhearted but a long life of struggle and strife had knocked much of her heart out of her. Still though, she paid Kelkera a few pieces a month and provided her with a roof in exchange for doing pretty much everything. It started as cleaning rooms to which she eventually graduated to cleaning rooms AND bussing tables. But today would different.
The Days End and Tavern was a modest sized affair. Squared, stone beams supported the upper floors where the guest rooms were. The walls had been painted at one time but the color had faded to various shades of brown. Shoty decorations hung from each wall and Kelkera had long stopped trying to figure out what they were. Though Elnora would continue to tell stories to anyone who would listen that they were treasures from all four of the Esurian Islands. Kelkera severely doubted Elnora had ever been outside of Carran’s Rest, much less crossing the great Ona Sea.
“Anyth’n open?” A stern voice called and Kelkera wheeled around to face it. Before her was a stern looking, very rotund Esurian. Her eyes gave the illusion of being sunken into her face and her sagging jowls forced a permanent frown unless she was actively attempting to smile, something she only did for customers.
“Yes, rooms two and three left in the early morning. I cleaned them and they’re ready to go.” She said back. Elnora nodded and moved to the door, thrusting her shoulder into it until the door rattled and opened. She put up a faded green flag on the open door indicating that the tavern was open for business.
“Good.” She said, “I don’t know what’s goin’ on but it’s been booked solid for two weeks, I'll finally be able to afford the good ale again.” The open door let in an already bustling street with the sounds of small vendors hawking their wares outside and refreshed travelers starting their journeys once again.
“I’ll need you at the bar today.” Elnora said. “I’ve got an engagement with the Magistrate and need to be out for some of the day.” Kelkera had been told all this, many times at that but Elnora was nothing but thorough. Kelkera had no doubt in her mind that this thoroughness would be the reason why she would be granted the new building.
“Where’s Antony?” She asked back picturing the lazy, speckled son of Elnora. Who liked to throw his weight around to anyone who he knew wouldn’t say anything back. He usually drank just as much as the patrons and rarely shaved the red stubble from his face. If Kelkera was ever caught taking a single sip of any of the wares, the punishment would come out in full force. Not to Antony.
“How should I know? Bet the loaf is still in bed. He’d better be down here right quick, he’s part of this.” She said, then caught the words like she didn’t want them let out, or rather didn’t want Kelkera to know she thought that way. She quickly changed topics.
“I know it’ll be the first time you’re at the bar alone and I’ll try to send Antony back as quick as I can but you’ll need to pour drinks.” Her gaze flashed back to the several barrels that had been carefully stacked on a rack behind a long, wide wooden bar. “Besides, you Vulpine’s have got them silver tongues don’t ya?” As much as Kelkera wanted to take it as a compliment and that she’d be sending Antony back to help out of the goodness of her heart, she knew that wasn’t the case.
A silence hung in the air for a moment before Kelkera shrugged, her bushy vulpine tail drooping ever so slightly between her dog-like legs. “I’ve heard. But haven’t had the chance to talk to one.”
“Who knows, maybe you’ll run across another today. Had a pair of ‘em last week.” Elnora responded with a flat tone, obviously not enthused by it and waved her hand as if pushing Kelkera behind the bar. “Remember to get payment before serving and if anyone makes trouble, call out for the watch.”
“You know the watch wouldn’t answer me!” Kelkera protested.
“Well then, yell louder.” Elnora responded. Then a creek of the stairs alerted them to a young male Esurian with dark brown hair and a round face coming down. Elnora crossed her arms and marched up to him. “Antony, I said we’re going to be late! We’ll have to fix you right up on the way.”
“Mom, we’ve still got at least a little while longer. Why'd you demand I get up this early!” He responded in a complaining tone that if Kelkera had used it would have gotten her pay deducted by half for that day. Instead she just said “come on” and waddled out of the door leaving Kelkera totally alone.

***

She stood behind the counter, unmoving for a good while before her tail twitched. Kelkera let out a long breath to calm herself, really though, how bad could this be? If Antony could do it she certainly could.
Then a slight creak of someone walking along the floorboards above her rang through the empty tavern and she froze. It was followed by the sound of a door shutting and her first customer descended the stairs. Much to her surprise, he was a Cervine who had come down to grab an early drink.
He stood tall, or looked like it because of the large branching antlers that sprouted out of his head. Under a faded and dirtied linen shirt lay a short dense fur and unlike most of the other patrons she’d seen come through he was quite muscular which contrasted against his relatively thin face. She wasn’t quite sure what to do while he approached the closest rickety chair at the bar and sat.
“Morning!” He said, his voice was low but still above where she pegged it at. Kelkera tipped her muzzle at him and he tapped on the counter. Her tail lowered and he tapped again. She had absolutely no idea what that meant! Did it mean he wanted a beer? Ale? Or was he demanding something else? But the Cervine rapt his black tipped fingers again. “Just gimme what you got! I’m not picky.” He said and all of the stress that Kelkera built up immediately released. She let out her breath and poured him a drink. He nodded his antlered head.
“Mathias!” he said. “So what’s a Vulpine doing here? Don’t find too many of them out of Atheson. But I heard they’re quite plentiful on Lauror! Breed like rabbits do they!” He joked with an innocent cocky smile.
“Wouldn’t know, I’ve always just been here.” Kelkera said with a sheepish smile of her own while he took a gigantic swig of his drink. The cup slammed and his face winced as the bitter beer went down.
“Not the best stuff.” He coughed and Kelkera immediately reached for the cup and to apologize but instead Mathias just chuckled. “Oh don’t worry about it, a drink is a drink! Just don’t compare to some of the stuff back home. Fully awake now though.”
“Then, I guess consider it on me since you don’t like it.” She said and Mathias’s face lit up. “Well hey now! Thank you much! Nice to meet such nice folk.” He grinned. Once again Kelkera backed away and let out a sigh of relief. “What’s your name?”
“It’s Kelkera. Sorry, I just haven’t done this very much. Normally I’m collecting the dishes and cleaning rooms.” At that his eyes widened and another smile broke over his face.
“Ooh Kelkera! Moving up in the world! Well you’re doing a fine job!” He said and she felt some of her apprehension melt away. “Look it’s pretty easy really, just give people a drink and if anyone has a problem, I’ll take care of them!” He winked. “Free of charge of course!” It was said in jest but it honestly did make her feel better and Kelkera finally felt her fur relax and leaned against the bar.
As she did however a few more descended the stairs and others filtered in from outside and before she knew it there were more full chairs than empty. A few times someone would come in, see Kelkera behind the bar and immediately leave or avoid her sight as they ordered and sat as far as they could from her.
Yet, as Kelkera started to serve more people she felt the pressure coming off of her and honestly the fact that Mathias had been fairly talkative was a plus! Though it could have also been that he was another Beast, either way she was glad he was there.
“So, where are you headed?” Kelkera asked Mathias later after she finished serving a line of Esurians who had queued up. He raised his cup and tipped it again.
“Heading off to Atheson! I’m normally stationed in Farclaw but every year we need to report status to Atheson, you know, troop numbers, equipment, that sort of thing and I drew the short piece this year; first time too.”
“You’re all the way from Farclaw?” Kelkera gaped. “How long have you been on the road?” At that Mathias pondered for a second, tapping his fingers as if he was counting the days.
“By near a week I think?” He said before nodding to confirm. “They don’t exactly keep that close of an eye on us out there.”
“Militia?” Kelekra asked.
“Yeah! Volunteered after certain things didn’t work out at home, but life has a way of doing that and look at me now, seeing the world!” The stag puffed his chest out and Kelkera couldn’t help but think he was attempting to brandish his antlers for her.
“Oh shut it!” A voice called from the other side of the bar. “All you animals do is talk talk and talk. You should just go back to the forest and leave talking to the real people.” The voice belonged to an Esurian who had come in shortly after Mathias got his drink. Kelkera had noted that he picked the furthest bar seat from where the two Beasts were having their conversation. Mathias zeroed in on the voice as well and narrowed his eyes.
“And what’s a drunk like you going to do about it?” He pushed and the man’s brows turned, his mouth slanted and he scoffed at Mathias.
“Esurian’s were here first. I don’t have a problem with you animals it's just you have to put your noses in all the shit everywhere you go. They now even got foxes running bars and taverns.” He tilted his head in Kelkera’s direction. “Put a cork on your antlers, shut up for once and let me drink without hearing ya, like the deer of old.” His words rang with the slight err of alcohol but Mathias rose to his feet, eyes still focused intently on the man.
“The owners are just out for part of the day, they will be back later.” Kelkera attempted, trying to diffuse the situation before it got too out of hand.
“But you’re just going to let him talk to us like that?” Mathias said, never taking his gaze off of the man. Little did he know that Kelkera was on the receiving end of such jabs on a daily basis.
“I’ll say what I want! The King’s got my back, who’s got yours? That little bitch?” The man rose to his feet with a noticeable wobble and Mathias rolled his neck, preparing for a fight. The rest of the Tavern had already taken notice and each one had turned to watch what to them was good entertainment. Every one of them would have bet that the Cervine would pummel the Esurian. He looked meager and his drunken state paid him no favors where as Mathias, while a bit tipsy, still had all of his balance and if he was in a militia, definitely had some kind of training.
To Kelkera however this was a nightmare, fights happen sure, but having a fight occur the first time she was supposed to be watching the place by herself! Elnora would certainly dock her pay, or worse.
Mathias rolled his shoulders as he approached the man, it was a pretty sure decision about what was going to happen. At least, it should have been, but as Mathias threw the first punch, the Esurian ducked and avoided what would have been a fist in the face. Mathias, not expecting the Esurian to be as nimble, hesitated before the man righted himself and laid a punch right into the Cervine's chest. Mathias wheeled back and tried to regain his footing but failed and fell back onto his short tail. The man stumbled slightly and leaned against the bar for support while the Cervine just gaped at him.
“W…what?” A slight waver tinged the end of his words.
“You want to think about trying that again?” The Esurian taunted, drawing heavy breaths between the words. Mathias barked and jumped back to his feet. He dove for the man who, still relishing in his quick moves, did not have a chance to get out of the way. Mathias, careful to keep his tall antlers out of the fight, connected his fist squarely into the Esurian’s jaw and he fell against the bar.
“Say enough shit and it comes back at ya!” Mathias laughed. The Esurian wiped a trace of blood from his nose.
“I’ll say what I want! You animals don’t deserve to be here! You’ll all be coats by the time I’m though with you!” He steadied himself for another pass but before he could the part of the bar that the Esurian had leaned against suddenly opened up like a mouth chomping on its prey. It reached out, extending all the way to the Esurian and wrapped around his waist and arms before pulling him back into the middle; securing him tightly in place within the wood of the bar.
The tavern immediately deafened and watched the man quietly struggle against his new prison while Mathias looked around the open room with a fight still in his eyes.
“Who’s casting!” He called out, fists ready, only to be met with silence. Silence and the slight creek of wood coming from the floorboards near the door. All in the tavern snapped to the sound to find the oddest sight.
He, or at least Kelkera thought it was a he, stood with his black beak facing the now captured Esurian. A great black cloak surrounded his entire body and wrapped all the way down to his feet. While a pair of dark eyes peered through a face of black feathers, they were serious and held great wisdom but also an intensity that Kelkera did not want to cross.
After a few moments he broke his concentration on the man and turned his focused gaze at Kelkera. Then, very deliberately, he moved across the floor to the bar. Kelkera swore he was actually flying over the ground as he seemed to float. All eyes stared into him but he seemed to pay it no mind and instead approached Kelkera, stopping just short of the bar he gave her a small nod of a greeting.
“Hope you don’t mind me barging in.” He said. His voice was odd. It was slurred and stilted at the same time, probably due to his lack of lips and attempting to speak a tongue that all but required it. However it wasn’t bad, it held a grandfather like quality to it, full of old wisdom and logic with a hint of strictness. That is, completely opposed to the bit of magic he had just performed.
“Thank you.” Kelkera stuttered out and nothing else; still too frozen to think beyond the man that was stuck in the bar. Behind them a few of the patrons stood and rushed out the door, but Kelkera paid them no mind.
“Do you have any vacancies? Everywhere else is full.” The Avian asked Kelkera. But she didn’t hear it, instead her own attention was still focused on the trapped man, who now looked like he was growing from the waist out of the bar.
“Vulpine? Do you have any vacancies?” He spoke again and the odd grandfatherly voice was back to rock Kelkera out of her trance. She blinked a few times and returned focus to the Avian.
“Yes!” She stuttered. Her heart was still pumping but she didn’t know why. It was quite obvious that this Avian wouldn’t do anything to her, he had just saved her from that nasty brawl growing out of hand.
“Actually, do you have two? My Apprentice is in the market and will be joining me later.”
“S….sure. How many nights?” Kelkera was now in automatic mode, just mimicking what she had heard Elnora do for so many years.
“Just the one, we will be leaving in the morning.”
“That’d be two silver coins.”
“Two silver coins?” He then reached into his dark black cloak and rummaged around. “Ah, I have given my wallet to my Apprentice, do you mind if he pays when he arrives?” The voice sounded so earnest. He wasn’t trying to con or swindle, he was honestly asking.
“I think that will be ok.” Kelkera blurted out, she didn’t really think it through and was more thinking about how to get the man free. The Avian’s face feathers, the only part of him that was visible, ruffled slightly and he gave her a dignified bow of his head.
“Much Appreciated.” He said and turned towards the stairs.
“Rooms are two and three, they’re right next to each other past the first door on the right.”
The avian cocked his head slightly in what Kelkera imagined was a facsimile for a smile and moved halfway up the stairs. “Please, when my Apprentice arrives, tell him the room numbers, he will look like me.” He said and then slowly climbed the rest of the stairs and disappeared from view.
It was like a blanket lifted from the tavern, voices started to speak up again and the man now still stuck in the counter struggled against his restraints, though oddly still completely silent. Mathias on the other hand had not moved throughout the entire interaction, slack jawed at the sight.
“That…that was…what was that?” He finally said and turned to Kelkera. “I’ve never seen such a thing!”
“I don’t know.” She echoed and blinked her cloudy yellow eyes. “You’ve never seen one either?”
Mathias shook his head and then walked over to the man stuck in the counter to investigate the Avian’s handiwork. A full unbroken piece of wood wrapped around his waist, he was in a constant struggle to get free but it was a total imprisonment. Not even his hands could move more than a bit to the left or right. It was only then that Kelkera noticed that the man was trying to speak, his mouth was running as if he were yelling at the top of his lungs but no sound came from it. She didn’t understand. What did that Avian do? The Cervine seemed to notice at the same time and gawked.
“He took his voice!”

It was then that an armored man entered the tavern and once again everyone looked towards the door. His face was pudgy, rosy, and round with pale blue eyes and unkempt hair. While a stain from some sort of sauce ran across his cheek. A simple leather chest piece covered his torso with a crudely carved symbol that was on the verge of being incomprehensible. His hand lay perilously close to a single handed wooden club affixed to his belt and an air of misplaced superiority covered the rest of his body. Kelkera took one look and tried to duck under the counter to avoid his line of sight.
“All right what happened!” It didn’t take more than a simple look about the room for him to jump back in abject horror. As if acting on instinct he unlatched his club and raised it to Mathias who happened to be standing closest to the man in the counter.
“Step away from him!” His orders, while trying to sound authoritative, wavered slightly. Mostly worried what the Cervine might do to him.
“It wasn’t me! A…A Crow came in and did it!” Mathias protested.
“A Crow? Look if you’re going to make up stories, pick a better lie.” The Watch member took a step towards the Cervine sensing a bit of fear.
“Tobias stop! It was a Mage’s handiwork.” Kelkera jumped in and pointed towards the stuck man who was still attempting to speak. “He saved Mathias from whatever that Esurian was going to do with him.”
Tobias’s eyes scanned the scene again and narrowed in on Kelkera.
“Of course it’s you. I have two animals standing in front of…of something and they blame the Esurian?” He leered and glanced at the stairs. “Where’s your keeper?” He asked.
“She’s out, along with Antony. It’s just me.” Kelkera said through gritted teeth. The look that Tobias gave her was one of sheer disdain and he turned around to a few other Esurians who had been present.
“Alright, who saw what happened? Did a Mage really come through and do this?” He asked them and the group of them nodded in silent affirmation. Tobias glanced at the stairs again and then holstered his club.
“Fuck’n animals, making trouble wherever you’re going.” He grumbled. “What do you expect me to do with a man stuck in a counter!”
“I believe I might be able to help.” Another slurred voice called, once again from the entrance of the tavern and the eclectic group turned towards it. There stood, surprisingly, another Avian. Much like the other he was completely hidden from the neck down by a cloak, only this one was a dark forest green held with a brass broach. A small plumage of deep blue feathers sat atop of his head and an obsidian black beak extended from his face. Most of the rest of his face was covered with white feathers, save for a border of black ones while the rest was covered in a bright blue.
“What is going on here? What’s your business?” Tobias demanded, motioning with his club.
“My Master and I were on our way to Atheson and we needed a rest, so we stopped.” The Avian said and gave a nod to Tobias. “My name is Kicit, a pleasure.”
“All yours I’m sure.” Tobias sneered. “But we don’t need another-” he stopped unsure of what to call the sight, “-animal like yourself messing everything up.” To his credit Kicit did not show any negative emotion and only clicked his beak very slightly.
“I promise I will not hurt him. My Master may be dramatic but I’ll be able to set him straight.” Kicit strode across the floor much like the other Avian had done. Though where the older one flowed across the room, he made a distinct tick-tack sound; made by his talons against the worn wood. He strode past Tobias, who had stepped away with a dramatic flourish, to get a better look at the stuck man. Then he made what could only be described as a single squawk before drawing back and ruffling his cloak. The man in the counter meanwhile, terrified at the thought of another Avian Casting anywhere near him continued to try and make his voice heard but no sound came.
“Interesting.” He said and then drew in extremely close to the man who pulled back as much as he could. The entire tavern had fallen silent, watching the Avian’s every move. Then, with a singular movement of his right wing, Kicit slapped the man in the face. Tobias erupted and drew his club but before he could bring it down upon the Avian the man cried out.
“The fuck!” His voice rang and everyone froze, Tobias’s club mid swing, except for the Avian who drew back his wing under the cloak. “What was that for!” The man shouted but Kicit kept his calm.
“It’s a complex Release with a simple solution. Pain. Though, he made it pretty weak, you’re lucky I didn’t have to slice your talon.” Kicit said. Then without another word a song came from his beak. It whistled and tweeted like any other bird before he brought up his scaly hand in front of him and made incredibly quick but deliberate lines in the air. Once he was done, the lines he drew flashed in a brilliant white, evidencing every stroke for all but a moment before disappearing. As soon as they did the bar wood opened up like it was on a hinge and the man dropped out of it, tumbling to the floor. The bar then closed up behind him and then ceased to move again, as if nothing had happened. The whole action took less than a few moments at which Kicit stumbled and reached out to a nearby chair for balance.
“There you go, good as new.” He said between gasps for air but Tobias’s face was pure anger. The Avian had been right though, the man was free and seemed unharmed though speechless for a different reason. He extended a hand for the newly freed Esurian to help him up. The man glared at the trio of Beasts, ready to tear into them but paused as he thought better of angering a Mage.
“You don’t look injured and you can walk.” Tobias said with a sigh. “But I suggest finding a different room, don’t think this will be too welcoming for Esurian’s anymore.” The words dug into Kelkera just as far as the dagger-like stare he gave her. Then, without saying anything else he turned with the other man and marched out of the Tavern, the other Esurians followed and it wasn’t until after they left that Kelkera remembered that most of them had not paid their tab.
Mathias finally relaxed after they had left and dropped a few bronze pieces on the counter; he then approached the Avian who still seemed to be recovering. “Give your Master this as thanks for me.” Mathias extended a hand. Kicit held out a four fingered talon from under his cloak and a gold piece dropped into it.
“I’ll, uh, will just go pack up my stuff.” He said and made his way back up the stairs leaving Kicit and Kelkera alone.
Anticipation hung in the air for some moments while Kelkera watched the Avian recover. She finally got a good look at him. He wore a simple but clean sleeveless shirt that dropped to his waist. A belt with small leather pouches held up what looked like shorts except they did not connect in the middle. But what really stole Kelkera’s attention was his legs. They were thin, black and looked to have a rough scaly like surface very similar to the older one’s hands. The way they were bent gave the look that he was constantly ready to spring into the air and fly away. His arms doubled as his wings and the same deep blue color of his plume filled out the feathers that extended down his arms.
He had flipped the coin over in his hand and was looking at it, seemingly inspecting for something and surprised that someone would just give it to him. It was then he noticed the stares from Kelkera. His beak turned towards her and he clicked it once.
“So…” she started, racing to fill the space. “You’re an actual Mage?” Kicit tapped his beak together twice.
“No. I mean, not yet. I’m an Apprentice but that was trivial. Didn’t realize it’d take that much out of me.” He clicked his beak once again.
“I mean, even then we don’t get many Casters coming through and I thought they mostly kept to Rusia. But, I haven’t seen any like-” she paused for a second trying to determine a different way to say it before Kicit filled in.
“Like me?”
Kelkera nodded.
“It’s quite alright. Honestly, I’m a bit surprised seeing a gray Vulpine like yourself here.” He gestured and then turned his head to the open doorway and watched a few outside passerbys go about their business. None of them noticed the rare sight of an Avian watching them. “Most of you are on Lauror aren’t they?”
 “I’ve just always been here.”
“Maybe you’ll get the chance to visit someday. I recommend it, it challenges the imagination.” Kicit said and finally stood up fully, his body sinking behind the cloak again. “Oh, here you should probably have this for the damage. If any.” He presented the gold piece. Kelkera immediately shook her head and pushed his hand away.
“No no, it was your master who helped and you cleaned up. Keep it. Besides, he gave it to you.” It was instinctual, the moment she said it her stomach dropped.
“Oh, well, if you think so. My Master is not the best with his money so I’m sure he would appreciate it.” He said and turned to the stairs. “By the way, he is upstairs right?”
“Rooms two and three.” Kelkera nodded.
“Thank you…” He trailed off “I’m sorry, what was your name?”
“Kelkera.”
“Ah, thank you Kelkera.” Kicit gave a proper click with his beak and strode up the stairs.