*** The Order of the Falcons ***
The Cathedral of Tharon was still as impressive as on the day he had visited it for the first time, now almost ten years ago. While already build on the highest place in Ravenswatch, dark walls rose up even further, and above them the spire just looked as if it was build to defy the black clouds floating low towards the city, throwing shadows like ink stains over the landscape.
After entering the narthex, the young man hesitated a moment. He recalled this part of the building as being the place initially meant to allow those people not eligible for admittance into a general meeting to hear in the service. It also was and felt as the place where any newcomer, especially one not yet officially in the service of Tharon, should wait.
Garet looked around, his eyes adjusting to the dim light.
Here, within these walls, within this house of worship, his father had been raised and educated, and later after a long path of training and trials, became a Knight Second rank in the Order of the Falcon. After entering the service of Tharon, also known as Bel Marduk, he had been send out to aid those on the battlefields where he joined the cavalry.
He was known as an honorable and just man, and after a few years he acted as a field judge.
Although very focused in serving the Order and Tharon, his father had never lost sight of the other gods, and for that his mother had been partially responsible.
After his injury, now a few years ago, his father retired, but not before he had been approached by the Order to join the council of Elder Knights… which… he refused in order to take care of his family and farm.
Another man came in and though he first passed Garet, he turned on his heels a bit further and eyed the young man.
It was an older man wearing a full armour with lots of golden accents. A half grey half black narrow pointed beard and moustache covered most of his lips, while his hair was overall grey but his light blue eyes radiated vitality and power.
“
Looking for anyone, son?”
Garet nodded,”
My name is Garet, I’m looking for someone to join the Order of the Falcons.”
The man perked a brow and overlooked the well-built young blond man, his eyes briefly going to the staff strapped on his back.
“
I see now, hmm,... you know they are devoted to Tharon?”
He inclined his head,“
I honor Tharon.”
The man tilted his head,”
Favorite weapon?”
“
Quarterstaff, mister…”
The man rubbed his chin,”
Hmm, follow me, son.”
As Garet followed the man through a corridor, he saw him glance over his shoulder.
“
You do know it are usually the Elder Knights who recruit initiates?”
“
Ehm…”
The man stopped at a sturdy wooden door and opened it for Garet, motioning him to enter the next room.
It appeared to be some kind of weapons and training area. Several weapon racks were spread around the room, along with stands for all different kinds of armour. A dozen shields hung up against the walls, and in the middle of the place a square was drawn.
Garet’s keen eye perceived only one quarterstaff in the entire arsenal and as if he read his mind, the older man walked over to get it.
“
Show me…” the man said while he turned around, carefully balancing the weapon.
“
Show…?” Garet raised a brow.
“
The quarterstaff, why do you use it?” the man walked over to the square and motioned Garet to approach him.
Garet blinked once but did so before answering,”
Well, for me the staff is a noble weapon. You have more control over a fight and over the outcome.”
“
Why is that?” the man asked friendly.
Garet smiled a bit,”
Well, you can choose either to disarm your enemy, knock him out, kill him, or decide which body part will hurt the most after he insulted Tharon.”
With his facial hair it was uncertain if the man was showing an approving smile or just raised his upper lip a bit.
He swirled the staff in his hands and nodded to Garet. “
Show me then…”
Garet blinked once but slowly unhooked the staff on his back.
Suddenly the older man stepped in and lashed out with his staff. If Garet hadn’t been any faster, he would have lost the first round, even before hitting wood. He jumped to the left and turned his body.
In his thoughts he thanked his brother Jason for ‘joking’ like this sometimes when they sparred.
“
Very good…focused...” the man nodded while Garet balanced his weapon.
Suddenly he stepped in once more and Garet had to lift his staff in order to defend, but the man feinted and before he knew it, the man had disarmed Garet.
But it didn’t end there…
As Garet’s staff flew to the side, the man had turned his weapon and it was now thrusted in the direction of Garet’s chest. Again his reflexes and skills barely saved him. Without thinking he twisted his body showing his back to the man, while jumping to the right. The man’s staff passed Garet’s elbow and quickly Garet grabbed the weapon. Using the power of the man’s thrust, Garet pulled it out of his hands, disarming him.
Lightning fast Garet turned around, the staff wooshed and followed a circular path, just before it’s end stopped nearly two inches away from the man’s head.
If the man had blinked, Garet hadn’t noticed it.
Then, as if it had been a demonstration of cooking, the older man nodded and calmly walked over to a desk in the corner. He rumbled through a few papers and it seemed he started to read something, just before writing a few things down.
It took some minutes and all that time Garet stood in the square, a bit uncertain about what to say, or ask.
Just before his lips parted, the man in the corner turned towards him.
“
Alright, son, you can go.”
Garet blinked, but swirled his staff with one hand, just before bringing it to his back, where it was attached with an audible click.
He inclined his head to the man and started to walk towards the door.
“
We’ll be expecting you over two weeks. Are you married, son?”
Garet blinked again and stopped, just before turning to the man,”
Over two we... . Ehm, married?… no… not yet.”
“
Well, you seem a bit old for a fledgling, but … we’ll see what we can do.”
Garet inclined his head,”
An honor… am I…”
“
Yes, and you can also tell Richard his son brought honor to his family.”
“
You…know who I... you know my father, sir?”
This time Garet could see some smile on the man’s face,”
Yes I do, and you have his eyes… and his moves.”
Garet inclined his head once more,”
Thank you, sir.”
“
Thank your father, his letter had already warned me you might show up one day,” the man briefly glanced at his desk.
“
Oh, I see. Ehm, but sir… didn’t you say it were usually Elder Knights who recruited initiates? Don’t I…?”
The man’s eyes found Garet’s,”
I am one, son, and I’m recruiting you.”
