Kacper Paweł Świderski

Raven Wing

With blackened wings I fly
My mystic spirit guide
An ever-watchful sentinel
The raven at my side
With blackened wings I fly
My magic spirit guide
An omen of my transformation
On raven wings I fly

– Jon Schaffer

 

Erik walked beneath the shade of the trees. Luckily the woods were not as scorching as the stone-laden city he had left just a few days ago.

Actually I got kicked out.

Oh yes, sorry, I was trying to put it a little less bluntly – actually, he got evicted from his home and was now camping in the woods. He had to move constantly to avoid the patrols – vagrancy carried a severe penalty.

Of course, they won’t put you in prison – in most cases that would be a favor not a punishment. They won’t fine you either – how would a homeless person pay in the first place? No.

The punishment was usually a severe thrashing, and forest patrols do not mess up on that – they do it well and good. Typically, they also take the liberty of still stealing what little their victim had. Of course, not money, but few patrols would let a coat or a digital device go to waste – one can always find some use for the woolen blanket or a bag.

Yea, that’s why I have to get away fast.

Yes, I was about to get to that.

A day away on horseback, or two days on foot, and a person is out of city jurisdiction. But there is a catch – these are king’s woods, meaning the area patrolled is basically the entire county.

And you guessed it – my town is nowhere near the border.

It’s getting dark, Erik has to assemble a shelter for the night. At night, the guards usually don’t bother too much about keeping watch out, but then – wild animals come out, so hardly anyone travels about in the dark. It is much better to camp. And so he did.

I am not just any down and out vagrant – I am Erik son of Vlas, ranger’s blood is in my veins and I was the acolyte of Myrdin, god of nature – I know my way around the bushcraft and the forests. I have some stuff with me luckily; I AM PREPARED.

It is a gamble however, and Erik knows it. The more stuff you have on you when you’re a when vagrant, the more likely it is to get nabbed by the guards, the more likely you are to get a good going over. They assume you’re not only homeless, but also a thief.

Night has come. Erik sleeps under a makeshift, canvas roof. On a bed of leaves and wrapped in his cloak as a blanket. There are footsteps. Stealthy and quiet. Something nudges him. He springs up, drawing his axe. It is just a raven.

What are you doing here, little guy? I have barely anything to give you. Adventurers do not carry seeds and you should know that.

The raven quietly nods in the direction of footsteps.

Huh? You want me to check it?

Erik listens closely.

Is it some kind of wild animal? Oh no – worse – the bastards screw me over enough in the daytime, but what are they doing on a night patrol?

Erik quickly gathers his stuff ready to make a run for it, but he knows he may not make it. Fight? He’s outnumbered. Flight? He will lose all he has. Then the raven croaks. Erik’s heart stops.

The stupid bird will lure them!

But just as he is about to scare the raven away, it shots him a deadly glare. The boy stops in his tracks. What are you?

The guards’ footsteps seemed not to advance any closer, but he decides to change places anyway. It’s too dangerous here.

MATES – I GOT ONE!

He hears the scream from behind. The guards have found him. He jumps forward to run, skirts past the raven and dumps everything on the ground. But then something strange happens. The raven gives an almighty caw and flies straight at the guard, blocking his view with its huge, black wings. A beak or set of talons won’t do much against the chain mail, but they are certainly unpleasant. Especially when all of your other companions are being blinded by ravens as well.

Okay, hold on, where did they all come from?

Erik stops in his tracks. He feels the primal call of the nature itself.

Father…

The guards scarper off, luckily unharmed besides some minor damage to their armor. The raven, clearly the head of this unkindness, comes closer to Erik.

Thank you.

He says that, barely able to breathe, kneels down in reverence. This is a reminder of what he was taught.

Reach into your intuition, follow the call and be the one with from where you came. We are all children of the same life source. Respect the bug just as you do the bear, respect the mouse as you do a human. Give yourself to nature and nature will give itself to you. It is a jealous, yet sacred, faithful union.

He continues his journey, assisted by these new companions. They help him find food – which they share; they help him find shelter – which they share; they help him find his way –they share the privation together. He lost his camping gear that fateful night.

Nature is god, and god is nature. Respect it like a god. Humans are nature and so nature is human. Respect it as you do a fellow human.

In time he manages to escape the dreaded woods; he finds the border and crosses it. After what seems weeks – he is free of the guards.

I don’t wanna go. Yes, I know woods are no place for humans but… oh, it’s hopeless, I cannot stay with you, can I?

Erik leaves the woods and approaches a village right by the border. Luckily, he knows the language. They do not know him, but no one cares. This is the frontier – everyone is a stranger and has come from somewhere. After a brief chat with the Lokator, Erik is appointed a position in the village and a new name – Velevit. His house sits at the edge of the woods.

Hello friend long time no see. I’m managing alright here.

His ravens still visit him, just as he visits them.