digibutter.nerr

[Medikoopa]

Within a ring of mountains was a forest. Within the forest was a river, snaking its way from one of the mountains, through the valley, and out the only gap in the ring. Somewhere near this river, but deep within the forest, was a village.

This village was peaceful and fairly isolated from the rest of the world. However, something about them would cause most, if not all, of the outside world to shun them. It was related to their beliefs.

Because they were isolated, there was little-to-no contact with other humans. Because they lived in this place, there were few animals which left, as the ones which the villagers did not keep for food or (in some cases) companionship, they did not trouble. These animals which they did not trouble were birds, as they were able to leave the place. There were few birds which migrated to this secluded place, but the one which came most often was (and this is what I was referring to) ravens.

As you might guess, because the raven was able to come and go at will, the villagers had developed a most peculiar idea. They believed that the ravens were heavenly spirits (like angels) which had buisness all around the world, and came to this place to take a small break from their work.

Weird, yes? This particular area was close to where the ravens rested the most in all the forest, so these people had built a small community there. They believed they were living at peace with the heavenly spirits, and even helped the younger spirits should they fall from the nests. It was a most horrendous sin to bring harm to these birds, of course. Worse if the raven perished because of the act.

The villagers that lived in this area were the Spiritguards. They tended to any wounded raven with utmost care, kept watch over the young, and chased away any animal that would approach to harm them.

It is important to say that these ravens were common ravens. Normal ravens. They were not demon ravens, although if one did come, who knows what might happen within this village...

[MsDevin92]

Well, let's find out then.

One of Kraehe's familiars, being sent out on a scouting mission for its princess, had encountered a few paladins of the Golden Crown Kingdom and been driven away from the land's borders. The holy magic had weakened and dazed the bird's unnatural senses, so it had mistaken the regular ravens of the village for its kin and flown into the town. It almost immediately fell out of the air, feathers smoldering.

[Medikoopa]

Seeing a raven fall, one of the Ravenguards quickly made their way towards it.

It was a young man, and he, like many others of this village, wore a necklace adorned with raven-feathers. These were made only with fallen feathers, to mark that the one who wore it was of the proper age to tend to the ravens.

Before he touched the fallen bird, he bowed and muttered a short prayer. Carefully, he picked the raven up and held it, palms flat, in his hands.

[MsDevin92]

The raven blearily looked up at the man holding it. For a moment, it considered attacking and eating his heart to regain strength, but...

...Its eyes sparkled wickedly, and it almost seemed to smile.

Somewhere far away, a figure was watching over the scene from her throne room...

"...Very interesting..."

[Medikoopa]

The youth carried the raven to a nearby house. This was a special house: it was where injured ravens were tended to.

Now, because this village was so secluded, their language was vastly different from other humans'. Interestingly, some of the words sounded vaguely like animal noises.

The raven was placed on a soft cushion, where its injuries were tended to.

[MsDevin92]

It cawed in contentment before falling asleep.

[Medikoopa]

When it wakes up, there will be food and water for it to eat, if it is strong enough.

As it slumbers, the Ravenguard were discussing the red-eyed raven. They had never seen a raven with red eyes, so they don't know whether to take this as an ill-omen or as a special event.

[MsDevin92]

The raven, quickly feeling rejuvenated and gobbling down the food, lifted its head and cawed loudly.

A pair of shadows circled over the town square as a pair of red-eyed ravens descended, looking curious and pleased.

[Medikoopa]

A young girl, about the age that Rue was when she was kidnapped by ravens, was playing near where the demon-ravens perched. She looked up and, remembering that the ravens' eyes looked like the ones of the strange new raven, she waved and pointed at the raven-healing house.

[MsDevin92]

One flew over to the healing house, while the other fluttered down to the girl's feet and affectionately nuzzled her leg, almost like a puppy.

[Medikoopa]

The girl wasn't sure whether to pet the raven or not, because she was not of age to help...

In the raven-healing house, there were a couple people tending to all the injured ravens...

[MsDevin92]

The raven outside the healing house cawed, and its brethren flapped its wings excitedly.

[Medikoopa]

There were gaps resembling windows in the walls, allowing ravens to come and go at will.

[MsDevin92]

The raven flew in and landed beside the couple tending to the other demon bird.

"Caw."

[Medikoopa]

The injured demon-raven was no longer injured. Out of courtesy, they presented the other one with food and water as well.

And the poor girl outside was still nervous. She didn't want to touch it because of the laws and she didn't want to accidentally cause the raven harm...