by C A Ardron
As the new warriors took up positions nearby in readiness, Falcon rolled her shoulders again. She couldn’t back down from this with five Dakkonin watching.
‘If I have to,’ Falcon replied.
The rogue snarled and rushed forwards. Falcon swerved back, barely missing the swipe of the razor-sharp points on the fingers of his gauntlet.
Falcon had never seen an armour design like that before and was pretty sure it was due to the man’s inability to properly control the medallion.
She leapt up into a Wind-Kick, intending to send him flying backwards, needing some space from him. As Falcon fell back, she gaped - the massive Reptile warrior was unmoved.
Falcon flinched as Komodo Dragon’s fists pounded the ground, and a ferocious roar bellowed from his helmet an instant before he rushed.
She scrambled to her feet, trying to retreat from him as he thundered forwards with even more speed, his on-coming fist connecting with her breastplate.
Her feet left the ground and the market stalls around her became a blur of colour for a second or two. She heard the sharp splinter of wood and knew she’d hit one of them.
Falcon let out a silent scream, an intense jabbing penetrating her left wing. She tried to breathe in, the awful sledgehammer punch had made her insides feel like jelly.
She tried to move but everything hurt too much, she cried out at the pain in her wing. Something had gone very wrong with it.
Falcon watched the fight for a few seconds, Komodo Dragon was throwing the Dakkonin around as if they were straw dolls.
Falcon shook her head and concentrated, summoning up an aura sphere in her hand. She aimed carefully and the next time the rogue’s head turned in her direction, hurled it with all her might.
Falcon watched with grim satisfaction as it struck him squarely in the face, staggering him. With a flurry of wings, Grey Eagle landed besides her.
‘Hold on,’ he told her in his deep voice, ‘this is going to hurt.’
She gasped as the pain in her wing increased, her entire body trembling as she felt something sharply pulled out. Falcon screamed at the sudden burning sensation radiating across what she was sure was now an open wound.
Eagle threw the jagged and bloody piece of wood away and pulled Falcon to her feet. ‘I’ve cauterized the wound. It’ll stop you bleeding out.’
Falcon stared up at the heavy Avian, her body shaking from shock, ‘I didn’t know you could use fire.’
A throaty chuckle escaped his hooked helmet. ‘There’s a lot of things you don’t know about me.’
Falcon drew breath as the rogue roared in anger and rushed towards them. Her teeth clenched, not this time. She gathered her power and threw a long ice shard at him.
She couldn’t help but stare, dismay trickling down her chest when the rogue caught it. ‘Oh no,’ she whispered.
Eagle, shot up into the air but Falcon knew with her injured wing that wouldn’t end well. She rolled to the side as the rogue hurled the ice back at her, folding her wings onto her back.
She’d have no choice but to fall back on her old Feline techniques, but she was in Avian armour and didn’t have any of the Feline benefits.
As Grey Eagle dove upon the rogue and the Dakkonin falcon also engaged, Falcon rushed forwards.
She kept low, weaving under the rogue’s dangerous flailing fists and extending the claw from her gauntlet.
Falcon could hear Lion’s voice in her head, lecturing her on using the claw needlessly. They were Predgarians and should always try to avoid killing and bloodshed.
She was beyond caring at this point. She was injured and could see huge dents in the armour of the Dakkonin, this needed to end.
Falcon thrust her claw into his lower leg as she dove downwards, her free hand letting an icy aura flow free to latch onto his armour.
With a mighty roar he kicked her away. Falcon wheezed, the wind pushed out of her body as she rolled several times across the cobbled ground.
Her eyes bleary, Falcon tried to draw breath as the rogue stomped towards her. Red Fox skidded between them, hurling a fireball at her attacker.
Fingers trembling now, she joined the attack, sending out one last concentrated burst of aura energy.
With a final roar the rogue fled the fight. Falcon watched as he leapt up, jumping higher than she’d ever seen a wingless warrior reach before. His downward momentum was lost amongst the buildings of West Sector.
The danger past, Falcon let herself fall back. She grunted, her face a scowl of pain from her injured wing, but she didn’t move, tiredness consuming her.
Her eyes falling shut, Falcon tried to ignore the horrible pulsing around her mid-rift. She heard the footsteps of an armoured warrior.
‘Are you well, Silver Falcon?’
Not recognising the voice, she opened her eyes, finding the Dakkonin falcon stood over her.
‘Yeah,’ she murmured, though it came out more like a groan.
‘Wasp, Coyote,’ the tall warrior rapped, ‘follow the rogue. The Predgarians will need to know his location.’ He smiled down at her, ‘a rogue isn’t any affair of the Dakkonin, after all.’
‘Thank you for that,’ she responded, forcing herself up into a sitting position. ‘That’ll be very helpful.’
‘It’s the least we can do,’ he replied. ‘You Predgarians do the same for us with Sarpiens.’
Falcon might’ve said more but the male Unician came to her. She noted once more his horned mask, it was fairly impressive.
‘I am White Ibex,’ he told her, ‘a healer of Unicia. Rest easy, Predgarian,’ he told her, placing a hand on her shoulder as he knelt beside her. ‘You’re in good hands.’
‘Rogues are the concern of Unicians,’ the white Avian stated, stepping closer.
‘Yes, but there aren’t usually Unicians to be found within Steiron,’ the colourless warrior returned.
The female Unician ignored him. ‘You must let us deal with this problem while we are here,’ she insisted, looking down at Falcon.
‘You’ll have to take that up with my captain.’
She nodded her acceptance and said no more.
Falcon waited while Ibex’s healing power found out the injury in her wing. She breathed easier when it was done and got to her feet, forcing the pain in her midriff away from her face as she stood.
She couldn’t let the Unician know she was injured under her armour, he might want her to disarm. The Unicians were the only non-Predgarian warriors ever allowed to see them without armour, but she couldn’t risk it. He might ask her to remove her jacket, and then she’d be in trouble.
‘Thank you.’
Ibex nodded his acknowledgement and returned to his friend’s side. The two gave the Dakkonin hard looks and departed the area.
Falcon wondered what the shared stares had been about, but no longer had the energy to care.
Fox came to her and yanked off his helmet. The sandy-haired man grinned at her. ‘You’ve been gettin’ in fights a whole lot lately, Falcon. You considered joinin’ our team?’
Falcon laughed. ‘You’ve been saving my ass a whole lot too,’ she countered. ‘You might make a good Predgarian.’
Fox looked aghast. ‘You realise that’s an insult, right?’
She laughed again and turned from him, her eyes searching the place for Jay.
‘Still,’ the tall Avian said.
Falcon watched as he deactivated his armour, revealing his plain grey jumper and nomad trousers. Her attention was immediately drawn to his lined face and silvery hair. This man had been Dakkonin for a while – and held a colourless medallion?
Falcon tried to remember everything Lion and Dove had told her about the local Dakkonin, feeling sure she should know this warrior. Surely, they would’ve mentioned a man like this to her?
‘Red Fox isn’t wrong,’ he told her whilst taking a small card from his pocket.
She took it from him, noting the phone number.
‘If you ever fancy a change of pace,
give me a call.’ He leaned forwards slightly. ‘Silvers always get the fun jobs.’
Falcon eyed him up, wondering about him, then decided to just ask. ‘You a captain or something? You’re kinda giving off that feeling.’
His smile grew broader. ‘Gyrfalcon, area commander of Steiron.’
‘Ah,’ she said, trying to cover her surprise. ‘Sorry, haven’t been a Predgarian very long.’
Gyrfalcon’s smile hardened, ‘yes, so I’ve heard. Let’s move,’ he said, turning to Eagle and Fox. ‘We’ve got things to do.’
Falcon watched them go and let out a deep sigh. She’d got way more than she bargained for this morning. She laid her free hand against her stomach, time to head back.
* * *
Free of Gyrfalcon and Red Fox, Grey Eagle flew to the edge of West Sector and alighted by the river. Inside his helmet he grinned, remembering Falcon’s words.
I didn’t know you could use fire.
He deactivated his armour, letting the steel plates disintegrate inside a pillar of grey light.
Moving his head from side to side, loosening and relaxing his muscles, the big-shouldered, grey-haired man hid the medallion about his neck beneath his shirt and slowly raised his left fist.
Eagle chuckled. ‘Kaz, you have no idea.’
Closing his eyes, he pictured the form he wanted, letting the familiar tingling shimmer cover him as his body restructured itself completely.
No longer the Grey Eagle, Red looked down at his dark skin and briefly studied his crimson dreadlocks before sauntering off towards the road.
Chapter Nine
Falcon deactivated her armour once away from the market. As the light faded from her she groaned under her breath, the pain increasing now the protection of the falcon was gone. The pain grew worse as she headed out of town but kept putting one foot in front of the other, soon enough she could rest. Falcon winced at her own laboured breaths. She hoped Dove was around when she got back – and had forgiven her for walking off.
‘Every single time,’ she muttered.
Falcon was forced to take a good look at herself. Dove kept pushing, trying to get her to open up, to ‘try and live’, as she put it. Falcon didn’t want to, opening up made her think of the past, of all the terrible things she’d done.
She squeezed her eyes shut tight. Falcon might’ve decided to stay in West Sector, but knew she was still running. Every time she would hide away, change the subject or leave the room. Then she found herself alone – and things like this happened.
Falcon sighed, the Sarpiens had caught her out this way too often in the last six months. Yes, it had earned her some respect, Lion had informed her the local Predgarian and Dakkonin units had heard her name and were happy with her work – but she’d have preferred not to have come across the trouble in the first place.
Falcon paused on the corner which led into Leston Estate. Beyond it was Molbrook Estate and the Predgarian Centre, not far to go now.
Turning onto the next street, her shoulders tensed as she heard pounding footsteps coming up behind her. Someone sounded like they were in a hurry. Falcon turned just as the man caught up with her.
She noted he was taller than her, but most men were. His short blond hair and freckled face was none she recognised, and his plain white t-shirt, baring his arms, told her he wasn’t a Sarpien. Falcon gasped as he stopped by her, lashing out and punching her in the stomach.
She staggered back, struggling to draw even a single, ragged breath. Tears came at the pulsing beat radiating across her already hurt stomach.
The man pushed on her shoulders, forcing her down onto the floor. She tried to stop him as he came down on top of her.
‘Sorry, lass,’ he breathed in her ear, ‘didn’t mean to make you bleed.’
Falcon gritted her teeth as the man ignored her weak pushing and began to rifle through her pockets.
She froze in a moment of shock as someone kicked the man from her. Her eyes darted about, taking in the young, dark-haired man wearing jeans and a neat brown and white jacket.
As the mugger clambered up from the ground swearing violently, the newcomer leapt up into a Wind-Kick.
Her attacker tumbled back into the side of a parked car. His eyes now fearful, he dragged himself a few feet and ran off.
Falcon studied the second man with narrowed eyes. That Wind-Kick had been well-aimed. Again, looking at his youthful, handsome face Falcon was sure she didn’t know him.
The young man chuckled, watching the man run. Then he turned to her, his face changing to concern.
‘Are you all right, Miss?’
Falcon met his gaze, studying his face once more. She couldn’t place where he may have originated. His hair said the far south of the continent, but his face made her think more central. She glanced down at the expensive watch on his wrist and noticed the shoulder of his fleece jacket was emblazoned with the red and gold logo of a wolf. A Streetwolf jacket, that was a top brand.
‘I’m fine,’ she managed to get out.
His face turned sceptical, ‘but you’re bleeding.’
Falcon’s hand clutched at her stomach and she tried to draw breath. She realised what must’ve happened. She’d known her stomach was most likely hurting because Komodo Dragon had caught her old scar, that mugger must’ve finished the job and torn it open.
She must be bleeding bad, for it to be noticeable under her leather vest.
‘Let me help you up,’ the young man offered.
Falcon merely grunted her consent, not trusting herself to speak. She noted he was quite strong as he lifted her off the ground, keeping her steady as she found her feet.
‘You look pale, let me drive you to the hospital.’
Falcon shook her head, the movement making her dizzy.
‘I’m fine,’ she repeated. ‘It’s just an old cut, that punch must’ve opened it again.’
She saw his annoyed frown, no doubt he thought she was being stubborn.
‘Well, at least let me drive you home.’
She shook her head again and bit off a groan, the world tilting and shifting. Falcon knew she couldn’t take up that offer, since her home was the Predgarian Centre. ‘It’s okay, I’m only a few streets away. Thank you for helping me.’
Falcon turned, intent on walking away at a steady pace and not veering up it like a drunkard.
She heard him sigh behind her. Her breath caught as he stepped to her side, placing a hand on her arm.
‘Look, I’m not gonna sleep tonight not knowing if you lived out the day or not. Come out with me this evening.’
Falcon stared up at him, ‘pardon?’
‘Just to prove to me you’re okay,’ he responded. ‘Anyway,’ he added, flashing her a charming smile, ‘it looks like you’re in need of some cheering up.’
Falcon stiffened, just who did he think he was? He thought he could flirt with her just because he’d chased off that thug? She was bleeding!
‘I don’t think that’s-’ she cut off. So…Dove wanted her to live, did she? Maybe the healer would get off her back a while if she went on a date. ‘Okay.’
The stranger’s eyebrows shot up at her change of heart. ‘Okay,’ he said as well. ‘I’ll pick you up at six at..?’
‘Here. You can pick me up here.’
His face broke into surprise again. ‘Right, okay.’
Falcon turned and started to walk away.
‘Oh, by the way,” he called. ‘I’m Adam Sollis.’
She turned back to him, ‘Karen Firreiro.’
* * *
‘A walk?’
Lion took a few deep breaths when Jay retreated back towards the office door, his eyes wide.
‘Jay, do you realise just how dangerous your actions were?’
‘Yes, Sir,’ the boy responded, looking down at the carpet.
‘And do you realise you’ve betrayed the trust of all your teachers?’
Jay’s shoulders hunched. The motion told Lion the teenager knew very we
ll, so decided not to drive the point home.
‘Dove, Tiger and Falcon have all spoken highly of your progress, did you know that? They say you pick things up fast and are surprisingly mature for a teenager from off the streets and not raised in an Order city.’
Lion watched as Jay chewed on his lower lip. He sat back in his chair. ‘I called you in here expecting an explanation, Jay.’
Jay’s head lifted, his eyes betraying how horrible he felt. As he began to speak, the door behind him burst open.
Lion lifted his head at the sudden intrusion. As the Bronze Hawk poked his head around the door, Lion noted the tall man’s pale, almost silver hair was sweat-soaked. No doubt he’d been in the training hall this morning.
Lion wasn’t going to make an issue of it, but the light-skinned Ischaclappe Islander had been practising and honing his technique almost every free moment of late. Hawk had been the highest ranking Avian amongst the Steiron Predgarians alongside Bronze Buzzard of North Sector – now both of them were sitting in second place to the Silver Falcon.
The difference between the two partners was noticeable. As competent and quick on his feet as Hawk was, there was still a gap between him and the Silver Falcon.
The ex-Sarpien out-did them all in different ways on occasion, it made Lion wonder just who she’d been and what she’d lived through to get so tough and unshakable.
‘Blue Dingo and Green Gecko from South Sector are here to see you,’ Hawk told him.
Lion stared a moment. ‘Here? in person?’
Hawk nodded.
The information instantly raised questions in Lion’s mind, but he had to wrap this up first. ‘All right, tell them I’ll see them in a few minutes.’
‘Sure thing,’ Hawk replied. His head disappeared as he closed the door again.
His mind still very much in what the two warriors from South could want with him, Lion turned his attention back to Jay. ‘Well?’
Jay shifted his feet, his mouth working a second or two before any sound came out. ‘I’m sorry, Captain Golden Lion,’ he muttered. ‘It’s just…you never say yes.’
Lion couldn’t help the way his eyebrows rose at the boy’s tearful tone.
