Moonlight poured in through the large windows of the bedroom they had taken refuge in. The night lending a soft look to the oak furniture and the large bed that had had sleeping occupants until a minute ago. The raiders had smashed their way through the heavy doors on the north and east walls of the room. The once beautiful carved wooden frames of the doors were now broken. Their remains hanging shattered and broken from the iron hinges. Six armed people in black clothing with featureless masks covering their faces were in the room. Club and spears held toward the three other occupants. A young harpy in a maid outfit held a pink colored fledgling phoenix to her chest. A slightly older young phoenix brandished a long knife at their assailants. He was about the size of a ten year old human and his voice sounded frightened but determined as he called for the guards that should have been nearby.
One of the attackers chortled and said in a grumbly coarse voice "Ain't none gonna hear ya little bird. Now be good and pop yerself into the sack and I'll only beat you a little." His compatriots all laughed along with him as he waggled a half open burlap bag at the boy. The only response the orc got was a glare from him and his feathered hand gripping the blade tighter. "Heh, suite yerself boy. Yah got guts at least. Not like them supposed guards."
Shortly after they had smashed their way in, one of the assailants charged towards the boy with a short club, swinging wide. The reptaloid wasn't much bigger than the boy who had dodged back and thrust forward with his long knife driving it through the neck of his opponent. A gurgle left the creature as they fell down, clutching the wound with a look of surprise showing even though the mask. As the lad stared in horror and amazement at what he had done he felt his courage rise. With a quick swing of the blade, as his teacher had shown him, his knife again gleamed free of blood. He took his at guard stance once more as the rest of the assailants stared. Though he couldn't see their faces clearly, he couldn't help but think they were grinning at him. Several moved forward, swiping and poking at him with spears. He blocked and dodged as best he could; however, the difference in skill level was plainly evident. As they forced him back towards the corner with small wounds and taunts.
Panting, Aldrich held the long knife in his feathered hand. If the situation wasn't so dire he'd be proud of himself. For the first time the 80 year old phoenix managed to take a mostly humanoid form on his own rather than needing his teacher to cast the spell. Well, his arms were more like wings than actual arms, but they were good enough. Good enough to hold the long knife and keep the raiders off his little sister and their maid.
He remembered his older brothers' words; "It is the duty of the elder to protect the younger. It is the duty of the knight to protect the innocent" The sounds of fear from his sister and the maid helped steel his mind. "I have to keep them safe that's what a real hero does." The raiders kept back poking and prodding at his amateur defense laughing every time they drew blood but staying back all the same. The dead reptile at their feet a reminder to them that the boy could be dangerous.
His flames regenerated his body closing the cuts and small stab wounds but he felt himself getting more and more exhausted every time it did. He knew that he couldn't last much longer and then it would all be for naught and so he made a choice. "Rikei, take Akino and escape. I'll make you a path I promise."
"Young master, that isn't…." She began to say while hugging the small chick to her. He quickly cut her off.
"There isn't going to be any help take her and fly!" He yelled before launching himself at their attackers. He dodged one spear thrust and managed to slash one of the hands that held it. The sound of shattering glass was one of the last things he heard before a club impacted the side of his head and he knew no more. His final thought one of pride that he did his job as a hero and protected his little sister from whatever fate awaited him.
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The old Lupine Rogir couldn't help but laugh internally at the look of pure concentration on his young wards face. One of his hands not quite managing to hide the smirk on his greyed muzzle. The young phoenix was trying his hardest to remember the answer to the question he had just asked. He knew the young one didn't like geography or history very much but he was hired to teach him after all. Any young noble let alone a member of the royal family was expected to be knowledgeable about such basic matters.
"The world of Aegis has 9 continents." Aldrich said after a few moments of deep thought. His eyes kept looking out the window distracted by the sunny day outside and the desire to run and play.
"Very good." He said showing a scholarly continence once more." And can you name them?"
"Ummm.. Verigon, Tejas, Daconai, Veritas..." The little one tried but was interrupted by his teacher by a light bop on the head.
"Veritas is a dessert made with candied chestnuts not a continent. Draconai is the largest empire on the Alderi continent." He said chuckling lightly at the boy's crestfallen expression. "Can you at least tell me which one we live on?"
"Verigon, the Grand Phoenixian Empire takes up a large part of western side of the continent and the ruler is papa. I… I mean phoenix emperor William Anjin gan Bhriseadh and Empress Ohori Tsuruhime. The Northern United clans are ruled by Uncle Roland and Auntie Tessa"
"That's King Roland and Queen Tessa McHandstrom of the dragon clan" He ruffled the feathers on the boy's head and slipped a few previously mentioned candied chestnuts as a reward onto the desk. "But good job. Oh and don't mention those to your nanny or she will get all angry about ruining your lunch" The boy had a smile on his beak as he mimicked closed lips with one clawed limb while stuffing the treats into his beak with the other. The old wolf couldn't help but smile at the excitement the boy showed. "You have knightly training next don't you fledgling?"
Aldrichs excitedly nodded as he replied " That's right big brother Tallen is going to train with me today." He gave the old wolf an attempted scowl "I'm 80 not a fledgling and I'm gonna be the best knight ever and protect everyone. Just like Papa and my big brothers." The little phoenix struck a heroic pose before trying to walk towards the door and tripping over himself with a thud.
The old wolf couldn't hold in his laughter as he reminded Aldrich. " Don't forget, young master, to pack your things for the trip to the summer mansion. Your parents will be joining you and your little sister after they return from the summit. I know they are looking forward to seeing you and little Akino."
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A muffled voice could be heard through the blackness that seemed to hold Aldrich. "You used the entire bag? That was meant for an adult. If he goes into a permanent coma I'm taking the lost profit from your hide." There was a muffled grunt and then he could hear a voice that sounded familiar somehow but he couldn't place it.
"Our deal is completed then. I'll take my leave until next time." There was a clinking sound like coins and he tried to hear more words that were spoken but the darkness tried to pull him under once more.
"That's it yer lordship. If we need help again we'll let yah know." That same gruff voice spoke. Aldrich faintly felt himself being lifted and moved as he lost the battle with the black fog and slipped into slumber once more.
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