CHAPTER 1 - The Avians

The ship groaned and creaked below Kicit’s talons as is it rode the waves of the Northern Dalmeuse Ocean. Even after two weeks confined to its decks the Avian marveled at its sheer size; following every rope and tie to its end trying to decipher, much less understand, what its purpose was. The whole thing struck a chord of wonder in him, but also frustrated him in that he’d probably never get a satisfactory answer. 
He’d certainly seen the bones of such ships back on The Risen Isle. But actually sailing on one invoked entirely new feelings. Kicit, and most Avians for that matter, kept to their small fishing skiffs that rarely left sight of their little Island. Except for the few crazy souls that tried to make crossings to the islands in the east or Kaugrush. But every once and a while it was needed for one of their kind to take passage on the great Canine ships and that’s where Kicit and his Master found themselves.
Great grey and red sails dominated the sky throughout the voyage, tended to by the rough and tumble Canine crew. They stood extremely tall, bulked out with broad shoulders, massive pads and a tail flowing out of the base of their backs. The fur ranged from deep browns and blacks to dirty whites and grays, visible for all to see under loose fitted clothing. They scampered up and down the masts with a furious speed that surprised the Avian. 
The waves continuously rocked the ship sending anything not latched or tied flying. Kicit had taken, unconsciously of course, to clamping into the wooden deck with his talons among the heavy rolls. The Canine sailors reprimanded him for it saying that it would damage their deck but it was a gut reaction, one that had been difficult to avoid. Only when Master Elacce had told him to focus on the winds, where and how they were blowing did he stop thinking about it.

When he did, Kicit found them quite interesting, different from what was on the Risen Isle. They were powerful, free, and swirled in any which way they desired unhindered by the likes of cliffs and cities, making them somewhat unpredictable even for an Avian like himself. 
Kicit studied how the captain and navigators tended to their vessel. He was genuinely surprised at the Captain’s ability to read swirling mire of winds and then barking orders at the crew; to which they completed with a militaristic precision rarely seen in his small home island. For this, Kicit made a habit of reading the winds as if he were about to jump into them, wings spread, and then compare his reading to what the Captain had ordered. Never once did the captain make a wrong reading. 

Kicit spent as much time above deck as he could watching the crew scamper up and down the masts to perform their duties. Once he’d asked one of them if he could follow up the mast to the little perch on the top but they snapped at him with their sharp fangs and turned away with a laugh. In fact, any time he asked the crew a question they threw their black noses to the air and scoffed at him or laughed in his face. Kicit wasn’t used to such belittlement, them being a far cry from the reverence that his people had for Master Elacce and by association, him. On the day of their departure Kicit had even caught them leering at them. Something which the Captain had swiftly shut down but when he’d asked Master Elacce about it, the black feathered Avian brushed it off, barely even mentioning it. 
Routine set in throughout the two weeks that Master Elacce and Kicit were aboard. Today however, instead of the normal glow of the sun rising, scattering light across the open water a coastline, stretching out on the port side cast a hazy gray mirage. From above, the look out yelled “There it is, to port!” and Kicit immediately rushed from his and Master Elacce’s quarters to the deck, straining his eyes to catch a glimpse of the easternmost point of the Esurian Islands. He could just barely make out gray clumps as a lump of nerves balled in his throat.
“Accaran?” Kicit asked as Master Elacce took a spot next to his Apprentice at the railing and clicked his black beak once before letting out a low coo.
“Yes. We’ve got a ways to go before we reach Rusia but it’s good to see land.” 
To Kicit’s knowledge his Master had been to the Rusia School of Casting on more than one occasion but they’d been relatively secretive trips and all before he’d selected Kicit as his Apprentice and therefore not his business. Though it wasn’t their final destination, Master Elacce had somehow pulled a bunch of feathers and fur to let them travel to Rusia first before continuing on to their intended goal. A goal that Master Elacce kept close to his black feathers.
As they approached closer to the tip of land that was Farclaw Kicit kept looking back and forth across the horizon as it grew larger and larger with each passing moment “And it’s still an island?” He asked, keeping his gaze set on the approaching land.
“You know that.” Master Elacce eyed him with a narrowed gaze.
 “I didn’t think it’d be that big.” 
 Master Elacce cackled back with a chittering laugh. “Leaving one's home is often fraught with things that challenge the imagination, that is why it’s imperative that you do.”
As they continued to converse the crew looked upon them with more curious eyes. To the average Canine sailor or any observer, the Avian tongue seemed like a hodgepodge of tweets, twitters, coos, and different kinds of clicking. So to many of them, it seemed like their two guests were singing angrily at one another. But to Kicit, Master Elacce had a velvety smooth voice, akin to a grand storyteller who had spun his tails around the world and back, full of wisdom and poise, always perfect in tone and posturing.
“Accaran…land of the Esurian Sovereign.” Kicit followed up with, fishing to confirm what he had read in his books. Master Elacce clicked his beak once yet again.
“Right, don’t let that trick you however, there are many who make there home here that do not listen to its Sovereign. Or better in their tongue, King Magnus Aurelian.” He cut his words short and Kicit cocked his head at the abruptness but Master Elacce did not explain and instead pointed at a much smaller vessel that was approaching them from the shores. Long oars stretched out on each side moving in complete unison. That is  until it grew closer and the small crew eventually pulled them in. Kicit peered over the side at the small tender to get his first glimpse at an Esurian.
He had an idea of what to expect given his readings and the diagrams he studied but seeing them in real life was illuminating. There were a group of about ten in the small craft and each one had a rough dirty brown tunic with sagging pant legs and short sleeves. Their bare skin was certainly an oddity, not only did the color vary from man to man, but they were completely featherless and even furless! Save for small messy patches on their heads or faces.  They called to each other with no beak or muzzle to speak of, instead just fleshy openings where one would be, shouting the alien tones of their language that Kicit found incredibly difficult. Their noses pointed downward and ears were situated distinctly on the sides of their faces, jutting out slightly. The diagrams didn’t do them justice, they were certainly immensely strange.
The crew continued maneuvering the small boat unimpeded right up against theirs when finally one of them glanced up and saw Kicit staring down at them. Whatever the man was doing he instantly forgot and stared slack jawed back. He shoved one of the sailors next to him and pointed up at Kicit who followed in the same motion of squinting, going slack jawed and blinking a few times before turning away in apparent surprise. Meanwhile the Canine crew had tossed a rope ladder over the side and one of the Esurians gingerly stepped onto it, at the behest of his crew, and scurried up the ladder.
The man, once he jumped on instantly tried to retreat off of the Canine vessel but could not as the tender had already pushed away from them and was making its way back to Farclaw. The Esurian studied his surroundings with a snide expression, focusing most of his attention on Kicit and Master Elacce before a call from the Captain alerted him to where the wheel was. He gingerly walked the deck back to it and stood opposite of the Captain where they exchanged some choppy words that Kicit couldn’t hear. Soon the man took an incredibly unsure posture and hollered a bearing to which the helmsman eyed him with a loaded glare and followed.
 “That’s an Esuiran?” Kicit asked.
 Master Elacce clicked his beak. “He’s a Pilot, knows the straight and Fraydis Bay better than the Captain of our ship, or any Canine for that matter. He’ll navigate for us until we reach Rusia.” Kicit attempted to get a closer look but Master Elacce stuck out his black wing from under his cloak to stop him, clicking his beak twice. “Let him do his job Kicit.”
The ship, under the command of the pilot, had rounded the tip of Farclaw, where Kicit couldn’t decide if he wanted to look westward at Accaran or eastward at the sprawling ocean to the ends of the world. He couldn’t decide and ended up perching right in the middle of the ship, as out of the way as he could be. Until they’d turned down the straight and under the towering Fraydis Bridge which spanned high above them over the thinnest part of the straight. During this the Pilot seemed to forget which ship he was on and focused intently on the choppy water ahead, aware of dangers none other knew. Eventually he tore the wheel from the Canine who didn’t seem to be following his directions well enough. But, it seemed to work and their ship made it through the thin straight without incident. 

***

The waters calmed the instant Rusia School of Casting came into view. “A quick pace.” Master Elacce said. 
Once they arrived at the port, their ship, under a chorus of orders from the Captain, expertly maneuvered into a position at one of the docks. First by dropping its anchor and adjusting sails and then tossing lines of rope to the unnerved dock workers not entirely sure what to do with the ropes from a Canine ship. That is, until they saw the Esurian Pilot and did as their job demanded, pulling the ship close enough to the dock where a plank could be laid down and supplies and people could be disembarked.
    They had nestled alongside a dock opposite of another ship that already had crew members and dock workers rushing supplies up and down its gangway. The Pilot rushed off of theirs with such swiftness that not only did he not collect payment but then proceeded to trip and fall into the water between the ship and dock. The splash brought everyones gaze towards him but instead of rushing to help their fellow Esurian they were all struck at the sight of the Canine Captain, complete in his military regalia, making his way down the gangplank. Not receiving any help the Pilot latched onto the side of the docks, pulled his way onto the deck and rushed onto the ship opposite of them, to offer his services to take them back to Farclaw and as far away from these weird beings as he could.
    Master Elacce gestured with his taloned hand and Kicit followed, descending the gangway behind the Captain.
    “Go wait at the end of the dock for me.” He told Kicit who, before he proceeded, presented Master Elacce with a traveling pack. 
“You forgot it in the cabin. Was waiting to see if you’d notice.” He said and Master Elacce snatched it, a bit of bemused annoyance in his black feathers. 
“Thank you Kicit.” 
He did as he was told and walked briskly down the dock, drawing the eyes of everyone who was working them. A sense of unease filled him and he glanced back at Master Elacce who had taken to exchanging words with the Captain. More glares came his way and Kicit pulled his green Apprentice cloak around him, hiding all but the very bottom of his three taloned feet and brilliantly colored blue, black and white feathered head and then took in his surroundings.
    A road running the side of the bay separated the docks and what Kicit took to be a small village. Most of the buildings were two or three stories high and closely clumped together with thin roads separating each clump. The smell of ocean, fish, and sweat filled the air as Esurians worked the small port. They rushed past him carrying boxes, bales, chests, boats, fish, nets, anything that one could imagine but they all had the same reaction. Once they saw him they paused, side-eyed him, wrinkled their nose or scoffed and hurried by. Each time one went Kicit felt a strange sense of unease, the looks finding a deep part of him he didn’t know.  Then Master Elacce called, drawing Kicit’s attention and raised one of his wings, pointing beyond.
Beyond the smaller clusters of buildings that he’d been focusing on, the streets lead to a massive structure on a small hill a little more inland, larger than anything Kicit had ever seen. It dwarfed the other buildings in its shadow. Great spires rose out of each corner and a massive dome, decorated with intricate carvings and arches sat in the middle. Kicit couldn’t quite see but it also looked as though smaller buildings, but just as intricately decorated branched out from the center main building.
    “Rusia School of Casting, one of the oldest in all of the Islands.” Master Elacce had finally caught up and filled in his Apprentice, not paying any mind to the dozens of strange looks they were getting. “Also one of the oldest as well, I feel like I need to apologize ahead of time as you’ll certainly want to spend days combing through its tomes.” He started making his way towards the school, Kicit followed.
    “How long are we going to be here? This isn’t what we were meant to do right?” They had been questions Kicit asked a few times but had gotten little in return, usually a deflection. Normally Master Elacce was more than open with the young Apprentice but Kicit could also tell that it was something of great importance so maybe secrecy was required. Either way, Master Elacce didn’t hear or ignored the real question.
    “I need to meet with an old associate, I had some correspondence with him before we arrived and should be waiting for us in the library.” The Master said, picking up his pace as they pushed through the thin streets. For as long as the clusters of buildings were, they weren’t very deep and broke into a bright, well groomed grass field that encircled the massive school. Students meandered about, some in groups and others all by themselves enjoying the sun. Kicit looked closely and saw that most were practicing Release forms under the watchful guise of their teacher. 
    They approached a brick courtyard, flanked on three sides by two story arches, carved with designs that Kicit recognized as basic Releases, all-be-it very stylized. The designs swirled through the stone work and all pointed towards a grand entrance with a massive shimmering door that sat on top of a few steps. At first Kicit thought they’d go up and somehow knock on it but instead Master Elacce cut through one of the arches and a smaller door. He didn’t bother knocking and instead opened it, presenting the way for his Apprentice with a gesture of his black wing.
Upon entering and before his eyes had a chance to attune to the dim interior an intense smell of aged paper, ink and parchment hit his beak. A strange feeling of nostalgia for a place he’d never been filled the Avian. Slowly, his eyes grew used to the dim light he began to make out rows and rows of bookshelves. A subtle earthy scent accompanied it and the sounds of hushed whispers boomed off of the vaulted ceilings that towered over him. They seemed to reach higher than the outside suggested while the ornate interior detailing outmatched what was on the outside. Even the grand Avian library where he had spent most of his time reading did not compare. 
    Kicit impulsively rushed towards the first row of books he could see but Master Elacce clicked his beak twice to which he stopped in his tracks. Disappointed, Kicit reluctantly followed his Master through the library looking longingly at rows. 
They pushed through the room, passing by diligent looking Students with noses so far into their books that they paid no mind to the Avians passing by. Master Elacce approached a table at the end of the library with one Esurian who seemed to be waiting. He was hunched over, a deep red Mage cloak covering most of his body save for his hands and face. A narrow patch of hair framed what was a thin face and he gave the impression of being on watch, persistently glancing up to look around. The moment he caught a glimpse of Master Elacce and Kicit though his face lit up and he shot out of his seat, holding out his scaleless hands in welcome, a big smile across his face.
“Elacce!” He said, slightly mispronouncing the name but doing an admirable job considering the lack of a beak. “Or should I say Master Elacce.” He followed with a small bow and Master Elacce responded in turn in the Esurian tongue.
“Ilmari, it is good to see you once again.” 
Though Master Elacce’s command of the Esurian language was as strong as anyone in the room it held a distinct, thick accent caused by his lack of lips. Ilmari didn’t seem to pay notice of it however and instead thrust his hand out. Master Elacce grabbed it and shook before turning and presenting Kicit to the Mage. “This is my Apprentice, Kicit.”
Ilmari looked Kicit over with a discerning eye before reaching out his hand in the same manner he had with Master Elacce. “The once in a generation Apprentice. Elacce has certainly talked about you fondly in our letters.” Kicit followed Master Elacce’s example and shook Ilmari’s hand but perhaps squeezing a bit too hard as the Mage pulled it back quickly.
    “The pleasure is mine.” Kicit said. He’d been practicing his Esurian with Elacce before their trip and was very surprised just how well he’d actually learned, though his accent was quite a bit thicker.
    “Do you have it?” Master Elacce asked and Ilmari returned his full attention back to him. The corner of his mouth tightened and he gave an ever so slight nod.
“Possibly.” The Mage paused. “I worry about its authenticity.”
“I shall be the judge of that.” Elacce said. Ilmari gestured with a hand and Kicit started to follow but Master Elacce stopped him.
“Kicit, please stay here in the library. Feel free to peruse the books at your leisure until we return.” A surge of excitement rolled through Kicit! He’d get to look through any of the books he wanted! But it did strike him as odd that Master Elacce wouldn’t let him follow along, a thought and moment later he opened his beak but in his hesitation Master Elacce had already left with Ilmari and he stood alone in the old library.

The rustling of pages and quiet shuffling of feet on the stone floor closed in on Kicit. Once again he could feel a glance here and a stare there so he pulled his Apprentice cloak back over himself and walked to the nearest shelf. His talons clicked against the stone floor loud enough for them to echo off the grand ceilings but he couldn’t stop the distinct tick-tack. 
Scanning the shelf Kicit figured he must be in some sort of natural history section as the books were all about the world around them. 
Navigating the Tides: A Sailor’s Guide to Esurian Waters.
Nature’s Symphony: A melodic Exploration of Esurian Wildlife. 
Book by book Kicit began to realize that while the collection was vast, the net it cast was as well, approaching topics that might have had merits and perhaps something someone would find interesting, or silly. Nothing jumped out to him so he moved on to the next row and the next and the next, finally diving through three full shelves before finding one that spoke to him. 
Winged Wonders: A Study of the Extinct Avian Beasts.
Surprised, Kicit pulled it off the shelf. A thick layer of dust covered the tome and its binding was held together with little more than rough leather chording, the rest had fallen away. The remains of some sort of insignia graced the front cover but other than that it was fairly austere in presentation. Kicit wiped the dust off and opened to the first page where he was met with a faded green ink that had started chipping in a few places. He skimmed through the first few pages and became immediately obsessed over a sketch of a supposed Avian.
“He’d probably never even seen one of us.” Kicit muttered under his breath. The sketch was an interesting approximation but it assumed that their wings came from their backs not their arms. And while it did get their feathers correct, it described straight, Esurian like legs and feet. Instead of the thin, scale-like and reverse angled legs they actually had. 
Feeling confident that the book would provide some curious reading Kicit looked around for a table. The one that Ilmari had been sitting at was now occupied by several other students so he picked one that had only one Student whose nose stuck in his book. His hand and index finger were out and he was tracing shapes in the air though he never seemed to finish and kept stopping halfway, whispering something under his breath before trying again.
Kicit sat down on the opposite side and set to reading his find but the growing number and loudness of the students failures kept catching his attention. He stole peaks at the Release the Student was attempting. Another failure, but Kicit easily recognized it. The student was trying to draw a fire Release? No student of his age should be attempting such a thing. A few more failures and Kicit couldn’t take it anymore, he slid down the bench directly across from him, the Student still didn’t take notice.
“It’s crooked.” Kicit said, trying to keep his voice low but it still seemed to thunder through the massive hall.
“No it’s not! It’s just like the book say-” The Student went wide-eyed. His mouth dropped and he only seemed to make a slight gutteral sound when he saw who was speaking to him.
“That’s too hard for a Student, stick to the other Elements.” Kicit added pointing with a talon at the air where he was trying to draw. The Student’s face twisted at Kicit’s gaze. 
“Y…your cloak…you’re an Apprentice?” He asked, eyeing Kicit’s green cloak and brooch. It’d been a gift from Master Elacce upon his selection and conformed to the styling that an Apprentice should be wearing. A full body cloak, with no arms and a brass broach to hold the neck closed while the rest draped over his body and down to his talons. The Students eyes moved up and down as he grew more comfortable with the Avian before finally settling his gaze back at Kicit.
“Yes. And I’m saying focus on your Ground Releases. Those are much easier to grasp.” 
The Student slumped. “I know, Teacher Urr hasn’t even touched on Fire Releases. I wanted to get a leg up, selection is soon and they’re saying Ilmari will be selecting an Apprentice this round. If I could pass my exam with a Fire Release it might just be enough for him.” He said, dipping his head further. 
Kicit remembered studying for days and days on Releases to try and impress the proctors, the stress that had come with it, the drive to want to outperform everyone else. It had apparently worked as one of the Nine had selected him instead of the others but with how long he’d spent under Master Elacce’s wing thoughts of if it had been the right choice were growing louder. Seeing the Student before him Kicit formed a thought, he clicked his beak once, a curiosity to the Student, and held out a talon.
“What’s your name?” 
“Guile.” 
“Alright Guile, I’ll show you a trick.” He said and instantly Guile shot up straight like he were in class. Kicit started to trace out one of the Releases for Elemental fire in the air, extremely slowly and deliberately to show every line and angle. “First, try it on parchment, keep drawing until you can trace the lines without wavering. Then slowly…very slowly, transition to drawing it in the air.”
“B…but that’ll take ages!” 
“It’ll take longer trying to rush it. Something that helped me is to start much larger than you think. See, it doesn’t matter how large or small you draw a Release, what matters is the proportion.” He drew it again, this time with mere twitches of his talon, yet all of the forms were exactly the same. “It will get smaller and quicker over practice and time.” 
The Student watched him draw the Release, his eyes following every step and tried to mimic it himself but he failed, heaving a frustrated sigh.
“Stop. You’re trying it too fast, start slowly.” Kicit once again re-performed the actions. “Keep trying at that speed and you’ll train yourself to always stop or skip parts, it’s much harder to unlearn something than it is to learn.”
Guile tried again and this time drawing slowly and finally he completed the full Release. His face lit up and he attempted it again and again. While it was far from perfect and if he’d tried to imbue with a Canto nothing would happen. But that’s how most new Releases were learned. Kicit remembered drawing his own thousands of times before he even thought it was good enough to imbue with a Canto. But for the Student, it was a start.
“They never told us about proportionality! Teacher Urr always says it needs to be the same every time.”
“He’s not wrong, it’s better to get the fundamentals down when you’re starting out. But as you learn to get quicker, naturally the Release will get smaller and smaller.” Kicit said, drawing wide eyes from the Student.
“You make more sense than any of my teachers?” Guile said and Kicit cocked his head. “It’s strange, Benevoly always says that you animals are savage creatures. Never expected to get a lesson from one.” 
The derogatory ‘animals’ aside Kicit glanced in both directions and found that Students from all the surrounding tables had been staring at them and he began to worry he’d stepped over a boundary he shouldn’t have. Sure enough two other Students, much larger than the one who was sitting across from him, got up from their tables and started making their way over to them. Now Kicit felt he’d done something he shouldn’t have as their eyes narrowed on him and he pulled back from the table.
“What’s that doing here?” The larger one sneered. Kicit couldn’t quite tell if it was a question directed at him or not but he opened his beak.
“I don’t mean to interrupt, just showi-”
“It can talk!” One said. 
“Shut your…beak.” The other said and turned to Guile who had shrunken in his seat and Kicit felt the stain of history between the two. He faced the two and while he stood eye to eye with them Kicit was positive they could snap his light bones like twigs if they so desired.
“What a nasty creature.” The larger one said but the slimmer one took a step back.
“You know Thorne, that cloak, not sure if we should be messing with an Apprentice.” The warning didn’t seem to phase Thorne who curled his mouth.
“You think an Animal could do anything to me? Noth’n going on in its head.” Thorne crossed his arms and took a step towards Kicit. The Avian stood firmly planted and clicked his beak twice, a single taloned hand slipped out of his cloak and patted the air. 
“Young Student, calm down, there’s no reason to say such things. Please just leave Guile and I be.” Kicit tried to be as tactful as he could, attempting to avoid any wrong inflections but his command of the Esurian tongue was nowhere near Master Elacce’s and the words came out slurred and on the verge of mispronunciation. 
Thorne’s smile fell into a laugh and he pointed a finger at Kicit while turning to the other Students who’d all started paying attention to them. Kicit though, watched Thorne’s movements with a trained eye; waiting for any sort of motion indicating a Release. Sure enough, before Thorne had finished drinking in the attention, he had started to whisper a Canto and his finger began to weave Release. But Kicit was prepared, and much faster, he quickly canto’d and drew a simple Elemental Wind Release. Thorne, along with his accomplice, flew back, tumbling to the ground with a fat thud and quiet whimper.
“Who is Casting in my Library!” 
The voice reverberated through the library, like it knew every nook and cranny. Kicit righted himself and brought his talons back under his cloak right as an ancient Esurian emerged between two shelves. Her wrinkles were as deep as canyons and eyes sunken beyond recognition. Her thin emerald dress had once been brilliant but had been worn out over the years as if left in the sun the entire time. The rest of the Students all looked away from her as she approached, avoiding direct contact with the librarian. The moment she laid eyes on Kicit she drew in a sharp breath and held her hand to her chest.
“An animal? In my Library!” She made for him trying to shew him away like a common rat. Behind her Thorne’s  smile returned.
“Ma’am, I was only providing a lesson to one of your Students.” Kicit tried to reason but the Librarian’s face collapsed into shock as if surprised that the creature standing before her could even speak.
“It is none of my concern. Animals are not allowed in this Library!” Her tone grew and the books shuttered under its timbre. But they were met with another just as commanding voice.
“Madam Benevoly, why are you belittling my guests Apprentice?” Madam Benevoly turned so quickly that her skin shifted on top of her skull as Ilmari walked towards them, Master Elacce following closely behind.
“Apprentice? This thing?” She said with such disgust that even some of the Students winced.
“Apprentice Kicit is a better Caster than many of our teachers at this very school and should be treated as such.” Ilmari held out a hand towards Kicit. Kicit clicked his beak once and turned to Master Elacce but his Master had a much different look in his eyes. The moment Madam Benevoly saw Master Elacce and his silver and gold broach she immediately shriveled up and avoided his sight.
“That may be.” She said with a sneer. “But they are still not allowed in this library.” Ilmari pursed his lips and gave one short nod.
“Right, I will escort them out. Master Elacce and Apprentice Kicit please follow me.” Ilmari said and Kicit fell in line behind the two right as Thorne was recovering to his feet. Guile quickly stood from his table and ducked away without another word. 

Kicit followed Master Elacce and Ilmari out of the old Library, to a narrow hallway and eventually back outside in the sun.
“My sincerest apologies, I’m afraid that a certain feeling towards Beasts has taken hold among my fellow Esurians. The current Headmage has decided that they should not be allowed on the grounds, I assumed we’d keep a low profile.” At this Master Elacce shot Kicit a look he rarely gave, intensely accusatory. Ilmari continued. “Madam Benevoly has always had certain…feelings but it has seeped into our students as well.”
“Is Madam Benevoly the Headmage?” Kicit asked but Ilmari swiftly shook his head.
“No, Headmage Ceonred is away at the moment.” A pause filled the air as Ilmari sighed. “Where are you two headed from here if I may ask?” Kicit perked his head and turned to Master Elacce, just as curious as Ilmari.
“We are to head for Atheson for a meeting with the King.” He said and Ilmari nodded. He held out a taloned hand to prevent Kicit from speaking up. 
“Quite the journey you have ahead of you. There’s been rumblings about certain happenings in Atheson that I’m not sure are accurate but you must watch yourself.”
“We are very aware.” Master Elacce responded.
“I assume you have provisions for the trip?” To this Master Elacce nodded and Ilmari rubbed his beard. “Good. But I do recommend taking the southern road at the fork on the other side of the Rusia River, the northern track while more direct has no place to rest. The southern road has a small town almost halfway where you may find a bed.” Ilmari looked to the west as he spoke, as if showing them where to go before turning back to them. “But please, stay with me tonight. No one will check my study and we can discuss-“
“We will decline.” Master Elacce interrupted and took a few steps towards the road that eventually led to the west. “ Thank you for your offer but we cannot afford a further delay.” Ilmari looked surprised, even a bit hurt but the emotion flashed away and he bowed towards the Avians.
“Understood, I wish you luck in your journey and please be careful. Highwaymen have been known to prey on travelers.” He turned his eyes to Kicit. “If you need any assistance please do not hesitate to seek me out.” The offer filled Kicit with a warm feeling, knowing that the words behind it were as sincere as possible. Kicit clicked his beak once and bowed low at the Esurian mage who in turn took his best attempt at a farewell in the Avian tongue. It didn’t really mean anything but Kicit appreciated the gesture. 
“Thank you Ilmari, I look forward to our next meeting.” Kicit offered and Ilmari smiled. But Master Elacce was already a dozen paces ahead and called to Kicit who turned and rushed to him.

***

The first steps of their journey had been taken in silence as Kicit thought about their destination. Atheson was the Esurian capital and seat of the ancient monarchy with thousands of years behind it. The mere suggestion that they were going to meet with the actual King unsettled him and he felt his scaled talons clicking together thinking of all the potentials.
“So are we really to meet with the Esurian King?” Kicit finally asked back in the Avian tongue and Master Elacce twitched his head.
“Yes, but please no more questions on the topic.” 
There it was again, the wall that Master Elacce had drawn up. Kicit clicked his beak twice at the skirt information but Master Elacce stopped and turned towards his Apprentice. “Kicit, when I say no more questions it means no more questions.” The suddenness of his command startled him and he felt no other option than to drop it.
“Then what is it Ilmari gave you?”
Master Elacce reached inside his pack, slung on his right side and hesitated before drawing out an old tome. His talons pressed into it but eventually he handed it to Kicit who eagerly snatched it and looked it over. It was large, much larger than most of the other books that had been in the library. A faded red leather wrapped its covers and hid embossed simple symbols on the front, a diamond in the center with squares in each corner and a simple metal corner end. The binding technique was certainly old as the thick strands used to fasten the pages and binding together could be seen through the fading leather. Instantly Kicit felt as though he were holding something important and he opened it carefully to avoid damaging the worn pages. Inside Kicit’s hopes were shattered as the faded black ink was a script that he couldn’t recognize, rendering it almost useless.
“What do you see?” Master Elacce asked after Kicit had a chance to flip through a few pages.
“What language is this spoken, old Esurian? I can’t understand it.” Kicit asked and Master Elacce let out a deep sigh.
“Right…it’s an old…Esurian text describing the earliest Releases before Beasts. But I fear its language may be indecipherable.” Kicit started to place the book in his own pack, a tactic he had started to do in the face of Master Elacce’s forgetfulness but he quickly snatched the book out of Kicit’s talons and angrily snapped his beak twice. 
“What are you doing?” He demanded. Taken aback and slightly hurt at the sudden outburst, Kicit stuttered, not quite sure how to respond. He kept quiet as the Corvid replaced the book back in his own pack. 
“I just thought…” He began but Master Elacce kept quiet and continued forward. “…considering you forget things.” He said but Master Elacce did not respond. 
“Master, did I do something wrong?” He called and Master Elacce clicked his beak.

The waters calmed the instant Rusia School of Casting came into view. “A quick pace.” Master Elacce said. 
Once they arrived at the port, their ship, under a chorus of orders from the Captain, expertly maneuvered into a position at one of the docks. First by dropping its anchor and adjusting sails and then tossing lines of rope to the unnerved dock workers not entirely sure what to do with the ropes from a Canine ship. That is, until they saw the Esurian Pilot and did as their job demanded, pulling the ship close enough to the dock where a plank could be laid down and supplies and people could be disembarked.
They had nestled alongside a dock opposite of another ship that already had crew members and dock workers rushing supplies up and down its gangway. The Pilot rushed off of theirs with such swiftness that not only did he not collect payment but then proceeded to trip and fall into the water between the ship and dock. The splash brought everyones gaze towards him but instead of rushing to help their fellow Esurian they were all struck at the sight of the Canine Captain, complete in his military regalia, making his way down the gangplank. Not receiving any help the Pilot latched onto the side of the docks, pulled his way onto the deck and rushed onto the ship opposite of them, to offer his services to take them back to Farclaw and as far away from these weird beings as he could.
Master Elacce gestured with his taloned hand and Kicit followed, descending the gangway behind the Captain.
 “Go wait at the end of the dock for me.” He told Kicit who, before he proceeded, presented Master Elacce with a traveling pack. 
“You forgot it in the cabin. Was waiting to see if you’d notice.” He said and Master Elacce snatched it, a bit of bemused annoyance in his black feathers. 
“Thank you Kicit.” 
He did as he was told and walked briskly down the dock, drawing the eyes of everyone who was working them. A sense of unease filled him and he glanced back at Master Elacce who had taken to exchanging words with the Captain. More glares came his way and Kicit pulled his green Apprentice cloak around him, hiding all but the very bottom of his three taloned feet and brilliantly colored blue, black and white feathered head and then took in his surroundings.
A road running the side of the bay separated the docks and what Kicit took to be a small village. Most of the buildings were two or three stories high and closely clumped together with thin roads separating each clump. The smell of ocean, fish, and sweat filled the air as Esurians worked the small port. They rushed past him carrying boxes, bales, chests, boats, fish, nets, anything that one could imagine but they all had the same reaction. Once they saw him they paused, side-eyed him, wrinkled their nose or scoffed and hurried by. Each time one went Kicit felt a strange sense of unease, the looks finding a deep part of him he didn’t know.  Then Master Elacce called, drawing Kicit’s attention and raised one of his wings, pointing beyond.
Beyond the smaller clusters of buildings that he’d been focusing on, the streets lead to a massive structure on a small hill a little more inland, larger than anything Kicit had ever seen. It dwarfed the other buildings in its shadow. Great spires rose out of each corner and a massive dome, decorated with intricate carvings and arches sat in the middle. Kicit couldn’t quite see but it also looked as though smaller buildings, but just as intricately decorated branched out from the center main building.
“Rusia School of Casting, one of the oldest in all of the Islands.” Master Elacce had finally caught up and filled in his Apprentice, not paying any mind to the dozens of strange looks they were getting. “Also one of the oldest as well, I feel like I need to apologize ahead of time as you’ll certainly want to spend days combing through its tomes.” He started making his way towards the school, Kicit followed.
“How long are we going to be here? This isn’t what we were meant to do right?” They had been questions Kicit asked a few times but had gotten little in return, usually a deflection. Normally Master Elacce was more than open with the young Apprentice but Kicit could also tell that it was something of great importance so maybe secrecy was required. Either way, Master Elacce didn’t hear or ignored the real question.
“I need to meet with an old associate, I had some correspondence with him before we arrived and should be waiting for us in the library.” The Master said, picking up his pace as they pushed through the thin streets. For as long as the clusters of buildings were, they weren’t very deep and broke into a bright, well groomed grass field that encircled the massive school. Students meandered about, some in groups and others all by themselves enjoying the sun. Kicit looked closely and saw that most were practicing Release forms under the watchful guise of their teacher. 
They approached a brick courtyard, flanked on three sides by two story arches, carved with designs that Kicit recognized as basic Releases, all-be-it very stylized. The designs swirled through the stone work and all pointed towards a grand entrance with a massive shimmering door that sat on top of a few steps. At first Kicit thought they’d go up and somehow knock on it but instead Master Elacce cut through one of the arches and a smaller door. He didn’t bother knocking and instead opened it, presenting the way for his Apprentice with a gesture of his black wing.
Upon entering and before his eyes had a chance to attune to the dim interior an intense smell of aged paper, ink and parchment hit his beak. A strange feeling of nostalgia for a place he’d never been filled the Avian. Slowly, his eyes grew used to the dim light he began to make out rows and rows of bookshelves. A subtle earthy scent accompanied it and the sounds of hushed whispers boomed off of the vaulted ceilings that towered over him. They seemed to reach higher than the outside suggested while the ornate interior detailing outmatched what was on the outside. Even the grand Avian library where he had spent most of his time reading did not compare. 
Kicit impulsively rushed towards the first row of books he could see but Master Elacce clicked his beak twice to which he stopped in his tracks. Disappointed, Kicit reluctantly followed his Master through the library looking longingly at rows. 
They pushed through the room, passing by diligent looking Students with noses so far into their books that they paid no mind to the Avians passing by. Master Elacce approached a table at the end of the library with one Esurian who seemed to be waiting. He was hunched over, a deep red Mage cloak covering most of his body save for his hands and face. A narrow patch of hair framed what was a thin face and he gave the impression of being on watch, persistently glancing up to look around. The moment he caught a glimpse of Master Elacce and Kicit though his face lit up and he shot out of his seat, holding out his scaleless hands in welcome, a big smile across his face.
“Elacce!” He said, slightly mispronouncing the name but doing an admirable job considering the lack of a beak. “Or should I say Master Elacce.” He followed with a small bow and Master Elacce responded in turn in the Esurian tongue.
“Ilmari, it is good to see you once again.” 
Though Master Elacce’s command of the Esurian language was as strong as anyone in the room it held a distinct, thick accent caused by his lack of lips. Ilmari didn’t seem to pay notice of it however and instead thrust his hand out. Master Elacce grabbed it and shook before turning and presenting Kicit to the Mage. “This is my Apprentice, Kicit.”
Ilmari looked Kicit over with a discerning eye before reaching out his hand in the same manner he had with Master Elacce. “The once in a generation Apprentice. Elacce has certainly talked about you fondly in our letters.” Kicit followed Master Elacce’s example and shook Ilmari’s hand but perhaps squeezing a bit too hard as the Mage pulled it back quickly.
“The pleasure is mine.” Kicit said. He’d been practicing his Esurian with Elacce before their trip and was very surprised just how well he’d actually learned, though his accent was quite a bit thicker.
“Do you have it?” Master Elacce asked and Ilmari returned his full attention back to him. The corner of his mouth tightened and he gave an ever so slight nod.
“Possibly.” The Mage paused. “I worry about its authenticity.”
“I shall be the judge of that.” Elacce said. Ilmari gestured with a hand and Kicit started to follow but Master Elacce stopped him.
“Kicit, please stay here in the library. Feel free to peruse the books at your leisure until we return.” A surge of excitement rolled through Kicit! He’d get to look through any of the books he wanted! But it did strike him as odd that Master Elacce wouldn’t let him follow along, a thought and moment later he opened his beak but in his hesitation Master Elacce had already left with Ilmari and he stood alone in the old library.

The rustling of pages and quiet shuffling of feet on the stone floor closed in on Kicit. Once again he could feel a glance here and a stare there so he pulled his Apprentice cloak back over himself and walked to the nearest shelf. His talons clicked against the stone floor loud enough for them to echo off the grand ceilings but he couldn’t stop the distinct tick-tack. 
Scanning the shelf Kicit figured he must be in some sort of natural history section as the books were all about the world around them. 
Navigating the Tides: A Sailor’s Guide to Esurian Waters.
Nature’s Symphony: A melodic Exploration of Esurian Wildlife. 
Book by book Kicit began to realize that while the collection was vast, the net it cast was as well, approaching topics that might have had merits and perhaps something someone would find interesting, or silly. Nothing jumped out to him so he moved on to the next row and the next and the next, finally diving through three full shelves before finding one that spoke to him. 
Winged Wonders: A Study of the Extinct Avian Beasts.
Surprised, Kicit pulled it off the shelf. A thick layer of dust covered the tome and its binding was held together with little more than rough leather chording, the rest had fallen away. The remains of some sort of insignia graced the front cover but other than that it was fairly austere in presentation. Kicit wiped the dust off and opened to the first page where he was met with a faded green ink that had started chipping in a few places. He skimmed through the first few pages and became immediately obsessed over a sketch of a supposed Avian.
“He’d probably never even seen one of us.” Kicit muttered under his breath. The sketch was an interesting approximation but it assumed that their wings came from their backs not their arms. And while it did get their feathers correct, it described straight, Esurian like legs and feet. Instead of the thin, scale-like and reverse angled legs they actually had. 
Feeling confident that the book would provide some curious reading Kicit looked around for a table. The one that Ilmari had been sitting at was now occupied by several other students so he picked one that had only one Student whose nose stuck in his book. His hand and index finger were out and he was tracing shapes in the air though he never seemed to finish and kept stopping halfway, whispering something under his breath before trying again.
Kicit sat down on the opposite side and set to reading his find but the growing number and loudness of the students failures kept catching his attention. He stole peaks at the Release the Student was attempting. Another failure, but Kicit easily recognized it. The student was trying to draw a fire Release? No student of his age should be attempting such a thing. A few more failures and Kicit couldn’t take it anymore, he slid down the bench directly across from him, the Student still didn’t take notice.
“It’s crooked.” Kicit said, trying to keep his voice low but it still seemed to thunder through the massive hall.
“No it’s not! It’s just like the book say-” The Student went wide-eyed. His mouth dropped and he only seemed to make a slight gutteral sound when he saw who was speaking to him.
“That’s too hard for a Student, stick to the other Elements.” Kicit added pointing with a talon at the air where he was trying to draw. The Student’s face twisted at Kicit’s gaze. 
“Y…your cloak…you’re an Apprentice?” He asked, eyeing Kicit’s green cloak and brooch. It’d been a gift from Master Elacce upon his selection and conformed to the styling that an Apprentice should be wearing. A full body cloak, with no arms and a brass broach to hold the neck closed while the rest draped over his body and down to his talons. The Students eyes moved up and down as he grew more comfortable with the Avian before finally settling his gaze back at Kicit.
“Yes. And I’m saying focus on your Ground Releases. Those are much easier to grasp.” 
The Student slumped. “I know, Teacher Urr hasn’t even touched on Fire Releases. I wanted to get a leg up, selection is soon and they’re saying Ilmari will be selecting an Apprentice this round. If I could pass my exam with a Fire Release it might just be enough for him.” He said, dipping his head further. 
Kicit remembered studying for days and days on Releases to try and impress the proctors, the stress that had come with it, the drive to want to outperform everyone else. It had apparently worked as one of the Nine had selected him instead of the others but with how long he’d spent under Master Elacce’s wing thoughts of if it had been the right choice were growing louder. Seeing the Student before him Kicit formed a thought, he clicked his beak once, a curiosity to the Student, and held out a talon.
“What’s your name?” 
“Guile.” 
“Alright Guile, I’ll show you a trick.” He said and instantly Guile shot up straight like he were in class. Kicit started to trace out one of the Releases for Elemental fire in the air, extremely slowly and deliberately to show every line and angle. “First, try it on parchment, keep drawing until you can trace the lines without wavering. Then slowly…very slowly, transition to drawing it in the air.”
“B…but that’ll take ages!” 
“It’ll take longer trying to rush it. Something that helped me is to start much larger than you think. See, it doesn’t matter how large or small you draw a Release, what matters is the proportion.” He drew it again, this time with mere twitches of his talon, yet all of the forms were exactly the same. “It will get smaller and quicker over practice and time.” 
The Student watched him draw the Release, his eyes following every step and tried to mimic it himself but he failed, heaving a frustrated sigh.
“Stop. You’re trying it too fast, start slowly.” Kicit once again re-performed the actions. “Keep trying at that speed and you’ll train yourself to always stop or skip parts, it’s much harder to unlearn something than it is to learn.”
Guile tried again and this time drawing slowly and finally he completed the full Release. His face lit up and he attempted it again and again. While it was far from perfect and if he’d tried to imbue with a Canto nothing would happen. But that’s how most new Releases were learned. Kicit remembered drawing his own thousands of times before he even thought it was good enough to imbue with a Canto. But for the Student, it was a start.
“They never told us about proportionality! Teacher Urr always says it needs to be the same every time.”
“He’s not wrong, it’s better to get the fundamentals down when you’re starting out. But as you learn to get quicker, naturally the Release will get smaller and smaller.” Kicit said, drawing wide eyes from the Student.
“You make more sense than any of my teachers?” Guile said and Kicit cocked his head. “It’s strange, Benevoly always says that you animals are savage creatures. Never expected to get a lesson from one.” 
The derogatory ‘animals’ aside Kicit glanced in both directions and found that Students from all the surrounding tables had been staring at them and he began to worry he’d stepped over a boundary he shouldn’t have. Sure enough two other Students, much larger than the one who was sitting across from him, got up from their tables and started making their way over to them. Now Kicit felt he’d done something he shouldn’t have as their eyes narrowed on him and he pulled back from the table.
“What’s that doing here?” The larger one sneered. Kicit couldn’t quite tell if it was a question directed at him or not but he opened his beak.
“I don’t mean to interrupt, just showi-”
“It can talk!” One said. 
“Shut your…beak.” The other said and turned to Guile who had shrunken in his seat and Kicit felt the stain of history between the two. He faced the two and while he stood eye to eye with them Kicit was positive they could snap his light bones like twigs if they so desired.
“What a nasty creature.” The larger one said but the slimmer one took a step back.
“You know Thorne, that cloak, not sure if we should be messing with an Apprentice.” The warning didn’t seem to phase Thorne who curled his mouth.
“You think an Animal could do anything to me? Noth’n going on in its head.” Thorne crossed his arms and took a step towards Kicit. The Avian stood firmly planted and clicked his beak twice, a single taloned hand slipped out of his cloak and patted the air. 
“Young Student, calm down, there’s no reason to say such things. Please just leave Guile and I be.” Kicit tried to be as tactful as he could, attempting to avoid any wrong inflections but his command of the Esurian tongue was nowhere near Master Elacce’s and the words came out slurred and on the verge of mispronunciation. 
Thorne’s smile fell into a laugh and he pointed a finger at Kicit while turning to the other Students who’d all started paying attention to them. Kicit though, watched Thorne’s movements with a trained eye; waiting for any sort of motion indicating a Release. Sure enough, before Thorne had finished drinking in the attention, he had started to whisper a Canto and his finger began to weave Release. But Kicit was prepared, and much faster, he quickly canto’d and drew a simple Elemental Wind Release. Thorne, along with his accomplice, flew back, tumbling to the ground with a fat thud and quiet whimper.
“Who is Casting in my Library!” 
The voice reverberated through the library, like it knew every nook and cranny. Kicit righted himself and brought his talons back under his cloak right as an ancient Esurian emerged between two shelves. Her wrinkles were as deep as canyons and eyes sunken beyond recognition. Her thin emerald dress had once been brilliant but had been worn out over the years as if left in the sun the entire time. The rest of the Students all looked away from her as she approached, avoiding direct contact with the librarian. The moment she laid eyes on Kicit she drew in a sharp breath and held her hand to her chest.
“An animal? In my Library!” She made for him trying to shew him away like a common rat. Behind her Thorne’s  smile returned.
“Ma’am, I was only providing a lesson to one of your Students.” Kicit tried to reason but the Librarian’s face collapsed into shock as if surprised that the creature standing before her could even speak.
“It is none of my concern. Animals are not allowed in this Library!” Her tone grew and the books shuttered under its timbre. But they were met with another just as commanding voice.
“Madam Benevoly, why are you belittling my guests Apprentice?” Madam Benevoly turned so quickly that her skin shifted on top of her skull as Ilmari walked towards them, Master Elacce following closely behind.
“Apprentice? This thing?” She said with such disgust that even some of the Students winced.
“Apprentice Kicit is a better Caster than many of our teachers at this very school and should be treated as such.” Ilmari held out a hand towards Kicit. Kicit clicked his beak once and turned to Master Elacce but his Master had a much different look in his eyes. The moment Madam Benevoly saw Master Elacce and his silver and gold broach she immediately shriveled up and avoided his sight.
“That may be.” She said with a sneer. “But they are still not allowed in this library.” Ilmari pursed his lips and gave one short nod.
“Right, I will escort them out. Master Elacce and Apprentice Kicit please follow me.” Ilmari said and Kicit fell in line behind the two right as Thorne was recovering to his feet. Guile quickly stood from his table and ducked away without another word. 

Kicit followed Master Elacce and Ilmari out of the old Library, to a narrow hallway and eventually back outside in the sun.
“My sincerest apologies, I’m afraid that a certain feeling towards Beasts has taken hold among my fellow Esurians. The current Headmage has decided that they should not be allowed on the grounds, I assumed we’d keep a low profile.” At this Master Elacce shot Kicit a look he rarely gave, intensely accusatory. Ilmari continued. “Madam Benevoly has always had certain…feelings but it has seeped into our students as well.”
“Is Madam Benevoly the Headmage?” Kicit asked but Ilmari swiftly shook his head.
“No, Headmage Ceonred is away at the moment.” A pause filled the air as Ilmari sighed. “Where are you two headed from here if I may ask?” Kicit perked his head and turned to Master Elacce, just as curious as Ilmari.
“We are to head for Atheson for a meeting with the King.” He said and Ilmari nodded. He held out a taloned hand to prevent Kicit from speaking up. 
“Quite the journey you have ahead of you. There’s been rumblings about certain happenings in Atheson that I’m not sure are accurate but you must watch yourself.”
“We are very aware.” Master Elacce responded.
“I assume you have provisions for the trip?” To this Master Elacce nodded and Ilmari rubbed his beard. “Good. But I do recommend taking the southern road at the fork on the other side of the Rusia River, the northern track while more direct has no place to rest. The southern road has a small town almost halfway where you may find a bed.” Ilmari looked to the west as he spoke, as if showing them where to go before turning back to them. “But please, stay with me tonight. No one will check my study and we can discuss-“
“We will decline.” Master Elacce interrupted and took a few steps towards the road that eventually led to the west. “ Thank you for your offer but we cannot afford a further delay.” Ilmari looked surprised, even a bit hurt but the emotion flashed away and he bowed towards the Avians.
“Understood, I wish you luck in your journey and please be careful. Highwaymen have been known to prey on travelers.” He turned his eyes to Kicit. “If you need any assistance please do not hesitate to seek me out.” The offer filled Kicit with a warm feeling, knowing that the words behind it were as sincere as possible. Kicit clicked his beak once and bowed low at the Esurian mage who in turn took his best attempt at a farewell in the Avian tongue. It didn’t really mean anything but Kicit appreciated the gesture. 
“Thank you Ilmari, I look forward to our next meeting.” Kicit offered and Ilmari smiled. But Master Elacce was already a dozen paces ahead and called to Kicit who turned and rushed to him.

***

The first steps of their journey had been taken in silence as Kicit thought about their destination. Atheson was the Esurian capital and seat of the ancient monarchy with thousands of years behind it. The mere suggestion that they were going to meet with the actual King unsettled him and he felt his scaled talons clicking together thinking of all the potentials.
“So are we really to meet with the Esurian King?” Kicit finally asked back in the Avian tongue and Master Elacce twitched his head.
“Yes, but please no more questions on the topic.” 
There it was again, the wall that Master Elacce had drawn up. Kicit clicked his beak twice at the skirt information but Master Elacce stopped and turned towards his Apprentice. “Kicit, when I say no more questions it means no more questions.” The suddenness of his command startled him and he felt no other option than to drop it.
“Then what is it Ilmari gave you?”
Master Elacce reached inside his pack, slung on his right side and hesitated before drawing out an old tome. His talons pressed into it but eventually he handed it to Kicit who eagerly snatched it and looked it over. It was large, much larger than most of the other books that had been in the library. A faded red leather wrapped its covers and hid embossed simple symbols on the front, a diamond in the center with squares in each corner and a simple metal corner end. The binding technique was certainly old as the thick strands used to fasten the pages and binding together could be seen through the fading leather. Instantly Kicit felt as though he were holding something important and he opened it carefully to avoid damaging the worn pages. Inside Kicit’s hopes were shattered as the faded black ink was a script that he couldn’t recognize, rendering it almost useless.
“What do you see?” Master Elacce asked after Kicit had a chance to flip through a few pages.
“What language is this spoken, old Esurian? I can’t understand it.” Kicit asked and Master Elacce let out a deep sigh.
“Right…it’s an old…Esurian text describing the earliest Releases before Beasts. But I fear its language may be indecipherable.” Kicit started to place the book in his own pack, a tactic he had started to do in the face of Master Elacce’s forgetfulness but he quickly snatched the book out of Kicit’s talons and angrily snapped his beak twice. 
“What are you doing?” He demanded. Taken aback and slightly hurt at the sudden outburst, Kicit stuttered, not quite sure how to respond. He kept quiet as the Corvid replaced the book back in his own pack. 
“I just thought…” He began but Master Elacce kept quiet and continued forward. “…considering you forget things.” He said but Master Elacce did not respond. 
“Master, did I do something wrong?” He called and Master Elacce clicked his beak.