The Carnelian Sparrow

Benjamin

Squire: I-I… (A heavy sigh escapes his beak) I think I’m finally improving.

Sitting against the base of a tree, a young jay wipes his forehead with his arm, shaking the heaviness of his training through ruffling of his light blue feathers. He closes his eyes, steadying his breath. Once composed, he begins to rise, only for a hand to come to his shoulder.

Knight: Are you, Ben?

The deep voice, belonging to the hawk training the young squire, is as stern as it is soft. His question is genuine. The squire, Benjamin, opens his eyes. The deep, earthen brown plumage belonging to his knight is comforting as it is intimidating. The eyes of a predator who has lived far too long are impossible to read.

Benjamin: I… I think— (He stops himself) …No, I am. Just not enough, Ser Wright.

Knight: Gods below, how many times do I have to tell you, kid? Just call me Jack.

Jack pulls Ben up to his feet rather brusquely, but also dusts off his feathers. Their training today had been rough, more so than usual in fact. It wasn’t often that Jack took his squire into the mountains north of Cross Castle. In fact, Ben had only been here once before on another training session. That one went much more poorly. Benjamin nearly did not survive.

Benjamin: I’ll call you by your given name the day you stop referring to me as “kid” …Ser Wright.

Jack: (His dark, beady eyes flash with something resembling a spark of respect) That’s the closest thing you’ve done to a counter-attack since we got here, Ben. But I’ll be fair. If you want my honest evaluation…

He hesitates. He always does this to make Ben sweat just a little bit more. It was also a tell. When Jack put on a show of choosing his words, they were often positive. In the three years since Benjamin Ward began training with Jack Wright, he picked up on subtleties that most ignored. At first, this intimidated Ben like nothing else. Once he picked up on it, however, he knew to relax. He did not tell Jack he knew this, of course, though he suspected his mentor already knew. Finally, Jack nodded slowly.

Jack: Yeah, I’d say you’re getting better. Your reactions are becoming less conscious and more instinctual. You’re thinking less, but without abandoning your thoughts entirely. And you actually swung with intent this time. (The knight rolls his right shoulder a couple times) I’ll keep that in mind for next time.

Benjamin: Th-thank you… (He bows his head politely, then immediately stands up before Jack can punish yet another display of propriety) …So why was today’s training so rough, anyway?

Jack: (He takes a few steps forward and closes his eyes, his tone becoming more formal) A mission came in. As studious as you are about our kingdom’s history, I know you already know this, but the anniversary’s coming up. Even though the last few years have been dull under King Alexander, the top brass are still taking the event seriously.

Anyone else would have answered with the assumption that Jack and Benjamin would be joining with the Royal Guard to protect the King. Benjamin was not just anyone else.

Benjamin: So… we are to assume a position in aiding the local guard in the city of Cross?

Jack: (He turns to glance back at his squire, the hint of a smile tugging at the corner of his beak) Sharp, kid. That’s exactly it. (That hint of a smile quickly fades) In all likelihood, nothing will come of it. But people just love to take the opportunity and test authority when the knighthood is in chaos. So I volunteered us to help in case of rioters or, gods forbid, a plot against the crown.

Benjamin: …But you say nothing will likely come of it.

Jack: Mhm. You’re gonna get bored, I’d put some serious gold on it. But criminals are also typically pretty stupid, so when they see a few extra knights roaming around town, they’ll back down. If they don’t, well, you and your friends might get to have some fun, after all.

Benjamin: My friends…?

Jack: Call it an early Hatchingday present. Since this celebration is gonna take a few weeks, I went and hired from the Adventurer’s Guild, and a few other places. Y’know… (A bit of mischief shined in the corner of his eyes) …the castle guard, the monastery, even the Undercity. I figure a unit of eight of you or so should be more than enough to hold down the city, even without my help. Happy Hatching, or whatever, kid.

Benjamin is a bit slow to recognize the practical implications of these words, until it hits him all at once. During his days at the Royal Academy, Benjamin Ward was one of a group of eight, all completely inseparable despite their varied goals and paths in life. They didn’t have the highest marks, nor were they the most popular lot, but their bonds were undeniable.

Little Ben wasn’t known for much back then. Out of the entire group, he had the least predictable direction once graduating from the Academy. His marks were the most middling, his prowess in combat mediocre, his social standing and family lineage nothing worth noting. But it was his inexplicable charm that others often said was the glue that held the group together. He wasn’t a leader by any measure, and yet, seven other young birds flocked to Benjamin Ward, for reasons that none alive, including Benjamin himself could identify.

Jack: That little messenger boy went out to fetch a couple of ‘em before we set out. We beat them by about half a day or so. They should be getting here any moment. Probably waiting for us at the base of the mountain

As if on cue, a small boy with feathers only a few shades off of pure white emerges into the little encampment on the mountain’s lower peak. He places his hands on his knees, clearly out of breath. After composing himself, the pigeon looks up with bright, inquisitive eyes, and smiles as he catches sight of Ben standing against a tree.

Messenger: Adam Young, apprentice to the Royal Mail reporting, Ser Wright!

Jack: Gods, it’s spreading… or they’re multiplying. I have no idea which is worse.

Adam: S-Ser Wright?

Benjamin: Adam! (His struggle to contain his excitement ultimately fails as he beams at his friend) Erm… I-I mean—

Jack: (He sighs) At ease, kid. We’re on a mountain, there’s no one around who cares about propriety or whatever. Being excited to see an old friend doesn’t make you less of a knight. It just means you still have a soul.

Benjamin: (He struggles with this some more, then bounds forward into a light hug. Adam chirps in surprise, but tentatively hugs his friend back) It’s good to see you, Adam! Made it into the Royal Mail, then?

Adam: My apprenticeship is going well, Ben! I am a moon or two away from becoming a postman proper!

Benjamin: Wonderful! I myself am not far removed from knighthood!

Jack: (He scoffs, which he quickly disguises as a little cough)

Benjamin: Er, r-right. Anyway, um… r-report, postmaster!

Adam: (He chuckles softly) Right. William and Anna are waiting for us down the mountain. They have agreed to your plan, Ser Wright.

Jack: (Unlike the first two times, he doesn’t react to the title, instead just nodding slowly) Good. Four down, four to go. Postmaster, report to the Church, and the guardhouse in the castle. …Man, forget this, go talk to the rest of your crew and get them on board, will ya?

Adam: (He gives a little salute, his right hand crossing his chest to his left shoulder in a fist for just a moment) At once, Ser Wright.

Jack sighs heavily, Adam and Benjamin shake hands, and Adam begins his descent down the mountain trail.

Jack: C’mon, Ben. Let’s get moving.