Chapter 27 - Talon Riders

The Talon riders were located near the top point of the palace in a specific area designed especially for them. Richard and Susana had both gone off after the meeting to make sure everything within the capital was in order, while Matin had offered to lead me to the Riders barracks or the birdcage as many of the people in the palace called it.

As we headed closer I kept thinking about the changes and laws I was going to make. This war would push that back by a significant amount and would cause more strife for the people of Larra which was something I didn't want to do. The people had already suffered enough which was why I needed to end this war quickly so I could begin rebuilding and changing. The princess's little pet was going to pay for all this.

We arrived at a set of ornately carved double doors, guarded by two people one very odd looking around. The helmet was shaped like that of a bird with a beak at the front and parts of the helmet shaped like feathers. Thye both wore feathered cloaks that gleamed in the light. Not normal feather cloaks but made out of some metal. The color of their armor was almost completely silver with only a few bits of gold here and there. The weapon they all carried was a doubled-ended glaive that shone silver like the rest of them and glowed with an inner light making me think back to Adarra's one power. Was it some form of magic or kordred energy?

Both knelt when they caught sight of me. "Your majesty, word was sent, we are honored that you would ask this of us. Our commander awaits inside, she is eager to meet you."

I raised an eyebrow at that. "Of course, I was told you were the best this kingdom had to offer and have come to see for myself." Why did they remind of valkyries so much? It was probably their armor and the fact that both were female.

They stood and with a single tap on the door it opened silently, and we stepped in. I paused at my first look at the room or should I say forest. Grass covered the ground, and the room was dotted with trees and other foliage. It was like we'd walked outside instead of into another room, but that wasn't what caught my attention the most.

Three more riders were waiting for us, and behind them was the mount they would be using. None were as big as Rath nor looked as deadly, but they were still a sight to behold. with an eagle-like body and thin neck leading to a bird-like head with a longbeak that looked to be made of metal. In fact, it wasn't just her beak that was made of metal but her feathers also looked to be made of metal, and the way the entirety of the bird shone with light was beautiful, to say the least. Especially when you consider the fact that it was easily big enough for two people to ride on and the fact that the winds and feathers looked razor-sharp. Not that's more like it, I thought, examing the birds.

The three riders knelt when I stopped in front of them and the one in the middle took off her helmet, revealing the face of a woman in her twenties with long silver hair and bright yellow eyes similar to that of birds. Her features were also a lot sharper than I would've expected which led me to believe she was a kord with a beast affinity. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if they were all kords with the same affinity. It made sense after all.

"Your majesty, I am commander Asara, leader of Talon riders," Asara said. "I am honored to meet you and pleased that you have called upon us. The former king kept us caged for far too long and did not wish to risk us. We have grown weary of this place and wish to ride the skies once more. I have picked the fifty best of us and we will gladly ride with you."

I gave her a smile. "Well, you don't have to worry about me keeping you caged in here. It would be a waste not to use you, though I do have a few questions. Are you all-female and kords?"

She stood followed by the two at her side and nodded. "Indeed, one must be a woman to be a talon rider as the affinity and silver hawks will not bond with males. May I ask a question of my own, your majesty?"

I nodded absently, thinking about her words. A hundred kords bonded with silver hawks. A deadly group of fighters indeed, though only being female meant recruitment probably wasn't as fast as it could be which was unfortunate. I still couldn't wait to see them in battle.

"May we see your mount?" Asara asked, looking excited. "We were told you possed a wyvern, a rare beast."

I focused back on her and noticed the eager look in her and the other two riders' eyes. Were wyverns that big of a deal in this world or were they just uncommon in this land? I looked at space around us and after a few seconds decided at it wouldn't be too bad to let Rath out. There was plenty of space and I hadn't seen him in days.

I summoned him and almost immediately the silverhawks behind the riders backed up, spreading their wings though they didn't look to be panicked or as though they would attack, which led me to believe they were very well trained if they could deal with Rath's presence without to much of a fuzz. Though they did look slightly sacred, which wasn't a surprise considering how Rath looked.

Rath spread his wings and let out a mighty roar before he lowered his head and nuzzled my side.

"It's good to see you again too, Rath, sorry for not having you out as much," I said, rubbing his head. "But soon we'll be flying together into battle."

He let out a pleased growl at that and bump my side slightly. Just big ol puppy arent you, I thought, rubbing his head.

"He's beautiful," Asara said with wide eyes." May I?"

I nodded motioning for her to come closer. She hesitantly took a step closer and when Rath did nothing she rushed the last few steps and began to slowly pet Rath's head causing him to let out a pleased rumble. Asara laughed and I motioned for the other two rides to come forward as I glanced around.

Where's Matin?" I thought, looking around. I spotted him after a few seconds standing far away and looking at Rath with wide eyes. I held back the urge to laugh as I turned back to Asara.

"How long Asara until you and your riders are ready?"

She stopped petting Ratha and turned to me with a serious look on her face. "Only an hour, the riders I chose are just getting ready. You should stay here. There is a section that opens up, and we can depart from there if your majesty has no other business."

I shook my head. "No my advisors are taking care of it, I will wait here with you, though I must ask, how fast can a silver hawk fly?."

She smiled and the two riders behind her chuckled. "Your majesty the silver hawk is the fastest sky-based beast within not just this kingdom but also the surrounding kingdoms. If your wyvern can keep up then we shall arrive at the fort in no time."

"Good," I replied, feeling relieved. If all went to plan then we would defend the fort and be back here to prepare for the main battle, which I wanted to take place away from the capital or at least not in clear view of its walls. Three days, that's all I had, and I prayed that it was enough.

"Ermm, your majesty?"

I turned to see Matin slowly making his way closer to me, his eye locked onto Rath.

"Yes?" I asked.

"I'm going to leave and make sure everything is as it should be and that the soldiers and other generals are ready, I wish you safe travel and a successful battle," He said.

"That's fine, good work,"

As soon as the words left my mouth he rushed towards the exit, Domino and the riders chuckles following him.

I turned back to Asara. "Do you have anyway private I could use?" I still needed to use my summoning tokens and I preferred doing that in private.

She nodded. "Yes, would you like me to lead you there?"

"Yes," I replied. "I'll only be half an hour at most."

It was summoning time.