Red Hawk

Chapter One: Red Hawk

Kai wandered through the streets of Elrosa, hidden behind a tattered gray cloak covered in dust. The citizens of Elrosa seemed to be setting up for some sort of festival, decorations and empty stands spread out throughout the streets. But he wasn't there for something much more important. A gloved hand made its way from beneath the cloak, help within it a map of the city. Near the north end of the city, Kai had circled his destination. But even with the map, he was helplessly lost.

Letting out a tired sigh, he decided to make his way into a nearby café to get a drink. The lunch rush must have just ended, the place completely devoid of any other customers. A young lady dressed as a maid met him near the front doors, "Welcome!" Keeping a bright smile upon her face, the waitress led Kai to a table for one near the window. She then placed a menu down before heading off to grab him a complimentary water.

By the time she returned, Kai had been ready to place in his order. Since they offered free water, he just ordered a piece of lemon cake to satisfy his slight hunger. While he sat waiting, he placed the map upon the table to try and find the café in relation to his destination. He was so caught up in this, he hadn't noticed the waitress returning with his cake. "Looking for the guild hall?" she asked while placing down his order. Kai only replied with a nod. She took a glance at his map, "Oh my, that's outdated. But just take a right when you leave here and then take the third street on the left."

"Thank you," Kai spoke as he removed the hood of his cloak, revealing messy black hair and burning orange eyes. This caused the waitress to be taken aback, having never seen eyes quite like Kai's. It was a reaction he was used to by now. While she was still lost, he gently placed payment for the cake and tip in her hand, "Have a wonderful day." When he said this, she snapped out of her trance-like state and wandered off.

Almost there thought Kai as he took a bite of the cake.

Quickly finishing his meal, he followed her directions to find the guild hall. As he turned the corner as instructed, he saw it standing there. A manor that stood four stories high, surrounded by a ten foot concrete wall. Hanging above the gate was an old wooden sign that read Red Hawk, he had finally arrived. A group of three travelers were making their way out of the gate, spotting him as he approached.

The middle one called out to him, "Yo! Here to apply for the guild?" He seemed to be a friendly guy, dressed in black leather armor with a black overcoat. He stepped over to Kai, putting a hand on his shoulder, "Name's Hide, nice to meet ya."

Hide's companions called to him, "Come on man, we got a mission to do, hurry it up."

"I'll meet you at the train station!" Hide called back, "Just go on without me, I'll catch up!" With a shrug, his companions headed off. "Good to see word of our guild is starting to spread. Most people would rather join a more popular guild than us, so what's your name?"

Kai removed Hide's hand from his shoulder, "Kai Vickery."

"Kai, that's an unusual name isn't it?" Once more, Hide placed a hand on Kai's shoulder with a wink, "Good luck." On that note, Hide went off to catch up with those who had left him behind. Making his way inside, Kai found the place rather empty. Even though the guild hall was rather impressive, the guild itself only seemed to have eight members including the three that just left. And that wasn't including the receptionist or those working in the kitchen.

At the far end of the room sat the guild's headmaster, a rather young man dressed in a fine red suit seated at an oak desk. Rose tinted glasses found their place at the end of his nose, but he pushed them up as Kai began to approach, "Good evening," he spoke in a well mannered voice, "I am the headmaster of this guild, Odin." Odin raised his left hand out to Kai, the two now engaged in a polite handshake. After exchanging the handshake, Kai sat down across from Odin.