Scribbles and Drabbles

Bow-verse Caw Drabble 1

Written: 2013

"The ride of a lifetime," grinned Silyla, her eyes wide with excitement as she told the tale of a legend to two young boys. Both curled up together in bed. Silyla was older than the boys but not quite an adult, the softness in her cheeks and eyes revealing her age.

"What happened next?" the two demanded, practically buzzing with excitement. Silyla smirked, giving them a mysterious look. She tapped her nose and shook her head much to the boy's dismay. "Please!" they begged eagerly for more.

"No, it's time for bed," she said firmly to loud groans. "Tomorrow, I promise," she grinned before tucking the two in tighter. "Goodnight boys," she murmured, kicking both foreheads gently.

"Night Silyla," the two pouted, but yawns revealed the truth before snuggling in the blankets and falling asleep. Silyla smiled fondly before leaving the room and switching the light off as she went. She slept in the same room, but it was still a little early yet for her to sleep. Locking the door, she walked down to the common room. The three lived in a building set aside for refugees from the war. Mostly it was safe but Silyla didn't like to leave them alone sleeping unless the door was locked.

The shelter was run by a temple and she was lucky to be able to live in its shelter. The age difference between her and her brothers was just big enough that there was no doubt that they were her brothers and not her sons. She knew her letters and numbers, a useful skill that was becoming rarer with the war killing so many young people. The biggest count against her, however, was the seal around her neck.

She was caw. Part of a group many jokingly called 'fledgelings". Children whose parents had lived in Navat or k'nairi lands and had grown up for a time there. Human children were far more likely to form a link than their parents. She gained her own at five. The war had broken out when she had been nine. Her brothers had been two. Two young for even the faintest link to form.

"I'm just saying! It would be easier just to throw them all out the damned winged beasts,"

Silyla frowned as she heard the drunk words. Heading into the common room, she came in just in time to see two men start to fight. Ignoring them, Catherine headed to the bar and grabbed a glass of water. "What's the news' she asked the barkeep.

Tasp grimaced. "The k'nairi took Greensdale this morning. The soldier's lost a few of their men," he said gently, nodding at Catherine's necklace. Catherine flushed and tucked it in her clothes. Greensdale had a fair few caw residing in it. Both born k'nairi and human. "Word is, they rounded up all the caw and are planning to ship them off to Navat come morning light."

"Ah," Catherine murmured taking a drink and wishing she was allowed to drink alcohol. Felt more appropriate with that news. She turned and looked at the fight that was starting to get bigger and affect more tables. "Shouldn't someone stop them," she wondered out loud. The people around her shrugged, used to the fights.

"Sil, aren't you concerned?" Tasp asked worriedly. Whether for her or for the village and himself wasn't clear.

Silyla shook her head. "Greensdale had around twenty caw living there. Many of them here born k'nairi too. The Dmar will be supporting the removal of those more. Many of them had claims on them to, according to Stiz. The k'nairi are gathering up their runaways, but they are focusing on the born and claimed first. The rest of us are just a bonus. They don't care about fledgelings like me," Silyla explained, not unaware that those not watching the fight were paying attention to her.