1.8

As Clarks horse rode into Banford the weather was closing in on the town. Dark clouds were blossoming and a cold wind was gaining in strength. On the far side of the monestary he could see the occasional lightning and hear the roar of thunder. The horse stopped just before the crowd infront of the monestary bacame to thick to move and Clark dismounted. Without him doing anything the horse rose on its hind legs, whinnied and rode off out of the town.
I guess it knew it's work here was done, Clark thought to himself and started to orient himself. A tavern to the left, some blacksmiths and stables to the right. Infront of him the monestary and behind him was a large number of smaller houses and dwellings. Most of the citizens of the town seemed to have left their homes and was gathered in the crowd.
Clark got the attention of an elderly man beside him and asked,
- What is going on here?
The man smiled a toothless smile and just pointed upwards, towards the parapet of the monestary.
Peering hard he could make out a silhouette against the dark skies. A lightningflash illuminated a slender figure standing totally still with it's arms stretched out wide.
A screech was heard from a far distance and the figures arms moved slightly. On either side of the parapet armed men stood at guard aiming their weapons toward the figure, they seemed to be shouting something but the meaning of it was lost in the sound of the increasing storm.
Behind him Clark could hear shouting and frightened screams. When he turned his head he saw a large wagon pulled by two large horses running towards him. He yelped of surprise and shock and jumped sideways to avoid the wagon. It was just centimeters from running him over but he counted himself lucky, in the wake of the wagon people were laying around with wounds and bruises. The beastly screech was heard again, this time closer and louder.
- An ebon eagle, Clark half spoke, half whispered to himself. How he knew this he did not know. He had never heard of it but still he knew it's call.
The wagon had made it all the way to the monestary gate where cleric guards were pushing people away to allow the Lord Anon to entrence to it.
Over the parapet Clark saw an immense shadow swoop in and land behind the figure. Folding it impressing wings the ebon eagle swept wide enough to push two of the guard over the side screaming until they hit the muddy ground. The figure held on to the leg of the eagle and it screeched loudly once more before flapping it's wings causing even harder winds for the people on the ground to deal with. The eagle flew off towards the large mountain range in the west with long powerful wingbeats.
- I'll be damned, Clark said
- And you damn sure should be, he heard from his right side accompanied by a deep laughter.
A large man and a small woman was standing beside him.
- You don't look like a commoner, said the woman.
- No I guess I don't really, I'm fresh from Craw, Clark replied.
The man and woman looked at eachother.
- Ok, I guess that is a good thing. An ebon eagle you said.
- Did I?
- Yes just before the beast landed.
Clark realised he had spoken a little too loud to himself.
- It was an ebon eagle but I do not know why I know that.
The woman leaned towards him and whispered in his ear,
- This is not the place to discuss this matter. Eager ears these commoners wear, lets not destroy their view of the world. Follow us to the tavern, have some drink and food and perhaps more.