*A gust of wind ran past like a direwolf chasing it's prey...

...whipping Falcon's cloak as it sped by.

With his body shivering due to instinct, Falcon pulled his cloak closer to his body, trying to steal as much warmth as possible as he continued walking.

Continued walking....

"How long has it been?" Falcon muttered, as he tried to make sense of the forest. In the day, he would be able to get to the next town easily even if he was made to crawl.

However, in the night, everything changes. Not a single bird takes flight at night, or risk never to return to their safe nest.

In the night, what was once a forest where anyone can pass through easily, becomes a 7 level dungeon maze.

"Too bad, I guess I have to stay the night." Falcon swore as he looked for bushes which is a poor alternative to the rocky ground, but still a better choice to lay on.

Looking up into the night sky, Falcon stared right into the full moon, wondering why it was of no help when compared to the sun, wondering why the birds don't take flight in the dark...

Wonder why his enemies lo-

Just as he was finishing his thought, the hiss of movement in the still air caught his attention. Reacting purely on instinct, Falcon sidestepped to his left, his eyes widening when his mind registered the glint which reflected the grace of the moonlight.

Steel.

"Wha..." the first noise of his mouth came like those of a newborn, unsure and unfocused.

But that uncertainity didn't last long.

"Damn."

As a former knight who has served a slain king, Falcon has plenty of dance partners whom he does not really want to dance with. Unfortunately, despite his reluctance to dance, his enemies do not see eye to eye with him.

With a ten thousand gold coins for his head to be hung on the castle wall, there's no shortage of suiters for Falcon when it comes to dancing.

Still, there is a reason why Falcon is walking through this cursed forest today.

Sliding to his left, Falcon dodged the follow up strike from his enemy, before turning around and running away like a rabit away from a forest fire.

But this rabit, isn't running away.

He's attacking.

Maintaining his speed, Falcon ensured that he is out of his enemy's long sword range, while at the same time giving enough such that his enemy will not stop his pursuit. Even then, his eyes were scanning for aid.

Nature's aid.

It wasn't long before the answer presented itself. Smiling, Falcon slowed his speed, adding a little pant to his breath for the dramatics.

From the sound of his opponent's jingle of armor, obviously, his opponent does not know of the plan.

But then, if he did, he won't be here right now.

Closing his eyes, Falcon waited for this hiss of the blade.

It came, not a moment too soon.

Smiling, Falcon increased his pace, jumping and kicking at a tree, allowing his body to somersault right over his opponent's body.

Not wearing any steel has it's advantages.

And it shows.

What Falcon was counting on was that his opponent would know how to use a sword, which is that it's for stabbing, and not hacking as what most 10 year olds, and sadly, some knights, do.

Fortunately, his opponent did.

Unfortunately for his opponent, his stab, drove his sword right into flesh.

Not human flesh.

Tree flesh.

Thanks to the weight of the armor, it sent the sword straight into the thick tree trunk.

Smiling sadly at the pitiful figure who was desperately trying to free his sword, Falcon slowly unshealthed his short sword, Estreledge, slowly, allowing the shrill cry of leather rubbing against steel penetrate the night.

The dull blade reflected the figure in front of Falcon, still trying to free his source of attack. Slowly turning his sword, Falcon felt the familarity of the grip which he held for thousands of times. With the balance perfect to the atom, the sword can be tossed and caught by it's user as it will never deviate from it's original flight path. The ruby in center of the hilt showed that it was created by the best, and held by the best.

The sign of a swordmaster.

Finally, common sense returned to the figure in front of Falcon. Getting on his knees, he begged for his life.

Like every other one who tried to get the gold.

Sighing inwardly, Falcon raised Estreledge, preparing to stain it yet once again.

Suddenly, his eyes caught a glint off the metal plate. The sun reflecting the bright yellow symbol.

The Talon.

"What the hell?" Falcon swore.

"When did they fall this low?" Falcon muttered, disappointed with the house that was his closest ally in the past.

Smashing a fist against the jaw of his opponent, Falcon brought boot to the idiot for causing Falcon so much trouble. When he awakes, he'll be in a load of pain.

But alive.

Looking at the sun that was slowly rising, Falcon sighed, allowing the warmth to soak his bones. Even his closest friends are now his dance partners, joining the ever growing line of his enemies.

Still, bridges are built, bridges are burnt. Looking ahead into the sky, Falcon can't help but smiling.

"Spring is coming."

The small sun beam stroked his face like that of a lover's hand, causing his smile to widen even further.

"Spring is coming."*

----

Yes, spring is coming. Friday is official Spring, but hell, it still feels cold at night, but the weather is warming up. Like what they say, it was the coldest autumn a few months back, now, it's going to be the hottest spring in a few years. :o

Fun fun.

----

Gay marriage lawful if one party is hetrosexual. :D