For being a Flock focused primarily on combat, scouting, and hunting, the Talons Flock was notably hospitable and welcoming; with many corners to tuck into with books, confectionaries, plants and gardens, and glass-pane windows with eye-catching views. Having been established so many years ago, it only made sense that it had some seniority and monetary benefits. Though most rooms were not so well furnished and filled with amenities, they still bore the marks of decades-old carvings along walls of both wood and stone. 

 The barracks were no palace- they were largely cold and militant. However, they acted as a permanent residence for the vast majority of the members, meaning it was important that at least some parts of the barracks felt like homes.

 One such place was the main room of the station quarters- at least from what Mazdall could see. It was a massive circular room at the base of a tower, fashioned with a round, red rug and a circular table. An unlit fireplace was positioned directly across from the entrance; to its left sat a pile of fresh firewood, to its right was a large bookcase positioned against the wall with a basket of cushions beside it. An unlit candle sat atop the bookcase, its whisk frayed from age.

 Going higher up the tower there were several layers of stone platforms, all leading to different rooms guarded by sturdy metal-reinforced wooden doors.

 After showing the recruits the floor level, the station director directed each of them to one of the rooms up the tower, making sure they knew where they would each be staying. These were not permanent living quarters- they were much too small to house a full-time Talon- no, these were specific rooms to house recruits and other such impermanent guests. If a recruit managed to become a Talon, only then would they see proper all-inclusive living quarters. 

 Mazdall took an immediate liking to her room- however temporary it may be- loving that she was positioned with a large window facing outside of the barracks and into the wide, sprawling fields beyond. There was only one sleeping option, a cotton bed with a wooden frame, as well as several layers of blankets. The bed was not worn out, but it was certainly cheap- not that Mazdall minded. Aside from that, there was a short wooden table with a shelf at its legs, a musty lantern atop, and a small jar of lantern oil. The room was small and a bit cramped, but it would be what Mazdall would call home for the next four weeks.

 Drawing their attention away from their rooms, their station director- Obora- called out to the recruits. 

 “Let’s get moving, recruits!”

 Once the recruits had gathered near the floor level, Obora spoke again. “Now that everyone knows where their residence is, we’ll move over to the orientation hall. After that, you’ll be expected to find your way back here without my leading you.”

 Not another word was uttered by Obora, she simply turned tail and exited the station quarters.

 After leaving, they all turned to go further down the long corridor. There were many nooks that caved out from the halls, and a few were even occupied. Oddly, this portion of the barracks felt like a study hall.

 Eventually they arrived at a beautiful large set of wooden doors, adorned by frosted stained glass. The colours of the glass window sent dancing rays onto Mazdall’s scales- she raised her hand up, admiring it. 

 Obora pushed on the doors, opening them into a wide wooden room with a massive table in the middle and a podium at the end. Each member of the group flooded in.

 The room felt huge to Mazdall, even though she knew this wasn’t anywhere near the size of the Crest. She found a comfortable spot at the table and turned her head to the podium.

 Obora took stage at the podium, her steel leg making a signature clang and thump as she moved. Her wings were large and imposing at her sides, two protective entities guarding her.

 “Alright recruits, your first session with me will be general orientation. So, first I would like to run you through what the next four weeks will look like. You’ll be staying at the station quarters we just visited- curfew is just after the sun fully sets. Tomorrow you will be expected to arrive back here at the orientation hall one hour after sunrise. We will be conveying a flight test to determine who will be most capable in the skies. Over the course of these few weeks there will be several forms of training or testing, evaluation, and eventually, role assignment. There will be no do-overs or second tries; with the first frost approaching we can’t afford to waste time. If you are incapable of performing any tasks at a proficient level, you will be sent home.”

 She took a short breath as she crossed her arms, “I assume we will not have to teach any of you how to fly. Your wings are a basic instrument of a Flocktic. I can’t help you if you fly like a fledgling.”

 The room let out a soft laugh, and Obora mustered a ghost of a smile. 

 “Next, let’s go over the barracks. If you look at the table, you’ll see the large map that showcases the basic layout of the Talons Perch. Huge and complicated, I know- but if you intend to become a Talon, this will become your home, so I’d recommend you get familiar with it. This map remains here in this room at all times, so if you need to use it to reorient yourself, do so. I’ve marked this orientation hall on it with a red dot.” 

 She reached and pointed in the general area where it was. The bright red dot stood out on the otherwise tan weathered map.

 She continued to try and point at the map with great difficulty from her position, “If you follow the route to that large courtyard you’ll reach the main court. This is where large-scale assemblies are held. This is also where emergency information will be distributed if something ever happens. Now, this here is-” Predictably, she grew tired of standing above the map, and moved down from the podium to stand at the front of the table, placing her talon on a portion of the map, “This here is one of the kitchens- you can reach that quite easily from here- and this is the training yard of our station, which is where we will be doing the majority of our tests and training.” Something about her seemed to be much more satisfied teaching within the group. It was as though being risen above the others gave her a headache. She was much more content down at the table.

 Mazdall was watching intently, making sure to memorize the map as best she could. For now she only had to focus on a few select areas, but if she successfully became a Talon, she would have to know more than that. 

 Obora addressed the group with a smug look on her face, “Does anyone here know the code of the Talons?”

 Quickly, Mazdall lifted a wing a bit. Obora lifted a brow, but nodded to her nonetheless, and Mazdall began to recite it. “‘Of a Talon, there is strength, bravery, intelligence, honesty, and a heart true of sky. Never to fear, scorn, or deceive. A Talon respects, protects, and defends. Our-’”

 Abruptly, an orange light shone in her eye and caused her to blink a few times. She raised her head for a moment to see outside the windows that the sky was just starting to turn to dusk, the blue beginning to fade into a bright orange and pink. The light from the setting sun threw itself at her face, and she had to force her gaze away from it. 

 “Still with us, Mazdall?” Obora questioned. Mazdall couldn’t tell if she was teasing her or genuinely concerned.

 “Yes, sorry.” She replied.

 “Try not to let the sun distract you. You will be in the sky afterall.” A few recruits huffed a breathy laugh. Mazdall couldn’t help but retreat into her wings a bit.

 Despite herself, Mazdall continued reciting it, “‘-Our fellow Talons, no matter blood, we stand beside them with heart and body. It is we- the warriors- who blight the cold and fight the frost. Olzen is our mother- she who gives us life- and of her body we defend. No matter who we are, a Talon is a gift, and a gift we shall give back.’”

 Obora seemed somewhat surprised that Mazdall had genuinely memorized the code of the Talons. It was an old script, so much so that it could really only be found on the walls in the Crest. It was rather obscure, but still considered quite important.

 “Where did you learn that?”

 “An old copy of ‘A Talon’s History’.” Mazdall replied.

 “You mean the book?” Obora clarified.

 “Er- yes?” Mazdall seemed confused at the question.

 “Odd.” Obora remarked before addressing the group, “Well, unfortunately despite it being so obscure, you are required to recite it at the Talon graduation. If you intend to make it that far, I would suggest memorizing it.”

 Her tone seemed less impressed and more confused with Mazdall. Her eyes averted away from her and back to the rest of the group. Mazdall couldn’t help but feel that she had somehow offended Obora… 

 Obora lifted her shoulders, “I suppose that next we should go over tasks. Since you’ll all be essentially living here for free, you’ll be expected to maintain and take care of the space. This includes cleaning, stocking, and gathering. There should be a sign board outside of your station quarters with tasks. Choose and take charge of things, and if you do extra each week you’ll earn some Silver. Speaking of earning Silver-” Obora was suddenly cut off by a loud and distinct horn sounding across the barracks. It occurred once and then it was over.

 Obora sighed, “I suppose we will have to finish the rest of orientation tomorrow. I’m headed to the Crest for the summon.  She waved a hand at the recruits, “Return to your rooms.” Without so much as a proper farewell, she turned away.

 The recruits took her word and moved back in the direction they came from. Once Mazdall arrived back at the station quarters, she made her way to the bookshelf and grabbed a random book. She thought for a moment about sitting with a cushion at the fireplace, but decided against it- she would rather have some alone time to recharge, and some of the other recruits were already settling in the main room. So instead of staying, she took flight up the center of the tower towards her room. She was staying in the first ring of rooms, so she didn’t have to fly very far before she approached the door to her room.

 Locking the door behind her as she entered, she released a pent up sigh.

 Mazdall felt absolutely starstruck from how incredible the Talons Perch was already, but regardless, she couldn’t help but feel drained. In a way, this was difficult for her. Now that she was in the barracks of the Flock, it was all real- all the years she had worked to make it here would lead up to these four weeks. A part of her worried about disappointing herself- worried about accidentally throwing away years of work. It was a lot for her to comprehend- a lot for her to accomplish, and now it was all happening. 

 Mazdall tried to shake it off and focus on the book she had picked up. She checked the cover and it said in tall letters ‘History of Icora’. She knew she would find enjoyment in reading about the snowy mountain province- very few books could manage to bore her. After scanning the room, she decided she would make herself comfortable beside the window, for the view and for the light.

 Gently, Mazdall picked up one of the blankets folded on the bed and moved over to the window with it. She placed the blanket on the floor beneath the window, huffing as she patted it down. The room was nice enough, but stuffy and perhaps a bit too warm for her, so she promptly lifted herself up from the sill of the window and felt around to find a latch to open it. Luckily, there was a latch, and with a simple click and a push, the window slowly swung away from her. Instantly, she could feel the cold breeze fill her room. She took a deep breath and a subsequent sigh of relief as she rested down on the blanket, making herself comfortable with the book.

 Mazdall read for a while to calm her worries, letting herself be transported to points in history. She had always loved books, and no matter the genre, she always found herself immersed and enraptured. The book spoke of dastardly snowstorms, famine and conflict, as well as the various Lordmayors of Icora throughout history. It described garbs worn by seasoned warriors and their various meanings. As well, it listed various beautiful landmarks and other sights; tall frost-filled trees with leaves encased in ice, steep caverns and slopes, winding tunnels of ice and snow, colourful rippling lights of the sky, and many distinct statues to mark the places of fallen heroes. Mazdall could practically feel the bite of the cold under her feathers- or perhaps it was just the wind.

 Slowly, her mind began to fall drowsy, the curtain of darkness having befallen the plains outside her window as the sun took its rest.

 Finally, she decided it was time for her to crawl into bed and try to get some shut-eye. It was becoming harder to read the words in the growing darkness, anyways. 

 Shutting the book and placing it beside the lantern on the table, she climbed on top of the bed. She tried to shut her eyes, but a wave of tension overcame her the moment she did. She lifted a hand and lightly massaged her brow. Perhaps it was the nerves, or being away from home, but it was difficult for her to relax.

 I can do this. I have to do this.

 The moment she attempted to shut her eyes again, she heard a tink. The sound was coming from the window. 

 Again. Tink. 

 She lifted her head, and before she could look at the window, she heard it again, this time louder. CLINK.

 Something was outside her window.