Crow

I belong to Raan (ID: 224484)

Crow had been born in the deserts of the Lightning flight. His mother had been exalted shortly after he was born, so the only guidance he received was from his father. That is if you could call it guidance, Solomon was in charge of the clans archive, and spent most of his time in the dark catacombs organizing his records. The few time he had met Crow, Solomon was uncomfortable, disconnected, or just plan cold to the boy. Even though Crow had bits of his fathers mind, he preferred the arena to the library. He won many achievements for his combat skills, but in the eyes of his father, he was just taking time away from his studies. After a particularly bad fall out between the two, Crow ran from his fight. As he fled he vowed that he would never come back. He travailed for many days until he collapsed from hunger and lack of sleep.

The four month old Coalt was found unconscious in the Twisted Wood by Silvereye and Shadowwing when the two healers went out to find herbs. The two dragons managed to get him back to the coven and nurse him back to health. Slivereye spent most of her time trying to convince the more skeptical members of her clan that Crow was no harm. This left Shadowwing as the one who actually cared of him. When he did recover he petitioned Silvereye to let him stay on in the coven. The three heads of the coven agreed on the condition that Sunspot would monitor him until he was convinced he was trust worthy. Over the weeks Crow came to see the older Coalt, even if it was only by a month, as a father figure. Crow was taken on many border patrols as Sunspot was head of the warriors within the clan. It didn't take long for Sunspot to see the fellow warriors spite in the boy, and he was eager to take him under his wing. Even with Crow achievements, Sunspot had experience on his side. It wasn't long before the elder Coalt was recommending the younger one to take over the Night Watch, A group of elite warriors who's mission is to protect the coven, in his place. After that many began asking who he supported. This question confused Crow until Hawkeye finally explained the dynamics of their clan. And with his next words Crow made history in the clan. "I serve the coven and it's leaders. Not one dragon." despite his words, he still saw Sunspot as a friend and confide in him on many matters. One of these matters was Shadowwing. Crow had been in love with the Pearlcatcher since he first awoke in the in the coven to see her by his side. With much pushing from his mentor, Crow finally worked up the courage to ask her to be his mate. And was overjoyed when she said "yes". With his new position and place as a relative, Silvereye gave him the name Crowfall.

Important point:

• For many dragons, the Tangled Wood is a place to fear and avoid. For Crow, it is a haven.

When Crow was a hatchling, just days after he came from his egg, his mother was Exalted to work under Stormcatcher. Not even able to fly, and he and his three siblings were left alone under the guidance of their father Solomon.

However, Crow would not call it “guidance”. It was more along the lines of a general supervision. Solomon oversaw the Archives in The Lightning Farm. The few times he had come across his children were cold and awkward.

Solomon was always uncomfortable around hatchlings, and tended to leave them with the mothers. But because Sennix was exalted, he was the one in charge. He tried to disconnect himself from the hatchlings, but found himself inadvertently around them.

Solomon eventually realized that his children could prove beneficial to him, and began to teach them how to care for the Archives. While some of his siblings didn’t mind, Crow did not care for this task. Though Crow and his father shared a similar mind set when it came to this sort of thing, Crow preferred to fight and battle in the Coliseum.

Crow was a natural in the arena; he had won his clan many achievements for fighting when he was of age. However, Solomon did not approve of this choice in activity, and he felt it was a waste of his mind and taking away from his studies.

Because of this, Crow and Solomon would often not see eye-to-eye and would end up in verbal fighting matches over the matter. Usually, their arguments would end in ruffled feathers and nasty glares. But one stormy afternoon, the wrath of Stormcatcher himself could not have been compared to the fight father and son had.

On this day, the thunder cracked over the skies and the lightning shone bright. It was the perfect atmosphere for a fight; only the worthiest of opponents would dare to show their face. Crow was preparing to head out when Solomon stopped him.

“What do you want father? Can’t you see I am heading out?” Asked Crow, slightly miffed at the sudden disturbance.

“Crow, stop. I do not want you going out to that arena.” Solomon replied, as a rumble sounded thunder above.

“Why? So you can trap me within the dusty walls of the Library? I would rather claw out my own eyes than have to read another old and musty scroll.” Snapped Crow, feeling his body temperature increase as he slowly became more frustrated.

Solomon felt his lip curling in a sneer. He hated when anyone talked back to him, and especially when it was his son. “Don’t you dare talk about the Archives that way. They are a valuable source of information and should not be talked about so poorly.”

The rain had begun to come down, gradually at first, but it was building into a brutal storm.

“Look, father,” condescension dripping off Crow’s words, “I enjoy fighting. It makes me feel alive, not that I would expect you to understand. You spend your days stuck inside one room surrounded by nothing but words to keep you company. At least I am doing something useful for my clan.”

Solomon’s wings flared at this. “You ungrateful little imp,” he snarled, “you know what I do is far more important than stupidly throwing yourself into a pit just for the sake of being attacked. It is barbaric and garish.” A flash of lightning lit the sky behind Solomon, momentarily putting his face in shadow.

Crow matched his father’s stance. The rain was coming down in sheets, drenching the two Coatls. They were at a stand-off, knowing if either continued, it would get messy.

Crow was the first to break the tension. “Move Solomon. You are in my way, and as it is I am late for a battle. Now get out of my way.”

Solomon did not budge.

“Are you deaf? I told you to move!” Snarled Crow.

Solomon glared at his son. “I will not ask you again, Crow. Do not continue fighting. You are wasting your skills for something that is absurdly brutish and revolting.”

Crow snapped, and lunged at his father, who was expecting this and met him in the middle. “Do not talk to me about my passion that way!” Roared Crow.

The two Coatls were now in a match, rain pelting down soaking them to the core. Thunder boomed and lightning broke the sky.

“You are a disappointment to me and your mother!” Shrieked Solomon, repressed anger coursing through his veins.

Crow roared in response, but had no words to defend himself.

“I am glad your mother is gone! That way she doesn’t have to see the disgrace you have become!” Solomon yelled, his voice carrying over the cracks of thunder.

At this Crow broke away from the fight, and glared down his father. The dragon who stood before was now a stranger, and Crow wanted to never see his face again. Without a word, Crow took to the skies, away as fast and as far as he could from the Obsidian dragon.

Crow flew for as long as he could. He flew until his wings could no longer carry him. He did not remember landing, but when he eventually opened his eyes, he was met with the sight of a female Skydancer and Pearlcatcher.

Crow had ended up travelling all the way into the Tangled Wood, and was rescued by a clan’s healers Silvereye and Shadowwing. They had been out collecting herbs when they came across the young Coatl. They brought him back to their lair where they nursed him back to health.

It took many moons for Crow to earn the trust of this Shadow clan. They were wary of outsiders, but Silvereye would remind her fellow clan mates that she too was an outsider, and they are not always enemies.

Crow was allowed to stay within the Wispwillow Grove to heal on the condition that Shadowwing were his guardian. As he healed, he eventually managed to convince Silvereye, their leader, that he would be a valuable asset to the clan and asked to stay permanently.

Crow was then assigned to stay with Sunspot to learn the ways of the Wood, and only after a few months Crow came to see this Coatl as a father figure. The two were inseparable, always training together and going on border patrols. Sunspot saw the potential Crow possessed; he was a skilled warrior.

Soon, Sunspot granted Crow a place amongst the Night Watch, an organization within their lair that elder warriors protect the lair. Not only did he get a place, he was asked to lead the Watch. Crow was honoured, and accepted the position right away.

However, while in his role, many dragons would periodically ask him who he supported within his lair. Crow was always confused by this, and one day sought out Hawkclaw what all these dragons meant. She was a wise Tundra, and Crow had come to have much respect for her.

Hawkclaw told Crow that within their clan, they had certain dymanics. Some dragons serve under Shadowbinder and aim to eventually be exalted, some serve under themselves and strive to be the best they can be. Crow thought on this for many days, wondering who he would serve.

The next time dragons asked him, he had an answer. “I serve the coven and its leaders. I do not serve one dragon, but them all.”

This response gained Crow an unimaginable respect within his clan. He was once an outsider from The Shifting Expanse, but now he was a leader within The Tangled Wood.

This was his new home, one he planned to lead with great valor.

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