This is a side-story for eldarin
[tab][/tab] And there it was, his new home. After hours of traveling through the mountain passes in the cold autumnal wind, Nicholas finally arrived at Meru Mudi, the Rotunda now in front of him, nestled between two cliff-sides. Frankly, it wasn't much to look at, he expected some kind rustic castle or at least a fortified manor. This wasn't really a place for a falconer. What use would these people have of his skills? Yet hired he was. He has been searching for a job, gradually moving western all the time, what with the war in the east, until at Ioannina he was approached by a factor who arranged a meeting with a potential patron. Maniaces expected a noble or local gentry. He got Anastaj instead, a weird looking ascetic. He barely asked him about his trade, his birds or what he needs to train and raise them. Just some probing questions about his past, his thoughts in a multitude of things (he never thought about; like what is the meaning of slavery and is the master responsible for his birds actions), if he would like to live in the mountains, and off he goes hired! Now, here, he started having some second thoughts...
[tab][/tab] Anastaj hurriedly showed him around ( more like a wave of hands pointing stuff, don't do this, don't' go there) and then he foisted him to a dark looking man, Dimitrios. He seemed to be control here, like a scenechal or steward, and he patiently explained what this place was, a 'retreat for learned men and special people'. He showed him around, but bluntly told him that for this winter at least, he and his birds would have to do with an indoors chamber, there was little room to house them. As for later... the masters would decide. There could be room for a pigeon coop and mews on the rotunda, but some magi (really? Magi? Wizards with pointy hats?) had their eyes on it. Those sages were weird indeed, there was even a woman called Raven! That first week it was apparent Nicholas had nothing to do, except take care of his birds.
[tab][/tab] The land was lovely though. This high in the mountains was eagle country. All round the valleys and dells, there was prey and room for falcons and hawks, and even though winter was approaching, the migratory birds have left and game was scarce, this countryside was alluring in all its reds and yellows of Autumn. The gorge especially was a hidden paradise, a perfect place to live and fly and hunt, especially for ravens. There were none though. Only mountain crows lived here, smaller, faster and nastier than ravens, with a yellow beak and eyes and a shrill cry, always moving in mobs.
[tab][/tab]Kissa, his raven, warned him about them. He warned him about the gorge...and the mountain...and this place. She was full of warnings but no specifics. There was something strange to them all. The mountain should be avoided, it felt eerie and evil. The gorge was trouble. One could easily get lost, it was crowded by many strange things, she said. And this place where he now chose to live... it felt odd too. [i]Kissa[/i has decided to avoid it, she flew way up the cliffs and made her home there, meters above the Rotunda. Nicholas worries how she will survive the winter.
[tab][/tab] With time in his hands, he can stroll and explore and snoop around. Or maybe he could over to help with something, anything. Or maybe not... he's seen people sweat to bring huge barrels of water up the rotunda twice this week, that looks a pain. Maybe he could fly about....