The elf girl had been walking for hours, but still she hadn't found her parents.
- Mum, Dad where are you? She shouted again and again.
She had been told to run home after some extra blankets while her parents waited for her a bit further in the forest, but now they were nowhere to be found. They couldn't be much further away, could they?
The sun had almost disappeared behind the horizon when the girl gave up her search. She sat down on a fallen tree trunk and started to cry. Where could they be?
As she sat there she started to hear some rustling behind some bushes.
- Dad is it you? The girl asked with a hint of hope in her voice.
The rustling in the bush stopped, but it definitely wasn't the girl's father who came out of it.
The bear made a huge leap towards the petrified girl, but in the last second she felt how someone pushed her aside. She hit the ground hard, but that was nothing compared to the ferocious attack by the bear.
When the girl dared to look up at her savior the bear already laid dead on the ground with its heart and skull pierced by arrows.
The man that looked down on the girl was tall, dark and an aura of mysteries seemed to surround him.
- A young girl like you shouldn't be travelling alone, the man said calmly and helped her up. It's dangerous.
- I know, the girl said silently. But I can't find my parents and thought that…
The man looked at the girl with a hint of sadness. He had seen the girl's parents being attacked by some thugs. He had just moved on in the shadows without interfering. It hadn't been just an ordinary theft obviously.
- Have you seen my parents? The girl asked the man.
- No, the man answered coldly. I'll escort you back to your village.
- But I need to find my parents!
- You won't find them here. You'll get killed before that.
The girl looked at the man in disbelief. How could he know? What kind of hero wouldn't help a maiden in trouble?
- Let's go, the man said. What village are you from?
- Humans call the village Oakcrest. But I don't want to go back there.
The girl just turned on her heels and started to walk deeper into the woods. Why would she want to go back? Everyone treated her as a monster already. If they found out that her parents were missing they'd probably blame her for that too. She had always been bullied, but recently it had gotten worse. The other kids had started to call her all sorts of things and even tried to put curses on her or tried to shoot her. That's why her family had decided to seek out someone who could try and something about her.
- You can't go into the forest by yourself you know, the man said and blocked the girls way. You'll get killed.
- Like anyone would care, the girl said and she sounded like she was just about to cry. I'm just a monster.
- What do you mean? The man said surprised.
- Just look at me, the girl screamed and then the man finally noticed.
Elves usually have brown or green eyes, but this girl had cold, clear blue ones. It felt like they could pierce your soul with just a mere glance.
- I see, the man said. But why does that make you a monster?
- Because all kinds of bad things started to happen after I was born, the girl said with a sob. People got sick and died. Plants died and the hunters couldn't find any pray. Our whole village started to fade away. It also had happened earlier when other children with this kind of eyes were born. It has become a curse in my family.
The girl sat down under a tree and couldn't hold the tears back anymore. She whimpered something about being more useful dead between her sobs. Eventually she fell asleep, since the night had already crept upon this odd couple. The man put his mantle around the girl so she wouldn't get cold and laid down close by and also fell into a deep sleep.
I fell straight on my butt as I was hit by Zanian's wooden sword. He said that I'd just hurt myself with a real one so we had to use them for practice. My sword was laying a few feet away behind Zanian who stood with his sword pointed at my throat.
- Don't let your guard down or you'll get your intestines ripped out, he said and pulled me up from the ground. It's not a pretty sight and you might still need them.
I just nodded and went to pick up my sword. I knew that, but at least I had improved over these last weeks. Any words of praise? Not even close, not that bad anymore was the closest one yet.
- You know if you just sometime could say something, I said but my sentence was interrupted by Zanian's sudden attack from behind.
To my luck he missed and I was able to recover fast. I made a quick turn on my heels and parried his next attack. When he lifted his weapon I struck quickly and hit his stomach with my knee. I could feel the air leave his lungs and hit him with the hilt of the wooden sword in the back of his head. He fell flat on the ground and I poked his back to show that I had pierced his heart.
- Your reflexes are fine, he said, clearly out of breath. Let's rest for a bit.
I grinned at him and started to help him up. He grabbed my arm and threw me on the ground and once again pointed at my throat with his sword.
- Your enemy never wants to take a break, he said. Remember that. If he's still breathing, he's still a threat.
I sighed, stood up and brushed the dirt of my knees. Obviously I still had much to learn.
Zanian stopped in front of me and I almost ran into him. I opened my mouth to speak, but he shook his head. He mimed: "Be quiet". Guards probably. I nodded slightly and stayed close behind him. We didn't have the possibility to screw this up. Being a thief was dead serious business. One mistake and you could be dead or something even worse.
- Shaice, you seem a bit restless tonight, I heard someone say. Are you seeing demons in the corners of your eyes?
The one who had said this laughed heavily and I heard another person's angry mumbles.
Zanian leaped out of the shadows and crossed the corridor silently. He had passed the guards without a sound and now he waved his hand to sign that I should come too. I looked at him in disbelief. He couldn't be serious, right? I was far too inexperienced to pass guards this close without them noticing.
- Did you hear something Davkas? One of the guards said.
I froze in my place and pressed myself against the wall. Now we were goners for sure! I closed my eyes tightly as I heard steps coming towards me hoping they wouldn't notice me.
I heard the noise of metal against metal. I opened my eyes just to see that Zanian was looting the guards. He had obviously hit their heads against each other by the look of the helmets.
- Now we have to hurry, Zanian said and grabbed my wrist. They can wake up any minute.
I nodded and ran after him towards the tower. Zanian was much faster than me, so I hid myself by the stairs to keep watch. After a minute or two I heard some rushing steps. Zanian jumped into the shadows next to me and hid me and himself under his black cloak. I could hear him breathing heavily. I was just about to ask why we hid when I heard a guard start to shout out orders. By Zanians behavior I could guess that he had been spotted. He slipped a book into my bag. He then pulled me across the garden staying in the shadows until we got to the wall. He put his back against the wall and clasped his hands to help me over it.
I hesitated for a moment. How would he get out?
- Just jump already we don't have all day! He hissed as loud as he dared. You have to get the book to that wizard as fast as you can!
- But, what happens to you? I asked.
- I'll manage, just go!
I looked at him for a moment. He was really serious and he kept looking around. I put my foot on the step he made with his hand and he heaved me up so high he could. I easily landed on the wall and laid down on it to watch what he would do. He looked at me for a second and then ran towards the tower.
Why would he do that? That way he would run straight into the guards.
Then it hit me. That was his plan. He would get caught so I could escape. I couldn't let him do that.
I saw the guards coming out from a house. They immediately spotted Zanian and ran towards him. What could I do? I felt helpless. They'd arrest him and torture him to find out where he had hidden the book. I had to do something.
- Hey, you morons in metal! I shouted as I stood up on the wall. You want this pretty little book? Then come and get me!
I lifted the book over my head to make sure they'd see it. As I expected they quickly changed direction towards me and the wall. As an arrow hit the wall just inches below my feet I jumped of the wall to the street.
I wish you luck Zanian, I thought as I ran down the dark streets to get to the shady inn were we were supposed to meet the wizard. This better be worth the trouble!
When I got to the inn the man stood and waited for me outside. He threw me a pouch filled with gold coins. About two or three hundred as far as I could see by a quick glance.
I gave him the book and went to the stable where I and Zanian had left our horses. I waited for him until dawn, but he never came. I had no choice, but to leave town as long as I could.
I felt tears burning in my eyes as I passed the town gates. I prayed to Olidammara that I would someday see Zanian again.
I sat on a roof in the moonlight and watched closely the guards' movements below me.
Total number: 3. Regular rounds. Will cross my path every 15 to 20 minutes.
I grinned slyly. This was like taking candy from a child; easy and had a sweet reward.
When one of the guards had walked past me I jumped off the roof and landed silently on the grass behind some bushes and then ran to the other side of the backyard and hid in the shadows under a window. Silently I watched a guard walk past me with a yawn.
- They'll never know what hit them, I giggled to myself.
The window was no match for my master work tools, but the faint creaking noise it made when I opened it was more worrying.
- What was that? I heard someone say.
- Are you getting tired Elros? Another voice answered. I didn't hear anything at least.
- I swear that I heard something Iankul, the first one said.
- You're just imagining things old friend, the second one laughed. Now get back to your rounds.
The rhythmic pace of footsteps continued. That was a close call, almost too close.
I crept out of the shadow and jumped in trough the window. In at last I started searching for the valuables. After a minute or two I hit jackpot. About 200 gold, a few gems and a dark skull.
That should be the thing I'm looking for, I thought and hid everything in a bag. Now I only need to get out of here before anyone finds me.
I got out to the yard, but unfortunately I stepped on a dry branch as I landed. The snapping sound seemed as loud as an explosion.
- I said I wasn't imagining things, one of the guards shouted. Intruder!
No need or time to try and hide now, I thought and sprinted across the grass with the guards close behind me. I only get one shot at this so I better not miss.
I jumped at one of the lower branches of the tree close to the stone wall. Then to the next and onto the wall. I didn't get enough height in my last jump, so I had to heave myself over the edge, but I managed to get up there at least.
- Nothing personal, I yelled to the guards on the ground. This is just business.
I jumped of the wall and hit the ground much harder than I had planned. I flinched a bit as I put my weight on the foot, but I had to get away as fast as possible. I disappeared into the shadows towards one of the towns shadiest inns.
When I opened the door I first noticed the sharp smell of old wine. My client, as I had chosen to call him, was sitting by a table in the corner across the room. A few half-orcs looked up when I walked past, but otherwise no one cared about my presence.
I sat down next to my client and put my newly acquired skull on the table. The man gasped and quickly hid it in some hidden corner of his cloak.
- You idiot, he hissed angrily. If someone had seen it we'd both be dead!
- No, you'd be dead, I said calmly to the man with a smile. I'd be long gone before that you know. Now to your part of the deal.
He looked at me in despise and threw 10 gold pieces on the table.
- This is not what we agreed on, I muttered unsatisfied and glared at the man. We talked about 20 gold pieces at least.
- Take it or leave it, the man said and drank the rest of the gloomy liquid from his glass. I've also rented a room for you at the Flying Pirate, if you're interested.
I mumbled something resembling an agreement took the gold pieces of the table and left the inn.
- What does he think I am, an idiot? I said to myself as I walked towards one of the towns stables. There'd probably be dozen guards waiting. Well, I had planned to leave town anyways.
I fetched my horse and rode into the night after giving the stable boy a few silver coins to make sure he'd forget everything about me.
- Mum, Dad where are you? She shouted again and again.
She had been told to run home after some extra blankets while her parents waited for her a bit further in the forest, but now they were nowhere to be found. They couldn't be much further away, could they?
The sun had almost disappeared behind the horizon when the girl gave up her search. She sat down on a fallen tree trunk and started to cry. Where could they be?
As she sat there she started to hear some rustling behind some bushes.
- Dad is it you? The girl asked with a hint of hope in her voice.
The rustling in the bush stopped, but it definitely wasn't the girl's father who came out of it.
The bear made a huge leap towards the petrified girl, but in the last second she felt how someone pushed her aside. She hit the ground hard, but that was nothing compared to the ferocious attack by the bear.
When the girl dared to look up at her savior the bear already laid dead on the ground with its heart and skull pierced by arrows.
The man that looked down on the girl was tall, dark and an aura of mysteries seemed to surround him.
- A young girl like you shouldn't be travelling alone, the man said calmly and helped her up. It's dangerous.
- I know, the girl said silently. But I can't find my parents and thought that…
The man looked at the girl with a hint of sadness. He had seen the girl's parents being attacked by some thugs. He had just moved on in the shadows without interfering. It hadn't been just an ordinary theft obviously.
- Have you seen my parents? The girl asked the man.
- No, the man answered coldly. I'll escort you back to your village.
- But I need to find my parents!
- You won't find them here. You'll get killed before that.
The girl looked at the man in disbelief. How could he know? What kind of hero wouldn't help a maiden in trouble?
- Let's go, the man said. What village are you from?
- Humans call the village Oakcrest. But I don't want to go back there.
The girl just turned on her heels and started to walk deeper into the woods. Why would she want to go back? Everyone treated her as a monster already. If they found out that her parents were missing they'd probably blame her for that too. She had always been bullied, but recently it had gotten worse. The other kids had started to call her all sorts of things and even tried to put curses on her or tried to shoot her. That's why her family had decided to seek out someone who could try and something about her.
- You can't go into the forest by yourself you know, the man said and blocked the girls way. You'll get killed.
- Like anyone would care, the girl said and she sounded like she was just about to cry. I'm just a monster.
- What do you mean? The man said surprised.
- Just look at me, the girl screamed and then the man finally noticed.
Elves usually have brown or green eyes, but this girl had cold, clear blue ones. It felt like they could pierce your soul with just a mere glance.
- I see, the man said. But why does that make you a monster?
- Because all kinds of bad things started to happen after I was born, the girl said with a sob. People got sick and died. Plants died and the hunters couldn't find any pray. Our whole village started to fade away. It also had happened earlier when other children with this kind of eyes were born. It has become a curse in my family.
The girl sat down under a tree and couldn't hold the tears back anymore. She whimpered something about being more useful dead between her sobs. Eventually she fell asleep, since the night had already crept upon this odd couple. The man put his mantle around the girl so she wouldn't get cold and laid down close by and also fell into a deep sleep.
I fell straight on my butt as I was hit by Zanian's wooden sword. He said that I'd just hurt myself with a real one so we had to use them for practice. My sword was laying a few feet away behind Zanian who stood with his sword pointed at my throat.
- Don't let your guard down or you'll get your intestines ripped out, he said and pulled me up from the ground. It's not a pretty sight and you might still need them.
I just nodded and went to pick up my sword. I knew that, but at least I had improved over these last weeks. Any words of praise? Not even close, not that bad anymore was the closest one yet.
- You know if you just sometime could say something, I said but my sentence was interrupted by Zanian's sudden attack from behind.
To my luck he missed and I was able to recover fast. I made a quick turn on my heels and parried his next attack. When he lifted his weapon I struck quickly and hit his stomach with my knee. I could feel the air leave his lungs and hit him with the hilt of the wooden sword in the back of his head. He fell flat on the ground and I poked his back to show that I had pierced his heart.
- Your reflexes are fine, he said, clearly out of breath. Let's rest for a bit.
I grinned at him and started to help him up. He grabbed my arm and threw me on the ground and once again pointed at my throat with his sword.
- Your enemy never wants to take a break, he said. Remember that. If he's still breathing, he's still a threat.
I sighed, stood up and brushed the dirt of my knees. Obviously I still had much to learn.
Zanian stopped in front of me and I almost ran into him. I opened my mouth to speak, but he shook his head. He mimed: "Be quiet". Guards probably. I nodded slightly and stayed close behind him. We didn't have the possibility to screw this up. Being a thief was dead serious business. One mistake and you could be dead or something even worse.
- Shaice, you seem a bit restless tonight, I heard someone say. Are you seeing demons in the corners of your eyes?
The one who had said this laughed heavily and I heard another person's angry mumbles.
Zanian leaped out of the shadows and crossed the corridor silently. He had passed the guards without a sound and now he waved his hand to sign that I should come too. I looked at him in disbelief. He couldn't be serious, right? I was far too inexperienced to pass guards this close without them noticing.
- Did you hear something Davkas? One of the guards said.
I froze in my place and pressed myself against the wall. Now we were goners for sure! I closed my eyes tightly as I heard steps coming towards me hoping they wouldn't notice me.
I heard the noise of metal against metal. I opened my eyes just to see that Zanian was looting the guards. He had obviously hit their heads against each other by the look of the helmets.
- Now we have to hurry, Zanian said and grabbed my wrist. They can wake up any minute.
I nodded and ran after him towards the tower. Zanian was much faster than me, so I hid myself by the stairs to keep watch. After a minute or two I heard some rushing steps. Zanian jumped into the shadows next to me and hid me and himself under his black cloak. I could hear him breathing heavily. I was just about to ask why we hid when I heard a guard start to shout out orders. By Zanians behavior I could guess that he had been spotted. He slipped a book into my bag. He then pulled me across the garden staying in the shadows until we got to the wall. He put his back against the wall and clasped his hands to help me over it.
I hesitated for a moment. How would he get out?
- Just jump already we don't have all day! He hissed as loud as he dared. You have to get the book to that wizard as fast as you can!
- But, what happens to you? I asked.
- I'll manage, just go!
I looked at him for a moment. He was really serious and he kept looking around. I put my foot on the step he made with his hand and he heaved me up so high he could. I easily landed on the wall and laid down on it to watch what he would do. He looked at me for a second and then ran towards the tower.
Why would he do that? That way he would run straight into the guards.
Then it hit me. That was his plan. He would get caught so I could escape. I couldn't let him do that.
I saw the guards coming out from a house. They immediately spotted Zanian and ran towards him. What could I do? I felt helpless. They'd arrest him and torture him to find out where he had hidden the book. I had to do something.
- Hey, you morons in metal! I shouted as I stood up on the wall. You want this pretty little book? Then come and get me!
I lifted the book over my head to make sure they'd see it. As I expected they quickly changed direction towards me and the wall. As an arrow hit the wall just inches below my feet I jumped of the wall to the street.
I wish you luck Zanian, I thought as I ran down the dark streets to get to the shady inn were we were supposed to meet the wizard. This better be worth the trouble!
When I got to the inn the man stood and waited for me outside. He threw me a pouch filled with gold coins. About two or three hundred as far as I could see by a quick glance.
I gave him the book and went to the stable where I and Zanian had left our horses. I waited for him until dawn, but he never came. I had no choice, but to leave town as long as I could.
I felt tears burning in my eyes as I passed the town gates. I prayed to Olidammara that I would someday see Zanian again.
I sat on a roof in the moonlight and watched closely the guards' movements below me.
Total number: 3. Regular rounds. Will cross my path every 15 to 20 minutes.
I grinned slyly. This was like taking candy from a child; easy and had a sweet reward.
When one of the guards had walked past me I jumped off the roof and landed silently on the grass behind some bushes and then ran to the other side of the backyard and hid in the shadows under a window. Silently I watched a guard walk past me with a yawn.
- They'll never know what hit them, I giggled to myself.
The window was no match for my master work tools, but the faint creaking noise it made when I opened it was more worrying.
- What was that? I heard someone say.
- Are you getting tired Elros? Another voice answered. I didn't hear anything at least.
- I swear that I heard something Iankul, the first one said.
- You're just imagining things old friend, the second one laughed. Now get back to your rounds.
The rhythmic pace of footsteps continued. That was a close call, almost too close.
I crept out of the shadow and jumped in trough the window. In at last I started searching for the valuables. After a minute or two I hit jackpot. About 200 gold, a few gems and a dark skull.
That should be the thing I'm looking for, I thought and hid everything in a bag. Now I only need to get out of here before anyone finds me.
I got out to the yard, but unfortunately I stepped on a dry branch as I landed. The snapping sound seemed as loud as an explosion.
- I said I wasn't imagining things, one of the guards shouted. Intruder!
No need or time to try and hide now, I thought and sprinted across the grass with the guards close behind me. I only get one shot at this so I better not miss.
I jumped at one of the lower branches of the tree close to the stone wall. Then to the next and onto the wall. I didn't get enough height in my last jump, so I had to heave myself over the edge, but I managed to get up there at least.
- Nothing personal, I yelled to the guards on the ground. This is just business.
I jumped of the wall and hit the ground much harder than I had planned. I flinched a bit as I put my weight on the foot, but I had to get away as fast as possible. I disappeared into the shadows towards one of the towns shadiest inns.
When I opened the door I first noticed the sharp smell of old wine. My client, as I had chosen to call him, was sitting by a table in the corner across the room. A few half-orcs looked up when I walked past, but otherwise no one cared about my presence.
I sat down next to my client and put my newly acquired skull on the table. The man gasped and quickly hid it in some hidden corner of his cloak.
- You idiot, he hissed angrily. If someone had seen it we'd both be dead!
- No, you'd be dead, I said calmly to the man with a smile. I'd be long gone before that you know. Now to your part of the deal.
He looked at me in despise and threw 10 gold pieces on the table.
- This is not what we agreed on, I muttered unsatisfied and glared at the man. We talked about 20 gold pieces at least.
- Take it or leave it, the man said and drank the rest of the gloomy liquid from his glass. I've also rented a room for you at the Flying Pirate, if you're interested.
I mumbled something resembling an agreement took the gold pieces of the table and left the inn.
- What does he think I am, an idiot? I said to myself as I walked towards one of the towns stables. There'd probably be dozen guards waiting. Well, I had planned to leave town anyways.
I fetched my horse and rode into the night after giving the stable boy a few silver coins to make sure he'd forget everything about me.
