The Ruby of Zoran

I honestly can't wait to start. Haha!

Okay, um... nice profiles, guys. I just have one question for jok101: what do these mean?

joke101 wrote:His worst flaw though is easily his quest for a place in history.

The second not sparing the child a life of suffering by killing it. Because of this he has a respect for Zanams and often mentors those he meets. He dosen't know what happened to the child because he left but he dose know that he will probably never see him or her.

I'm sorry if I don't understand. I'm not familiar much with English colloquialism (don't live in USA). Thanks!

I'm not from the USA either, england, but whatever. I didn't even know what colloquialism meant I had to go look it up but now I know. Okay first one uh I don't know because it sort means what it means but I try.

His greatest flaw though is easily his quest for a place in history.[ Okay so the quest for a place in history isn't literal, someone hasn't gone 'here is the quest, earn your name a place in history, What in mean is basicly he dosen't want to be forgotten by the next generations. I mean people will remember him for a couple hundred years but after that only a few will know his story. And by 'easily his greatest flaw' I'm implying that his personel quest, place in history, is a bad thing and that brings out bad things in him like arrogance.

The Second one I don't which bit you mean. The whole thing or just the beginning?

Here we are! Sorry for being so late! PM me if you have any problems with this!

Name: Tanosh Abur

Age: 24

Gender: Male

Race: Human

Magic user or non magic user: Magic user (prefers to use fire and air elemental but only uses magic if he really has to and prefers that people don't know he can use it.)

Which weapon do they prefer to use?: a fauchard

Spoiler

Appearance:
Tanosh has pale skin accompanied with calm green eyes and chestnut coloured hair that he ties back into a ponytail. He is about 5'8 tall and has a lithe build for a human. Tanosh tries to wear clothes that don't stand out and that cover a strange tattoo on the nape of his neck.

Personality: Tanosh is incredibly lazy and indifferent to life and the people not involved in his daily life (i.e. the rest of the party at the beginning). He wants nothing more than to spend his time lazing around, unnoticed. Apart from sleep he takes a great interest in keeping his perpetually starved stomach filled with food and often spend all his money for this cause. He loves his freedom and dislikes having to conform to anyone. He pretends to be a simpleton to avoid unnecessary attention however he is actually highly intelligent. He tells no one of his ability to use magic.

Likes: Apart from eating and sleeping? Tanosh likes leading a simple life, his family, birds and has a fascination with the shape of clouds.

Dislikes: Using magic, energy consuming activities, being powerless to help those dear to him, conflict and liars.

History: I will try to keep this as brief as possible!
Tanosh's mother died giving birth to him and so his father was distraught for many years. As Tanosh reached the age of 10 his father found new love with an Elf; the result was his younger brother, Daffur's birth. The four lived together happily for 3 years until the elitist Elves sought to kill the Abur family as Daffur was a Zanam. Their father was killed trying to protect his family and Daffur, highly distressed, lost control of his magic. His mother was greatly injured due to her attempt to protect Tanosh. Hating himself for being so helpless, Tanosh grabbed his shocked brother (after his 'explosion' of magic) and ran until he reached one of the Zanam villages. He doesn't know what happened to Daffur's mother but assumed that she had died that night.

The village that Tanosh had fled to had welcomed them warmly and encouraged their hatred of the Elves for what had happened that night to grow. They were especially kind to Tanosh- magic user. Over the years, Tanosh fell in with the 'wrong company' and ended up joining an extemist group. He underwent intense training to turn him into a highly effective, notorious assassin, able to use both magic and a high range of weaponry. His indifferent personality is the result of his training and the horrific scenes he had laid his eyes upon.

When Tanosh was 22, Daffur disappeared, leaving a note- I don't want to be the brother of a penniless killing machine. Come find me when you are human again! Upon reading the note, Tanosh's face darkened and he vowed that if he ever did find his little brother, he would give the ungrateful little brat a gook kick where the sun doesn't shine and what was with the 'penniless'? Ironically, that was the first step to Tanosh's becoming 'human' as it was the first emotion he had displayed for a very long time!

Tanosh then set out to look for his apparently money obsessed brother and joined the party as soon as he saw the reward- he figured that the reward would draw his brother in like a moth to the flame and if not he would surely meet him along the way to finding the Ruby!

Reason they decide to join the quest: To ultimately draw his little brother back to him with the reward money and then give his a huge lecture.

Up for love: Yeah, why not?

Other: Tanosh is partially deaf in his left ear and as he tells no one about it. This causes endless misunderstandings. Also, whenever he was an assassin, he was known as 'Gurtha mellon ' or 'Death's friend'.

Thanks for joining all. The SB will officially start on the Saturday the 11th of December. I will make the first two posts (they will contain important information and kick start the story), and everyone else can proceed from there. PM me with any questions.

Sorry sprite!!

Name: Blossom Zan'te

Age:20

Gender: female

Race : Human

Magic User or Non-Magic User (If Elf or Human): Magic!
-Which weapon do they prefer to use? : short sword.

Appearance:

Spoiler

Personality: She's sort of solemn, but likes her share of activity. She's mute. She knows detailed sign language, though(She knows how to make people understand her). She doesn't like goodbyes, or meeting new people. She has nightmares every night. She had a billion and one reasons to hate life, but she still loves it.She is a fierce believer of myths and fantasy, and has a diary with her all the time. You wouldn't even be able to tell she was beaten by her father, she never shows depression, or for that matter, the long scar down her side.. She hates change more then anything.

Likes: Myths, fire, paper and pencil, being mute (sometimes). Animals, magic, fighting. The same things every day.

Dislikes: Mean people, her family. Change.

History (optional): No, sorry. (It'll be told later)

Reason they decide to join the quest: To flee from her family

Up for love: Eh... maybe. Depends. He's not very good with love.

Other: She is mute, if you didn't pick it up before (or didn't want to read it!)

Name: Csel

Age: 38

Gender: Male

Race: Elf

Magic User or Non-Magic User: Magic user

Element: Earth

Appearance: Csel sets off every radar when he enters the room. Wears old tattered robes, through the many tears in which one can sometimes see otherworldly tattoos. Wears a bone-decorated amulet, the centerpiece of which is a knife-long fang. Sullen eyes with black circles, graying hair. Starved frame. There is a perpetual earthen smell about him.

Personality: Contemplative, if you get to know him. Chances are that you won't.

Loves: The earth. Not in a metaphorical sense - he doesn't have anything against littering. He just loves soil.

Dislikes: Practically everything else. Has a special hatred for other magically-inclined elves not of his element.

History: Csel is the aged shaman of some far-eastern swamp tribe, where the harsh life ensures that most don't live to see their fortieth winter. Elves who were not aggressive enough to openly attack the humans intruding their beloved Nirjia but still held deep disdain for them left the country to start their own societies. The dreary clearings in the endless swamp Hargoth to the east of Nirjia provided one of the few places of total isolation that these elves craved. After the hundreds of years of partial isolation, and then the 107 years of absolute withdrawal, these Swamplander elves (and Csel) have changed so much that few will understand them outside of Hargoth.

Reason for joining: He was exiled from his tribe. More may be revealed later.

Up for love: What will happen, will happen.

NOTE: The SB starts when I make a second post after this one. In all following posts, please remember to use good spelling and grammar (I will PM you if you don't) so that the SB is easy to read and follow. Remember to adhere to the other rules as well. And after the parties are sorted please put at the top of your posts: [Character Name]--[Party One/ Two]. I will control the NPCs, and instead of a party next to their name, note their (beginning) location (this isn't necessary for your character).

Laridail--Adiel Castle

He went through the pages of Murdi's emmigration records thrice over, and then once more. Nothing. All his research, and though he had tracked Isani and Leila all the way to the eastern city of Murdi, the trail had run cold thereafter.

He sat back in his chair.

Isani Tukar, a city elf, and Leila Runis, a former Human cleaner in the castle. Had they really stolen the Ruby? Or was he just chasing ghosts?

He sighed and ran his hand through his hair. No. All the evidence pointed towards them: Runis' father had been the crown polisher, and he'd been fired the week prior to the Ruby's disappearance for unspecified reasons. That provided the motive of revenge, did it not? And according to emmigration records from the Adiel borders, she and Tukar had left the city not less than a half hour before the borders had been closed upon discovery of the theft. They had travelled in a northenly direction first, to the north-west city of Gaja, then south-west to Turjin. And then they had travelled east, to Murdi. But why east? And where had they gone after? Surely they had not stopped running so soon?

He sighed again. Today was the 107th anniversary of the Ruby's disappearance. As had become common since the third anniversary, children went around in groups on a 'treasure hunt', searching for the Ruby. Of course, they were really only looking for the red-coloured eggs their parents had hidden around Adiel. But tonight...well, he would be organizing a treasure hunt of his own. If only he could give the explorers even more information than he had. The Ruby had to be found. To heal the tension between Humans and Elves. For closure.

Laridail looked up at the tentative knock on the study door.

"Come in Chrislan," he said.

The door opened slowly, and a small child stood in the doorway. His son and only child.

The boy bowed and stood. "Father, it's dark out."

"I can see that, my son. Should you not be asleep?"

Chrislan smiled. "I couldn't sleep, Father. Because of the Ruby. Are you to go soon? Will you take me with you?"

Laridail sighed yet again and rose from his chair. If only Chrislan had never heard the conversation between he and Lurin. But what was done was done. He actually would have taken the boy, if only he could. But it would look suspicious, the both of them going out without an escort of guards at this time of night. His Father had not brought up the subject of the Ruby, not since Laridail's first announcement, but he was sure that the man still watched him.

"I am sorry, son, but you must retire. I cannot take you with me. Now go to your chambers, and speak of the Ruby nor this conversation to a single soul." His son nodded sadly. With another bow he left the room, shutting the door behind him.

After waiting until Chrislan's footsteps faded away, Laridail left the room himself. He headed down the halls, down the stairs. Into the courtyard. There Lurin waited for him. He took the heavy cloak from Lurin's outstretched hands and wore it, pulling the hood down low.

"Let us make haste, my Lord," Lurin said to him as they walked towards the stables. "I have received the news that many already wait in the Ziras fields. And the King will arrive back from Purna before the sun rises. He has finished meeting with the Mayor of the southern city."

"Of course Lurin. They must set off this very night, that my father does not learn of them. Are you sure there are no guards that may give us away to him, either here at the castle or at the city borders?"

"Worry not. They are all more loyal to you than the King. I have made sure that none who might pass on information to him patrol tonight." Laridail nodded as they mounted their horses. With one pull at the reins, his horse, Zuda, shot forward, and Lurin followed on Nightgale. Laridail looked at him as they reached the castle gates, the guards bowing as they passed. Lurin was Human, and one of his closest friends. The older man had taught been his private tutor as a boy, teaching him history, arts and calligraphy, and all other things unrelated to swordsmanship bar magic. Laridail had decided long ago that when he was to be King, Lurin would be appointed as one of his advisors.

"What," Laridail shouted to him as they ran through the streets, "of Duma?"

Lurin shouted back, "Prince Duma? Last I heard, he was visiting his concubine in Gaja."

Gaja? The same city Isani and Leila had first travelled too? Was that a mere coincidence? ...Perhaps. His younger brother would not have heard of the search for the Ruby. Things such as that would not interest him, would they?

"My Lord, it gets darker." Laridail's reverie was broken by Lurin's comment, and without a word he spurred Zuda on.

Aikan Dursil

I kissed Juri on the forehead, eager to get to the Fields. The Hunt started tonight. I needed to find the Ruby. I remembered the tales my mother had told me of it as a child: the riches it brought, the prosperity and happiness.

"Be careful Aikan," Juri whispered in my ear. "I'll wait for you."

"Of course, my love," I replied her. "And when I get back, we shall marry. With the riches I'll gain, there will be nothing to stop your father accepting me as a son-in-law." She kissed my cheek after looking around to make sure no-one could see us. The village had accepted me, but it was still a violation of what was socially acceptable to be courting a girl without her father's approval. If anyone saw us together, it would surely spell the end of our secret relationship.

"Let me go, Juri. I'll be back soon." I stepped away from her slowly, and she nodded, waving as I turned and walked away. I moved away from the small hut, thankful that her father was at his brother's. I weaved between the myriad of huts towards my own. Going inside, I snapped my fingers and produced a small ball of flame from the tip of a finger. I picked up my pack from a corner of the room and slung it across my back. It had some food, a sleeping mat and money in it along with other provisions. Extinguishing the flame and going outside, I whistled into the night air.

For a few seconds, there was nothing but silence. And then there was a flapping sound and Kadum swooped down from the dark sky, landing on my shoulder. He growled and folded his wings behind his back. From the rank smell of blood about him, I gathered he'd recently finished his hunting.

"It's time to go, Kadum," I whispered to him as we headed out of the village. It was Chief Mana who had given Kadum to me, when I moved into the village. He'd just appeared in my doorway one day with an egg and said, "Take. You've lost much. You'll need a friend." I was skeptical at first, but since Kadum hatched we had been inseperable. The little wyvern was someone I could talk to freely, without fear of repercussion. And I was thankful to the Chief.

We passed under the Gateway. It was made of stone, and rose at least 15 feet into the air, signifying the entrance and exit to the village and was embedded with 12 tiny red garnets. I'd asked the Chief about it once.

"Red is the colour of health and protection, child," he had replied. "We need both for this village. For every chief that there has been, a new garnet has been embedded in the Gateway."

We were in the wilderness now, heading towards Adiel. I wished that I still had my horse. At the very least, I had my sword with me, Nita. That was one thing my father had not been able to take away.

After almost an hour of walking, I saw the lights of Adiel ahead. Kadum growled again, and I hurried forward. It was quicker to get to the northbound Ziras Fields by going through the city rather than around it.

I reached the city gates, and was stopped by the guards. As they went through the wanted posters in their security huts at the top of the wall, making sure I wasn't one of the thieves or murderers, I noticed I wasn't the only one being stopped.

-------------------------------------------

This may be anyone or multiple people. Just creating an opening.

Vincent Knight

Three days in the wilderness was great, no parents, no chores, no responsibility. I was angry at my parents, once again they was pestering me about how I didn't train with them anymore and that they hardly ever saw me because of the long breaks away that I have.

"I don't want or need to train with you, I'm not a child anymore, I can train myself." I'd said politely to them.


Father had replied sternly, "If you're away for more than a single day this week, you'll regret it. This took me by surprise, did he still think could tell me what to do when I was 17 summers old? I think not. I only pretended to agree. I'd walked off with a smirk on my face, plotting in my head the actions which would surely keep my parents away. I'm not the rebellious type, but this was different, I wanted space and they would not give it to me.

I planned to run away, I would take my bow and arrows and my notebook, my notebook is split into three sections magic rules/notes, hand-to-hand combat moves and my personal diary, which I write a summary of a week, each week. This week would be an interesting one. Two days after my father's demand and I was ready and prepared. At two 'o clock in the morning I tried to open the front door, darn, it was locked, I went back into my bedroom to think. At three 'o clock, still in the morning I was perched on my windowsill estimating the jump I was about to make, it was a long jump from the windowsill to the tree, if I missed I would fall to a serious injury or to death. If I could use my magic, I could manipulate the wind slightly to change direction so it could carry me along, no, that was too risky, the wind could die out any second. But there was no other option, it would have to be a risk that I would to take. I jumped, using my magic to change the direction of the wind. I made it onto a branch, it was bending very scarily and if it snapped now I would surely fall. I climbed onto the top of the tree. I then climbed down slowly, knowing I had no magic to protect me anymore. I got to the ground without a scratch and limped in the direction of Ziras Fields, exhausted from the amounts of magic I used.

Half a night later I awoke, and from the darkness of the sky I could see that I was going to be late for the Hunt. I needed someone to get me to the Ziras Fields before Laridail arrived, I turned around and saw Damien, my horse, he waited for me for half a day, I petted him and made an attempt to climb onto him. I got on him eventually and made a ride towards the fields. I'm glad he was there because without him my feet would be swollen by time I got to the Ziras Fields. I got there in good time aswell, there was still half a day before Laridail came, I went over with the crowd of people, Damien was waiting where the other horses were tied up, I tied him up gently and stroked him before walking towards the other people waiting for Laridail to arrive.

Joshua Pastas

On my horse, a brown horse called Joahn, I walked down the large cobbled path leading into Adiel. As I approached the city gate a group of guards stopped me.

"A problem?" I asked and the Guard in charge shook his head.

"No sir," he said, " it's just standard procedure for anyone entering or leaving the city, It will just take a second" He walked off with two other guards. Two of the guards that had stayed out looked at me, even in the low light of the lone lamp, I could tell they recognised me.

"Oh god, look who it is," one of the guards said he stepped over and patted me on the shoulder.

"It's Captain Joshua pastas. Mate I've read all about you, back when I was learning siege tactics they used your battle against the odds as an example" the guard said. He was beaming and continued to talk to me as another traveller came up behind me. The traveller behind me was male and had a wryven on his shoulder.

"So what are you doing" I asked the guard geasturing towards the hut where his boss was looking at big book of wanted posters.

"Oh just checking you're not a criminal, after all we've got enough criminals in side already" he replied said smiling.

"Wouldn't you be able to combat crime better if you were inside the city keeping the peace" the guard shrugged he had not realised I was stating a point rather than posing a question.

"Not my department" He said and shrugged. In the distance a group of five horsemen were coming towards us.

"You're both clean" the head guard said and waved us through. The group of horsemen were now at the gate and slowed down.

"Sir" The leader of the guards said to a tall bald man; he rode up to the guard and seemed to be the leader of the horsemen.

"Thank you," The Bald man said, dropping a bag of coins in the guard's hand. I looked around at the rest of the group that was riding with bald man. They were all wearing armour, however they weren't guards, and looked like thugs. On each horse, tied behind the rider, was a woman. They looked young the eldest probably eighteen and the youngest fourteen. Two of them were human, one elf and the eldest was a Zanam. They looked distressed and had a red mark around they're lips as though they had been gagged for a long time. I could also tell from the rope burn on they're wrist that they had been tied up. It would be hard to see for a casual observer but I'd seen enough slave smuggling tactics during my travels to see the signs.

"Bit cheap" the head guard said rattling the bag of gold.

"Maybe next time" the bald man replied and started to trot by on his horse with the rest of his entourage. I didn't like it and pulled out my sword, Alexander, I swung it round and put it to the bald mans neck as he went by on his horse. The man quickly stopped his horse. The rest of his group stopped but did nothing.

"Who are those girls?" I asked pushing Alexander up against the bald mans throat so that he could feel just how sharp it was.

"My daughters; they keep running away," he said and I nodded.

"Why is one of them a Zanam?" I asked and he smiled.

"I'm a man of many tastes," he said sweetly and the rest of his group laughed.

"And the Elf?" I asked.

"Inherited her in the marriage" the bald man replied, he was crafty, I nodded but didn't move my blade.

"I don't believe you" I said and the bald man laughed.

"You don't have to believe me you just have to let me go" he said, shouting for his men. They took out their weapons.

"I'll let you go when you let them go" I said and the bald man shook his head.

"No I bought those women I'm going to enjoy them" the bald man said. I looked around and realised that the odds weren't in my favour. While I could easily defeat these thugs and even the guards if they made a move I didn't want to kill any one in cold blood. I'd get my name on the wanted list and that would make it a lot harder to travel.

"Fine but let the Zanam girl go" I said and the bald man laughed.

"I don't owe you anything" he shouted.

"Fine if thats how you want it" I said but before I could start anything the other traveller put his hand on my shoulder.

"Calm down" he said and I could feel the point of a sword lightly touching my back. I put my sword back in it's sheath and the bald man smiled before riding off into the city. Once they were gone I turned around and faced the traveller. He had put his sword back in it's sheath.

"Why'd you stop me?" I asked and waited for a reply.

Vonual S'haara

"Vonual...be careful," Father stated firmly. He believe in me no doubt, but he was afraid. Afraid that his only daughter would get lost in her travels or worse...die. Not every village accepted Zanam with open arms, you see. Battles still raged on the lands, discrimination was still as bad as ever. Though there have been changes, the changes were not great enough.

"I will, Father. Trust me, I will make things right. Leo will only have to suffer for a little more until I find the Ruby. I won't let anyone get in my way, I promise."

"That's not what I'm worried about. I will get another job, I can do anything but I don't wish harm upon my only daughter. I - I just don't want you to feel like it all rests on your shoulders," he said. His wrinkled eyes frowned as his hand patted my shoulder.

I smiled. "Father, I want to do this. Do you not remember me telling you how much I enjoy traveling? Look, I'll even bring you back a souvenir."

This brought about a chuckle. "When you return, I'll make sure to have a fine man waiting at our doorstep for you."

"Father!" I gawked, feeling heat run up my cheeks. "I don't need any man, I'm going to take care of you. Why do you want to add more mouths to feed?"

He waved his hand. "Okay, okay. Just be careful." He knew if we continued on our marriage talk that I was sure to hit someone on the head. "Here is your bag, your cloak, some food and water...I hope I didn't forget anything," he said while handing me a large bag and some leather bottles.

I equipped myself and nodded. "Thank you and don't tell Leo about this...ever. Remember to tell him that I have gone to the next village to help with some construction. That is all, okay Father?"

"Yes, you've told me a thousand times already," he said. After a brief moment, I lifted my arms and gave my Father one last hug before I left. "Be careful, I'll miss you and stay safe."

"The same goes for you," I replied, giving him a peck on the cheek. With that, I turned around and left the house.

-----

I looked ahead, my eyes scanning the ebony trees. The moonlight and wind created dancing shadows across the forest ground. The distance between the forest and Zira's field was vast, meaning I had to move fast in order to reach by the time Laridial made it. My foot lifted, stepping on a branch and the snap made my spine shiver. My brother was ill, my father did not have enough help to run the family shop and we already had to sell part of our farm in order to support ourselves. I needed this Ruby, if there was any chance of finding it, I would. Once I got my hands on it, I'd sell it at the highest bid and go back home, cure my brother and buy back what we had lost. I would make sure my family never suffered again.

An eerie whisper amongst the thicket of tress made all my senses go alert. I whipped my head to the left, to the right and then ahead. My hands reached behind and I clasped my fingers around the two handles of my twin swords.

"Come on, come out and show yourself, fool." I gritted my teeth, stalking closer to the bushes. A scream tore loose of the branches and a flying animal whipped around the air and disappeared behind the crooked path of the trees. "In the name of Zanam," I cursed. Releasing the hold on my swords, I pushed up the hood of my cloak over my head, blending back into the darkness of the night and became a dancing shadow.

Csel

Cold.

Bitter cold.

I heaved myself out of the shallow grave the village folk threw me into. I wasn't worthy of a proper drylander's burial, they said. Not that I mind much, of course. Mother Earth is the same everywhere, be it in a grave, on a beach, or in the potted plant of a drylander palace. Sacred mother, sacred woman, sacred child.

The poison firewater still filled my head with cotton. Again, I didn't mind much. There was no one I could blame for this but myself. Gratitude is just one of the many concepts the drylanders seemed to be struggling with. I cured their crops, and for this, they poisoned me in that cramped shell of a public house. The sounds were so loud, and the water they gave me burned so much. Cursed water, cursed fire. Cursed enemies.

But had it only burned, I would have forgiven them. No; it poisoned my thoughts, too. That is what I got for letting fire and water inside the body where only Mother Earth reigns. Sacred mother. Someone must have said something, and I was made angry. When I am angered, my lover is angered, also. Sacred woman.

Three must have died, three. Five leaked blood then, through the holes of which bad spirits would no doubt enter their body and turn their skin to rot. Two were with broken bones. The public house was torn apart - this I didn't mind much. The sacred child played with them and Earth-walkers, but she could have done much worse. But at that point, my mind was already poisoned. I could not resist them when they beat me down and threw me into a womb carved in the sacred mother. If they drowned my corpse, if they burned my corpse, if they left my corpse to the birds to pick apart, all would have ended. But they gave me right to my healer. Sacred mother.

To my surprise, I found that I could still not walk, merely shamble. Mother Earth righted my bones and licked my wounds, but it did not get the poison out of my head. Thus incapacitated, I shambled to the forest near the dark graveyard where I was buried. A storm wept and roared. Have I intruded upon the drylanders' corpses and disturbed their spirits? O heavy, endless clouds, what secrets does your rage entomb? Have ancient memories, or hungry ghosts gathered all their strength to call for this storm?

It were long but not far before I saw someone else. I must have caught her by surprise, for, when I made myself known with a creak of a branch, she screamed and propped against the little hillock where she had been waiting, as if from seeing a bear.

"Who are you?" she whimpered. "Please, just me. Don't hurt him. It was my idea, I know we had to wait to get married, but please..."

I understood nothing, as there was no-one else here, and waited. Water dripped off my robe; it were wet. Cursed water, cursed enemy, but I didn't mind much.

"Wh-- oh, no," she started crying. "Are you not from the village? No... please... don't take me, let me go..."

Have I, out of oldest habit, stared for too long at one spot? Perhaps my silence's been mistaken for pondering 'pon her private parts.

"Where are the Ziras Fields?" I said, remembering at last my original purpose for coming 'round these parts.

"J-just on the other side of this forest patch," she stuttered.

I nodded and continued walking. As I made distance, I heard her scream into the night and run off back towards the village. At home, she would have been thrown to the beasts of water for her insolence towards a Shaman. Cursed water, cursed enemy.

At last, after many falls and detours, I had made it to a meadow of hillocks and rye stretching many steps in every direction. Indeed, this looked like the place I was told of. Just before the wall of rye started, a little grassy knoll stood out from the ground. No-one was here yet, but I didn't mind. I walked up to the top of the knoll and lowered myself to a meditative pose down to Mother Earth. Sacred mother.

The storm had ceased now, and I waited.

Blossom Zan'te

I jogged down the path to Ziras Fields, glancing at the people around me with wary eyes. A familiar face jutted out in the crowd; then it was gone. People walked about, shielding my view from the gate way. I saw some people dancing around.

"Waiting for Laridail?" Someone asked. I turned to see a man in behind me, leading a stallion. I nodded.

"I'm Vincent. You?" He asked. I stared at him, touching my lips. I was trying to get through this message: I can't talk! But he seemed to not understand me. Taking the pad of paper and a pencil from me bag, I wrote I'M MUTE very sloppily onto the paper, handing it to him.

is that ok?

Arodeth Lothwen

Though the reason for my quest was to bring honour to the elves that brought me up, only Lothwen was actually there to see me off. She was the elf who had found me, who had mothered me - perhaps mothered was the wrong word; I could never remember her actually holding me, drying my tears. Even after five years, she only held her hand out for me, in the regular greeting and farewell used by the group of elves I lived with.

Blinking back a tear - a strange feeling I was unused to - I extended my hand until the palm was lying flat against hers, then we interlocked fingers. That may have been the closest I'd ever got to being hugged, but it still signalled the rise of yet more tears; despite her faults, she had raised me, had given me her name as was custom to naming a daughter in the tribe. In that moment I loved her. The words scalded my tongue as I tried to keep them hidden; it would only embarrass her.

"Farewell Arodeth, my daughter," Lothwen intoned formally, "May the moons that carry you far away keep you safe, and bring you back to us with the honour you seek."

Choking up, I could not reply. I had never felt less like the cool, unattached magic-user I was.
I managed a smile at her words, before turning away. Fingering one of the knives strapped to my wrist, I set off for the Fields of Zirim, only a mile away.

I didn't look back.

Rats were ugly things. I watched as one scurried past me, it's pointed head entirely out of proportion compared to its round body. It seemed to stare at me as it passed, it's beady eyes jet black. Stupid creature. I shot my foot out quickly, kicking the ghastly thing, a grin on my face.

The air tightly wrapped itself around my body as I pulled myself up. A shiver ran down my spine as I rolled up my blanket, which was the only form of warmth I had. I stuffed it into my bag, being careful not to rip the blanket on my knife. I locked my eyes onto the cobbled road ahead of me. It was time for me to leave.

With my blanket, knife, and a few scraps of food packed, I set off towards Ziaras Fields. I didn't say my goodbyes; I had no one to say them to. It didn't bother me. The night closed in on me as my feet brought me closer and closer to my destination. I was leaving everything behind, and my lord, did it feel good. I passed street corners that stunk of urine, passed crumbling houses, passed everything I had grown to hate more every day.

That was when I passed his house. The house that was my home just under three years ago. I spat on the floor, cursing under my breath. If I never saw my father's twisted face again, I'd have been more than overjoyed. I peered through the small window, searching for him. A small part of me wanted the foul man to see me, just so that I could smirk at him. The rest of me wished I'd never even think of him again. Too bad I couldn't achieve the impossible.

Shoving thoughts of my father out of my head, I strode past the house, not turning back once. I had a ticket to leave this place now; a reason, and there was no way I was looking back. I had to scrap everything, and start again. It wasn't as though anyone knew me, so that shouldn't have been much of a challenge. So long as they never grew to admire me or enjoy my company, I'd have been fine. A gust of wind blew my hair off of my face, meanwhile sending another shiver down my spine.

"Hey, fleabag!" Something suddenly hit my back. "Here's some food!"

I heard coarse laughter as I spun around, clenching my jaw when I saw some pathetic elven standing outside one of the houses. On the floor beside my feet was a half eaten loaf of bread, and a green substance had formed around its edges.

"No thank you!" I called. "I wouldn't dream of stealing another man's dinner!"

I'd rather pierce a knife down your elven throat. The elf glared at me, muttering under his breath. It wasn't long until he sauntered back into his house, mumbling something about me being a common Zanem. Good riddance. I despised his kind.

Forgetting about the occurrence, I continued on my way to Ziras Fields. The clouds above me were drawing in now, almost as though they were caving in around me. As I neared the Fields, I noticed a group of people gathered at the gates. I scratched my head. The guards were checking Wanted posters. I had done my fair share of thefts, but I had been sly in the process. Perhaps someone had spotted me? Stop worrying, I coached myself. I'd never been caught; I'd be fine.

The closer I became to the large city gates, the more my mind traced back to the one reason I was leaving this cursed place. It was all that I had left now; all that I could be bothered to care about. This journey could - no, would - give me what I so desperately wanted. The determination was boiling up inside of me, almost spilling out of my dry mouth.

I had to find him.