AN: What's going on Ninjaz and Ninjettz! Welcome to Part 2 of the Prelude to Aura Guardian: Awakening! I got a question on how to pronounce Adrienne's name and it is the following: ay-dre-en. Again I'll try and update this story once bi-weekly, but no promises! If you have any questions just let me know and that's all I got for this authors note! Also the line breaks that you see are to symbolize cuts in the scene! I hope you enjoy part 2! See you at the end!
Disclaimer: I do not own Dungeons and Dragons, it's official settings and modules that are used.
Edit: 3/14/2018. grammar fixes. sentence restructure.
Prelude - Part 2
We jump ahead, roughly twenty years, to the scene of a beautiful young woman on a beautiful Freeday morning sitting in her home at the table poking at her morning breakfast with a sigh. This sigh was one that longed for adventure. One that longed to be set free and let loose into the outside world. Free from all the chains and shackles of this village and even more so this home. This was a sigh that was ready and determined to do just that.
"What's the matter Keira?" a voice said across the table.
"Oh nothing mother" the young woman, now identified as Keira, said, coming back to earth, continuing to eat her morning breakfast.
Her mother smiled,
"Alright my child. You know you can tell me anything right?"
"Yes, I know mother"
'I know' Keira said with the last part being said internally with a sigh.
Minutes passed as the two ate their breakfast. Moments passed when Keira's mother asked,
"What are your plans for Freeday?"
"I was hoping to go down to the docks and check out the merchants before they leave to go south, if you'd let me."
Keira said, with the last part ending in a questioning plea
"Pleeeeaaase?"
"Now Keira, you know we've had this talk before. I don't like you going outside-"
"By myself I know mother" Keira finished with an annoyed sighing tone.
"I get you're trying to protect me from the 'dangers' of the outside world, but the times you actually have let me go I've come back home safe and sound." Keira said exaggerating the 'have'
'Because your father was watching over you' her mother thought,
Keira continued
"I'm twenty years old mom. I need to go out and experience the world so I can figure out for myself the dangers that are out there since you won't let me or tell me!"
Her mother sighed and cursed internally knowing she's right,
"Fine daughter of mine, you may go to the docks today. Just please be safe and be home for dinner."
Keira hugged her mother
"Yes mother and thank you!" Keira said.
Keira finished her breakfast, got ready for the day and was headed towards the door. Before she could leave, though, her mother stopped her and said,
"Let me look at you daughter of mine"
"Mother!" Keira groaned.
"Oh hush" her mother said with a slight chuckle and a smile.
"You know I worry about you. Now go and have fun dear. Mother loves you."
"Bye mother! Love you too!" Keira said as she was finally let outside to make her way down to the docks.
She headed down the path towards the docks, which wasn't a long walk since her home was situated on the outskirts of the village. Before she got far, she made sure she had her trusty set of daggers that she got for her fifteenth birthday and her adventures pack that she got for her eighteenth birthday. Keira sighed, ready to start her adventure whether her mother wanted her to or not. She needed to do this not just for herself, but secretly for her mother as well.
For as long as Keira could remember, there has always been 'blood' between the humans and the elves. Everyone known to her dislikes the humans in one way or another, except her mother. Her mother kept her home-schooled and would always tell her that there was a time where humans and elves lived in harmony and peace, yet she would never tell her much more than that. Her mother was always particular about what information needed to be told and was always able to dodge any questions that came her way. Keira always tried to get more information out of her mother, especially being that Keira was a half-elf herself (part human, part elf), but whenever she brought that subject up her, mother would say that her father loves her very much and that's why he can't be here and that, when she was older, then maybe one day they would meet. When Keira asked where her father was her mother would say he left at her birth and that she doesn't know. Keira heard rumors about her birth and birth father. Her mother having an affair with a human, being raped by a human, having a scum of a father; those being just some of the rumors that went around the village, but Keira knew better to believe them. Being that he's been gone since her birth, Keira's never had or known a father figure in her life so far. As it turns out, this is one of the reasons why she's going on this adventure, to maybe one day run into and meet her father.
Even through all the controversy that followed her home, from her father to the humans, her mother was a village elder. The first female and the youngest elder. Her mother followed in Keira's great-grandfather's steps trading her life of subterfuge to one of sorcery. Of course, unknown to Keira, her mother has taken up the responsibility of the Old Ones and much to the displeasure of the council of elders, she's been busy. She is, after all, the reason why merchants are at the docks trading and why humans from across the river are able to trade with the elves. The group of merchants have been coming this far up the Fler River every year since Keira turned fifteen. Keira's mother saw that the village had been too dependent on local resources and saw that trade would help out the economy in the village. There was also the benefit of keeping the nomads of the south away, since the merchants that came up the river would be guarded. Then to top it all off, she'd be one step closer to fulfilling the dream of the Old Ones. Getting the elders to agree to let humans from across the river to come and trade with the elves was another matter, yet she succeeded. Her reasoning was that the merchants from the south would feel more comfortable with the presence of other humans then just a village full of elves. Of course, unannounced to Keira, it would also let the relationship between humans and elves grow for the better. Yet, Keira was a smart girl and figured her mother would make this an ulterior motive in the grand scheme of things.
Keira was deep into her thoughts when she suddenly ran into someone almost falling over on her face, yet the ground never met her face. She quickly came out of her thoughts and felt herself being set upright. Keira looked at the person that had caught her and was shocked to see that it was a human male. He was in his late forties and was smiling at her,
"Are you okay there young lady?" he asked her.
"Y-yes sir!" she stammered,
"I didn't see you there! My apologies" Keira finished, clearly embarrassed about what had just happened.
"Calm yourself young lady, it was no problem at" the man said with a smile looking around to make sure no one was looking at there interaction to avoid unwanted attention.
"Now quickly young lady, go before people start to stare" the man said with a shooing motion.
Keira quickly nodded her head and walked away down towards the docks first merchant. Little did she know, she had just run into her father, Renley.
Ever since Keira was born, Renley always looked out for her and her mother. Unfortunately, shortly after her mother's grandfather died was when Renley was forced to leave town. Agents of the Dark Ones staged a coup against Renley and his fellow humans making it look like they assassinated Keira's great-grandfather. This started an uprising in the village and the humans had to retreat back across the river. Renley made the hard choice to leave his newly born daughter and beloved wife behind in fear of bringing danger to them both. It was hard for Renley during the first half of his daughter's life, not being able to see her without risking everything. By staying in the shadows of the forest he was at least able to keep tabs on his family and, on the rare occasion, he and his wife would meet so they could at least see each other keeping their bond alive. Renley made it a point to never miss a birthday or holiday though, showering his wife and, mainly, daughter with presents knowing that his wife would protect their daughter unto how she received these gifts. It wasn't until five years ago when the elven village let the humans into the docks to start trade and that was when he started to visit his wife more often and was able to watch his daughter when she went out on days like today, without fear of getting attacked. Unfortunately, Renley still couldn't reveal himself as Keira's father due to the still forbidden law in the villages of the humans and elves of having relationships with each other, let alone children. Renley watched his daughter disappear into the crowd at the docks. He looked around and when he thought no one was looking he slipped into the trees and went the way Keira had come from back towards her home.
Keira was enjoying herself at the docks, talking with the different kinds of merchants and experiencing the different kinds of people and items that were available. However, to the trained eye, one would see that Keira was having, yes, a good time, but her face showed that there were two things running through her head that she just couldn't shake off. One was how to get on the merchant boat without being seen and the second, who was that man she ran into? To answer her first question Keira decided to roam around the docks taking mental notes on how many people went to and from the merchant vessels, how the guards were stationed and at what points, and the best places to go from cover to cover. After doing her mental check for her first question, Keira then set herself to her second question. When her thoughts came to this question, Keira found it odd at how kind he was to her and even odder how comfortable she felt around him. She just couldn't put a finger on just how familiar his presence felt to her. Keira decided that for now she'd shrug it off as she had a "mission" to complete and was keen on following through with it. With one last mental check she smiled to herself and went out to enjoy the rest of her day till night fall came to begin her adventure.
Renley entered a home through means of the backdoor, looking around the outside to make sure he wasn't seen entering the home.
'Home Sweet Home' he thought with a smile.
As Renley took a couple steps into the home, he was stopped by the feeling of cold steel against his neck.
'Old habits die hard' he thought with another smile.
"And what have we here!" said a smooth, yet firm voice said behind the knife.
Renley chuckled and with arms raised he said,
"Is that a way to treat your husband?" knife instantly leaving his neck as he spoke.
Renley put on a goofy grin as he turned around to look at the person behind the knife. They made eye contact with each other with smiles on their faces.
"Miss me Adrienne?" Renley asked holding his arms open.
Adrienne rolled her eyes, punched him in the arm, and went in for the hug.
"You ass! I was about to kill you!" she mused.
"I missed you too my dear wife" Renley said with a small chuckle, now in an embrace with his wife.
Adrienne rolled her eyes again,
"You just like to live life on the edge, don't you my dear husband"
With that the couple kissed and for the rest of the day, Renley and Adrienne socialized catching up on events that transpired since their last meeting.
"I saw Keira today" Renley said with smile,
"Well, more like she ran into me today" he finished with a chuckle.
Adrienne laughed, shaking her head,
"Oh that girl of ours. She's got that spark in her eyes, ready to take on the world"
"One day she will" Renley said.
'One day' they both thought.
It was nearing dinner time, meaning it was time for Renley to depart,
"Send Keira my love" he said.
"I always do" Adrienne said,
"See you soon my love"
"See you soon my love" said Renley and with those words, a kiss and an embrace, Renley left and headed back towards the docks.
As Renley walked through the forest and as Adrienne watched him go, they both had one thought on their minds
'One day our family will be together among the rest of the people, both humans and elves, without having to worry about being scrutinized and living in fear'
Renley disappeared from Adrienne's sight, deciding to enter her home and close the door behind her. Knowing Keira wouldn't be home till late, as she did when she was out by herself, Adrienne turned in for the evening, tired from spending the day with her husband. Renley walked through the forest nearing the exit by the docks, making sure that he was being as quite as he could. Little did they know, however, someone saw Renley enter and leave Adrienne's home. Someone who would try and bring everything down that they have fought so hard to rebuild. A agent of evil. A agent of the Dark Ones.
It was night time as the merchants were getting ready to leave. Renley had just exited the forest and was now headed for the bridge to make it back over the river for some good days' rest. On the opposite side of the docks Keira, who would normally be heading home to dinner, was sitting in a crouched position ready for her night, and many days to come, of adventure to begin. Keira has been wanting to go on an adventure ever since she became and adult and now with the rumors she'd heard today of the happenings in the south, specifically in a place called the Kron Hills, she was ready to go. The merchants were packing up getting ready to set sail south for the night. When no one was looking, Keira sneaked on board one of the vessels using the large crates along the docks as cover. Keira found a cubby-hole that was about her size that seemed to be forgotten by the merchants. She settled in for a long ride in her cubby hole as she looked over her supplies one last time. Keira had her two favorite daggers and a couple weeks' worth of carefully prepared food and supplies. Keira smiled as she knew that she was all set and ready to go for her adventure.
The bridge that connects the human village and the elven village together was currently occupied by one man, Renley, who was walking back to his home. As he was walking he decided to watch the merchants leave the elven village as they set sail down the Fler River. When the merchant vessels were out on the open river water, Renley caught a glimmer of what looked like a dagger attached to a shadowy figure sneaking around on one of the vessels. He did a double take to make sure he wasn't seeing things and saw nothing. He then shrugged it off as an illusion and a shadow and continued his last trek off the bridge and too his home on the other side.
The next morning was like any other for Renley. He got up, checked the perimeter of his home and the surrounding area, tended to some chores, had a bite to eat and then headed to the bridge to cross the river and go 'look' at the local wares at the docks of the elven village. Renley was on this last task. As he was on the bridge he noticed the traveling merchants were completely gone from the docks and the local merchants from both sides of the river had now set up shop. Most of these local merchants were from the elven village, but there were some human merchants from the human village. As Renley neared the other side of the bridge he saw someone that he wasn't expecting. There in front of him was his wife Adrienne in front of a large group of people.
'Wish I could walk up behind her and give her a hug' Renley thought.
But of course he couldn't walk up to her or kiss her or hug her like a real husband would because of they're racial differences and the laws against it. Renley sighed as he mentally scolded himself for thinking such remarks. He was a real husband to her and he couldn't wait for the day when all the bans on both humans and elves were lifted. Adrienne had told Renley that that was her next goal for the village. Renley had a part to play in this as well has he had to convince his side of the river. The humans were just as bitter as the elves were. Luckily for Renley his people were a little easier in the forgiveness department, but he still had his challenges. Mind you not everyone did, but many of the humans were open to the elves which is why some traded in the elven village. Renley shook his head to free his thoughts as dirt met his boot signifying he stepped from the bridge into the village. He decided he'd walk by his wife and see if he could eavesdrop and hear what was going on to try and figure out why she was out here. As Renley walked by he heard the last bit of the conversation,
"There's no denying what I saw! You're in love with that human! It explains everything! From your secret life to your daughter! No wonder why she ran away onto that merchants vessel!"
At those words Renley stop dead in his tracks. Someone had seen him leave Adrienne's place when he had thought he had been so careful like he had done many times before for the past almost twenty years. To top it all off this man just stated that his beloved daughter just ran away on that merchant vessel Renley watched leave last night. Renley internally face palmed,
'So that's the shadow I saw last night' he thought.
The situation wasn't looking good for Adrienne or Renley. All the hard work that they've put into bringing peace between their people just started to unravel itself right before them. Realizing that he stopped right in front of the crowed behind Adrienne he decided he better get out of there before the person that saw him spotted him and made matters worse.
"Ah and here's your husband now" said the voice.
'Well shit' thought Renley.
"Ah and here's your husband now" one of the village elders spat.
Adrienne slowly turned herself to see the man that stood behind her. Sure enough it was Renley. She wasn't sure how much he heard, but, from what she could tell, according to his body language and his eyes, his body language told her that it was more than enough.
'Damn you Vern' Adrienne cursed in her head.
'Always been after me trying to stop me and what I've tried so hard to put into motion. Grandfather warned me of this' She exhaled her breath loudly and moved next to Renley and took his hand into hers.
Most of the crowd was shocked and started whispering among themselves while Vern threw on a wicked grin of victory. The couple looked at each other and Renley slightly nodded to Adrienne that said that he would follow her lead.
"Yes it is true that this man is my lover, my friend, and father of my child. I know that most of you are thinking that elves and humans have been enemies for ages and that it's forbidden for one another to be in love, let alone have children and I used to think that way to, but then I was saved twenty years ago by this man." Adrienne started, turning her head to look at Renley.
"We were saved by this man." She looked back to the now mob in front of her.
"Not many of you know of what this man did, but our village was attacked twenty years ago, much smaller than it is now, and Renley came across from the river, the side of the humans, and saved our village. Not for money or a reward, but because it was right." Adrienne again turned her head to Renley who stared back and nodded for her to continue.
"I almost killed him, by my blade, as a matter of fact, but was talked into some sense by my grandfather as you all know was the greatest and wisest of the elders that this village has ever had." Adrienne turning her head back to the mob as she said the last part.
"Renley and my grandfather had shared a vision to be united under one people where there was no humans verses elves. A place to live in peace and harmony. This is why I became an elder after my grandfather's passing so that we could end this long lived hate for one another."
Adrienne could see that her little speech had moved a lot of the people in the crowd. Vern, however was fuming and he would not have any of this. He made a deal to get this village to be feared by all in the north and human or not he would accomplish it. Vern starts laughing, venom clear in his voice,
"Very beautiful speech Adrienne, but do you not remember that it was a human's blade that had killed your grandfather. It was your grandfather's dream that brought on his demise. He believed in something that isn't possible and now he's dead because of it. And if I remember correctly it was your husbands friend that killed him too"
"Lies!" Renley spontaneously shouted,
"He was set-up! We all were!"
Adrienne squeezed his hand, telling him to shut up and let her do the talking. His little outburst, and the fact he called an elder a liar, wouldn't sit well with the elves in the village.
"Ah coming to the defense of your friend even though they found his dagger stuck into the back of the old man. Tsk-tsk" Vern retorted.
Renley growled at Vern, but Adrienne spoke up before he had the chance to,
"His dagger was stolen from him Vern! You know that just as well as we did, yet you played coy, threw him to the wolves and started panic and riot causing hate to resurface and open wounds that I've been trying so hard to repair!"
"And what proof have you? What proof that I was the one who orchestrated such an event? I would never do such a thing, as I've always looked out for the people of this village." Vern said.
"Oh like how you looked out for me? We were supposed to be friends through all of this Vern yet you let jealousy get in the way when Renley swept me of my feet and I announced my love for him. This is what it's always been about for you. Revenge against me for 'hurting' you when I never even liked you!" Adrienne spat.
Vern flinched for a moment, but then laughed it off,
"HA! I would never fall in love to a bitch like you! Especially one that throws themselves at the first human she sees and breeds a half bred stain on this village."
At those words Renley snapped as had enough of this Vern. In two long but quick strides he had Vern by the throat and suspended in the air squeezing his throat chocking the life out of him.
"You bastard!" Renley yelled glaring at him through deadly eyes,
"I'll make sure you never speak again you disrespectful prick!"
Vern hoarsely laughed and said with a croak,
"You see! This is the nature of the beast! Humans are not to be trusted for they have violent tendencies and can snap at a moment's notice! Ready to kill without thinking!"
Adrienne ran up to Renley,
"Let him go Renley!"
"But-"
"Now!" She said firmly.
Then Renley came to from his anger 'high' and realized what he had just done. He just threatened a highly ranked member of the elven village. He looked around and saw all the angry elves glare daggers at him and saw some elves cower, clearly scared of him. He started putting his hands up in front of him in a defensive manner and began to plea,
"Please it's not what you think! He's the one responsible for this! Please!"
Then Renley felt a tug on his hand as Adrienne lead him away from the yelling mob to the docks.
"Renley we can't stay here we need to go!"Adrienne said with haste,
"But what about the others that know the truth! We need to help them" Renley said with stress clearly in his voice,
"And we will! Just not today! First we need to go find our daughter!" Adrienne retorted.
And so, Renley and Adrienne left the docks on a small vessel, with just the weapons and materials on their backs, and made south to find and hopefully catch up with their daughter.
"Any idea where she is?" asked Renley, concern showing through his voice.
"Yes" Adrienne replied calmly,
"Vern said he saw her sneak on a vessel with the merchants that were here yesterday and said that she's probably leaving here to go find a better place away from us since we've been shielding her from everything."
"I hate that guy" Renley said.
"I just hope everything isn't in complete ruin when we get back"
"If and when we get back dear" Adrienne said with a small chuckle.
With that, the couple set south on the Fler River on a hunt to find their daughter.
AN: Annnnd DONE! So? How was it? Again I have no Beta Reader, but myself so I hope I got all of the mistakes and grammar issues fixed! Part 2 was almost double that of part 1 so whew! I really enjoyed this Part as it reviled more of the characters background and the challenge and adversities through their lives so far. Let me know what you guys think with a review or in a PM. Again if you have any questions let me know and Ill see you Ninjaz and Ninjettz next week! Till then this is SwedishNinja signing out! Peace Out Everybody...
