It had been 10 years since Marrin and Fenris moved to Starkhaven with their children Merilyn and Haven. For 10 years they had a peaceful life, one that even a half elf could enjoy. In this 10 year there had been little fighting, no one coming after them, and all seemed well. Now Merilyn was 18, his younger sister, Haven, was 14, and now Merilyn was to leave them.
Over the many years Merilyn had been able to blend into society as an elf. No one had second guessed him to be half human. He had learned to wield his father's two-handed weapons, and found that he too had the urge to find battle. Here in Starkhaven he would move into ranks that the Prince had once offered his father. He would become someone to train armies and maybe someday lead them.
Their daughter Haven on the other hand was still under Marrin's training. She was going to be a fine rogue someday, one that would stand beside her mother in history. Her long black hair was more of a sign of death to her enemies. Haven's dagger's as sharp as her mother's. She was a young lady to be remembered. It wasn't a wonder she too had been offered to train the military forces of Starkhaven.
Over all, their parents were proud of their children. However it maybe this that made them so lax. So begins the next step of our story.
Marrin once more set clothes on the line, (this, among all her other housework, became her ritual.) She looked over to the forest where her son ventured off to. To this day the lad had loved to go in there. Merilyn would train, eat, and whatever else he deemed fit in there. Oh how he just loved to stay in there. It was one of the things that really made him an elf.
Looking over she caught sight of her daughter. No more did she play with dolls, there she was practicing her sword stance. Haven was swift and agile, perfect for a rogue. Her moves were pinning and on target. Nothing about her wasn't without reason or followup. Even still, Marrin saw some flaws in her style, ones that with more training could be corrected.
Marrin finished her laundry and without any sign was in front of her daughter. Marrin's quick blades made Haven's seem like a joke, pulling the younger rogue back. Marrin continued her assault, not giving Haven an inch. Finally she ultimately overpowered Haven completely resulting in her daughter falling to the ground weaponless.
"Your sword skills need work Haven. How ever will you join the armies like your brother if you cannot defeat me?" Marrin groaned at the end of her sentence. Haven's face grew red, flustered. "It's not my fault you're super strong mama! How can I take you on right now? I know you're holding back!"
Marrin started to laugh while her daughter's face grew even redder with angry. "It's not funny mama!" Haven crossed her arms, still sitting on the ground. "I'm afraid she's right my dear, you judge our daughter too hard." Said a musky voice approaching them. Both rogues, (Haven quickly regrouped her daggers,) quickly took stance. They eased when they saw it was only Fenris.
"Now Fenris, she can't join the army like this. Her sword work is still merger." Marrin told her making Haven turn her head angrily. Fenris chuckled at his women. "Even still I know Haven is trying her best yes?" Fenris gave his daughter an approving look which calmed her some. "Marrin, we need to talk." Marrin gave him a questioning look before motioning him inside. Before closing the doors, Fenris glanced once more at Haven and spoke directly to her, "Go find your brother. It's about time he came home."
Haven moaned at being told to find Merilyn. One thing she hated was seeing him when he was all sweaty and tired. He was almost unbearable then, so whiny and full of himself. Why couldn't she continue her training instead? Even still, if she continued to stay here she'd find herself in trouble with her father. He could be scary when defied. The thought alone was enough to send Haven on her way into the forest.
Going deep into the forest Haven found Merilyn's usual training area. Silently she watched as her brother swung his sword around. He was so fast and powerful, it was like watching her father. Ever so silently she approached him, until finally she appeared right on top of his blade in a sitting position.
"Hello big brother!" She chimed while he took his sword away. She quickly landed on her feet and hopped over closer to him. In all the years he'd grown into a strapping young man, very handsome and easy on the eyes. In some ways he looked more like his mother than his father.
"Why are you here Haven?" Merilyn asked while putting away his weapon. In all his time training here, she hardly ever came out here to see him. Haven frowned, giving him a distasteful look, "papa sent me, he said it was time you came back." Merilyn stared at her confused before the wind blew a faint smell. The stench smelled of blood; fresh blood. There was another smell, it was crisp almost like a fire burning. Looking to the sky Merilyn couldn't see anything past the trees. Instinctively Merilyn grabbed Haven by the arm and started running toward the city with her. He knew where the smell came from, however, he didn't want to drag Haven there with him.
"Brother! The way home is that way!" Haven called out to him trying to pull him towards the smell. "I know sister, however I have to do some shopping. Mother wanted it done, maybe you can do it for me?" He asked trying to find a reason to divert her away from there. Haven gave him a questioning look. "Oh did she now? I thought mama had everything she needed at home." The two of them stopped. "She told me this morning right as I left that she needed it done." The two met eyes. Finally Haven sighed giving in. "What does she need brother?"
Merilyn continued his gaze trying not to let onto his deceit. "The normal things, bread, milk, fruit. But especially fish." He turned around as to head home. "She needs... fish?" Haven questioned. Her mother hated fish, and she believed her father did too. Something about having to go into lots of fish-fill warehouses. Merilyn looked back at her with a smile. "Yeah, she said we were going to have some company and they loved the stuff." With one more questioning gaze Haven closed her mouth and walked toward Starkhaven confused.
Sighing, Merilun made wasted not an ounce of time in returning home. However when he returned he found he was too late to of been any sort of help. Before stood his home, in shambles. Flames engulfed the house and land in an ever hot inferno. The laundry his mother had set was ruined, their livestock dead, and anything meaningful was lost. Being a soldier, this wasn't the first time Merilyn had seen such a sight. However this time it was so close to his soul, this had been his home.
Returning his senses he took hold of his sword and started examining the property. Swiftly he examined the area and finally made his way to the house. Somehow he managed to put the fire out, however he couldn't figure out two things. Who had done this and where his parents were. It couldn't be his parents were dead right? They were too strong and cunning for that.
Merilyn went inside the home and looked it over. Most everything was burned, nothing seemed to be in tact. Carefully he proceeded onward only to see burned bodies on the floor. Upon looking at them, he realized they weren't his parents. He began to seriously wonder what happened here; (along if letting Haven go alone to town was okay.)
Going even further in he came into what was his parent's room. Here he saw two figures laying on the untouched bed. It amazed him that the rest of the house had burned except for this room. It was as if a mage had casted a spell on it. Carefully Merilyn went in to check on the room. He walked over to the bed where the figures laid only to see it was his parents. Merilyn placed his hand on his mother's neck only to feel his heart stop. She was dead. Frantically he placed a hand on his father's neck. He too was dead. Undoing his father's robes he searches for a cause only to find none.
With no strength left in his body, Merilyn fell to his knees. His eyes were fixated on the bodies, tears running down his eyes. Merilyn's soul seemed to disappear. as if nothing was left of him. Then he remembered his sister, his little sister whom he cared for. He must go to her, hopefully no harm had befell her yet.