A Ranger's Tale: Chapter One: In the Being
Author's note: I decided to rewirte it anyway.even with the lack of reviews for my other fic, **hint** **hint** But anyhow, enjoy, and remember to read and review. This story takes place on the Xeygony server.
Maylaie Wolfcall woke up early, for this day was her sixteenth birthday. Although it was still young to elves, when an elf turned sixteen seasons, they were officially an adult. Today was the day she'd get to pick her calling and she'd pick her chosen deity. Maylaie quietly got dressed; tip toed past her parent's room, so not to wake them, and silently made her way outside. Kelethin was just waking up, just an hour before sunrise. Greater Faydwer was a major trade area and Maylaie heard the first few declarations of items for sale by adventurers looking to make some extra money and adventurers wanting to buy certain items. Maylaie climbed up on her roof and looked at the night sky, and watched the darkness fade into day. After the sun rose Maylaie watched the various people in Kelethin go about their business, including the drunkard who stumbled around, yet never fell from the towering tree city. Maylaie sat in her quiet solace, hoping to get over her nervousness, for what only felt like minutes.
" Coppers for your thoughts little one?" said a voice behind her.
Maylaie jumped in surprise and fell off the roof.
" Ow!" Maylaie squeaked when she hit the wooden city floor.
" Hahahaha. Scare you little one?" Laughed the male wood elf, looking over the roof's edge.
Maylaie scowled at her older brother, Terrain. " You could have made some noise you know." Maylaie growled as she got up and dusted herself off.
" That, my dear sister, would be like asking the wolf not to howl at the moon. It'd be totally against my nature." Terrain said, leaping off the roof and landing silently, " Is there something bothering you? I've called you little one twice now, and usually you'd yell at me after I've done it once."
"Nothing is really wrong. I'm just worried about if the Choosers decide that I should be something other than a ranger."
Terrain nodded in understanding. Not only did the choosers decide what deity you were allied with, they also decide whether or not you'd fit in the class you chose. Terrain had wanted to be a warrior, but the choosers, decided he was better off as a bard. Ultimately, they were right. Terrain had the speed, cleverness, voice and charisma of a bard, along with some rogue-like qualities. It also was easy for Terrain to tell everyone he had been chosen as a bard, only his family knew that Terrine wanted to be a warrior; everyone knew Maylaie wanted to be a ranger with all her heart. For Maylaie, she was a born ranger. At a young age she had amazed their father by hitting straight into the centre at the Fayguard training area with bow and arrow. Maylaie also had a strong love of nature, but preferred to clash swords with her enemy, rather then cast spells and hope they would hit home.
"Don't worry little one, the Choosers know you're a born ranger." Terrain smiled at his little sister.
"Thanks. And stop calling me little one!" Maylaie growled, and punched Terrain in the shoulder, as hard as she could.
"Of course with a weakling punch like that, they might decide you'd be better off as a Barkeep!" Terrain said, pretending to act like the punch didn't hurt a bit.
Maylaie growled in frustration and lunged at Terrain, bringing him down to the floor, wrestling him.
"If you two plan to start acting your age and get off the floor, breakfast is ready." Said a voice.
Terrain looked over to see Healec, his and Maylaie's older sister, standing in the doorway grinning.
"As you wish, oh mighty druid of Tunare! Please spare us your wrath!" Terrain said, with mock terror, as he got off the wooden floor.
"You followers of Bristlebane! You think everything is fun and games!" Healec, mock shouted.
The three siblings looked at each other, and broke out into great howling laughter.
"Come on, we'd better get to the kitchen. Lest we face the wrath of the supreme Goddess, Mom!" Maylaie said, causing her two siblings to go into another fit of giggles as they made their way into the house and to their kitchen.
"Mom I think you made too much." Maylaie said, looking at the massive piles of food on the table, which looked like it might collapse under the weight at any moment.
Eslain Wolfcall, grinned, " I figured it's been awhile since your brother and sister had a home cooked meal and they might like it." Eslain pointed to the young wood elves as they piled the food high on their plates. "It appears I was right." Maylaie giggled and sat down, taking a muffin filled with berries and nibbling on that.
"By the great Trickster! The bottomless pit has lost her mind-consuming hunger!" Terrain teased.
"I'm not really hungry." Maylaie said, playing with a crumb on her plate.
Healec elbowed her brother and smiled warmly, " Don't worry Maylaie, everything will be fine."
"Yeah but considering this family's record of being chosen for something they didn't want at first." Maylaie said gloomily. Along with Terrain, Healec was something she hadn't really wanted to be at first. Healec had wanted to be a rogue, but became a druid, which she quickly discovered she had a hidden talent for.
"Don't worry wood angel, you're a born ranger." Maylaie's father, Tanak, said.
There was also something else that bothered Maylaie. The Wolfcall's had spawned a long line of great rangers, and she was her family's last chance to continue on the ranger line. Maylaie remembered the look on her father's face when she had told him she wanted to be a ranger for the first time, the look of utter happiness. Maylaie knew, though he would hide it, her father would be crushed if Maylaie didn't become a ranger.
" Ready to go, May?" Terrain asked as he shoved one final muffin into his mouth.
"Yep." Maylaie said, popping the last of her muffin in her mouth.
It was Wolfcall tradition for the person who was coming of age to be escorted to the Choosers hall by the last family member who had been there.
" Terrain, pick me up some moonlight temper while you're in Felwithe." Tanak said.
" Ok dad." Terrain said, as he and Maylaie went out the door.
Most of their journey to Felwithe was in silence. Terrain watched as Maylaie seemed to grow more nervous with each passing footstep. Terrain raked his brain for a way to lighten her mood.
"Remember that time we met that Human merchant's son? How he kept laughing at my name, and wouldn't tell us why it was so funny? And how we finally asked his father and he told us that in Human Terrain is another word for landscape." Terrain chuckled.
Maylaie smiled a little, but just a little, " Thanks Terrain, but it doesn't help, mostly because mom told us in elder elven Terrain means 'Earth song'; which just adds to remind me that you were meant to be a bard, when we thought otherwise."
"Yes, but everybody else figured I'd be a bard or rouge." Terrain said, " Everyone agrees that you'll be a ranger." "Good day Lieutenant." Terrain said to the guard at the gates of Felwithe.
"Please don't call me that Terrain, makes me feel old." The Lieutenant said lifting his visor, to reveal the face of Silpan Moonglaze, one of Terrain's friends from childhood.
" Silpan! You're a Lieutenant already? Last time I heard from you were just a cadet."
"Sorry Ter, I've haven't had time to write.
Who's this gorgeous little lady your with?" "M'lady, if you find this bard of Bristlebane not serious enough for you, I'll gladly show you the time of your life."
Terrain's eyes narrowed, " That my little sister Maylaie, Silpan!" he growled.
Silpan blinked and looked closely at Maylaie, " By Tunare's power! Your right! Last time I saw Maylaie was when you were racing with your brother and me." "My, how you've grown!" Silpan laughed, " Your not going to cut off my head for disgracing your sister's honour are you, Ter?"
" No Sil, I'll let her do that when she gets her ranger sword." Terrain laughed.
" Today's the day isn't? Don't worry May, you'll be an excellent ranger."
"LIEUTENANT MOONGLAZE! UNLESS YOU WANT TO BE A CADET AGAIN, GET BACK TO WORK!!" a voice from nowhere yelled, causing the three friends to jump several feet into the air.
"Yes Sir!" said Silpan as he stood erect and at attention. " I'll come to Kelethin to visit, when I'm off duty." Silpan grinned as he flipped down his visor.
Maylaie and Terrain went through the castle gate and made their way across the bridge over to the castle. Terrain led Maylaie over to a door and opened it.
"This is where you and I have to part ways for a little while. Meet me at the Felwithe Fish House when you're done, ok?"
Maylaie nodded, so nervous she couldn't speak.
"Don't worry, you'll do fine." Terrain grinned, and walked off.
Maylaie entered the dark chamber, filled with absolute terror.
"H-hello?" Maylaie called out. A torch lit, seemingly by itself, and Maylaie saw ten black-cloaked figures sitting in high seats in a semi circular.
"Hello Maylaie Wolfcall. Today you are to choose. What is the path you choose?" said the cloaked one in the center with a male battle-hardened voice.
Maylaie took a deep breath and summoned all her courage, " I choose the path of Ranger, following the way of sword, bow and magic." Maylaie recited the speech exactly how her father told her.
"And the deity you wish to guide on this path?" said the cloaked one on the far left. In her voice, Maylaie could have sworn she heard the whispers of the Gods.
" Tunare, mother of all."
"Follow me child and we shall see." Said the cloaked one on the far right in a soft male voice. The far right cloaked one stood and for the first time Maylaie noticed a door on the right of the chamber. The cloaked figure lead Maylaie through the hall to a room with a wooden table and another cloaked figure. Maylaie could tell instantly that he was important, for his robes were a deep royal purple.
"Lay on the table little one." The purple-cloaked figure said. Maylaie looked around to see the other cloaked figure had left. Maylaie did as she was told and laid down.
"Now sleep child," the purple one said, purple mists forming around his hands. Maylaie's eyelids closed. What felt like hours later, Maylaie awoke, feeling mentally and physically drained. " It has been decided." The Purple one said, leading Maylaie back into the fornt chamber. " I present, Maylaie Wolfcall, ranger of Tunare."
The cloaked to the far left handed Maylaie a sword belt and scabbard with a sword and a note.
"Safe travels, Maylaie Wolfcall." Said all the cloaked ones in union.
Maylaie walked out of the chamber and made her way to the Felwithe Fish House.
" What's taking her so long?" Terrain muttered.
" Maybe she went straight to the ranger guild she was so excited." Silpan suggested.
" I doubt it." Terrain said.
The door of the tavern opened to Maylaie standing there, half a sleep.
"She looks exhausted!" The barmaid said.
Silpan hoisted the small elf on over his shoulder.
"Poor kid's dead tired." Terrain said.
"Well the note in her hand says she has to go to ranger guild to receive training, so it couldn't have been that bad." Silpan said.
Terrain paid the barmaid and he and Silpan made their way back to Kelethin and Terrain's house.
"We're home!" Terrain called when he and Silpan go inside the house, out of habit.
"Terrain! I was getting so worried. What happened to Maylaie?
" Eslain said as she, Tanak and Healec came to the door.
"I don't know. She's a ranger now though, maybe she was so excited she just burned out." Terrain said.
" I'll put her to bed, Silpan." Tanak said, taking his daughter from the Lieutenant.
"Good to see you again, Silpan." Healec said.
"You too Healec, I've got to get back to Felwithe, my shift starts in 20 minutes. See you around Ter." Silpan said and walked out the door.
****
"Why did you want to read her, Malance?" The center cloaked one, Galador, a high elf paladin, asked the purple one.
"Yeah, and why did it take so long? I mean she's a born ranger, just like her dad." Said the far right cloaked one, Juter, a wood elf ranger.
"It may not seem that way now, but her path is a very difficult one. In any path she chooses there will be much pain, but also an equal amount of joy. As ranger she will experience more pain then any other path she'd choose. She will also experience the most joy, although in smaller bursts then the pain." Malance said, and then whispered, " Stay strong, Maylaie Wolfcall, Maylaie Darkwolf."
Author's note: Ok quick name game. Maylaie is pronounced Maylee, Healec is pronounced Hailace and Eslain is pronounced Islain.
Author's note: I decided to rewirte it anyway.even with the lack of reviews for my other fic, **hint** **hint** But anyhow, enjoy, and remember to read and review. This story takes place on the Xeygony server.
Maylaie Wolfcall woke up early, for this day was her sixteenth birthday. Although it was still young to elves, when an elf turned sixteen seasons, they were officially an adult. Today was the day she'd get to pick her calling and she'd pick her chosen deity. Maylaie quietly got dressed; tip toed past her parent's room, so not to wake them, and silently made her way outside. Kelethin was just waking up, just an hour before sunrise. Greater Faydwer was a major trade area and Maylaie heard the first few declarations of items for sale by adventurers looking to make some extra money and adventurers wanting to buy certain items. Maylaie climbed up on her roof and looked at the night sky, and watched the darkness fade into day. After the sun rose Maylaie watched the various people in Kelethin go about their business, including the drunkard who stumbled around, yet never fell from the towering tree city. Maylaie sat in her quiet solace, hoping to get over her nervousness, for what only felt like minutes.
" Coppers for your thoughts little one?" said a voice behind her.
Maylaie jumped in surprise and fell off the roof.
" Ow!" Maylaie squeaked when she hit the wooden city floor.
" Hahahaha. Scare you little one?" Laughed the male wood elf, looking over the roof's edge.
Maylaie scowled at her older brother, Terrain. " You could have made some noise you know." Maylaie growled as she got up and dusted herself off.
" That, my dear sister, would be like asking the wolf not to howl at the moon. It'd be totally against my nature." Terrain said, leaping off the roof and landing silently, " Is there something bothering you? I've called you little one twice now, and usually you'd yell at me after I've done it once."
"Nothing is really wrong. I'm just worried about if the Choosers decide that I should be something other than a ranger."
Terrain nodded in understanding. Not only did the choosers decide what deity you were allied with, they also decide whether or not you'd fit in the class you chose. Terrain had wanted to be a warrior, but the choosers, decided he was better off as a bard. Ultimately, they were right. Terrain had the speed, cleverness, voice and charisma of a bard, along with some rogue-like qualities. It also was easy for Terrain to tell everyone he had been chosen as a bard, only his family knew that Terrine wanted to be a warrior; everyone knew Maylaie wanted to be a ranger with all her heart. For Maylaie, she was a born ranger. At a young age she had amazed their father by hitting straight into the centre at the Fayguard training area with bow and arrow. Maylaie also had a strong love of nature, but preferred to clash swords with her enemy, rather then cast spells and hope they would hit home.
"Don't worry little one, the Choosers know you're a born ranger." Terrain smiled at his little sister.
"Thanks. And stop calling me little one!" Maylaie growled, and punched Terrain in the shoulder, as hard as she could.
"Of course with a weakling punch like that, they might decide you'd be better off as a Barkeep!" Terrain said, pretending to act like the punch didn't hurt a bit.
Maylaie growled in frustration and lunged at Terrain, bringing him down to the floor, wrestling him.
"If you two plan to start acting your age and get off the floor, breakfast is ready." Said a voice.
Terrain looked over to see Healec, his and Maylaie's older sister, standing in the doorway grinning.
"As you wish, oh mighty druid of Tunare! Please spare us your wrath!" Terrain said, with mock terror, as he got off the wooden floor.
"You followers of Bristlebane! You think everything is fun and games!" Healec, mock shouted.
The three siblings looked at each other, and broke out into great howling laughter.
"Come on, we'd better get to the kitchen. Lest we face the wrath of the supreme Goddess, Mom!" Maylaie said, causing her two siblings to go into another fit of giggles as they made their way into the house and to their kitchen.
"Mom I think you made too much." Maylaie said, looking at the massive piles of food on the table, which looked like it might collapse under the weight at any moment.
Eslain Wolfcall, grinned, " I figured it's been awhile since your brother and sister had a home cooked meal and they might like it." Eslain pointed to the young wood elves as they piled the food high on their plates. "It appears I was right." Maylaie giggled and sat down, taking a muffin filled with berries and nibbling on that.
"By the great Trickster! The bottomless pit has lost her mind-consuming hunger!" Terrain teased.
"I'm not really hungry." Maylaie said, playing with a crumb on her plate.
Healec elbowed her brother and smiled warmly, " Don't worry Maylaie, everything will be fine."
"Yeah but considering this family's record of being chosen for something they didn't want at first." Maylaie said gloomily. Along with Terrain, Healec was something she hadn't really wanted to be at first. Healec had wanted to be a rogue, but became a druid, which she quickly discovered she had a hidden talent for.
"Don't worry wood angel, you're a born ranger." Maylaie's father, Tanak, said.
There was also something else that bothered Maylaie. The Wolfcall's had spawned a long line of great rangers, and she was her family's last chance to continue on the ranger line. Maylaie remembered the look on her father's face when she had told him she wanted to be a ranger for the first time, the look of utter happiness. Maylaie knew, though he would hide it, her father would be crushed if Maylaie didn't become a ranger.
" Ready to go, May?" Terrain asked as he shoved one final muffin into his mouth.
"Yep." Maylaie said, popping the last of her muffin in her mouth.
It was Wolfcall tradition for the person who was coming of age to be escorted to the Choosers hall by the last family member who had been there.
" Terrain, pick me up some moonlight temper while you're in Felwithe." Tanak said.
" Ok dad." Terrain said, as he and Maylaie went out the door.
Most of their journey to Felwithe was in silence. Terrain watched as Maylaie seemed to grow more nervous with each passing footstep. Terrain raked his brain for a way to lighten her mood.
"Remember that time we met that Human merchant's son? How he kept laughing at my name, and wouldn't tell us why it was so funny? And how we finally asked his father and he told us that in Human Terrain is another word for landscape." Terrain chuckled.
Maylaie smiled a little, but just a little, " Thanks Terrain, but it doesn't help, mostly because mom told us in elder elven Terrain means 'Earth song'; which just adds to remind me that you were meant to be a bard, when we thought otherwise."
"Yes, but everybody else figured I'd be a bard or rouge." Terrain said, " Everyone agrees that you'll be a ranger." "Good day Lieutenant." Terrain said to the guard at the gates of Felwithe.
"Please don't call me that Terrain, makes me feel old." The Lieutenant said lifting his visor, to reveal the face of Silpan Moonglaze, one of Terrain's friends from childhood.
" Silpan! You're a Lieutenant already? Last time I heard from you were just a cadet."
"Sorry Ter, I've haven't had time to write.
Who's this gorgeous little lady your with?" "M'lady, if you find this bard of Bristlebane not serious enough for you, I'll gladly show you the time of your life."
Terrain's eyes narrowed, " That my little sister Maylaie, Silpan!" he growled.
Silpan blinked and looked closely at Maylaie, " By Tunare's power! Your right! Last time I saw Maylaie was when you were racing with your brother and me." "My, how you've grown!" Silpan laughed, " Your not going to cut off my head for disgracing your sister's honour are you, Ter?"
" No Sil, I'll let her do that when she gets her ranger sword." Terrain laughed.
" Today's the day isn't? Don't worry May, you'll be an excellent ranger."
"LIEUTENANT MOONGLAZE! UNLESS YOU WANT TO BE A CADET AGAIN, GET BACK TO WORK!!" a voice from nowhere yelled, causing the three friends to jump several feet into the air.
"Yes Sir!" said Silpan as he stood erect and at attention. " I'll come to Kelethin to visit, when I'm off duty." Silpan grinned as he flipped down his visor.
Maylaie and Terrain went through the castle gate and made their way across the bridge over to the castle. Terrain led Maylaie over to a door and opened it.
"This is where you and I have to part ways for a little while. Meet me at the Felwithe Fish House when you're done, ok?"
Maylaie nodded, so nervous she couldn't speak.
"Don't worry, you'll do fine." Terrain grinned, and walked off.
Maylaie entered the dark chamber, filled with absolute terror.
"H-hello?" Maylaie called out. A torch lit, seemingly by itself, and Maylaie saw ten black-cloaked figures sitting in high seats in a semi circular.
"Hello Maylaie Wolfcall. Today you are to choose. What is the path you choose?" said the cloaked one in the center with a male battle-hardened voice.
Maylaie took a deep breath and summoned all her courage, " I choose the path of Ranger, following the way of sword, bow and magic." Maylaie recited the speech exactly how her father told her.
"And the deity you wish to guide on this path?" said the cloaked one on the far left. In her voice, Maylaie could have sworn she heard the whispers of the Gods.
" Tunare, mother of all."
"Follow me child and we shall see." Said the cloaked one on the far right in a soft male voice. The far right cloaked one stood and for the first time Maylaie noticed a door on the right of the chamber. The cloaked figure lead Maylaie through the hall to a room with a wooden table and another cloaked figure. Maylaie could tell instantly that he was important, for his robes were a deep royal purple.
"Lay on the table little one." The purple-cloaked figure said. Maylaie looked around to see the other cloaked figure had left. Maylaie did as she was told and laid down.
"Now sleep child," the purple one said, purple mists forming around his hands. Maylaie's eyelids closed. What felt like hours later, Maylaie awoke, feeling mentally and physically drained. " It has been decided." The Purple one said, leading Maylaie back into the fornt chamber. " I present, Maylaie Wolfcall, ranger of Tunare."
The cloaked to the far left handed Maylaie a sword belt and scabbard with a sword and a note.
"Safe travels, Maylaie Wolfcall." Said all the cloaked ones in union.
Maylaie walked out of the chamber and made her way to the Felwithe Fish House.
" What's taking her so long?" Terrain muttered.
" Maybe she went straight to the ranger guild she was so excited." Silpan suggested.
" I doubt it." Terrain said.
The door of the tavern opened to Maylaie standing there, half a sleep.
"She looks exhausted!" The barmaid said.
Silpan hoisted the small elf on over his shoulder.
"Poor kid's dead tired." Terrain said.
"Well the note in her hand says she has to go to ranger guild to receive training, so it couldn't have been that bad." Silpan said.
Terrain paid the barmaid and he and Silpan made their way back to Kelethin and Terrain's house.
"We're home!" Terrain called when he and Silpan go inside the house, out of habit.
"Terrain! I was getting so worried. What happened to Maylaie?
" Eslain said as she, Tanak and Healec came to the door.
"I don't know. She's a ranger now though, maybe she was so excited she just burned out." Terrain said.
" I'll put her to bed, Silpan." Tanak said, taking his daughter from the Lieutenant.
"Good to see you again, Silpan." Healec said.
"You too Healec, I've got to get back to Felwithe, my shift starts in 20 minutes. See you around Ter." Silpan said and walked out the door.
****
"Why did you want to read her, Malance?" The center cloaked one, Galador, a high elf paladin, asked the purple one.
"Yeah, and why did it take so long? I mean she's a born ranger, just like her dad." Said the far right cloaked one, Juter, a wood elf ranger.
"It may not seem that way now, but her path is a very difficult one. In any path she chooses there will be much pain, but also an equal amount of joy. As ranger she will experience more pain then any other path she'd choose. She will also experience the most joy, although in smaller bursts then the pain." Malance said, and then whispered, " Stay strong, Maylaie Wolfcall, Maylaie Darkwolf."
Author's note: Ok quick name game. Maylaie is pronounced Maylee, Healec is pronounced Hailace and Eslain is pronounced Islain.