A Ranger's Tale: Chapter Three:
Companions.
Maylaie whooped with joy when the wasp drone fell to the ground and she heard the mental ding sound off in her head. This was her fifth ding, and now she was strong enough to attack orcs. Maylaie quickly took the lift back up to Kelethin, sold her loot and spent her training points on tracking and archery at her guild. Maylaie then headed to the orc lift, a grin on her face. The orc lift had it's name for as long as any living elf could remember. The name was good one, since the lift was the closest to Crushbone citadel, home to the Crushbone orcs, and also the various camps the orcs made outside their citadel. Once on the ground, Maylaie studied the forest floor for foot prints of a creature she take on, without getting herself killed. After a few minutes of sorting out foot prints, one of the down sides of living in a trade area there were lots and lots of foot prints, Maylaie found deep set track that were fairly small, for an orc, most likely belonging to a weak Centurion, or strong pawn. Maylaie followed the tracks until she found a pawn carrying a massive oak staff. Maylaie fired an arrow at the orc. With a wooden sounding 'thunk' the arrow hit it's mark in the shoulder. The orc roared in anger, rather then pain, and charged at Maylaie. The two fighters fought each other, blocking and dodging, striking and cutting. The pawn was losing more strength though, various cuts on it's arms bled in constant dribbles. The pawn took flight, running as fast as it's short legs could carry it. Maylaie sent two more arrows into it's back, but they did little to slow the pawn down. With a sigh of frustration, Maylaie set off to find her prey, little did she know, he would find her first. The Pawn charged at her again, this time two Centurions close behind him. ' Oh shit!' Maylaie though with dread, backing from the assault. Maylaie did her best to deflect the blows from the Centurions' fist, but many hit home. Maylaie's blocks became slower, her strikes became weaker, darkness began creeping into her vision. The cold fingers of death were creeping around her, when Maylaie felt the warming energy of a healing spell. An arrow buried it self into the throat of one centurion, while Maylaie slashed the gut of the other. The pawn tried to flee a second time, when a fire ball struck him, sending him falling to the ground, filling the air with the reek of burnt orc. " Thank you, you saved my butt there." Maylaie said, turning around to look at her saviours. They were half elves, a male and a female. The girl looked a druid and the male, Maylaie recognized as the ranger who had helped her on her first day as an official ranger. " No problem. I'm Soria, and I heard you know my brother, Tryen." The druid smiled. Maylaie was happy to hear that they were brother and sister, she had worried a moment that they might be lovers, why this had worried her, Maylaie wasn't sure. " Last time we met, you told me your dad was a blacksmith of considerable skill, could you take us to him?" Tryen asked. "Sure, just follow me." Maylaie smiled, leading the siblings to the orc lift. During the walk to Maylaie's house, Maylaie took time to study the two half- elves. Soria wore leather water proof armour, and carried a staff craved with runes with ease, any jewellery she wore Maylaie couldn't see. Tryen, was either very good at begging, or had extremely rich friends. The arms and tunic of his armour were pieces of the ivy etched armour, regarded by rangers as some of the finest armour in all of Norrath. His legs were plated with black chitin armour, his other armour was unidentifiable, but an orc fang hung in his left lobe. His weapon, a bastard sword like Maylaie's, had nicks all over the blade, but still looked sharp, also his shield looked like he rode down Butcher Block mountain on it. " Well it is, home sweet home." Maylaie said, stopping in front of her house, " It's lunch time so my father will most likely be inside." " Maylaie, you're just in time for lunch. Who are your friends?" Eslain asked as the trio stepped inside the house. " Mom, this is Tryen and Soria. They want to business with dad." Maylaie said, going into the kitchen, the half-elves close behind her. " Great, why don't we discuss it over lunch." Tanka said, already seated at the table. Eslain place a plate of rat sandwiches on the table, which Tryen and Soria dove into. " Does your mother do this for all of your dad's customers?" Soria whispered to Maylaie, who sat beside her, between mouthfuls. " Mom runs a business making food for adventurers. So this is like free advertising for her. Besides, mom and dad are fairly generous." Maylaie whispered back. " So what can I do for you two?" Tanka asked. " Well sir," Soria began. " Tanka." came the correction. " Tanka, Although my staff serves me well, I figured it's about time I get a second weapon, in case this one breaks. I'm looking for a scitmar." Soria said. " It's as good as done, I just have to ask you about the style and weight you want. But that can wait. Is there anything that you need Sir Tryen? Although I doubt you need anything." Tanka grinned. Tryen laughed, " Most of my armour was given to me by my guild, kind folk indeed. As you can see, my shield has seen better days. And erm..." Tryen hesitated for a moment. " Sweet Raingiver! He needs a new sword." Soria said. " Aye, she has kept me safe, many a season, but it's time she had some rest." Tryen sighed. " Hontestly, you warrior types treat your weapons like they're people." Soria rolled her eyes. " I know dear, Tan still keeps his first 'real' sword in a trunk at the foot of our bed." Eslain grinned. " Actually Tryen, I can do more then just give a new sword, I can fix your steel lady for lad." Tanka smiled at the youths wide eyes. " I'll take that as a yes then?" " Definately, Tanka." Tryen said, smiling. " Maylaie, what's wrong with your arm?" Eslain asked. Maylaie was being very careful with her right arm. The orcs had been pecticually vicous with that arm, since it was her sword arm, so it ached a little when she moved it. " Oh, it's just a little sore. I guess it could be worse. If it wasn't for Tryen and Soria, I'd be dead right now." " You two saved my little girl? Well then, I can't accept payment for this." Tanka said. " Don't silly Tana. I did not save Maylaie for a free ride, I don't expect one, and I will not accept one." Tryen stated, firmly. " Ok, before you two start getting into macho pride saving. Tana, why don't you just give Tryen a free pair of boots. Rainkeeper knows he needs them." Soria said, gesturing to Tryen's feet. True enough, Tryen's boots were on their last legs, and probably would make a better pasta strainer then footwear. " Sounds like a fare deal to me." Tanka said getting up, " And I have just the thing." Tanka went through the door connecting the main house and his blacksmith shop, coming back with a pair of well polished black boots. " An enchanter gave these to me, in exchange for making a training sword for his son, wanted to become a paladin. They help keep the body at a comfortable temperature, not to hot and not to cold. They're too big for anybody in my family." Tanka said, handing the boots to Tryen. Tryen hastily removed his worn out boots and put on his new ones. " Fit like a glove." Tryen grinned. " Well, there is still plenty of lunch to go by. Why don't you two tell us about yourselves?" Eslain said, placing a plate of rat meat sandwiches on the table, and sitting down. " Well me and Tryen hail from Antonica, from Surefall Glade, near Qyenos. We were born and raised there. Our dad, who was a Wood elf warrior, told us stories about Faywder all the time. We finally got tired of the corruption at home. It's not as bad as Freeport, but it's bad enough. So we left and fell in love with this place." Soria explained. " And it's people." Tryen sighed, looking much like Healic when she had a crush on the Ranger guild master. Soria laughed, " Please forgive my brother. He fell for a High-elf magician, and they have been courting each other since." Maylaie felt the last bite of her sandwich turn to gravel in her throat, making it painful to swallow. " Well, I better get back out hunting, losing day light." Maylaie said quickly. Getting up and out the door quickly, Maylaie didn't hear Soria swear and say, " Crap! Why didn't I see the signs?!"
***
Arrows filled the air, only wolves and sentient races were safe from Maylaie. ' Of course he would never pick me. What can a stocky little wood elf offer compared to a grand high elf?' Maylaie though sending two arrows flying through a wasp. " Wow, your even better at a bow and arrow then you are at a sword." Said a voice behind her, Tryen's voice. " My dad taught me how to fire a bow when I was four." Maylaie said, not even turning to look at the older ranger. " My dad taught me how to wield a sword before I could even remember. May I see your sword?" Tryen asked. ' He probably wants to finish the job and plunge the tip right into my heart.' Maylaie though, handing the sword to Tryen, hilt first. Tryen, slowly at first, began a movement of blocks, slashes, parries and other sword moves, gaining speed as he went until he was a green blur before Maylaie's eyes. When Tryen stopped, he wasn't even breathing hard, and the barest sweat broke out on his brow. " That's a great sword." Tryen said, handing it back, hilt first. Tryen sighed, " Listen, May. I had no idea that you erm... had feelings in that way for me. I do have interest in you though, but as a teacher. I'd like to make you a student of sorts. Teach ya the stuff they don't teach in the guild halls." Tryen said, for once not looking magnificent and strong, but looking like a normal person. " Okay, I'll do it." Maylaie said, smiling. " Good, good. Now lets get back to your house. You dad should be done by now and your mom should be just finished dinner." Tryen grinned with a wiggle of his eyebrows. Maylaie laughed, and the two companions walked and laughed off to the nearest lift.
Author: Sorry this took me so damn long. I've been writing it at school ( Don't ask why.) But I do have good news. The new chapter is done, the one I was working on when Fanfiction.net decided people weren't mature enough for NC-17 rated fics. So no waiting for that one. In another news. I've been thinking of doing collaborations with other EverQuest authors. In other words having Maylaie and a character from another EverQuest fic meet each other. Here's some guidelines I figured could work.
1. Each author writes about one passage ( min. 1 paragraph.)
2.And whoever writes the last passage will be the one to post it up on Fanfic.
3. This story(s) will have nothing to do with the main storyline of our fics. Now, there's just a few tiny things I ask.
And other things 1. You mention which fic the character(s) ( Yes, more then one character can be put in)
2. I ask that you write the opening passage, I only have so much imagination, so I may not be able to come out with plots
3. No brining in some else's characters.
4. Lastly, no making the other author's characters fall in love with your characters. You could make one of your characters fall in love with mine, and I might have the character return the affections, but not the other way.
Anything else I guess we will go over when it comes up. That's all for now, seeya. ~Aqua_bolt~
p.s. Please you this e-mail: aqua_bolt@yahoo.com. My other e-mail is kinda clogged done with spam.
Maylaie whooped with joy when the wasp drone fell to the ground and she heard the mental ding sound off in her head. This was her fifth ding, and now she was strong enough to attack orcs. Maylaie quickly took the lift back up to Kelethin, sold her loot and spent her training points on tracking and archery at her guild. Maylaie then headed to the orc lift, a grin on her face. The orc lift had it's name for as long as any living elf could remember. The name was good one, since the lift was the closest to Crushbone citadel, home to the Crushbone orcs, and also the various camps the orcs made outside their citadel. Once on the ground, Maylaie studied the forest floor for foot prints of a creature she take on, without getting herself killed. After a few minutes of sorting out foot prints, one of the down sides of living in a trade area there were lots and lots of foot prints, Maylaie found deep set track that were fairly small, for an orc, most likely belonging to a weak Centurion, or strong pawn. Maylaie followed the tracks until she found a pawn carrying a massive oak staff. Maylaie fired an arrow at the orc. With a wooden sounding 'thunk' the arrow hit it's mark in the shoulder. The orc roared in anger, rather then pain, and charged at Maylaie. The two fighters fought each other, blocking and dodging, striking and cutting. The pawn was losing more strength though, various cuts on it's arms bled in constant dribbles. The pawn took flight, running as fast as it's short legs could carry it. Maylaie sent two more arrows into it's back, but they did little to slow the pawn down. With a sigh of frustration, Maylaie set off to find her prey, little did she know, he would find her first. The Pawn charged at her again, this time two Centurions close behind him. ' Oh shit!' Maylaie though with dread, backing from the assault. Maylaie did her best to deflect the blows from the Centurions' fist, but many hit home. Maylaie's blocks became slower, her strikes became weaker, darkness began creeping into her vision. The cold fingers of death were creeping around her, when Maylaie felt the warming energy of a healing spell. An arrow buried it self into the throat of one centurion, while Maylaie slashed the gut of the other. The pawn tried to flee a second time, when a fire ball struck him, sending him falling to the ground, filling the air with the reek of burnt orc. " Thank you, you saved my butt there." Maylaie said, turning around to look at her saviours. They were half elves, a male and a female. The girl looked a druid and the male, Maylaie recognized as the ranger who had helped her on her first day as an official ranger. " No problem. I'm Soria, and I heard you know my brother, Tryen." The druid smiled. Maylaie was happy to hear that they were brother and sister, she had worried a moment that they might be lovers, why this had worried her, Maylaie wasn't sure. " Last time we met, you told me your dad was a blacksmith of considerable skill, could you take us to him?" Tryen asked. "Sure, just follow me." Maylaie smiled, leading the siblings to the orc lift. During the walk to Maylaie's house, Maylaie took time to study the two half- elves. Soria wore leather water proof armour, and carried a staff craved with runes with ease, any jewellery she wore Maylaie couldn't see. Tryen, was either very good at begging, or had extremely rich friends. The arms and tunic of his armour were pieces of the ivy etched armour, regarded by rangers as some of the finest armour in all of Norrath. His legs were plated with black chitin armour, his other armour was unidentifiable, but an orc fang hung in his left lobe. His weapon, a bastard sword like Maylaie's, had nicks all over the blade, but still looked sharp, also his shield looked like he rode down Butcher Block mountain on it. " Well it is, home sweet home." Maylaie said, stopping in front of her house, " It's lunch time so my father will most likely be inside." " Maylaie, you're just in time for lunch. Who are your friends?" Eslain asked as the trio stepped inside the house. " Mom, this is Tryen and Soria. They want to business with dad." Maylaie said, going into the kitchen, the half-elves close behind her. " Great, why don't we discuss it over lunch." Tanka said, already seated at the table. Eslain place a plate of rat sandwiches on the table, which Tryen and Soria dove into. " Does your mother do this for all of your dad's customers?" Soria whispered to Maylaie, who sat beside her, between mouthfuls. " Mom runs a business making food for adventurers. So this is like free advertising for her. Besides, mom and dad are fairly generous." Maylaie whispered back. " So what can I do for you two?" Tanka asked. " Well sir," Soria began. " Tanka." came the correction. " Tanka, Although my staff serves me well, I figured it's about time I get a second weapon, in case this one breaks. I'm looking for a scitmar." Soria said. " It's as good as done, I just have to ask you about the style and weight you want. But that can wait. Is there anything that you need Sir Tryen? Although I doubt you need anything." Tanka grinned. Tryen laughed, " Most of my armour was given to me by my guild, kind folk indeed. As you can see, my shield has seen better days. And erm..." Tryen hesitated for a moment. " Sweet Raingiver! He needs a new sword." Soria said. " Aye, she has kept me safe, many a season, but it's time she had some rest." Tryen sighed. " Hontestly, you warrior types treat your weapons like they're people." Soria rolled her eyes. " I know dear, Tan still keeps his first 'real' sword in a trunk at the foot of our bed." Eslain grinned. " Actually Tryen, I can do more then just give a new sword, I can fix your steel lady for lad." Tanka smiled at the youths wide eyes. " I'll take that as a yes then?" " Definately, Tanka." Tryen said, smiling. " Maylaie, what's wrong with your arm?" Eslain asked. Maylaie was being very careful with her right arm. The orcs had been pecticually vicous with that arm, since it was her sword arm, so it ached a little when she moved it. " Oh, it's just a little sore. I guess it could be worse. If it wasn't for Tryen and Soria, I'd be dead right now." " You two saved my little girl? Well then, I can't accept payment for this." Tanka said. " Don't silly Tana. I did not save Maylaie for a free ride, I don't expect one, and I will not accept one." Tryen stated, firmly. " Ok, before you two start getting into macho pride saving. Tana, why don't you just give Tryen a free pair of boots. Rainkeeper knows he needs them." Soria said, gesturing to Tryen's feet. True enough, Tryen's boots were on their last legs, and probably would make a better pasta strainer then footwear. " Sounds like a fare deal to me." Tanka said getting up, " And I have just the thing." Tanka went through the door connecting the main house and his blacksmith shop, coming back with a pair of well polished black boots. " An enchanter gave these to me, in exchange for making a training sword for his son, wanted to become a paladin. They help keep the body at a comfortable temperature, not to hot and not to cold. They're too big for anybody in my family." Tanka said, handing the boots to Tryen. Tryen hastily removed his worn out boots and put on his new ones. " Fit like a glove." Tryen grinned. " Well, there is still plenty of lunch to go by. Why don't you two tell us about yourselves?" Eslain said, placing a plate of rat meat sandwiches on the table, and sitting down. " Well me and Tryen hail from Antonica, from Surefall Glade, near Qyenos. We were born and raised there. Our dad, who was a Wood elf warrior, told us stories about Faywder all the time. We finally got tired of the corruption at home. It's not as bad as Freeport, but it's bad enough. So we left and fell in love with this place." Soria explained. " And it's people." Tryen sighed, looking much like Healic when she had a crush on the Ranger guild master. Soria laughed, " Please forgive my brother. He fell for a High-elf magician, and they have been courting each other since." Maylaie felt the last bite of her sandwich turn to gravel in her throat, making it painful to swallow. " Well, I better get back out hunting, losing day light." Maylaie said quickly. Getting up and out the door quickly, Maylaie didn't hear Soria swear and say, " Crap! Why didn't I see the signs?!"
***
Arrows filled the air, only wolves and sentient races were safe from Maylaie. ' Of course he would never pick me. What can a stocky little wood elf offer compared to a grand high elf?' Maylaie though sending two arrows flying through a wasp. " Wow, your even better at a bow and arrow then you are at a sword." Said a voice behind her, Tryen's voice. " My dad taught me how to fire a bow when I was four." Maylaie said, not even turning to look at the older ranger. " My dad taught me how to wield a sword before I could even remember. May I see your sword?" Tryen asked. ' He probably wants to finish the job and plunge the tip right into my heart.' Maylaie though, handing the sword to Tryen, hilt first. Tryen, slowly at first, began a movement of blocks, slashes, parries and other sword moves, gaining speed as he went until he was a green blur before Maylaie's eyes. When Tryen stopped, he wasn't even breathing hard, and the barest sweat broke out on his brow. " That's a great sword." Tryen said, handing it back, hilt first. Tryen sighed, " Listen, May. I had no idea that you erm... had feelings in that way for me. I do have interest in you though, but as a teacher. I'd like to make you a student of sorts. Teach ya the stuff they don't teach in the guild halls." Tryen said, for once not looking magnificent and strong, but looking like a normal person. " Okay, I'll do it." Maylaie said, smiling. " Good, good. Now lets get back to your house. You dad should be done by now and your mom should be just finished dinner." Tryen grinned with a wiggle of his eyebrows. Maylaie laughed, and the two companions walked and laughed off to the nearest lift.
Author: Sorry this took me so damn long. I've been writing it at school ( Don't ask why.) But I do have good news. The new chapter is done, the one I was working on when Fanfiction.net decided people weren't mature enough for NC-17 rated fics. So no waiting for that one. In another news. I've been thinking of doing collaborations with other EverQuest authors. In other words having Maylaie and a character from another EverQuest fic meet each other. Here's some guidelines I figured could work.
1. Each author writes about one passage ( min. 1 paragraph.)
2.And whoever writes the last passage will be the one to post it up on Fanfic.
3. This story(s) will have nothing to do with the main storyline of our fics. Now, there's just a few tiny things I ask.
And other things 1. You mention which fic the character(s) ( Yes, more then one character can be put in)
2. I ask that you write the opening passage, I only have so much imagination, so I may not be able to come out with plots
3. No brining in some else's characters.
4. Lastly, no making the other author's characters fall in love with your characters. You could make one of your characters fall in love with mine, and I might have the character return the affections, but not the other way.
Anything else I guess we will go over when it comes up. That's all for now, seeya. ~Aqua_bolt~
p.s. Please you this e-mail: aqua_bolt@yahoo.com. My other e-mail is kinda clogged done with spam.