The next day when Aeril came to bring Boomba food he was surprised to see a few people gathered around his booth buying and selling things. Seeing Aeril Boomba said "Boomba close now food here!"

Aeril was naturally curious about why he suddenly had so much business. So Boomba told him what happened with Malin's son. "See, I knew you're a nice ogre!"

"Why you always nice to Boomba?"

"Because you're a big and fluffy like a teddy bear!"

A strange look crossed the ogre's face and he stood up. "Boomba go sell now. Thank you for food. Me is happy boy like Boomba."

Aeril stared at where Boomba had sat trying to understand why he had left. Had he insulted him? He hoped not, he liked the ogre and he didn't want to hurt his feelings. Unfortunately he didn't have much time to think about it long. For not for from where the two had sat, he saw a girl that looked similar to him when he was a girl, by the far edge of the city walls. She looked a bit older than him. He wouldn't have thought much about her, expect for the strange blue coloring of her skin.

He called out to her, but when she noticed him, she took off running. He looked around worried that an orc may be around, but saw nothing. When he turned back to her, he saw her suddenly disappear near one of the walls.

He ran to the section of the wall where she disappeared, but couldn't see any hole or anything unusual. In fact he checked several times, but could not find the girl at all. Seeing as how his day was ruined he glumly walked back home, turning into a girl on the way.

Varlon saw her enter and asked what was wrong. "I saw a girl by the wall today but she disappeared. I looked for her all over three times, but I couldn't find her at all."

Varlon laughed. "She was probably a magic user. They know many spells including spells to make them invisible."

"Ah! I was hoping to talk to her. She looked just like me. With long pointy ears and beautiful dark blue skin. She was really pretty."

This caught Varlon's attention "Did you say Blue Skin and pointy ears?"

"Uh huh." Aeril responded. "She looked just like me except with blue skin."

"Aeril, be thankful you didn't get closer to her, she was a Dark Elf. She probably made it through one of the tunnels that lead beneath the city. Who knows what she may have been up to. You must be careful with those, especially if they're spell casters."

"Why is that?"

"You've heard the rumors of the militia being corrupt I assume?" Aeril nodded her head. "Well they're not just rumors. It is quite true. Captain Hazran of the militia is in league with both the treacherous Dark Elf's and many of the illegal activities that go on here in Freeport."

"But if its so well known, why doesn't anyone stop them?"

"Because not all those involved in the militia are corrupted. Malin for an example is a good man, who's only desire is to protect the city. Many others share this belief, but the corruption is so wide and deep it is hard to tell one's allegiance. already many good and faithful militia men have been incorrectly imprisoned or killed. That is one reason the order has not taken an active hand in weeding out the militia."

"Can't anything be done?"

"Of course but it'll take time. We know the key leaders who are involved, but are powerless to act. We have no hard concrete proof, no witnesses willing to testify. We must also take care, less we incite a war with the Dark Elves. For there is in fact a sizable Dark Elf minority in Freeport. They often work to undermine many of our attempts to rid the corruption."

"I'm actually quite surprised you have never seen a Dark Elf walking the streets. I've read reports that there are quite a number of them that live in Freeport, especially in the East Freeport, near the docks. The problem is the militia men that work that side usually pay a blind eye to them. While many citizens don't particularly like the fact that there are Dark Elves in the city, they also pay them a blind eye.

"But why are Dark Elves so bad? Everyone said the same thing about Boomba, but just yesterday he saved the Malin's son's life."

"There is a large difference between Dark Elves and Ogres. Most Ogres can only barely be labeled intelligent, making them similar to a dumb beast that kills to eat. They kill for food, but they also for dominance and pleasure. A Dark Elf is different. They enjoy the act of killing. They kill other people for sport, and raise them up as fowl undead. They care not for others, to them everyone else is a tool to use and be discarded when no longer necessary."

"But surely not all Dark Elves are like that!"

"One would think. But their culture is one of hate. They are thought to hate from birth. Innorouk the prince of hate is their chief god. Even those that choose to worship other gods have part of that evil. They've grown used to it so much, that its become their nature. There are few Dark Elves who can truly overcome their own culture."

"I won't believe that. Everyone chooses what to make of their lives. Whether one is good or evil is up to each person. You have raised me to good and honorable, but I could always choose to be evil. So can someone who being raised in an evil society, Choose not to be evil."

Varlon couldn't even begin to imagine his son to be anything but good. The fact that he had not only stood up for an Ogre and now for Dark Elves was proof enough to the goodness in his son's heart. Such innocence he thought, he hoped and prayed that the time would never come that he would lose that innocense.

"Perhaps your right. After all you were right about the Ogre. Perhaps it is unfair to prejudge each individual Dark Elf solely based on their reputation. I can assure you though, that it would be not only foolish but reckless, not to pay the caution that their reputation deserves."

"I just ask you that you be cautious. Always be alert, for Dark Elves are known for their treacherous and elaborate traps. "

Aeril sighed. "Ok I promise I'll be careful."

"That's all I ask. Now for the good news. Brother Braka, told me he thinks you are ready to try to earn your white training sash. Do you think you are up to it?"

Aeril eyes grew wide. "Really Braka really thinks so? But I'm so young! Most of the other trainees are at least two years older than me!"

"Nonsense! You're skill is unsurpassed. You show more potential for learning than anyone I know. You're skill is so great, that one day I predict I will have to go to you for training. Besides, no one knows your true age. For all you we

know you could be much older. You are an elf when your female after all."

"You really think I can do it?"

"Of course!" He said enthusiastically.

"Then I'll do it! What do I have to do?"

"Braka said he wants you to slay three Orcs, and a skeleton. Just bring him back proof of your actions and you'll be given you will have earned your white sash!"

"That's it? I can do that! I woulda thought I would have to do something much more difficult!"

"You do realize that most of the others given the same task showed more trepidation. Still you surprise me yet again. You show such concern for Ogres and Dark Elves, yet beings asked to kill to orcs doesn't seem to bother you."

"Simply put, the Orcs are at war against us. I don't think all Orcs are bad, but you can't deny that they do attack us. As monks we're supposed to try to keep the peace, but the Orcs are constantly trying to attack us. While the majority of Dark Elves may be evil, we peace treaty with them. And from what you said, its because of that treaty that humans and Dark Elves are able to live peacefully in the same city. Maybe one day instead of having human cities, Dark Elf cities, and Orc tribes, we'll just have cities where everyone can live."

Varlon nodded amazed at Aeril's wisdom. "I take back what I said about someday learning from you someday. You have taught me so much, since the day I found you. I am proud to have had the chance to have you as my child."

"I am glad to have been your son and daughter. I won't fail you. I'll earn my white sash and become an official member of the order."

He left Varlon, eager to begin the task to earn the sash that would mark him as a member of the Ashen Order.

The skeletons as usual proved to be no problem to him at all. The Orcs on the other hand were not so easy. He could take one on with a bit of effort, but Orcs didn't like to fight alone. Even when he did happen to find one by itself, more would appear making it hard for him to fight them by himself.

He finally managed to kill his third Orc, when he noticed movement out of the corner of his eye. Turning to see what it was he saw the Dark Elf that he saw earlier that morning. She was a tall, just a few inches taller than his girl form. She had short dark hair, indigo skin, and a long red robe similar to what young magic users in Freeport wore. Her long blue ears twitched for a second and she turned to face him. Her almond brown eyes met his for a moment.

Neither moved. Both were transfixed staring at each other, until a loud cry of "Someone get the guards! There's a Dark Elf over here!" was heard snapping them both out of their stupor. She hissed something under her breath and took off running.

The Orc body forgotten, he got up and chased after her. "Wait! Don't run!" he called after her. She turned her head back to look at him for a second before stopping.

He noticed her making strange motions and saying something, but he couldn't quite make out what she was saying. Suddenly he saw a light surround him. He suddenly felt like he got the wind kicked out of him. He tried to breath but it was like there was something constricting him, not allowing him to breath as deeply as he would normally.

He tried to say something to her, but he was to short winded to speak. He looked up at her. She looked at him for a moment, before looking to where the voice of others running their way could be heard. She scowled and took off running away from the city into the commonland lands.

A group of about three youths just a few years older than him reached him just as he was starting to breath normally again. "Are you ok Aeril?" asked the girl in the lead.

"Ya I'm fine Kairel, I just lost my breath that's all." He'd known Kairel for a long time. They were actually somewhat good friends. They'd met long ago just a few months after Varlon had adopted him.

"Lost your breath?" a boy next to her asked.

"Ya I was trying to catch up to her, when she stopped and tried to say something. I couldn't quite understand what she was saying, but I suddenly saw this weird light and I started having trouble breathing.

"You half breed ninny, she cast a spell on you!"

"Kairel kicked the other boy. "Shut up Tohic. My brother married an elf. I won't stand for any talk like that, especially to or about Aeril."

Tohic rolled his eyes and shook his head, but wisely stayed quite. Aeril had known Tohic also for quite some time, but unlike Kairel, Tohic was usually quite mean. The other boy who he didn't know spoke up. "He's right. Err at least on the part of her attacking him."

"Why would she attack me?"

"Talk about dense! She's a Dark Elf, what other reason does she need? You're lucky she's weak, or you would have been dead long before we found you."

"Tohic what are you talking about, and how would you know if she was weak or not?" The other boy said.

"Easy Yetin. The fact that she couldn't kill a little kid like Aeril is proof she's weak. If she was stronger she would have killed him before running away."

"Tohic I'm warning you!" Kairel said in an angry voice. "Aeril may be young, but he could still beat you up with both hands tied behind his back blindfolded."

"I doubt it, even if he does turn into an elf wench." he was about to say more except, he was now feeling a shortness of breath due to his cousins metal plated knee implanting itself into his stomach.

"I warned you Tohic" Kairel stated angrily. "Aeril is my friend. Next time you say something like that about him again, or I promise to aim a bit lower."

"That's ok Kairel, I you don't have to try to protect me from Tohic."

"Oh how novel! He actually knows how to act like a man. I didn't think you knew how, seeing as how your always acting like a girl. Its because of your girlish tantrums that there's a potentially dangerous Ogre living within our walls. What an Ogre wasn't good enough for you? Do you want to bring Dark Elves into our city too?"

Kairel was about to keep her promise when Aeril stopped her. "Don't waist your time Kai, Tohic's just jealous cuz they won't let him take the test for the white sash yet."

"You're only being allowed to take it cuz your daddy is a trainer and you're daddy's little Girl." He said adding venom to his voice.

"Is there a point you're trying to make Tohic? I already know I've had not only more, but better training than you. That my father pushes me to be the best I can be, shows that he loves me. Unlike someone else, who's father left him before he was even born."

Tohic became so angry he lashed out, but each and every attack was dodged. "Were you trying to swat a fly or hit me? Cuz the way your swinging, I'm not really sure if you can do either!"

Tohic got even angrier and started attacking wildly. Deciding to have a little fun, Aeril decided to show him all his open spots by poking him lightly. "Hey watch over here you're leaving yourself open. No, no! Now you left this open. Guard up! Are you sure you learned to fight from the Ashen Order? Cuz it looks more like you picked up your fighting by watching young girls play with dolls."

With a howl of rage Tohic charged him leaving himself completely open. Aeril took advantage of that easily dodging the blow and knocking his opponent down on his back. He then followed with a lethal blow straight to Tohic's throat stopping just a hair short of actually connecting. The others watching gasped thinking he was going to actually do it. But Aeril smiled at Tohic turning into a girl in the process. "Like I said if you ain't careful your gonna get yourself killed!" With a final smile, she stood up and took a few steps away from him.

Tohic stood up scowling at Aeril. "I'm leaving Kairel, are you coming?"

She shook her head. "No thanks, I'll let you go sulk by yourself. Yetin and I will stay here with Aeril."

Tohic angrily turned and stomped away. The three of them could only laugh. "I'm sorry Aeril." Kai said apologetically. "I'm sorry to say he's my cousin."

"Its okay Kai, it's not your fault. Varlon's his trainer, he says he's always like this. So anyway who's the new friend?"

"I'm sorry, I didn't have the chance to introduce myself earlier I'm Yetin."

"Yetin this is my friend aeril. I've known him since his Varlon, his adopted father, found him. They live close to my house, three houses down in fact. Aeril this is Yetin. He's a mage from the Academy of Arcane Science. He's my partner for a quest I've been assigned to."

"Oh wow a quest? What kind?" Aeril asked excitedly.

"Well you know Garlan right? I'm sure you do, after all he's the monk's master tailor. Well he's in need of some Greater Lightstones to make some Wu armor. When I went to sign up Yetin was there also so we decided to go together."

"Where do you get them?" Aeril asked.

Yetin answered and said. "From willowisps, its the part that produces their glow. Unfortunately most lightstones lose most or all of their brilliance when the wisp dies. Which means caution must be taken in killing them, or you can damage the lightstone. But considering the wisps are not even a foot tall, its very hard to damage the lightstone."

"My dear cousin hoped I would pledge to give him one. I don't know how he expects us to bring him one, when getting our own is going to be hard enough."

"So where are you going to find these willowisps?" Aeril asked.

"They're supposed to be fairly common in the Commonlands, especially in the province of West Commons near Kithicore." Responded Yetin.

"So what are you doing?" asked Kai.

"Oh I'm just trying to finish off my test for the white sash. In fact I just completed it when I killed that ... oh no I forgot all about the Orc I killed. I'm supposed to kill three Orcs and bring back proof, but when the Dark Elf showed up I forgot all about it. Now I'm going to have to kill another one."

"We can help you if you'd like. There's still some time before Yetin and I have to leave. We'd be glad to help you."

"Thanks for the offer, but id rather just do this by myself."

"Alright well good luck, I'm sorry I won't be there to see your induction."

"Its ok Kai, you two be safe and good luck to you!" Aeril said as he waved bye to them.