I'm BAAAAAACK! I had a Key Club convention and got completely wasted from
getting four hours of sleep every night then surviving the meetings and
caucuses with high-caffeine beverages. On the bright side, I learned how to
stay alive on a minimal amount of sleep! Then I had some time in Oklahoma,
then I had an essay to write, then I had a concert and Teen Arts to prepare
for, then I had another essay, then I had a Madrigals tryout, then I had a
chariot race, then I had girl scout camp ......... Needless to say I haven't had
much time on my hands. For, like, the past three months.
ArchYou2: Yeah, a mace is scary, but it just kinda works better than a sword. I am more afraid of a sword than a mace, personally, not that I have much experience with either. Unfortunately.
Disclaimer: I own nothing. This is getting a tad repetitive.......
The vision before them blurred again. Amuana explained that she had been in the village for a year and had become the accepted ranger- protector. The vision focused again onto the peaceful, sleeping-looking village. A small amount of people swarmed around the small huts. A small, cloaked figure sitting by the village's center, a fire pit surrounded by log benches, came into view. The person was holding a knife and carving something out of wood. A child ran out from one of the huts, and stood in front of the cloaked figure, smiling.
"Liae, whatchya doing?" said the girl, giggling. The companions identified her as Elysia, the young girl from the previous scene. She looked slightly older than before, but she still head that childish charm.
The figure looked up, and her face revealed that it was, indeed, Liaedra. "Just whittling," she said, smiling at the young girl. "Passing the time before I patrol again. Aren't you supposed to be assisting your grandfather, El?"
The girl smiled at Liaedra's pet name for her. "Mira said I was annoying her, so grandfather told me to go out and play." Liaedra frowned. "Mira called me a nu.... a nu....."
"A nuisance?" Liaedra sighed. She stood up and put an arm around Elysia's shoulders. "You are not a nuisance, little one. Mira is just angry about the fact that everyone likes you more." She smirked. "After all, Oris says you have the ability to become a very strong mage, and all Mira has is her looks, which she sours by her bad temperament."
Elysia frowned and hit Liaedra on the arm, pulling away from her friend. "You shouldn't be so mean, Liae."
Liaedra sighed. "Sorry, El." She grinned. "Adventurers like me tend to lose their manners."
"It's okay, Liae." Elysia giggled again, and hugged Liaedra's waist. Liae smiled and put one arm around the child's shoulders, which barely came up to her waist.
"Liaedra!" shrieked a shrill voice, ruining the sweet harmony emanating from the two friends. Liae looked up to see Mira storming towards them. The girl was dressed like a cheap whore. Bright makeup covered her face, barley detracting from the scanty, colorful clothing that barely covered the adolescent's body. A look of disgust passed over the elf's face.
"Elysia!" shrilled the girl. "Stop wasting other's time and do something useful!"
Elysia's face darkened and she pulled away from Liaedra. It was obvious that her sister's words had hurt her. Liaedra glared at Mira, then fell to her knees in front of the child.
"Go off and play with your friends, little one. I shall come and play with you later." Liaedra kissed the girl on the forehead and pushed her gently off in the opposite direction. Elysia smiled and ran towards a group of young children, her laughter echoing through the air.
Liaedra stood up and brushed off her knees. She turned to Mira, a scowl on her face. "Must you always be such a bitch, Mira? You do realize that men hate a woman whose temperament could sour an ogre, don't you?"
Mira scowled right back. "The girl needs to be taught her place. You can't just play around all the time!"
"Children's hearts and souls are ruined if they do not have time to play and be happy. Obviously, that fact escaped you when you were young."
"I suppose you would know, pointy-ears. A whore like you would probably understand quite a bit about child raising! Though I always assumed you'd just throw them out into the street!"
Liaedra eyed her up and down. "First off, I do not believe you are any position to be calling me a whore. Secondly, I have never had a child, but if I had, I would certainly raise it much better than you ever could."
"Well..... well..... you're a bitch!" said Mira angrily.
Liaedra smirked and rolled her eyes. "Brilliant comeback, Miss Mira. But I tire of this banter. If you could please tell me why you felt like coming to talk to me, mortal, I will leave you and your primitive mind alone."
"Grandfather wanted to see you," growled Mira.
"Excellent," said Liaedra. "Well, then, as your inferior intellect attempts to decipher what I just said, I believe I will pay a visit to Master Oris." Liaedra walked off towards Oris's hut. As she passed Mira, her Elven hearing picked up the hissed "Bitch" directed at her. Liaedra did not respond, and merely walked on.
Oris's hut was a bit bigger than most, as he was the village's mage, protector, and healer. It was lit only by a flickering fire, and the door was covered with a heavy blanket. It looked the same as before, with heaps of various junk piled in all the corners. Oris sat opposite from the entrance, deep in thought near the fire. He looked up as Liaedra entered.
"You wanted to see me, Master Oris?" asked Liaedra.
Oris chuckled. "You needn't call me master, Liaedra."
Liaedra smiled. "My people show manners to those that deserve them, a habit that had been passed on to me. Now, then, what is it you wished to speak to me about?"
Oris sighed and stood up. "I am sure you have noticed the immense potential my daughter has shown as a mage, Liaedra."
"Yes, she has an extreme amount of talent in magic, as she does in all other things."
"I am beginning to wonder if I can teach her myself, or if it would be better to send her away to be taught by another mage?"
"Hmmm....." Liaedra began to pace. "That idea has some merit.... But are you sure that would be good for Elysia? She has lived in a tiny village all her life. Do you think she can handle it?"
"Trust me, Liaedra, I do not plan to send her off just anywhere. I had few ideas, but I wanted to ask you if you knew anyone to send her to. Anyone..... reliable."
"I might. Most of the mages I met n my adventures were not someone I would entrust a child with."
Liaedra looked deep in thought for a moment and paced, apparently running through any mages she knew. "Let's see.... Aerie is much too childish and self-absorbed to handle a child.... Jan was a gnome, so he's probably not the best idea... Nalia has lands to rule..... The idea of trusting Edwin with a child isn't even funny..... Imoen!"
As she watched the scene unfold before her, Imoen smiled. Liaedra had thought of her above all else. Her attention was drawn back to Amuana's illusion as Liae continued to speak.
"Imoen is perfect! She's smart, a great mage, responsible enough to take care of Elysia, and childish enough to keep her from getting bored." She sighed. "If only I had kept in contact with her and the others."
Oris walked closer to Liaedra. "Do you think you can find her? Will she take Elysia? Is she really as good as you say she is?"
Liae shrugged and began pacing again. "I have a good idea of where to find here. Either Athkatla, Baldur's Gate, or Candlekeep. I can check all pretty quickly. And I'm pretty sure she would take Elysia in. She always did like children, and I think she mentioned wanting to teach magic to the young once. And as for being good.... well, she is an archmage. She was always one of the most important members of our group. Full credentials, except for the whole Bhaalspawn bit...."
She turned to Oris. "That doesn't bother you, does it?"
He shook his head. "I trust your judgment, my friend. If you believe she is a good person, then so do I."
She smiled. "Then I will head out this very night to search for her. That is, if you think it is safe. I wouldn't want the village to go unprotected."
Oris smiled back at the elf. "No, I think we will be fine. I shall have some of the men patrol the village's borders, just in case. But we have no reason for anyone to attack us, so I believe that we will not be bothered."
She nodded. "Then I shall go pack and leave at sunset. It is easier for me to travel by night. I'll say goodbye to Elysia, too. While I'm gone, I would talk to her about this whole idea."
Oris sighed. "I am not sure if she will be very comfortable about leaving home."
"If it makes her feel better, tell her that I fully recommend Imoen. She was a lot like a sister to me, and I am completely sure she and Elysia will get along."
Oris smiled again. "I'm sure if her teacher comes highly recommended from her best friend 'LiLi', Elysia will be much more agreeable to the idea."
Liaedra smiled at the sound of one of Elysia's many nicknames for her. "I'm sure she'll be fine with it. Now, if you will excuse me, Master Oris, I must pack."
Oris nodded, Liaedra gave him a quick bow, then left, heading over towards her hut at the edge of the village.
Liaedra headed out of her hut and looked up at the sky. Sunset. She sighed, and walked out towards the middle of the village. She saw Elysia, crouched alone outside her grandfather's hut. The rest of the village was holding their usual communal dinner in the center of the village. The fire pit blazed, causing flickers of light to dance over Liaedra's scarred face. Elysia looked up as her mentor approached. Her face was scarred by tears, not wounds, but it was just as sad to look at.
"Grandfather said you're leaving," she whispered sadly. "I don't want you to leave."
Liaedra smiled and sat down beside Elysia. She put her arm around Elysia's shoulders and pulled the girl close to her. "Don't be sad, El. I'll only be gone a little while. I promise to hurry back as quickly as I can."
"You won't be back," whispered Elysia miserably, burying her head into Liaedra's shoulder.
Liaedra looked at her young companion quizzically. "What do you mean, El?"
Elysia looked up at Liaedra, sobbing. "You're going to leave and you're not going to be back in time."
Liaedra pulled the girl on top her lap and into her arms. "I will be back, Elysia. I swear, upon the stars themselves, I will return."
"You.... you promise?" sniffed Elysia.
Liaedra smiled and nodded. "I promise, and I never break my promises. Here.." She reached up and unclasped something. From beneath her tunic she withdrew a necklace. It was a small green leaf, carved out of an emerald, and detailed with silver. It hung from a thin silver chain.
Liaedra smiled and softly said, "This was my mothers. Back before our village was destroyed, her family was a line of famous priestesses that helped our village, and my father was descended from the line of the village's ranger protectors. I followed in my father's foot steps, and my brother in my mother's. She had had an emerald protection stone that was passed down through her family. But when my brother and I were born, she had it broken in half and carved so that both my brother and I could have its protection. His half was lost when my village was destroyed, as was he, but I have kept my half."
She took the necklace and hung it around Elysia's neck. "Now it is yours, Elysia. It will protect you while I'm away. You're...... you're like a little sister to me, and there is no one I would rather pass my mother's legacy on to."
Elysia took the necklace in her hands, admiring it. Then she looked up at Liaedra with shining eyes and hugged the elf forcefully.
Liaedra smiled softly and wrapped her arms around the child, stroking hr hair. They stayed like this for a few moments, and then pulled away from each other. Elysia sniffled and rubbed the tears from her eyes. Liaedra smiled and ruffled her hair.
"Are you going to be okay, El?" asked Liaedra.
Elysia nodded. "I'll be fine. You... you promise you won't be gone to long?"
Liaedra's nodded and placed a hand to her chest in a mock pledge. "I will tarry no longer than I must, and will return immediately," she said, half- humorous, half-serious.
Elysia nodded again and stood up. Liaedra followed suit and turned the girl towards the other villager's festivities. She leaned to gibe Elysia's forehead a final kiss, than pushed her towards the fire.
"Go on," she said. "Join the others. Go spend time with your grandfather and your friends, and don't worry about me. Everything will be fine."
Elysia looked up at Liaedra for a second, then stopped and fumbled with something at her wrist. She pulled it off and held it up to Liaedra. She could see it was a handmade knit bracelet (AN: think friendship or hemp bracelets...).
Elysia smiled. "I made it myself. You can have it, since you gave me the pretty necklace. It will remind you of me!"
Liaedra smile and wrapped it around her thin wrist. "Thank you El. I'll treasure it, I promise."
El smiled. He gave Liaedra a quick hus and then ran off towards the rest of the villagers.
Liaedra smiled and watched her go. Then she turned and disappeared into the darkness of the forest.
Awwwwwwwwwwwwww! How cute! But what did Elysia mean by "You won't be back in time"? How am I going to ruin Liaedra's life next? Stay tuned!
BTW I will try to update more often, but with finals coming up I can't promise anything.
ArchYou2: Yeah, a mace is scary, but it just kinda works better than a sword. I am more afraid of a sword than a mace, personally, not that I have much experience with either. Unfortunately.
Disclaimer: I own nothing. This is getting a tad repetitive.......
The vision before them blurred again. Amuana explained that she had been in the village for a year and had become the accepted ranger- protector. The vision focused again onto the peaceful, sleeping-looking village. A small amount of people swarmed around the small huts. A small, cloaked figure sitting by the village's center, a fire pit surrounded by log benches, came into view. The person was holding a knife and carving something out of wood. A child ran out from one of the huts, and stood in front of the cloaked figure, smiling.
"Liae, whatchya doing?" said the girl, giggling. The companions identified her as Elysia, the young girl from the previous scene. She looked slightly older than before, but she still head that childish charm.
The figure looked up, and her face revealed that it was, indeed, Liaedra. "Just whittling," she said, smiling at the young girl. "Passing the time before I patrol again. Aren't you supposed to be assisting your grandfather, El?"
The girl smiled at Liaedra's pet name for her. "Mira said I was annoying her, so grandfather told me to go out and play." Liaedra frowned. "Mira called me a nu.... a nu....."
"A nuisance?" Liaedra sighed. She stood up and put an arm around Elysia's shoulders. "You are not a nuisance, little one. Mira is just angry about the fact that everyone likes you more." She smirked. "After all, Oris says you have the ability to become a very strong mage, and all Mira has is her looks, which she sours by her bad temperament."
Elysia frowned and hit Liaedra on the arm, pulling away from her friend. "You shouldn't be so mean, Liae."
Liaedra sighed. "Sorry, El." She grinned. "Adventurers like me tend to lose their manners."
"It's okay, Liae." Elysia giggled again, and hugged Liaedra's waist. Liae smiled and put one arm around the child's shoulders, which barely came up to her waist.
"Liaedra!" shrieked a shrill voice, ruining the sweet harmony emanating from the two friends. Liae looked up to see Mira storming towards them. The girl was dressed like a cheap whore. Bright makeup covered her face, barley detracting from the scanty, colorful clothing that barely covered the adolescent's body. A look of disgust passed over the elf's face.
"Elysia!" shrilled the girl. "Stop wasting other's time and do something useful!"
Elysia's face darkened and she pulled away from Liaedra. It was obvious that her sister's words had hurt her. Liaedra glared at Mira, then fell to her knees in front of the child.
"Go off and play with your friends, little one. I shall come and play with you later." Liaedra kissed the girl on the forehead and pushed her gently off in the opposite direction. Elysia smiled and ran towards a group of young children, her laughter echoing through the air.
Liaedra stood up and brushed off her knees. She turned to Mira, a scowl on her face. "Must you always be such a bitch, Mira? You do realize that men hate a woman whose temperament could sour an ogre, don't you?"
Mira scowled right back. "The girl needs to be taught her place. You can't just play around all the time!"
"Children's hearts and souls are ruined if they do not have time to play and be happy. Obviously, that fact escaped you when you were young."
"I suppose you would know, pointy-ears. A whore like you would probably understand quite a bit about child raising! Though I always assumed you'd just throw them out into the street!"
Liaedra eyed her up and down. "First off, I do not believe you are any position to be calling me a whore. Secondly, I have never had a child, but if I had, I would certainly raise it much better than you ever could."
"Well..... well..... you're a bitch!" said Mira angrily.
Liaedra smirked and rolled her eyes. "Brilliant comeback, Miss Mira. But I tire of this banter. If you could please tell me why you felt like coming to talk to me, mortal, I will leave you and your primitive mind alone."
"Grandfather wanted to see you," growled Mira.
"Excellent," said Liaedra. "Well, then, as your inferior intellect attempts to decipher what I just said, I believe I will pay a visit to Master Oris." Liaedra walked off towards Oris's hut. As she passed Mira, her Elven hearing picked up the hissed "Bitch" directed at her. Liaedra did not respond, and merely walked on.
Oris's hut was a bit bigger than most, as he was the village's mage, protector, and healer. It was lit only by a flickering fire, and the door was covered with a heavy blanket. It looked the same as before, with heaps of various junk piled in all the corners. Oris sat opposite from the entrance, deep in thought near the fire. He looked up as Liaedra entered.
"You wanted to see me, Master Oris?" asked Liaedra.
Oris chuckled. "You needn't call me master, Liaedra."
Liaedra smiled. "My people show manners to those that deserve them, a habit that had been passed on to me. Now, then, what is it you wished to speak to me about?"
Oris sighed and stood up. "I am sure you have noticed the immense potential my daughter has shown as a mage, Liaedra."
"Yes, she has an extreme amount of talent in magic, as she does in all other things."
"I am beginning to wonder if I can teach her myself, or if it would be better to send her away to be taught by another mage?"
"Hmmm....." Liaedra began to pace. "That idea has some merit.... But are you sure that would be good for Elysia? She has lived in a tiny village all her life. Do you think she can handle it?"
"Trust me, Liaedra, I do not plan to send her off just anywhere. I had few ideas, but I wanted to ask you if you knew anyone to send her to. Anyone..... reliable."
"I might. Most of the mages I met n my adventures were not someone I would entrust a child with."
Liaedra looked deep in thought for a moment and paced, apparently running through any mages she knew. "Let's see.... Aerie is much too childish and self-absorbed to handle a child.... Jan was a gnome, so he's probably not the best idea... Nalia has lands to rule..... The idea of trusting Edwin with a child isn't even funny..... Imoen!"
As she watched the scene unfold before her, Imoen smiled. Liaedra had thought of her above all else. Her attention was drawn back to Amuana's illusion as Liae continued to speak.
"Imoen is perfect! She's smart, a great mage, responsible enough to take care of Elysia, and childish enough to keep her from getting bored." She sighed. "If only I had kept in contact with her and the others."
Oris walked closer to Liaedra. "Do you think you can find her? Will she take Elysia? Is she really as good as you say she is?"
Liae shrugged and began pacing again. "I have a good idea of where to find here. Either Athkatla, Baldur's Gate, or Candlekeep. I can check all pretty quickly. And I'm pretty sure she would take Elysia in. She always did like children, and I think she mentioned wanting to teach magic to the young once. And as for being good.... well, she is an archmage. She was always one of the most important members of our group. Full credentials, except for the whole Bhaalspawn bit...."
She turned to Oris. "That doesn't bother you, does it?"
He shook his head. "I trust your judgment, my friend. If you believe she is a good person, then so do I."
She smiled. "Then I will head out this very night to search for her. That is, if you think it is safe. I wouldn't want the village to go unprotected."
Oris smiled back at the elf. "No, I think we will be fine. I shall have some of the men patrol the village's borders, just in case. But we have no reason for anyone to attack us, so I believe that we will not be bothered."
She nodded. "Then I shall go pack and leave at sunset. It is easier for me to travel by night. I'll say goodbye to Elysia, too. While I'm gone, I would talk to her about this whole idea."
Oris sighed. "I am not sure if she will be very comfortable about leaving home."
"If it makes her feel better, tell her that I fully recommend Imoen. She was a lot like a sister to me, and I am completely sure she and Elysia will get along."
Oris smiled again. "I'm sure if her teacher comes highly recommended from her best friend 'LiLi', Elysia will be much more agreeable to the idea."
Liaedra smiled at the sound of one of Elysia's many nicknames for her. "I'm sure she'll be fine with it. Now, if you will excuse me, Master Oris, I must pack."
Oris nodded, Liaedra gave him a quick bow, then left, heading over towards her hut at the edge of the village.
Liaedra headed out of her hut and looked up at the sky. Sunset. She sighed, and walked out towards the middle of the village. She saw Elysia, crouched alone outside her grandfather's hut. The rest of the village was holding their usual communal dinner in the center of the village. The fire pit blazed, causing flickers of light to dance over Liaedra's scarred face. Elysia looked up as her mentor approached. Her face was scarred by tears, not wounds, but it was just as sad to look at.
"Grandfather said you're leaving," she whispered sadly. "I don't want you to leave."
Liaedra smiled and sat down beside Elysia. She put her arm around Elysia's shoulders and pulled the girl close to her. "Don't be sad, El. I'll only be gone a little while. I promise to hurry back as quickly as I can."
"You won't be back," whispered Elysia miserably, burying her head into Liaedra's shoulder.
Liaedra looked at her young companion quizzically. "What do you mean, El?"
Elysia looked up at Liaedra, sobbing. "You're going to leave and you're not going to be back in time."
Liaedra pulled the girl on top her lap and into her arms. "I will be back, Elysia. I swear, upon the stars themselves, I will return."
"You.... you promise?" sniffed Elysia.
Liaedra smiled and nodded. "I promise, and I never break my promises. Here.." She reached up and unclasped something. From beneath her tunic she withdrew a necklace. It was a small green leaf, carved out of an emerald, and detailed with silver. It hung from a thin silver chain.
Liaedra smiled and softly said, "This was my mothers. Back before our village was destroyed, her family was a line of famous priestesses that helped our village, and my father was descended from the line of the village's ranger protectors. I followed in my father's foot steps, and my brother in my mother's. She had had an emerald protection stone that was passed down through her family. But when my brother and I were born, she had it broken in half and carved so that both my brother and I could have its protection. His half was lost when my village was destroyed, as was he, but I have kept my half."
She took the necklace and hung it around Elysia's neck. "Now it is yours, Elysia. It will protect you while I'm away. You're...... you're like a little sister to me, and there is no one I would rather pass my mother's legacy on to."
Elysia took the necklace in her hands, admiring it. Then she looked up at Liaedra with shining eyes and hugged the elf forcefully.
Liaedra smiled softly and wrapped her arms around the child, stroking hr hair. They stayed like this for a few moments, and then pulled away from each other. Elysia sniffled and rubbed the tears from her eyes. Liaedra smiled and ruffled her hair.
"Are you going to be okay, El?" asked Liaedra.
Elysia nodded. "I'll be fine. You... you promise you won't be gone to long?"
Liaedra's nodded and placed a hand to her chest in a mock pledge. "I will tarry no longer than I must, and will return immediately," she said, half- humorous, half-serious.
Elysia nodded again and stood up. Liaedra followed suit and turned the girl towards the other villager's festivities. She leaned to gibe Elysia's forehead a final kiss, than pushed her towards the fire.
"Go on," she said. "Join the others. Go spend time with your grandfather and your friends, and don't worry about me. Everything will be fine."
Elysia looked up at Liaedra for a second, then stopped and fumbled with something at her wrist. She pulled it off and held it up to Liaedra. She could see it was a handmade knit bracelet (AN: think friendship or hemp bracelets...).
Elysia smiled. "I made it myself. You can have it, since you gave me the pretty necklace. It will remind you of me!"
Liaedra smile and wrapped it around her thin wrist. "Thank you El. I'll treasure it, I promise."
El smiled. He gave Liaedra a quick hus and then ran off towards the rest of the villagers.
Liaedra smiled and watched her go. Then she turned and disappeared into the darkness of the forest.
Awwwwwwwwwwwwww! How cute! But what did Elysia mean by "You won't be back in time"? How am I going to ruin Liaedra's life next? Stay tuned!
BTW I will try to update more often, but with finals coming up I can't promise anything.