Setting Out

(10 years later)

(The Silver-Moon grove)

Raylan grew into a fine elven warrior. His hair grew just past his shoulders with neat braids on each side of his face. He wore a fine green and navy warrior suit with a navy sleeveless jacket with a hood and knee-high boots with a brown belt bearing a moon symbol. Outside against wooden dummies, he slashed and sliced with his handy blades, which one of his guardians, the best blacksmith, had crafted for him. They were his pride and joy.

Observing him from a balcony was Runaan with his long hair tied behind him. He smiled watching him with admiration.

"You really think he's ready for this?" Ethari stood to stand by him.

"He is," smiled his husband.

Ethari was proud of Raylan's warrior skills but something made him wonder. "Runaan, I fear that Raylan is too good-hearted for the work of an assassin,"

Runaan held his hand. "He needs this, my love. Since our dear friends disappeared, he has grown more determined than ever to restore their honour,"

"I know that Lain and Tiadrin would not abandon the Dragon Prince. But none of our people believes that. It is their distaste for them that's pushing him to join you on this perilous mission,"

The two stared down again at Raylan who was suddenly approached by three teenage elves. They mocked him and badmouthed his father before insulting his mother. Raylan reacted too violently and punched one in the face.

"You talk about my parents like that again and I'll show you just how well these work," Raylan pointed one of his swords at one of his rivals.

"They were cowards. They abandoned their duty and ran. Just like you will when you fail your mission," the punched one with a bleeding nose.

Before Raylan could react, he felt a firm grip on his shoulder. He twitched his head to see Runaan. "That is enough," he ordered. "Leave,"

The three mean elves sneered at Raylan before walking away. He fumed through his nostrils.

"Being an assassin means knowing when to strike back or not," Runaan advised turning his surrogate son to face him. "Don't allow your anger to cloud your judgement,"

"Do you really think I can do this?" Raylan asked. Whenever he talked to his surrogate fathers he would express any buried emotion, he kept hidden from bullies.

"I know you can. Am I certain that right now Laid and Tiadrin are so proud of you," his words regrettably made Raylan turn his head away. "I wish I knew what could have happened to them, but they were not cowards. Just like you're not a coward Raylan. You're a strong, daring warrior,"

His words lifted Raylan. He embraced him tightly.

(Katolis)

The sun was rising over the kingdom of Katolis. The light rays stretched through the open windows of the rooms of the royal children. Ezran was snoring with his drool dripping over his grumpy glow-toad Bait. Willow was sleeping peacefully cuddling a teddy bear their mother had woven her. In the room next door, the rich four-poster bed was empty. And a cute red fox slept on the pillows.

Caroline walked into the streets of the waking village. Her long dark hair was tied in a braid over her shoulder with hair bangs framing her face and forehead, much like her mother's. She wore a ruby velvet dress with long white sleeves and golden stitches and a maroon skirt that reached her knees. She was shrouded in a short navy cloak with sleeve holes and she wore maroon leggings and dark boots with a matching leather belt that had a few pouches attached to it. Around her neck was a golden necklace with a ruby crystal pendent and she wore a matching bracelet around her wrist.

She arrived at the first shop she set her eyes on. It had a wooden hanging sign with a picture of a blue book. She entered quietly, ringing the inside bell.

"Wow, if it isn't the only bookworm in the kingdom," the librarian greeted as he appeared from out of a pile of shelves on a moving ladder.

"Morning Caldor," greeted Caroline. "Have you got any new books today?"

"I'm afraid not. But you may read any of the old ones if you'd like," he offered.

With a happy face, Caroline climbed up the shelf leader and searched in some of their favourite sections of history. "I'll borrow this one," she pulled out a blue velvet book and handed it to the man.

"You've read it so many times,"

"Oh but I love it. So much about magic and its history,

"If you like all that much, it's yours," he handed to her again.

Caroline was surprised by the request. "But..."

"I insist. Since you're my favourite customer, it's all yours,"

"Thank you so much. It's very generous of you. I'll pay for it," Caroline reached into her money bag attached to her belt.

"No, please. Consider it an early birthday present,"

"I'd rather pay," she pulled out ten golden coins.

"No Caroline," Caldor refused kindly. "I want you to have this book for free,"

"Why doesn't she have to pay?" a loud voice groaned. The two turned to see two hulkish boys glaring sinisterly at Caroline.

"She is the princess of Katolis," Caldor defended. "She doesn't have to pay for anything,"

"She's a step-princess," the other boy mocked. "She has no royal blood in her veins. She was only royal when her mother was still alive," his cruel words made her eyes wet.

"How dare you insult our dear queen's daughter like that," Caldor defended. "If you truly want to honour Queen Sarai's memory, then respect her dear daughter,"

"I'll just pay and go," Caroline quickly handed her librarian friend the money before she quickly left the shop, her face wet with tears.

"Caroline!" Caldor called out to her, but she was already too far away.

The young "step-princess" wandered through the village, dejected. She arrived at the market square where she saw people crowding around buying goodies and other nice things. Pulling a hood over her head, she paced her way quietly to the stalls. She brought jelly tarts for Ezran and vanilla cupcakes for Willow. She came to a jewellery stand to glance at the fascinating items for sale when she heard callous words from a group of teens. She recognised some of those voices from the bullies who came to the bookshop.

"And so he just gave it to her and insisted she'd not pay at all?" a fair but arrogant girl complained.

"Yes," the boy crossed his arms," Caroline saw red. "Why should that step-princess be allowed anything for free? She's got no royal blood in her. King Harrow shouldn't even have allowed her to live in the palace after Queen Sarai passed away,"

Every word they spat out made Caroline quiver. She felt timid, so introverted.

"She's an embarrassment to the royal family," another selfish girl mocked. "I mean did you see her last week at the ball? She doesn't dress like a proper princess. She dripped over a lot of times because she couldn't wear heels," The boys laughed. "That girl will never be anything else like Prince Ezran and Princess Willow. They'd be better off without her. She's got nothing to give to us as they do,"

Caroline couldn't take it anymore. Hiding her tears, she pulled her hood further over her head and tried to make her way out of the market stall. She was about to turn into a corner when she bumped into something solid and shiny.

"Hey! Watch where you're going! 'Step-princess!'" a mean voice mocked. Caroline saw in front of her a knight with well-brushed blonde hair and blue piercing eyes. Soren. "Why do you have to be so clumsy?"

"Just leave me alone Soren!" Caroline tried to leave but the knight-in-training blocked her path. "Look I don't want any trouble,"

"Well, you've got one coming. Do you have any idea how annoying it is that your stepdad sends me to bring you back to the palace whenever you leave to go shopping?"

"I can take care of myself! And I left him a note behind,"

"You're gonna embarrass him if you keep acting like this!"

"Soren!" a loud voice ranted.

The pair turned around to see a pretty girl in dark with long dark hair with magenta ends approaching. She glared at Soren. He suddenly turned nervous. "Claudia, hey. Look who I found. I was just telling Caroline..."

"I heard everything you said to her. Stop being so mean to her. Now come on. Let's get her back home," Claudia gently placed an arm around Caroline's shoulders and guided her away. She sent a cold frown at Soren behind them.

"Thanks, Claudia," thanked Caroline gratefully.

Claudia glanced at her close friend sadly. "Don't listen to what Soren says. He's just being a dimwit,"

"He's right to say that. Just like all those mean people in the marketplace. I am an embarrassment to the royal family...to my stepdad,"

"Carol..." Claudia always called her that to make her feel better. "Your dad loves you. And you're not an embarrassment to him or Ezran and Willow. He sent us out because he was worried for you. And you know...you shouldn't..."

"Leave the castle. Without an escort. I know. I just...I just wanted to have a nice morning in the market," Caroline lamented. "I wanted to have just a peaceful day out in the kingdom, and not in the castle," she sighed. "It didn't work out,"

"Whatever it is that you heard people say, don't listen to them. I think you're amazing just the way you are," Claudia tried to sound motivating but nothing was making Caroline feel any better. They walked back to the castle where they saw some guards awaiting them. Caroline felt her heart jump when she saw a red fox bounding towards her.

"Hello Felix," she kneeled to the ground and the puppy-like fox licked her face and she hugged him. But then he glared at her. "Sorry. Next time I won't leave without you. Promise," Her adorable fox companion licked her face and she hugged him again.

Claudia smiled at the sight as the irritated Soren finally caught to them, huffing and puffing. The soldiers stepped aside, allowing King Harris shrouded in red robes and bearing his golden crown to approach his daughter.

Caroline could see he looked a little cross. She pursed her lips and twiddled her fingers. Felix whined. Soren smirked. The king just pulled her into his arms and hugged her tight. She felt surprised; she expected a lecture about her actions but all she felt from him was love and delight.

Soren's face dropped in shock. He never got treatment like that whenever he made mistakes.

Harrow let go and held her shoulders. "Caroline you know you shouldn't leave the castle without a guard," as he spoke he noticed something quiet about her. "I understand that you feel trapped but I just want to know that..."

"I'll let you get back to your duties. I won't delay them again," she gently interrupted. With wet eyes, she picked up Felix and quickly scurried away. Harrow tried to call out to her but she didn't reply. He sighed sadly as he watched her disappear into the castle.

Ezran and Willow played a game of hide and seek. Ezra was dressed in a red tunic; he had blue eyes and his dark hair was bushy. Willow wore a magenta dress and her beaded dreadlocks flowed down to her back.

"Ten! Ready or not here I come!" Ezran searched under the tables and beds for his sister. Willow hid in a cupboard with horses painted on it. She giggled quietly, holding Bait in his hands. But a dark shadow loomed over them through the gap between the doors. "Boo!" Ezran pulled them open smiling triumphantly. "Found you!" Willow huffed and stepped out. "Don't go acting like that. You hide in there all the time. It's obvious that I'm gonna find you,"

"Let's go play something with Caroline," Willow took her brother's hand and they left their room. The moment they entered the hallway, they saw a despondent Caroline walking towards them with Felix in her hands. She looked sad.

"Hey Cary," Ezran greeted with his pentane for her.

"Morning Ez," she greeted unemotionally.

Ezran was quite surprised by her emotion. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," she put Felix down and reached into her bag, pulling out the treats.

"Cupcakes!" clapped Willow.

"Thanks. You didn't have to do that for us," said Ezran.

"You both needed some good treats," Caroline's face smiled just a little bit.

Ezran still felt sad seeing her not in her usual happy self. "Want a jelly tart?" he offered ecstatically. She loved jelly tarts as much as he; a trait they both inherited from their mother.

"No thanks. I'm just gonna be in my room for the rest of the day. I'll see you both later," she stood up and walked into her room, closing it behind her. The siblings stared at the room blankly.

"What's wrong with her?" Willow wondered. Bait croaked sadly. "Did we do something?"

"Caroline..." a voice called. The kids turned to see their dad. They brought smiles to his face. "Ahh. See you two are up. And you two eating treats?"

They quickly hid the goodies behind their backs. "Nope," they said together.

He chuckled. "Did Caroline come here?"

"She went to her room," Willow said. "She didn't look happy," the news made Harrow's enjoyment die.

"Dad, are we doing something wrong?" asked Ezran worriedly.

Harrow bent forward and clasped his shoulder. "None of you are doing anything wrong,"

"Then why is she so sad?" wondered Willow.

Harrow sighed. He didn't know how to explain. "Your sister's just had a rough time in the market today. People..." he closed his eyes. "Said some things...and she's been rather affected by them,"

"Is there anything we can do to make her feel better?" Ezran was a devoted brother. He would do anything to make their motherly half-sister feel happy again.

"The best thing you two can do is just make her feel loved and accepted. But for now, we need to give her some space," their dad requested.

"Dad, if that's Soren again, why don't you just expel him from the Crown guard? You know how horrible he is to her," whined Willow.

"As much as he's a bit of a bully to your sister, he's still one of the best members. We need him. But I'll give him community service for a week if he bothers her again,"

Caroline didn't come down for the dinner banquet. She just stayed in her room (the only place where she could be her complete self) all day, by herself, with only Felix. Felix crooned like a despondent dog as he nuzzled her hands. She held him in her arms as she stared up at the full moon high above the tower tops.

Raylan stared across the tall trees of his forest home at the full moon from his room. He sighed as he pressed his clenched fist against his cheek. Gentle loud footsteps approached from behind.

"It's time Raylan," Ethari's kind voice uttered.

Raylan turned around to see one of his guardians standing there, his hands behind his back. He held a worried face. He approached him. "Don't worry Ethari. Runaan and I will return to you. Nothing will happen to us,"

Ethari pulled him into his arms. "I'm gonna miss you both so much,"

Raylan felt a tear leave his eye. "Me too,"

They left their treetop house and descended the spiral staircase towards a small pond that glimmered lavender under the full moon. Four other assassins and Runaan waited for them at the bottom. Runaan eyed his husband with a rueful expression. "It's time,"

Ethari took a moment to calm himself. He then walked over to a nearby chest he had left in front of the pond and opened it slowly. He lifted out a silver lily lotus with a jewel in the centre. He held it out. An assassin took one. Then the next three did. Raylan retrieved his. His jewel was blue. It twinkled when he held it. He smiled hopefully at Ethari before walking over to the pond.

Runaan stood to retrieve the final one.

"My heart goes out with this one," spoke Ethari hopefully.

"Don't worry," Runaan cupped his husband's cheek with love and affection. "I promise I will return your heart to you," he leaned forward and kissed him passionately. As they drew back, he held Ethari's cheek up a bit. His husband smiled a little. He handed him the flower.

The six assassins surrounded the pond. They held their flowers up to the moonlight towering over them. The jewels tinkled. Then they settled them on the shimmering water. They floated and twirled around like colourful lilies.

"It is time," Runaan announced. "Tonight we leave to avenge the Dragon King and his heir. Who's with me?"

The five assassins including his surrogate son raised their hands, battle-crying. Moon creatures were saddled and supplied. The four other assassins awaited whilst Runaan and Raylan said their goodbyes to Ethari.

"Goodbye son," Ethari pressed his forehead to Raylan's after they hugged.

After pulling apart, Raylan watched emotionally as his guardians embraced each other warmly before sharing one final kiss. They mounted their steeds and Runaan led the way from home. The last at end of his queue, Raylan turned back and waved sat Ethari who stared out at him and Runaan with hopeful tears. He disappeared behind them as they passed through an invisible barrier.

The team of elven warriors left the forest, galloping towards the great mountains where smoke rose high above the peaks. As he stared towards the border between his land and the west that lay beyond, Raylan felt a great ambition brewing in his heart.

I will make you proud mother and father. I will restore our family's honour.

So Raylan and the assassins have headed out. And Caroline is upset because she feels like she doesn't belong in Katolis. What will happen next? Will they encounter each other? We'll have to wait and find out. I know about what I said in the message earlier but I just couldn't help writing a new one. I'll get onto the first episode of the first season by at least the end of November. Bye for now!