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 Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2008 5:01 pm
Quote: A small messenger angel appears on your doorstep, holding a scroll. The scroll is sealed with wax and looks very important. The inside of the scroll reads this: 'Your Angel can take the quest of Ascending, by following the following information. You however can not go on this quest with your Angel. So choose carefully. Your quest, Silvrendir, is to travel to the Nymphade Forest and search for the Crystal Feather. Once you have found this, take it to the Oracle in the Forest, and she shall tell you what you must do next. A word of caution: The Forest is filled with elves, whom have not seen humans or Angels in many many years. Travel through the forest with caution.' There is nothing written after that, only a stain from where the wax bled through.
But then there had been that knock at the door, and an Angel with a scroll. Elnara hadn’t quite known what to do with it, but of course it wasn’t for her, it was for Silvrendir, and so she had no choice but to bring it to the Angel she had taken as her son.
Silvrendir had accepted the scroll silently – though it was rare he said anything nowadays – and read through it, his eyes growing steadily wider as he did so. Finally, he turned to Elnara, his green eyes wider than she had ever seen them, and exclaimed, “It’s a summons!”
Elnara blinked. “What?”
Wordlessly, Silvrendir handed the scroll over to her so that she could read it for herself. When she had finished, she reached for one of the nearby stools and sat down, her hands shaking as she held the scroll.
“They won’t be elves like me,” she warned him, looking over the top of the scroll at him, and though she was trying to sound brave her voice was wavering with shock.
Silvrendir simply nodded. He understood the risk.
“You’ll be alone,” Elnara added, her heart sinking in her chest as she thought of the idea of her little boy (adult though he was) traveling on his own. “And you have no training …”
“I can defend myself,” Silvrendir said quietly, hands behind his back, his face flushing slightly.
“You’ll be gone for …” She trailed off, unable to complete the thought.
He simply nodded. “A long time,” he said gently, his expression softening. He reached forward and put one hand on Elnara’s knee. “Mama … maybe this is what I need … to help me …”
It was another one of those things he could feel, just sense in his wings … the same way he had known that he had to be Idhril’s guardian, when he had been so small.
Elnara still looked hesitant. “There’s no way I can keep you here?” she asked in a half-hearted attempt to stop him. But she knew she couldn’t – he needed something to distract him, if nothing else … and if it cured his depression …
Silvrendir shook his head, exactly as she had thought he would. “I have to go,” he said simply, not bothering to explain anything. He had always been an angel of few words, and he would not change that now. Not when there was less of a need than ever.
Elnara swallowed down a lump in her throat and nodded. “Then … then you shall go,” she croaked finally, holding out the scroll to him once more. “I’ll help you pack.”
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Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2008 6:01 pm
It was the same day that Silvrendir had received the quest. His siblings weren’t even back from school yet. He hadn’t had a chance to tell them all farewell. He had simply prepared a bag for travel, putting in it everything he owned – along with a few extra items and an enormous supply of food.
Having a grandmother who taught magic for a living, and who specialized in runes, was handy. His bag had a magic rune on it, one that made the interior of his bag as large as it needed to be without making the outside any bigger or heavier. He was grateful for that – if he didn’t have the rune, he knew that he would have been carrying at least fifty pounds – or more – of baggage, and when he himself was only four feet tall and weighed only about that much, that was a lot. Hugely a lot.
But here he was now – he had said farewell to his mother, the only other person home – and he was on his way to Patr, where he knew he would have to begin his quest. He didn’t know where the Nymphade Forest was, but he had been to Junia once before, and he decided that he would start his quest there, asking for directions. He wasn’t looking forward to all of the strangers that he would have to talk to, but he had his magic to protect him, and he knew that he would be safe.
At least, he hoped.
He was still hoping the same thing as he finally arrived in Junia, and standing on the edge of the city, he looked around, wondering where to go first.
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Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2008 6:20 pm
And so, the twins Fate and Destiny decided to come to play.
That day, it was raining in Junia. Pouring buckets. It was the start of the rainy season in Patr, and boy was it raining. There were people running everywhere, or driving, in an attempted to keep dry. It was one of the heaviest rains to date, and there was at least three inches of water on the ground.
And it wasn't even noon yet.
There were a few places Silvrendir could go to find out how to get to Nymphade Forest... course, not everyone would be willing to tell something like that for free.
He could go to the Seafarors pub, down by the docks to ask. Or the smithy jsut down the street. Then there was the bookstore. There were many choices, but the bookstore was special: it was run by elves.
Now, if one was trying to get to an elven forest, shouldn't they ask elves where it is?
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Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2008 6:36 pm
Silvrendir had never been to this section of Junia, he had only been down by the docks, but even though he'd been an innocent child at the time he had felt the attitudes of the sailors. He didn't much like the idea of asking down by the docks for directions. Besides that, they would know the ports more than anything else, and he wasn't looking for a port - not that he knew of.
His green eyes scanned the row of shops that lay just in front of him, and he raised one hand to wipe the rain from his forehead. Where else ...
He spotted a bookstore and cocked his head thoughtfully. Bookstores usually had maps, didn't they? And he had at least learned how to tell directions ... maybe that was the best place for him to go. He nodded to himself as he came to the decision and headed directly for it. His bare feet splashed in the puddles, and his clothes were soaked, but he knew his bag was waterproof, and so his belongings would be safe - and that was what mattered.
He only hoped no one would take him as a child and refuse to help him, thinking he was a runaway or something. Just in case, he had brought the scroll with his quest with him, tucked safely away where it wouldn't get lost.
When he reached the bookstore, he didn't hesitate, but stepped inside and wiped his feet off, looking around to see what there was.
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Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2008 6:53 pm
The bookstore was small, the size of a small classroom. There were books everywhere, from dyi manuals, to maps, to kids stories to even spell books. They littered the floor, except the spell books, which where neatly arranged behind the counter behind glass.
There was the distinct smell of musty old books in the store.
The man behind the counter looked up. He was darkskinned, with bright green eyes and pale silver hair. He wasn't old by any stretch of the imagination. Truth be told, he was in his mid twenties. His hair was long and pulled into a low ponytail behind his head.
He smirked at the sight of Silvrendir. Now, that wasn't something you see everyday... He had to remind himself that there were other, odd things in Patr as well, so little angel boys shouldn't surprise him.
"Well, this ain't somethin' I see eve'y day," he said to no one in particular. He pushed some hair out of his eyes, and tucked it behind his ears.
His pointed ears.
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Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2008 6:58 pm
Silvrendir looked around at the assortment of books, his trained eyes seeing quickly how they were sorted (where there was sorting, considering that many of them were strewn over the floor). But books were not what he was looking for, despite the fact that he was looking for information, and he saw soon that there were no maps - at least, not in sight.
He looked up at the elf who stood behind the counter, and he noticed with mild annoyance that he was being smirked at.
Well that just wasn't polite.
Silvrendir crossed his arms over his chest and stared evenly back at the man, his eyes showing his maturity and wisdom even if his size made him appear young.
"Excuse me, sir," he said politely, trying not to let his annoyance show, "but do you smirk at all of your potential customers?"
He didn't know if the man was smirking because he looked like a child or because he just thought such a short adult was funny, but he didn't appreciate being looked down on. Not in the figurative sense.
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Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2008 7:07 pm
The man took a step back, figuratively speaking. Well, then, he wasn't one to joke around with... That didn't sit too well with him, but what the heck, it's not like he was used to people being able to be joked around with.
"Yes, if they are of a species I'd ne'er seen befo'e. I take it, ya he'e for somethin'. And not to get outta the rain," the man behind the counter said with a smile.
"Name's Irenre, and this he'e is ma grandpa's bookstore. He's deaf thou, so he ne'er come down he'e anymore," Irenre said with a bow.
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Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2008 7:12 pm
Silvrendir was slightly surprised by the man's sudden change in mannerisms, but he took it in stride. He had been raised to be courteous, and so he returned the man's bow politely.
When he looked at the man once more, he was smiling, his green eyes soft and friendly once more.
"I find it interesting that you have seen none of my kind," he said, approaching the counter, "since this is where we come from. But you're right ... I'm not here for an escape from the rain. My name is Silvrendir Aldrich Winters, and I am looking for ... well, a map if you have one ..."
He hesitated a moment, wondering if it would be wise to ask for directions specifically. Perhaps it would be best to first ask for the map - that had a set price, after all. Directions, verbal aid ... the price on that varied, and was usually quite a bit more expensive.
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Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2008 7:16 pm
Irene blinked. A map? Hmm... maps.... Why would he need a map? It wasn't like anyone was allowed out past the Tensa River anymore, where you'd need the map. He looked at the angel boy with a frown.
"Why'd you need a map, boy? You can get by with word'o'mouth mostly... unless you want to go past the Tensa River, that is," he said, leaning down on the counter.
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Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2008 7:21 pm
Silvrendir smiled disarmingly and put his hands behind his back.
"First of all," he said softly, "I am not a boy ... I am a fully grown adult of my race. But in answer to your question ... I don't even know where the river is, I haven't heard of it before. I don't know where anything is in this world, to be honest ... I have been to Junia only once before, and I don't even know my way around the city. This is the world of my origin - I wish to know as much as I can about it."
He paused.
"Of course," he added, reaching into his bag and pulling out his journal, "if you could help me draw a map ... or something ... that would help as well."
He felt guilty for lying, but something about the way the elf was speaking to him ... he felt as if he might not get the information he needed if he told the truth. And to be honest it was only a half-lie - he really did want to know about the world where he was from, and he loved maps. He spent quite a bit of time at home poring over maps of his mother's world and his grandmother's world ... and his sister's world ...
His eyes shadowed slightly at the thought of his sister, and his smile faltered slightly.
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Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2008 7:54 pm
Irenre raised an eyebrow. Yeah, likely story. Everyone who wanted a map wanted to go adventuring. Something the present king wasn't too thrilled with. He sighed. Did people not know the laws?
"Kid--Man--whatever the hell age you are, I've seen far too many people come in here with that same excuse. Don't know where the Tensa River is... its on the northern outskirts of Beist and cuts off Junia and all of the Elyes Provience from the rest of Patr. Our king as forbade us from crossing that river, somethin' only the elves or the tomcats can do anyway.
"I don't know why you want a map, but you better have a good reason why," he said sternly, his green eyes hard. He'd been around since the War and seen all the changes Patr had gone through. Irenre had learned over the years to appear to abide by your ruler, and break every law he'd created. "I don't break laws without a good reason."
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Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2008 8:12 pm
The little red-haired angel's temper was growing hot again, growing with his frustration.
"But I don't even know Beist or the province or - or anything!" he protested. "I don't know what the places in this world are called or where they are ... yes, I want to travel a little bit, but I don't know if it's where I'm allowed to go or not! A map would help me to know where I may and may not go, wouldn't it?"
For a brief moment he wondered if this was where his father was from - after all, he was an elf and looked much like this one, with the same silvery hair, the same green eyes ... but then he remembered that this was an entirely different world, and that things that looked the same as back home probably were quite different.
Of course, there was always the option of flying to find things ... but he was sure there was more than one forest, and who knew which one he was supposed to go to?
He decided to give a little more information.
"I have to find ... elves," he said finally, his eyes watching Irenre carefully. "I don't know where they are ... but I'm supposed to ... or rather ... I have to go ... where elves are ... though ..."
Now he was confusing himself, and he pulled out the scroll to check it over again.
"I'm supposed to go ... to ... Nymphade Forest ..."
He tucked the scroll away again and looked back up at Irenre, not knowing if that helped his cause or not. If not, he would have to tell all ...
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Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2008 8:25 pm
Irenre went to roll his eyes and tell the boy that, 'how could he live in Junia and not know these things' when the angel said Nymphade Forest. His green eyes when very wide and he stepped back.
"N-nymphade Forest? You sure...?" the elf said before rummaging through the stack of parchments behind him. They were old, some almost four milliennia old, but all protected by the best magic. He pulled one out and set it on the counter.
Nymphade Forest... his kind's home. One he hadn't been too in at least a milliennia, if not two. What could this angel possible want in the Forest? Irenre searched his map and tapped his ring finger over a spot written in Elvish. The lettering transformed into something that resembled Junian english, and read 'Nymphade Forest, home of the Elves'.
"Well, Silvrendir, here's your map..."
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Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2008 8:42 pm
Silvrendir's eyes grew wide first with fear as the elf stuttered at him - was it a bad thing to go to that place? - but then he was amazed when the elf handed him the map without asking any more questions.
"I ... thank you," he said, reaching for the map, for the first time in his life quiet because he actually had nothing to say, rather than because he didn't want to waste words.
He looked at the map in awe. He could sense the magic that was in it ... it made the silver dust around his wings tingle, a sure sign, as he had learned. There was only one problem ...
He looked up at Irenre. "Does ... do all of the words change to English? I don't know this form of elvish ..."
He knew two dialects, but they were both in a different world, and nothing like this one.
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Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2008 8:55 pm
Irenre was impressed. The angel knew elvish. That was something Irenre wasn't familier with. "Most do," he said," but some don't. Just tap them once or twice and they should rearange themselves. Can't promise anything, thou. I may've been at the creation of the map, but it's at least a few centuries old now, and even elven magic fades with time.
"I don't know what business you have in the Forest, but---" at that moment there was a shuffle of feet and a groan as an older elf came down the stairs.
He was hunched over, with almost translucent white hair and white eyes. He did not seem blind however. He freely moved around, even though no sight could be seen from his eyes. He walked over to Irenre and frowned.
"Wha you doin' boy? Showen ye old maps to a complete stranger... Oh... now this is somethin'... Angelus... the most basic of the Angel types... and one charmed with elven magick..." said the old man, his voice cracky and papery. "Plan to Ascend, eh? Haven't had one in centuries..." the old man picked up a piece of burlap from behind the counter and spread it over the map. He spoke softly and the map copied itself to the burlap, all words in english. He said one last enchant before rolling the burlap up and handing it Silvrendir.
"Ya map..." the old man disappeared upstairs with a groan and a shuffle of feet. Irenre scratched his head and turned to Silvrendir.
"Well, you've got a map now..." the elf said, putting the other one back in the stack.
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