Forums » Fantasy Roleplay » An Incurable Love

On a cool morning, James and Rose made their way through the capital, on the outside they looked like the ordinary loving siblings, though deep down, they were masking a terrible secret. Most of the people avoiding Rose, giving her dirty looks, some talked about her behind her back. Rose was trying everything she could not to cry at the moment, "It's okay, Rose..." James said softly, hugging his sister softly, only to receive more looks from the townsfolk. It's not like she chose this life.

After a while, they were confronted by a group of villagers, angrily glaring at the unbreakable siblings. "Why do you care for such a monster? She's going to kill you soon enough!" A woman from the back shouted, as another man shouted, "You two get out of our little town. We don't need a witch sympathizer in the town!" Tears slowly trickled down Rose's face, James' anger was slowly rising, "J-Just shut up!" He slowly reached for the sword at his side, "Oh, so you're going to defend that little witch, are you?" An older man shouted with an angry glare.

"S-She's not a witch! She's my little sister, you idiots! It's not like she chose this!" James shouted back. It was obvious he wouldn't be able to hold back his anger, his hand shook on the hilt of the sword. "B-Brother, d-d-don't do it.. This i-isn't worth i-i-it." Rose placed her hand on her brother's sword arm, still in tears. “You don’t want to do this.” James hands were shaking, tears streamed down his face, full of anguish and hatred towards the townspeople. Without intervention, the scene would likely turn deadly.

"Enough, all of you," A voice rang out from the crowd as an elf as white as snow came from behind them, "They have done nothing yet, so who are you to decide their fate." He walked over to the siblings, his white robes glinting like snow in the sunlight. "Come with me," he whispered in the man's ear, "I will protect you." He led them from the middle of the crowd to the center, turning right to his humble abode, a local inn which served as his temporary home until his time to leave came again. He led them to his room, closing the door behind them. "Now," He said, "We can speak privately. I understand you carry a burden, and I desire to help you. I am Fasntar Loraethius, one of the last surviving Snow elves."

James was hesitant to follow him at first. "W-Why do you want to help us?" His voice was harsher than intended, he didn't mean to sound rude, he was simply protective of the broken sister. "Those townspeople are the worst... Throwing insults and stones at an innocent girl who had done nothing but use her magic to heal someone... They called her a witch among many other things.." Rose sat close to James, silently weeping from what had gone on earlier. Her dress was was covered in dirt, blood, and grime.

"Because I too know the sting of being shunned, of rejection, of pain," he spoke with kindness, "And I desire that no one that crosses my path feels the everlasting unbelonging I have felt. I can help you, if you let me. Healing is a power many have misused, using it selfishly or taking health from others to aid themselves. These are dark days, my friends, and people are becoming more worried, more unreasonable, and more dangerous. They feel that no one can be trusted, even those who mean good. Servants of darkness take many forms, and one who uses magic is often considered among them. I, however, have found that magic is not a crime, but a means of survival. The people here have recently dealt with a dark mage who nearly destroyed the town had I not intervened. You shall be safe as long as I am near. I can help you, and I will do anything to aid those in need, if only to save lives and protect the defenseless." He sighed as he took out a book from his pack, one covered in a white design, and began to chant a healing and cleansing spell, washing their wounds and cleaning their clothes without getting them wet. When the spell ended, they looked as though they were never injured or dirty.

"Had you not shown up when you did, I'd have likely killed those people in the crowd. Taunting a child for a disease she can't even help." James anger hadn't subsided, "The only reason we even came to this damn town was to find out if anyone had any information on the Stone of Serentia to help with her. She's got less than two months before the disease does her in...and I'm trying to do everything I can to keep her happy and safe if we're unable to come across the stone...but, clearly it's not working." He was trying to keep his composure, Rose was calmly asleep near him. She was exhausted emotionally.

"The Stone of Serentia," Fasntar wondered, "I'm afraid I have no recollection of the name, but I have heard descriptions of many powerful stones, such as Pyrestone or Aquastone. Perhaps one of the stones I've heard of without a name could match the name. Could you describe it for me?"

James showed him a picture of it in a book. "We've been searching for three long years and we've found nothing. I'm hoping if we can find this, people will stop treating little Polka here with so much disgust and hatred." He explained. The sibling was still fast asleep, leaning against her brother, smiling softly.

"I actually believe I've seen it," He replied, "But I heard that it lies in an ancient ruin not far from here, hidden from the sight of those that would misuse it. I could help you get to it, but we must share a bond of trust that cannot been broken. Do you trust me?" He held out his hand, waiting for their reply.

"As long as you swear you will not bring harm to my sister, you have my trust." James replied, shaking his hand. "Besides, I don't have time to be picky anymore...if I want to save her, I need to do something now."