Sat stoutly between two mountains, and one behind, the village of Burrmouth boasts an ideal array of natural resources. A forest, named Rivenswood, clutches to the western mountain, and its wood frames nigh every house. From the east, a waterfall flows gently into a pool that narrows to a stream of clear and fresh water, babbling in a winding path a short walk from the village walls. Flowers spring wild, and berries and fruits on every side.
For all its splendor, the wildlife around Burrmouth is rarely seen by the common traveller, as the path to this place is far out of the way of anything of particular importance. Beyond the mountains lie only lands unsettled. This does not mean Burrmouth never sees any visitors at all, however. It is only familiar faces that frequent Burrmouth’s monthly markets; tribesmen that squat in huts nearby (a day or so's ride away) ofttimes pay visit, and on the seasons that suit them (spring and fall) nomads bring their exotic wares and colourful tales.
A diagram of the village and its general vicinity
A visualization of a medieval village's typical lifestyle
A layout of the interior of a commoner's dwelling
Tonight, the sun and moon share the sky. It is a day of balance, a night of change. Jof and Nocte must share the sky in equal measure as the rule of season is turned over to Jof’s hands.
The village is abustle with preparations for tonight, since when the moon rises, so begins their Rite of Swords; then their children die and are reborn men.
While the eyes and minds of the villagers are turned towards this event, the day’s work must first be completed. This equal-day has fallen on the week’s end, and the market sees guests there to buy, there to sell, and to share tales.
Indeed, nomads which travel the country and return here for Spring bring the strangest news. The country that Burrmouth pays allegiance to has been turned on its head; a new king has taken the throne, the peasants themselves having risen against the old dynasty. Many of the villagers guard their mouths from speaking for or against this; they are grateful to live in peace.
While stalls and benches have been raised for the buying and selling of everything from local produce to foreigner blades, in the market square, a cluster of gypsies have set up their circus, and a man steps forward with a flaming sword, grinning as he opens his mouth wide and lowers the blade into his throat.
As the spring sun begins its ascent across the sky, the village children are set free; it is their last day, so it would be bad luck to let their hands touch work.
The village is abustle with preparations for tonight, since when the moon rises, so begins their Rite of Swords; then their children die and are reborn men.
While the eyes and minds of the villagers are turned towards this event, the day’s work must first be completed. This equal-day has fallen on the week’s end, and the market sees guests there to buy, there to sell, and to share tales.
Indeed, nomads which travel the country and return here for Spring bring the strangest news. The country that Burrmouth pays allegiance to has been turned on its head; a new king has taken the throne, the peasants themselves having risen against the old dynasty. Many of the villagers guard their mouths from speaking for or against this; they are grateful to live in peace.
While stalls and benches have been raised for the buying and selling of everything from local produce to foreigner blades, in the market square, a cluster of gypsies have set up their circus, and a man steps forward with a flaming sword, grinning as he opens his mouth wide and lowers the blade into his throat.
As the spring sun begins its ascent across the sky, the village children are set free; it is their last day, so it would be bad luck to let their hands touch work.
"But but... I don't want to!" She whined impatiently with her mother. Stomping her foot down a little more roughly tonight. She didn't want to go outside, didnt want to do this 'hunt' and most of all didn't want to go entertain the other children her age. All of their parents always gave her looks and sneers. It was almost as bad as having to go the few times a week she did to help others with some of the village chores that required all the children.
"Nay, you may'nt touch the wires or the thread today. Is a time of celebration and thanks. Now shoo." Her mother motions for her to leave the house and exit into all that there was outside.
As a last resort, she turned to her father, with big poofy eyes, nearly in tears. Trying to gain any ounce of sympanthy that she could but he simply stood there, stern, with his huge arms crossed. As much as he tried to remain still, a smile crept upon the corner of his mouth. With a shake of his head she knew it would not owrk this time. Dakota turned around and stormed out the door.
"The one day I want to help and you refuse me! I'll remember this! Mark my words!" Trying to be dramatic like her mother just didn't work as well as it did for her. Like how? Her mother could make her do anything, yet when it came to Dakota doing, it's as if nothing worked, and they just ignored her plea.
Swinging the gate to their fence as hard as she could, trying again to portray anger, the door simply came back and then smacked her right in the tush. "OUCHIE?!" she yelped in pain, grabbing her butt and turning around quickly. All she could do was pout and kick dirt at the fence for some an object cared not! Lowly fence!
Dakota continued to the lower part of town where there were trees and a lawn. The one place that was like the forest in town, just without the dangers. Yet now, with all the bustle, she simply stood there staring as the once lonely patch was now filled with people, travelers and townsfolk alike. Letting out a huge sigh, she was at a loss as for what to do now.
"Nay, you may'nt touch the wires or the thread today. Is a time of celebration and thanks. Now shoo." Her mother motions for her to leave the house and exit into all that there was outside.
As a last resort, she turned to her father, with big poofy eyes, nearly in tears. Trying to gain any ounce of sympanthy that she could but he simply stood there, stern, with his huge arms crossed. As much as he tried to remain still, a smile crept upon the corner of his mouth. With a shake of his head she knew it would not owrk this time. Dakota turned around and stormed out the door.
"The one day I want to help and you refuse me! I'll remember this! Mark my words!" Trying to be dramatic like her mother just didn't work as well as it did for her. Like how? Her mother could make her do anything, yet when it came to Dakota doing, it's as if nothing worked, and they just ignored her plea.
Swinging the gate to their fence as hard as she could, trying again to portray anger, the door simply came back and then smacked her right in the tush. "OUCHIE?!" she yelped in pain, grabbing her butt and turning around quickly. All she could do was pout and kick dirt at the fence for some an object cared not! Lowly fence!
Dakota continued to the lower part of town where there were trees and a lawn. The one place that was like the forest in town, just without the dangers. Yet now, with all the bustle, she simply stood there staring as the once lonely patch was now filled with people, travelers and townsfolk alike. Letting out a huge sigh, she was at a loss as for what to do now.
"The Circus, The Circus, everyone loves the Circus~"
The most exciting part of this festival! Where all sorts of people gathered up and told their tales, where they preformed and laughed, where they sold their trinkets and their... souva... suuvi... Souvaneers? The lupine ears that lay atop Tess's head twitched in confusion as the word ran through her head. What was up with that? The word was so big and long and hard to pranou... To say! What was the point in that? Shouldn't words all just be nice and easy to spit out so you could just pick them up and go?
Pacing down the festival streets, Tess nodded to herself.
In her left pocket, she had a handful of coins, handed to her by her mother as she'd left the house. And in her right pocket, they were accompanied by yet another wealth of currency, this time stolen, oh-so-sneakily, from the kitchen counter the previous night. She'd snatched them up and stowed them under her pillow, and now, now that her brilliant plan had come to fruition she had twice twice as much money than her mother had given her! Haha! She was just the smartest! She'd be able to buy twice as many... Things from the festival stores. Twice as much food, twice the attempts at the stall games, and twice the amount of stuff from the circus gypsies!
Of course, what she didn't take into consideration was how she was going to explain coming back with so many things, and how in the world she was going to carry it all around with her. Neither did she consider that her parents might, perchance notice the fact that the money they'd set aside for their own adventures at the fair was missing...
But...
That was another issue for another day, right?
The most exciting part of this festival! Where all sorts of people gathered up and told their tales, where they preformed and laughed, where they sold their trinkets and their... souva... suuvi... Souvaneers? The lupine ears that lay atop Tess's head twitched in confusion as the word ran through her head. What was up with that? The word was so big and long and hard to pranou... To say! What was the point in that? Shouldn't words all just be nice and easy to spit out so you could just pick them up and go?
Pacing down the festival streets, Tess nodded to herself.
In her left pocket, she had a handful of coins, handed to her by her mother as she'd left the house. And in her right pocket, they were accompanied by yet another wealth of currency, this time stolen, oh-so-sneakily, from the kitchen counter the previous night. She'd snatched them up and stowed them under her pillow, and now, now that her brilliant plan had come to fruition she had twice twice as much money than her mother had given her! Haha! She was just the smartest! She'd be able to buy twice as many... Things from the festival stores. Twice as much food, twice the attempts at the stall games, and twice the amount of stuff from the circus gypsies!
Of course, what she didn't take into consideration was how she was going to explain coming back with so many things, and how in the world she was going to carry it all around with her. Neither did she consider that her parents might, perchance notice the fact that the money they'd set aside for their own adventures at the fair was missing...
But...
That was another issue for another day, right?
"Well, now," the colourful ribbons of the circus behind him, a man with a covering over his head, and flowing robes that were tied at his ankles and wrists, approached the young lass. "Hello there, kiddy." He bent over, his eyes bright as they regarded her jingling pockets.
Ears perking up as she heard a voice sounding out behind her, Tess spun on her heel to face it's source. She was met by the sight of a man, looking to be in his mid-thirties, clad in vibrant grab. His expression too, matched the colorful energy of his clothing, lit alive by the lights of the festival that surrounded him as he drew himself down to eye level with the young, bushy tailed girl that stood in front of him.
"Hey!" As she quickly yelled out her greeting, her tail and ears both flared up with expression, accentuating the girl's already exaggerated manner of speech.
"Do you work here? Can I buy something from you?" She inched closer to the man, looking him up and down so to search out any fun looking trinkets that he might be holding on his person.
"Hey!" As she quickly yelled out her greeting, her tail and ears both flared up with expression, accentuating the girl's already exaggerated manner of speech.
"Do you work here? Can I buy something from you?" She inched closer to the man, looking him up and down so to search out any fun looking trinkets that he might be holding on his person.
The man rose back up to his full stature with a growing grin. The eagerness in this kid's eyes he'd seen many a time before, and all of them ended in his favor.
"Alvus the White is my name," he said with an extravagant bow, his mud-brown skin a seeming contradiction. "And as for my trade, well, it is quite a thing to behold." With a low voice that barely carried over the music, he said, "I collect magic."
A pair of dancers swept behind him, their dresses flying up, alight with the colors of fire. The singer's voice raised high, and the drums beat like thunder.
"By the power of this ring," Alvus said, holding up the middle finger of his right hand. There rested a silver band, with a zig-zag blue pattern that streaked and flashed like lightning. "I can disappear before your very eyes, not a trace of me left behind!"
"Alvus the White is my name," he said with an extravagant bow, his mud-brown skin a seeming contradiction. "And as for my trade, well, it is quite a thing to behold." With a low voice that barely carried over the music, he said, "I collect magic."
A pair of dancers swept behind him, their dresses flying up, alight with the colors of fire. The singer's voice raised high, and the drums beat like thunder.
"By the power of this ring," Alvus said, holding up the middle finger of his right hand. There rested a silver band, with a zig-zag blue pattern that streaked and flashed like lightning. "I can disappear before your very eyes, not a trace of me left behind!"
Emily was conflicted. On one hand, she needn't have to practice her swordwork with her father and the rest of the village guards, but on the other, today was the last day she could skive off during practices to have fun with her friends. After this day had passed, she was obliged by duty to the village to protect its inhabitants. Furthermore, without the weight of the custom-made sword hanging by her side, it just didn't feel as if she was actually, truly, playing truant. There was no excitement to it. Emil Ross, her father, however, had been very clear when he told her that she wasn't allowed to touch her sword until the day was over. He had also cryptically added that she would not have to worry about the lack of a sword ever again after the day was over.
Unarmed, except with a handful of coins, all saved up from her own pocket money in anticipation of a day such as this, Emily wandered about the crowded village, now exploding in activity from the gypsies' visit. It may have been from Emil's own teachings and wariness that rubbed off on her, but Emily herself was quite uncomfortable with crowded areas. There were always pickpockets, thieves, and, usually amongst gypsies, charlatans and liars. Many a local had found their pockets emptied for useless and valueless wares during these visits, but no one ever learned.
From the corner of her eye, as she loitered around the village, she spotted one of her friends, the fox girl, Tess. With her was one of those gypsy traders. That grin on his face meant nothing well for Tess, or her money. As she neared the couple, she managed to catch the strains of the conversation, even in the noise of the crowd. Emily's infamous temper flared up within her, and she ran forwards to her friend, catching her by her shoulder and pointing an accusatory finger at the trader.
"Yeah? Then prove it! Show me this magic of yours!"
Unarmed, except with a handful of coins, all saved up from her own pocket money in anticipation of a day such as this, Emily wandered about the crowded village, now exploding in activity from the gypsies' visit. It may have been from Emil's own teachings and wariness that rubbed off on her, but Emily herself was quite uncomfortable with crowded areas. There were always pickpockets, thieves, and, usually amongst gypsies, charlatans and liars. Many a local had found their pockets emptied for useless and valueless wares during these visits, but no one ever learned.
From the corner of her eye, as she loitered around the village, she spotted one of her friends, the fox girl, Tess. With her was one of those gypsy traders. That grin on his face meant nothing well for Tess, or her money. As she neared the couple, she managed to catch the strains of the conversation, even in the noise of the crowd. Emily's infamous temper flared up within her, and she ran forwards to her friend, catching her by her shoulder and pointing an accusatory finger at the trader.
"Yeah? Then prove it! Show me this magic of yours!"
The smile froze on Alvus' face. Another one? An angry one. Skepticism held her like a chain. He laughed at the accusatory finger and shook his head.
"No, no, can't have an attitude like that, little miss." He waved a scolding finger under her nose, tut-tutting. "Magic doesn't like it when kiddies show disrespect. You have to ask it nicely."
"Like this, see?" He held his hands near to his face, cupping around the ring, and with an exaggerated whisper, crooned, "Please come out, magical magic, bibbity boo, wallaKAZOO!"
A loud popping sound followed his exclamation, and a burst of smoke and spark. A hesitation in the music and dancing lasted for less than a second, barely noticeable, and continued on. Before the smoke cleared, Alvus blew on it, and the wisps and clusters swept forward to cling to the faces of those girls.
When they could see clearly again, when their coughing or blearing of sight had left them, they would open their eyes to what might be a mystery! Alvus had disappeared! Not a trace of him remained! In the market behind them, in the rolling waves of dancers before them, he could not be found.
Moments passed, until at last a hand placed itself on either of their shoulders, and a long sigh, like that after an arduous task, blew out long and slow.
"Phew," he held out the ring in the palm of his hand. "Barely got it off. Now look, I'll sell it to you, sure, but I gotta warn you to be careful. Don't let the magic run wild in this little beast."
So long as neither of them looked right above them, they wouldn't see the strained tree branch and a frayed black rope dangling down.
"No, no, can't have an attitude like that, little miss." He waved a scolding finger under her nose, tut-tutting. "Magic doesn't like it when kiddies show disrespect. You have to ask it nicely."
"Like this, see?" He held his hands near to his face, cupping around the ring, and with an exaggerated whisper, crooned, "Please come out, magical magic, bibbity boo, wallaKAZOO!"
A loud popping sound followed his exclamation, and a burst of smoke and spark. A hesitation in the music and dancing lasted for less than a second, barely noticeable, and continued on. Before the smoke cleared, Alvus blew on it, and the wisps and clusters swept forward to cling to the faces of those girls.
When they could see clearly again, when their coughing or blearing of sight had left them, they would open their eyes to what might be a mystery! Alvus had disappeared! Not a trace of him remained! In the market behind them, in the rolling waves of dancers before them, he could not be found.
Moments passed, until at last a hand placed itself on either of their shoulders, and a long sigh, like that after an arduous task, blew out long and slow.
"Phew," he held out the ring in the palm of his hand. "Barely got it off. Now look, I'll sell it to you, sure, but I gotta warn you to be careful. Don't let the magic run wild in this little beast."
So long as neither of them looked right above them, they wouldn't see the strained tree branch and a frayed black rope dangling down.
There was just to many. From her place outlaying the circus she easily spotted a man bedazzling Tess with simple magics. Such magics that made her want to go over there and watch herself. But... the people... She just didnt like being around such large groups of people. They would always bump into her, and push her around like she didn’t exist. And they always sold toys and trinkets much like her father made and at nearly three times the coinage. Taking his business was just rude when they were guests.
Turning her nose up, quietly she snuck off. Away from the crowd, away from the noise, and mostly, away from rules. Go play they said, it would be fun they said. Psh.
Now skipping, after a few minutes she can to one of the main entrances for the village. Surprisingly it was quite desolate. Guardsman slacking off, and not much foot traffic. Either everyone had came, or simply not arrived yet. Kota’s head tilted sideways as she watched the two Guardsmen fumble some playing cards on a rickety old table. Their chairs just thick wooden logs. Continuing on her way, without notice, she skipped playfully through the entrance and out on the road until finally coming to the small wooden walkway which crossed the stream.
The water was not deep, and it was always so beautiful. The fluttering of water. A little fishy here or there. While the walkway itself looked dangerous, it was probably more sturdy than the city itself. Withstanding many floods and yet it was still here. Walking a little ways to the middle of it. Kota kneeled down and wrapped her arms around her knees. Simply balancing of the end and starring blankly down into the water. She often did this. It was just kind of relaxing. At least when she was alone. A little startled at the crack of a stick, she quickly turned around.
Turning her nose up, quietly she snuck off. Away from the crowd, away from the noise, and mostly, away from rules. Go play they said, it would be fun they said. Psh.
Now skipping, after a few minutes she can to one of the main entrances for the village. Surprisingly it was quite desolate. Guardsman slacking off, and not much foot traffic. Either everyone had came, or simply not arrived yet. Kota’s head tilted sideways as she watched the two Guardsmen fumble some playing cards on a rickety old table. Their chairs just thick wooden logs. Continuing on her way, without notice, she skipped playfully through the entrance and out on the road until finally coming to the small wooden walkway which crossed the stream.
The water was not deep, and it was always so beautiful. The fluttering of water. A little fishy here or there. While the walkway itself looked dangerous, it was probably more sturdy than the city itself. Withstanding many floods and yet it was still here. Walking a little ways to the middle of it. Kota kneeled down and wrapped her arms around her knees. Simply balancing of the end and starring blankly down into the water. She often did this. It was just kind of relaxing. At least when she was alone. A little startled at the crack of a stick, she quickly turned around.
~The Forest~
Whispers under the breath, smothered in the rustle of trees and chirping of birds sing-song for the spring, and wiley, stolen smiles were passed and traded between the gypsy and the village boy that held her in arm.
Dakota would recognize him. He was the woodcutter's son, a strong and reckless boy, with too much adolescent pride to abide children. He was kinder in his youth, but these days he treated everyone he met with disdain, aside from his father, who would knock him upside the head with each careless word. He'd been named Aron, in honor of the mountain. Sawdust peppered his brown head, and freckles spotted his face. A thick jaw that jutted out and thin eyes which were two dots above a piggish nose that was perpetually flared, his normal expression seemed hateful.
But right now he was grinning ear-to-ear, yellowed teeth flashing. The girl (for she was a girl, and not yet grown into the body of a woman) under his arms, dark of complexion, raven hair thick like a pillow, had painted lips and darkened eyes. The smile on her face froze, and the two came to a sudden stop when they saw the kid sitting there, teetering over the bridge.
"Ahw, come on, get outta here, ya louse," Aron whined.
"Is this, yours, village girl?" The gypsy girl had a thick accent; her r's rolled, her lips rounded. She looked at Dakota and smiled. Happily, the gypsy waved at her, the jewelry on her arms tinkling. "Hi! What name you have, girl?"
Whispers under the breath, smothered in the rustle of trees and chirping of birds sing-song for the spring, and wiley, stolen smiles were passed and traded between the gypsy and the village boy that held her in arm.
Dakota would recognize him. He was the woodcutter's son, a strong and reckless boy, with too much adolescent pride to abide children. He was kinder in his youth, but these days he treated everyone he met with disdain, aside from his father, who would knock him upside the head with each careless word. He'd been named Aron, in honor of the mountain. Sawdust peppered his brown head, and freckles spotted his face. A thick jaw that jutted out and thin eyes which were two dots above a piggish nose that was perpetually flared, his normal expression seemed hateful.
But right now he was grinning ear-to-ear, yellowed teeth flashing. The girl (for she was a girl, and not yet grown into the body of a woman) under his arms, dark of complexion, raven hair thick like a pillow, had painted lips and darkened eyes. The smile on her face froze, and the two came to a sudden stop when they saw the kid sitting there, teetering over the bridge.
"Ahw, come on, get outta here, ya louse," Aron whined.
"Is this, yours, village girl?" The gypsy girl had a thick accent; her r's rolled, her lips rounded. She looked at Dakota and smiled. Happily, the gypsy waved at her, the jewelry on her arms tinkling. "Hi! What name you have, girl?"
Oh... it was just him. Aron. The jerk who liked to bully other kids. Well not really, it was just like he didn’t like hanging around them. Like he was too “macho” or something to hang with the likes of anyone else around his own age. Really this process of thought was beyond her. Whether because of age, or maturity, she really didn't care. As long as he left her alone.
Glancing over the strange looking girl, she nodded her head up and down. It was so different to see someone with such thick, deep hair and nearly ebony skin. Most the people in town were very pale to just mild tans. Tess was the only one with skin that was dark and even she was not so dark as this one.
Holding her arms around knees again she just stared and she answered her question simply and truthfully. “Dakota.”
Glancing over the strange looking girl, she nodded her head up and down. It was so different to see someone with such thick, deep hair and nearly ebony skin. Most the people in town were very pale to just mild tans. Tess was the only one with skin that was dark and even she was not so dark as this one.
Holding her arms around knees again she just stared and she answered her question simply and truthfully. “Dakota.”
"Dah-Koo-tah?"
She sounded out the name slowly, and her lips pursed after in a dissatisfied look, but she shrugged off the unhappy mood quickly. The gypsy gestured to herself and said with no small amount of pride, "I am Giourvanna, firstbourne dotter of Master Alkafa's first wife! Very important in tribe. No one young as I can--ehhh--tell what do."
An impatient groan exploded from Aron. He released the gypsy and started walking towards Dakota. "Hey louse, we were gonna sit here. Leave already." He nudged her with his foot, sideways towards the village.
"Ach, very mean, Aroon." The gypsy scolded.
Aron rolled his eyes. "You're makin' me look bad, kid. Move. This's the last time I'll warn ya."
"Ach, enough. Girl come with me. I show her pretty things. Come, girl, come with me." Giourvanna beckoned Dakota with a waggling hand, coming around Aron to her.
She sounded out the name slowly, and her lips pursed after in a dissatisfied look, but she shrugged off the unhappy mood quickly. The gypsy gestured to herself and said with no small amount of pride, "I am Giourvanna, firstbourne dotter of Master Alkafa's first wife! Very important in tribe. No one young as I can--ehhh--tell what do."
An impatient groan exploded from Aron. He released the gypsy and started walking towards Dakota. "Hey louse, we were gonna sit here. Leave already." He nudged her with his foot, sideways towards the village.
"Ach, very mean, Aroon." The gypsy scolded.
Aron rolled his eyes. "You're makin' me look bad, kid. Move. This's the last time I'll warn ya."
"Ach, enough. Girl come with me. I show her pretty things. Come, girl, come with me." Giourvanna beckoned Dakota with a waggling hand, coming around Aron to her.
Listening to her sound out Dah-Koo-tah was so weird. Most people only ever just said her name and she never considered that anyone would have problems with it. But when she elaborated on her title worthy of leader, the young girl was kind of stunned. Was she like a princess or something? Only people of royalty in book would have such names as that.
“Gee-oo-er-van-na” Kota whispered under her breath trying to pronounce it similarly to how her name was spoken. But no sooner than that, Aron trying to shove her aside. But being stubborn like she was, Kota was not going to move, or listen to him.
She just stared at the ground as the punk tried one last time to make her go away before a hand popped into view, fingers wiggling, asking for her attendance to accompany. Some how, the little girl felt compelled to do so. Instinctively, Kota reached up and softly took Giourvanna’s hand. Rising to her feet, head cocked just slightly to the left; her ashen hair fluttering gently out of the way and for the first time since their meet, did their eyes truly reach one another.
Her eyes quickly parted and ended up on Aron's. Her expression almost asking as if this was OK. Surely he wouldn't have agreed but then again Aron was a strange one and his thinkings were not something Kota would understand. All she did know, was that they were headed somewhere now, further away from town.
“Gee-oo-er-van-na” Kota whispered under her breath trying to pronounce it similarly to how her name was spoken. But no sooner than that, Aron trying to shove her aside. But being stubborn like she was, Kota was not going to move, or listen to him.
She just stared at the ground as the punk tried one last time to make her go away before a hand popped into view, fingers wiggling, asking for her attendance to accompany. Some how, the little girl felt compelled to do so. Instinctively, Kota reached up and softly took Giourvanna’s hand. Rising to her feet, head cocked just slightly to the left; her ashen hair fluttering gently out of the way and for the first time since their meet, did their eyes truly reach one another.
Her eyes quickly parted and ended up on Aron's. Her expression almost asking as if this was OK. Surely he wouldn't have agreed but then again Aron was a strange one and his thinkings were not something Kota would understand. All she did know, was that they were headed somewhere now, further away from town.
Hmmm
Hmmmmmm
Hmm...
So, Emily was here now.
Hmmm...
And she had a pretty good point too. That she should like, make sure the ring ACTUALLY would be her invisible and stuff. Or, that she should make sure that uh, Elvis? Proved that the thing actually worked before she gave him her hard stole-, er, earned coins.
And so he did!
Just as Tess began to ponder just how exactly she was going to get him to spend some of that surely divine and valuable within his ring, he spoke out! Blurting out a string of, well, magical sounding words, a great plume of spoke was suddenly expelled from the man, twisting and coiling around her, and her red-headed freind's head, blinding them utterly!
And by the time the smoke had cleared, Elvis had vanished!
It had worked! It was amazing! Spectacular! Magical!
But that wasn't what had caught Tess's interest.
For, the animal-eared girl that the great Alvus The White had made his mark, was, unfortunately, just the wrong kind of fool for him to, well, fool. She was exactly the kind who'd find themselves distracted at the slightest of provocation, so, at the moment that coal black rope had dropped from the tree above him, and he'd sent himself flying around the young pair, the especially sensitive pair of ears that lay atop her head had tuned into the ever so subtle creaking of the branches.
And that noise was just enough to guide her vision to be looking directly upwards when the smoke had cleared.
"Hey, Em, what do you think that is?" She queried, her ears twitching in confusion as she looked over the oddly placed length of rope.
Hmmmmmm
Hmm...
So, Emily was here now.
Hmmm...
And she had a pretty good point too. That she should like, make sure the ring ACTUALLY would be her invisible and stuff. Or, that she should make sure that uh, Elvis? Proved that the thing actually worked before she gave him her hard stole-, er, earned coins.
And so he did!
Just as Tess began to ponder just how exactly she was going to get him to spend some of that surely divine and valuable within his ring, he spoke out! Blurting out a string of, well, magical sounding words, a great plume of spoke was suddenly expelled from the man, twisting and coiling around her, and her red-headed freind's head, blinding them utterly!
And by the time the smoke had cleared, Elvis had vanished!
It had worked! It was amazing! Spectacular! Magical!
But that wasn't what had caught Tess's interest.
For, the animal-eared girl that the great Alvus The White had made his mark, was, unfortunately, just the wrong kind of fool for him to, well, fool. She was exactly the kind who'd find themselves distracted at the slightest of provocation, so, at the moment that coal black rope had dropped from the tree above him, and he'd sent himself flying around the young pair, the especially sensitive pair of ears that lay atop her head had tuned into the ever so subtle creaking of the branches.
And that noise was just enough to guide her vision to be looking directly upwards when the smoke had cleared.
"Hey, Em, what do you think that is?" She queried, her ears twitching in confusion as she looked over the oddly placed length of rope.
Emily scoffed at the man's idea. Respect to magic, perhaps, but respect for what a trickster such as this man passed off as magic? That was out of the question! She felt it in her bones, the bones of a village guardsman. To the man's credit, however, he attempted to quell her doubts by chanting a stream of nonsensical words, words that a child like her would have bought as 'magic'. Emily fell for it, hook, line, and sinker. Even if her face did not show it, her step backwards, and the twitch of her hand towards the empty space at her hip was enough to persuade anyone that she was truly surprised at the show that Alvus the White put up. She reached forwards to grasp at the trader, but found herself reeling back from the smoke he blew in her face. When she finally waved the remnants of the smoke away, the trader had vanished! Emily wheeled around on her heels, searching for a sign of the trader.
Emily gave an uncharacteristic yelp when Alvus' voice emerged from behind her and Tess. She rounded on him, a look of befuddlement and confusion on her face. How...did he get there? Sure, the smoke may have blocked sight of him moving, but there had been a space where he was completely invisible, to both Tess and Emily. Was his ring truly a genuine work of art? That was what she believed, of course, until Tess, the ever-alert Tess, pointed upwards at the overhanging tree branch above the three of them. There, a conspicuous cloth hung from it. It didn't take Emily long to put two and two together, though she wasn't exactly the brightest in numbers class.
"That's his invisibility rope, Tess." Emily answered Tess' query with no small amount of sarcasm in her voice, and glared hotly at the trader, daring him to back her up on that claim.
Emily gave an uncharacteristic yelp when Alvus' voice emerged from behind her and Tess. She rounded on him, a look of befuddlement and confusion on her face. How...did he get there? Sure, the smoke may have blocked sight of him moving, but there had been a space where he was completely invisible, to both Tess and Emily. Was his ring truly a genuine work of art? That was what she believed, of course, until Tess, the ever-alert Tess, pointed upwards at the overhanging tree branch above the three of them. There, a conspicuous cloth hung from it. It didn't take Emily long to put two and two together, though she wasn't exactly the brightest in numbers class.
"That's his invisibility rope, Tess." Emily answered Tess' query with no small amount of sarcasm in her voice, and glared hotly at the trader, daring him to back her up on that claim.
"Invisibility Rope?" He cocked her head in confusion. That was strange. Wasn't the ring supposed to be the thing that was magical?
Huh.
Maybe the two of them worked together to hide him? Like, a two part spell? Or... Was it just the rope? Was it just the rope, and he was trying to trick her into buying a normal ring!? Hmph! That was just... Just terrible!
Her cheeks puffing up in anger, Tess spun around on her heel, her angry, red-colored eyes shooting over to meet Evlis's own and staring into them with an intensity enough to make a man faint. Or, at least, an intensity enough to make a cowardly man faint.
Opening her mouth to yell, she froze for a moment. Would scaring him off do her any good? ...No. She still wouldn't be to rend herself invisible, if he took his rope with him... So..
Hah!
That was so smart!
Calling upon all the memories of shopkeepers she could pull to mind, Tess's shifted her expression from one of anger, to one as close to that of a crafty businessman as she could muster, a confident smile and quirk of the brow spreading across her face.
Or at least, that was the intent. In truth though, it only served to make her look obnoxiously smug.
"Hmm... So the ring doesn't work, then?"
"Well, you'd better let me buy the rope instead!" Her smile, as she spoke, only grew larger.
Huh.
Maybe the two of them worked together to hide him? Like, a two part spell? Or... Was it just the rope? Was it just the rope, and he was trying to trick her into buying a normal ring!? Hmph! That was just... Just terrible!
Her cheeks puffing up in anger, Tess spun around on her heel, her angry, red-colored eyes shooting over to meet Evlis's own and staring into them with an intensity enough to make a man faint. Or, at least, an intensity enough to make a cowardly man faint.
Opening her mouth to yell, she froze for a moment. Would scaring him off do her any good? ...No. She still wouldn't be to rend herself invisible, if he took his rope with him... So..
Hah!
That was so smart!
Calling upon all the memories of shopkeepers she could pull to mind, Tess's shifted her expression from one of anger, to one as close to that of a crafty businessman as she could muster, a confident smile and quirk of the brow spreading across her face.
Or at least, that was the intent. In truth though, it only served to make her look obnoxiously smug.
"Hmm... So the ring doesn't work, then?"
"Well, you'd better let me buy the rope instead!" Her smile, as she spoke, only grew larger.
Alvus' dark eyes flitted back and forth between the two ten year olds, gauging their expressions.
"No," Alvus said slowly, carefully. "The rope is not mine, nor have I ever seen it before." The ends of his lip twitched, as it was wont to when nervousness held him in grip. Alvus smiled, letting out a breath between his teeth. "No, only the ring has the power to make you invisible, nothing else. So! Because you're so adorable, here's my most extreme sale price: only thirty pence for this Super Awesome Shiny Invisibility Ring!"
He coughed, recognizing that he'd overcompensated with gusto. In a more modest manner, he finished his spiel, "Now, I'll count to ten, and if you haven't made up your mind by then, I'll be happy to keep this valuable artifact for myself!"
"No," Alvus said slowly, carefully. "The rope is not mine, nor have I ever seen it before." The ends of his lip twitched, as it was wont to when nervousness held him in grip. Alvus smiled, letting out a breath between his teeth. "No, only the ring has the power to make you invisible, nothing else. So! Because you're so adorable, here's my most extreme sale price: only thirty pence for this Super Awesome Shiny Invisibility Ring!"
He coughed, recognizing that he'd overcompensated with gusto. In a more modest manner, he finished his spiel, "Now, I'll count to ten, and if you haven't made up your mind by then, I'll be happy to keep this valuable artifact for myself!"
Sounds came from the kitchen as he walked into the corridor, voices of those who tried to be quiet but couldn't quite manage.
"It should not be a problem. He's your brother, after all."
"But I haven't seen him in months. Jof only knows if he still stays where he was, that man is harder to find than a scrap of faith in a heathen. And I don't know how willing he would be to part with his coins. We were never particularly close."
"It is our only option. We can hardly go on like this. Now most goes to the temple if they get injured or sick, hoping their faith was enough to cure them. As if Jof cares one whit."
"Don't blaspheme!"
"Not blaspheming will not change the fact that my healing alone will not be enough to support us now."
"How can half-starved priests be your peers?"
"They are not. But sadly, the villagers could hardly tell the common cold from the Plague itself even if it knocks on their door with a bloodstained scythe." His father's voice dripped contempt.
"I thought you said we have enough coins for this month with a little extra."
"We do now, but not after the Governor's men visit in two days."
The house went silent then except for the creaking of the floorboard as his father paced restlessly.
"We will figure something out. We always do." His mother said, though uncertainty colored her voice.
He stepped into the room then, his steps hesitant. His parents both gave him their smiles, but their hearts clearly wasn't in it.
"Are you going to the fair now? Here, take this. Don't buy too much sweet or you won't be able to eat lunch." His father fished out some coins from his pockets and held it out to him, keeping his half-hearted smile on his feature the whole time. Any other time, Ezreal would gladly take those coins and make quick work of them. But today...
His father's jerkin was worn thin on both shoulders, his shirt sleeves ragged and discolored. His mother's gown, though meticulously cared for it was, was old and well-worn, almost unsuited for a holiday wear. How had he never noticed such details before? How had he not noticed the lines of worry etched deep into his father's forehead, or the sadness lurking behind his mother's gaze? When he had tore his breeches at the knee, his mother had patched it using a hideous piece of blue cloth. He never saw his mother wear that blue gown she'd loved again. Had they truly not been able to afford some cloth for such a simple task?
His father frowned as Ezreal shook his head. "What's wrong?"
He turned and left the house. The sky that day was as magnificent as it had ever been, translucent blue mixing with the glorious gold of the dawning day, illuminating the brilliant green of the forest's canopy above. The morning dew glinted like pearls on blades of grass covering the forest floor as he walked on that field of blinking wonder. Ezreal Reign was to become a man that day. By all account, he should have felt a sense of uneasiness, should have seen a sky of grey instead of this one, knowing what he knew then. But to be proclaimed a man did not make a him one, so his adolescent mind wandered still, glorying in the beauty of the forest, his refuge, carefree when he knew he should not have been. As a 10 years old would.
It was midday when he returned to the village.
"It should not be a problem. He's your brother, after all."
"But I haven't seen him in months. Jof only knows if he still stays where he was, that man is harder to find than a scrap of faith in a heathen. And I don't know how willing he would be to part with his coins. We were never particularly close."
"It is our only option. We can hardly go on like this. Now most goes to the temple if they get injured or sick, hoping their faith was enough to cure them. As if Jof cares one whit."
"Don't blaspheme!"
"Not blaspheming will not change the fact that my healing alone will not be enough to support us now."
"How can half-starved priests be your peers?"
"They are not. But sadly, the villagers could hardly tell the common cold from the Plague itself even if it knocks on their door with a bloodstained scythe." His father's voice dripped contempt.
"I thought you said we have enough coins for this month with a little extra."
"We do now, but not after the Governor's men visit in two days."
The house went silent then except for the creaking of the floorboard as his father paced restlessly.
"We will figure something out. We always do." His mother said, though uncertainty colored her voice.
He stepped into the room then, his steps hesitant. His parents both gave him their smiles, but their hearts clearly wasn't in it.
"Are you going to the fair now? Here, take this. Don't buy too much sweet or you won't be able to eat lunch." His father fished out some coins from his pockets and held it out to him, keeping his half-hearted smile on his feature the whole time. Any other time, Ezreal would gladly take those coins and make quick work of them. But today...
His father's jerkin was worn thin on both shoulders, his shirt sleeves ragged and discolored. His mother's gown, though meticulously cared for it was, was old and well-worn, almost unsuited for a holiday wear. How had he never noticed such details before? How had he not noticed the lines of worry etched deep into his father's forehead, or the sadness lurking behind his mother's gaze? When he had tore his breeches at the knee, his mother had patched it using a hideous piece of blue cloth. He never saw his mother wear that blue gown she'd loved again. Had they truly not been able to afford some cloth for such a simple task?
His father frowned as Ezreal shook his head. "What's wrong?"
He turned and left the house. The sky that day was as magnificent as it had ever been, translucent blue mixing with the glorious gold of the dawning day, illuminating the brilliant green of the forest's canopy above. The morning dew glinted like pearls on blades of grass covering the forest floor as he walked on that field of blinking wonder. Ezreal Reign was to become a man that day. By all account, he should have felt a sense of uneasiness, should have seen a sky of grey instead of this one, knowing what he knew then. But to be proclaimed a man did not make a him one, so his adolescent mind wandered still, glorying in the beauty of the forest, his refuge, carefree when he knew he should not have been. As a 10 years old would.
It was midday when he returned to the village.
Draken had gone out to the festival with permission from the priest whom was his adoptive father. The priest kept him from certain events within the village because of how he looked, but tonight was an exception. While he was walking, he had encountered many strange looks towards him, but that was entirely normal to him.
He had entered the festival, he was walking around the stands and other things, looking at all the decorations and wares which many people were selling. He had only some money from what was leftover from his allowance to spend, so he didn't want to spend it on anything unless something sparked his interest.
While he was walking around, he had seen one of the gypsies there put out a fire by spewing a beam of water at it from their hand. Now that was cool! He goes over to gypsy. "Hey, can you teach me that please?"
(...did I kill the RP? o-o)
He had entered the festival, he was walking around the stands and other things, looking at all the decorations and wares which many people were selling. He had only some money from what was leftover from his allowance to spend, so he didn't want to spend it on anything unless something sparked his interest.
While he was walking around, he had seen one of the gypsies there put out a fire by spewing a beam of water at it from their hand. Now that was cool! He goes over to gypsy. "Hey, can you teach me that please?"
(...did I kill the RP? o-o)