Veiled Trust

Year 15

*Emma and Ariella enter the church.*

David: Girls! you’ve made it.

Emma: We got the news and hurried over.

David: He just stepped out for a moment he should be back if you two would like to pray.

Ariella: Sure.

*As they pray and Emma closes her eyes she meets the figure again. Still very dark but not like staring into an abyss.*

Figure: Don’t trust him.

Emma: You’ve been saying this for the last few visits. I’ve figured out it’s Ruddy, but why?

*The figure gets a little darker and it’s voice distorts for a moment.*

Figure: NEVER TRUST HUMANS!

Emma: WHY?

*Emma can feel the anger seething from the figure, but also a hint of sorrow. Emma opens her eyes in reality again. As the two walk out they're met by; David a Broad shoulder, kind looking, Human male cleric with Hazel eyes and short blonde hair. She looks at his soul, It’s very bright and calming, She feels the figures pressure.*

David: Ariella, Emma this is Ruddy.

Ruddy: Good morning! I hope the Gods have given you a blessed day.

Ariella: Well that depends on how well we work together.

Ruddy: David said you two also joined early?

Emma: Yeah, I just turned fifteen recently.

*The three head back to the guild for lunch and get to know each other. They decide to take on a quest killing an Orbweaver, A spellcasting, personoid-like creature That uses orb-like water spells. They head out of town and start walking along one of the rivers that makeup the falls*

Ruddy: They live by water so they should be around here

Ariella: They can only manipulate water? So do water spells work at all?

Ruddy: Any water spells have little to no effect, including Ice.

Emma: Sounds like the ice princess is gonna have to dust off her sword.

Ariella: I have some arrows.

Ruddy: Why do you call her the Ice Princess?

Emma: Because she uses ice arrows. Normally Elves under the blue moon avoid bows but she was mostly trained in bows and swords.

Ariella: What about you Ruddy? Any cool abilities?

Ruddy: I was born with the power to heal without using magic.

Emma: How does that work?

Ruddy: It’s only Lesser quality, but I feel a burning sensation whenever I use it. I save it for emergencies. Your turn.

Emma: I’m a good judge of character.

*The group laughs*

*Emma spots a Orbweaver and signals the others. Ruddy steps forward grabbing their attention. The Orbweaver creates a bunch of droplets and starts shooting them at Ruddy. Ariella redies a metal tipped arrow. And Emma sneaks around behind. Ruddy Blocks the shots with his shield then slams the monster with his mace. As the Orbweaver stumbles Ariella fires an arrow at the Orb weaver catches the arrow within a water bubble. Emma calls down a thunder strike that homes in on the arrow electrifying the water following a trail of bubbles back to the orb weaver.*

Emma: It worked!

Ruddy: Did you not know if it would?

Ariella: That’s Emma’s other power she comes up with some weird plans that work most the time.

*Emma nods*

Ariella: Unless trolls are involved.

Emma: ONE TIME!

*Ruddy laughs*

Ruddy: Lets head back.

*the group gets back to the guild just after dark, the sit down at a table to talk.*

Ruddy: Well, I had a lot of fun.

Ariella: So did I maybe next time you can meet Lily and Celestra.

Ruddy: I thought David said it was just you two?

Emma: They’re our spirits.

*Lily changes into her small animal form.*

Emma: This is Lily.

Ariella: I thought we were leaving them at home today?

Emma: I never agreed to that.

Ariella: last night.

Emma: Was I awake?

Ariella: Clearly not.

*Ruddy pets Lily.*

Ruddy: I heard elves have spirits but I’ve never seen them up close.

Emma: Where we grew up everyone has their spirits roam around.

Ariella: Well it looks like Lily approves of you. And I think we worked together pretty good.

*Celestra appears in Ariella’s lap.*

Ariella: If Celestra like you I guess you’ve been approved.

Ruddy: Well Celestra? I did bring them both back in one piece.

*Celestra looks and Ariella and nods.*

Emma: I guess that’s that. Now we need a name.

Ariella: Do we?

Emma: Well, no, but.

Ruddy: We’ll need one to take ‘A’ rank quests above.

Ariella: Still we have time and what if we need more members?

Emma: That’s why we think of the best one.

Ruddy: How about we tait until we hit ‘B’ rank before deciding?

Emma: Fine.

*The group say their goodnights and Ruddy heads back to the church.*

—----------------

*four months later*

*Emma is alone in the room reading when Lily hops up on the bed.*

Lily: Momma I’m bored.

Emma: Okay, how about we go for a walk outside town.

Lily: Can we get something to snack on to?

Emma:*Laughs* Sure.

*Emma and Lily head out of the guild and stop by a stall and by some fruit. They avoid talking by using hand signs. As they walk out for a while they stop at a tree overlooking the river.*

Emma(TL): Lily, I’m scared.

Lily: Why?

Emma (TL): I’m worried about something happening to Dad and everyone while we’re gone.

Lily: We have like 75 years still.

Emma (TL): Yeah, but what if I can't hold back the pressure of that figure I see.

Lily: I don't think that'll ever happen. But if it does. Then I'll stop you. You'd never let her hurt me.

*Emma smiles at lily. They sense someone approaching them. She walks just far enough to where the falls can block out the echoes.*

Emma: Robin, Get out here and stop stalking me.

*Robin walks out.*

Robin: I’m surprised.

Emma: That I noticed?

Robin: No, You’ve been busy.

*Robin sees Emma’s Vessel now holding a bit more liquid then before.*

Robin: Your next job.*Robin passes a letter to Emma.*

Robin: It’s time to look for the next generation. We believe one is in the Whispering Falls.

*Emma reads the letter.*

Emma: So you want me to find him and watch him?

Robin: You will be in charge of a small group. They will report to you and any big developments are to be reported to the higher ups.

Emma: So I assume that’s them?

*Five Elves walk out with green eyes, three male two female. And kneel down before Emma.*

Robin: Have fun. *Leaves*

*one of the male elves stands forward.*

Elf: We’re here to aid you saviour.

Emma: Okay, nope. You can call me Emma or nothing else at all. What are your names?

Elf: We gave up our names to serve the Great Seers, Saviour. You may call us whatever pleases you.

Lily: Momma.

Emma(TL): They don’t have spirits.

*Emma looks at the Elves.*

Emma: What were your spirits names?

*They all look up at Emma. One of the girls speaks.*

Female elf: Hannah.

Emma: Then I’ll call you Hannah. Your spirits are gone and in my eyes that's a terrible sin.

Male elf: But, We weren’t worthy.

Emma: What happened to your spirits?

Hannah: They forced us to fight with spirit weapons or they’d kill our parents.

*Emma learns the names of their spirits. Marcus the leader, Hannah the newest one, Merry the other female elf, Softstep the shorter male and Crush the bigger of the group.*

Emma: I guess for now just find out what you can.

All: Yes, Saviour!

Emma: Okay tell you what. You want to keep your names? Call me Emma.

*They hesitate for a moment.*

Marcus: Thank you, Emma.

The other four: Yes, Emma.

Emma: Good, Also please don’t interrupt my personal life unless it’s an emergency. I’m also smart enough to know you’re all reporting to my boss. So I’ll be as nice as your reports are. If Robin shows up mad at me I’m going after all of you. Understood?

Group: Yes,Emma!

*They disappear into the woods, headed towards town.*

Emma(TL): Robin seemed scared.

Lily: He jumped when you called him out.

Emma(TL): Maybe Archon’s been getting on his case about something. Maybe Josh did something.

*two months later*

*Ariella, Emma Ruddy are all walking through the tunnel out of town when Softstep bumps into Emma leaving a note in her pocket. The group gets to a field where they sit down for lunch. Lily and Celestra are running around in their smaller forms.*

Ruddy: And you’re sure that this attracts Gryphermites?

Ariella: It might take a bit longer if they’re underground but they say cooking with root vegetables attracts them.

Lily: What did the note say?

Emma(TL): They found him. I’ll need to confirm it later.

Lily: So we’re telling Ruddy?

Emma(TL): Gonna have to now. We’ll do it on the way back.

*After an hour of waiting, The ground starts to rumble and a Gopher/Bird-like creature explodes out of the ground. The medium sized animal, its arms double as both shovels and wings, turns to the group and screeches. Ruddy prepares his sword and mace. The Gryphermite jumps up and starts flapping its wings. It dives down and Ruddy blocks the attack. He slams his mace into the Creature, it lands and screeches again. The ground begins to rumble and 2 more Gryphermites shoot out of the ground. Ariella Begins firing ice arrows at one, it swipes at the Arrows breaking them. The other Gryphermite runs towards Emma, she turns right as it jumps at her pinning her to the ground. Lily throws her body into the Grphyermite getting it off of Emma, but not before it bites her right shoulder. Ruddy crashes his mace into the head of the first Grphermite and runs to Emma healing her. Emma grabs a knife and throws it at the Gryphermite, using telekinesis to control the blade she uses it to cut the webbing of its wings. As it crashes into the ground Lily Pounces on it, after a quick struggle Lily emerges victorious. Ruddy runs over to Ariella, He throws a rock distracting the Grphermite. While distracted, Ariella manages to hit The Gryphermite with her arrows, as it freezes, it falls to the ground and shatters.*

Ariella: You okay Emma?

Ruddy: You seem distracted.

Emma: Well.

*One lengthy story later. The group head back to the city.*

Ruddy: So Ariella is an elven princess?

Ariella and Emma: Yes.

Ruddy: And Emma is some kind of cross between two different types of elf?

Emma: That’s not exactly right but yes, kinda.

Ruddy: If she’s a princess is she really okay to be out on adventures?

Ariella: maybe for humans but elves live so long there isn’t a need for the royal family to just stay back. I’m the first adventurer which scared my mom, but she trusts Emma.

Ruddy: But is it really okay for you to be helping them find this elf, Emma?

Emma: Like I said, There isn’t anything we can do at the moment. The way we enter the building seems to use some level of teleportation or something. And only elves under two moons can use the keys. We can only take one other elf inside at a time.

Ruddy: So that’s why they don’t care if you share info, we can’t go in without just being slaughtered. Does this affect the other races?

Emma: Not directly, but I can imagine other races might take advantage of the situation.

*After reaching the guild Emma splits off to meet with marcus. They've made a base in the Doppelganger nest hidden from the public. A table with a map of the city sits in the middle of the room.*

Emma: What do we know of him?

Marcus: He’s born with orange eyes and his second moon is green it seems.

Emma: Lovely. Where does he live?

*Marcus points at a house on the map near the farm houses.*

Marcus: His family lives here just past the noise barrier and they normally visit family during the day.

Emma: Setup a meeting with just the parents.

*Emma disguises herself to have red eyes, black hair and changes her voice slightly. Emma walks up to the door of a house near the edge of the city, a male elf opens the door. *

Emma: Hi, I was told this was the house of Zariel?

Male elf: *Cautious*Yes, that's correct. May I ask who you are?

Emma: I think it would be better to talk inside.

Male elf: I’m not sure who you.

*Emma uses shadowstep and appears in the house a female elf in the house lets out a gasp. The male elf closes the door behind him.*

Male elf: What has he done?

Emma: I’d rather he not know of me yet. I’m here to explain the situation to you. I’m assuming he and his spirit are a handful.

Female elf: How did you know?

*Emma explains what Zariel is. The mother, Elise and father, Fairis after some time begin to calm down.*

Fairis: So why can’t you meet him yet?

Emma: Because, like him I can see how evil someone is but looking at each other we see something else. I’d rather not explain that to a child yet. I’ll have people watching over him. Even if they’re questionable people, They won’t let him get hurt.

Elise: And if we do say anything to anyone?

Emma: I won’t care. But, I can’t guarantee my bosses won’t come if things go wrong.

*Emma heads out the front door as she leaves they both thank her. Emma meets up with Marcus and informs him of what happened.*

Emma: watch the parents. I want to know if they try anything. Are there any signs of abuse?

Marcus: He has a family member who bullies him but otherwise he’s a very happy child.

Emma: I’ll check on the rest of the family tomorrow night, if any of them are risks, We’ll need to prepare.

*Emma stretches and leaves her disguise*

Emma: I’m going to head back to the guild. Keep in touch.

*As Emma is walking towards the guild she watches a group of kids running though the street, A male elf with orange eyes sees Emma and stares at her for a moment. When we blinks she’s gone.*

Boy: That was weird.

*Emma in stealth around the corner*

Emma thinking: This is going to be difficult if he plays around the guild.

*Hannah appears*

Hannah: Sorry Emma, we thought you’d still be with the parents.

Emma: *Exits stealth.* I’ll just have to change my routes through town. Still, He seems like a good kid.

*Emma walks into the guild and sees Ariella talking to Katrina.*

Katrina: Emma! Get all your shopping done?

*Emma looks over at ariella.*

Emma: Yeah, Couldn't decide on one or the other.

Katrina: Why not get both?

Emma: I’m going to after, I save a bit more.

Katrina: I’ll pay for one if you get the other, I think it would look good.

*Emma looks at Ariella and glares a bit.*

Ariella: She’s also not completely sure she wants to pierce her ears though.

*Emma’s eyes widened.*

Emma: Exactly, I like my ear’s the way they are. Yeah it would be pretty with some green, but I’m not sure yet.

Katrina: Oh yeah, Isn’t it permanent for elves?

Ariella: Yeah and we have to use Moon stones. Using other gems or stones in our ears will become poison.

Emma: That’s why elves that do it go through the church. People try to fake them but when elves wear them they glow to the color of their moon.

Katrina: But then you’d still have just a hole in your ear.

Ariella: That’s why very few elves do it.

*Ruddy walks over to the table and hands Emma a letter.*

Ruddy: The front desk asked me to hand this to you. They said it’s your ‘D’ rank quest.

*Emma opens the letter and quickly read’s it.*

Ariella: Well?

Emma: It's from Keya. She says she wants to meet up in a place called Willowcreek 2 months from now.

Ariella: Maybe for becoming an adult?

Ruddy: Is your birthday coming up?

Emma: yeah. *Thinks* It’s sometime in the second half of the summer.

Ruddy: How do you not know your own birthday?

Ariella: Most elves only celebrate their first and tenth.

Emma: Where even is this place?

Katrina: It’s south east of here there isn’t any established roads to it though. I can show you the way if you don’t mind me joining.

Ruddy: I’m not gonna be in town that around then. I’ve got my annual Mission with the church.

Ariella: And I’m going on the spirit retreat with Celestra.

Emma: I guess it’s Just Katrina and me?

Katrina: I’m excited, I’ve wanted to go on a adventure with you since we met.

*Elizabeth and Kyle walk up.*

Kyle: Katrina, You’re abandoning us?

Katrina: No!

Emma: Do you two want to come?

Elizabeth: Where?

Emma: WillowCreek in two months.

Elizabeth, I’ve heard rumors that place is haunted. I’m out.

Kyle: *Shaking in fear* Well I’ll stay back to help Elizabeth on any quests while you’re gone.

Emma: Haunted how?

Kyle: They say the town planted cursed seeds that killed them and a lich took over their bodies.

Emma: Cursed seeds? That’s the story?

Katrina: I heard there was ghosts, I’ve always wanted to fight one.

Emma: Wait is this place a town or a dungeon?

Elizabeth: There’s a small town the holds a forest that Undead have been known to appear in.

Emma: And here I thought she just wanted to see her sister.