Veiled Trust

Year 19

*Emma meets with Lyra and Marcus in the hidden base.*

Emma: As long as things stay on their current course of action, when he turns ten Robin should be stopping by for Zariel.

Marcus: And if things go wrong?

Lyra: Then prioritize hiding the news he’s a seer over your life.

Emma: You’ll have another scout coming through here 6 months after I leave. Send him to Auburn.

*Lyra heads out of the room.*

Emma: Promise me if anyone shows signs of spirit loss you’ll help them escape.

Marcus: Of course, Thank you Emma. I know the others wanted to be here.

Emma: With Lyra being here it would’ve been too obvious.

*Emma gives Marcus a hug and then catches up to Lyra. They head back to the house and start loading the cart. The landlord walks up to the group he stands out of their way observing them.*

Emma: Hi Walt, We’re almost all packed up.

Ariella: Thanks again for taking some of that furniture off our hands.

Ruddy: Father David, anything you don’t want you can bring to the church for donations.

Walt: I figure the beds will help rent the place out faster. You’re saving me a whole trip to Razormire, delivering those barrels of wine for me.

*The group finishes packing up and hands the keys over to Walt. As they leave town they are met with Katrina’s party and David as well as a bunch of the orphans.*

Katrina: We figured we could be louder out of town.

David: You three be safe now.

Girl: Will we ever meet again?

Ruddy: Of course! I'll be back someday.

Elizabeth: *Hugs Emma* Emma, I still can’t thank you enough from the day you saved me. Don’t stop being you.

*The groups says their farewells and start their journey West. After a few days of traveling they reach the border. The trees make a natural border next to the border town. The trees of Glimmerfell are filled with yellow leaves throughout most of the year; They shimmer like stars when they fall. The group decides to spend the night before heading to Razormire.*

Ruddy: Do you two know where Glimmerfell got its name?

Ariella: I’m assuming the shiny leaves.

*A drunk male dwarf walks over to the groups table.*

Dwarf: That’s the fell part. The glimmer comes from all the bug swarms. What brings two long ears this way, I thought the bugs creeped y’all out.

Emma: *Irritated* We’re starting our Tenfold.

Dwarf: Then what’s the human doing with you?

*Ruddy stands up*

Ruddy: That’s a lot of questions for someone who hasn’t introduced themselves.

Dwarf: Didn’t I? Darrik's the name. *Hick*

* Two male gnomes run over to Darrik. One with red hair and one with gray hair.*

Gray: Sorry about Darrik. You can call me Gus. This is Rex.

Darrik: Why are you apologizin. I ain't said nothin.

Rex: Because you’re an old racist when you drink.

Darrik: Not my fault Elves are fragile.

Emma: Fight me.

Ariella and Ruddy: Emma!

Darrik:*Laughs* Okay, but if I win. *Darrik makes a sexual suggestion towards Emma using his hands.

*Emma raises her hand throwing Darrik outside with a gust of wind where a wall of people starts to form. Emma walks out looking down at Darrik. Lyra runs up from parking the cart.*

Lyra: What’s going on?

Gus: Darrik, just apologize!

Emma: No, he wants proof I’m not fragile.

*Emma takes out her ‘c’ rank card*

Emma: Still wanna talk?

*Darrik stands up and dusts himself off, smiling*

Darrik: ‘c’ rank from elven territory don’t mean shit.

*A second Emma appears behind Darrik and kicks him towards Gus and Rex, He passes through the fake Emma he was talking to a moment ago.Emma’s eyes start to flicker purple then Ariella and Ruddy quickly grab ahold of Emma, holding her back.*

Ruddy: Emma calm down.

Ariella: We just got here please don’t get us kicked out.

*Rex walks over to the group*

Rex: I want to genuinely apologize for Darrik. Please let me buy you a drink.

*Emma begins to calm down.*

Emma: Fine. But Darrik can sit on the floor like the bad dog that he acts like.

*Darrik starts to talk but Gus knocks him out with swift hit to his neck.*

Gus: That shouldn't be a problem.

*The group heads back inside. After getting Darrik up to his room, Gus and Rex join the group for drinks.*

Gus: Sorry again about Darrik. We stepped away right when you must’ve walked in.

Rex: He’s a nice guy. But like most dwarves around these parts, Drinking makes their racist come out.

Ruddy: It’s my fault too. I’ve been in the area before I should’ve warned them.

Gus: Still, Emma was it? That was amazing. Are you really ‘C’ rank?.

Emma: We all are.

Ariella: We all joined early. Emma and I joined together.

Ruddy: I joined around the same time in the Whispering Falls.

Gus: we joined a while back ourselves. We met Darrick in a dungeon. He helped keep us from getting lost.

Rex: That thing about dwarves always knowing where they are underground is scary true.

*Lyra interrupts The conversation.*

Lyra: How long would you say it takes to get to Razormire?

*Gus turns towards Lyra, irritated.*

Gus: That’s at least another seven weeks out from here.

Rex: I don’t mean to pry, but, why does a adventuring party have a maid?

Emma: it’s a long story. But, she mostly helps with the cooking and driving while we travel.

Rex: Well when you get the Razormire look for a gnome by the name of Ash, He’s my cousin. He runs one of the better restaurants in town.

Ruddy: That might be who we’re delivering for.

Rex: Oh is it from Walt? He normally goes personally. I hope he’s okay.

Ariella: He was fine. Old and cranky most days, but healthy. Is he famous or something?

Rex: No *Laughs* My uncle runs the place you’re delivering to. He told me to keep an eye out. I’m glad we met.

—-----------------------------

*Reaching Razormire, The town sits on the edge of a swamp. The group meets with an older looking gnome.*

Emma: You must be Jax?

Jax: Yes and you must be here from Walt.

Ruddy: We would’ve been here yesterday if we didn’t run into those Razor Mites.

Jax: Yeah it’s the time of the year again.

Emma: Oh! We met Rex, he told us to ask about your sons restaurant?

Jax: We can head over there after unloading the cart if you’d like.

*Reaching the restaurant the group finds a spot to sit on the outer deck. A gnome comes up with gray hair.*

Jax: This here is my boy. Ash. These are the ones who delivered the wine this time.

Ash: Well I’m glad you decided to come on by.

Jax: You’re the only restaurant in town with seating for taller folk.*Laughs*

Ruddy: Is that true?

Ash: Currently yes. We had to build a deck since most our buildings are smaller.

Ariella: That’s why we’ve been staying in the cart since we got here.

Jax: That can’t be comfortable.

Lyra: It’s actually really nice. Not as noisy.

Jax:*Laughs* I can’t sleep without the neighbors yelling. As for our meals just bring us five of your dailies and some of the walt wine.

Ash: Just because you're celebrating doesn’t mean you get free food, old man.

Jax: How about free food and we’ll pay for the drinks.

Emma: We can pay for our food if it’s going to be a problem.

Ash: Maybe you can learn something from them. Fine I’ll cover your meals but your babysitting this weekend.

Jax: *Smiles* Of course!

*Ash leaves to go prepare their meals.*

Jax: You didn’t run into any slaver's on your way into town did you?

Emma: Slaver's? are they a problem around here?

Jax: Yeah a group of bandits run by a demon have started kidnapping people and selling them as slaves.

Ruddy: Are they doing anything about it?

Jax: It’s hard, the bandit has members of all races. The guards are afraid of them. We don’t have a guild yet in our town because we’ve never really needed on. We sent help to the City nearby but they never want to help us unless we agree to pay extra taxes on all our deliveries and for protection.

Ariella: Isn’t it worth it to save your people?

Jax: We can’t afford to pay more than they already ask. It’s no secret gnomes are greedy. But paying for protection is a luxury in our country. That’s why bandits have moved in.

Lyra:*Smiles* We can take care of them. We’ll do it for a quarter the asking price.

*Emma looks at lyra.*

Emma telepathy: Excuse me what?

Lyra telepathy: You and me, release the inner you we could clear it, it’ll save people like you want and get me some more strength like i want.

Jax: They have a group of fifteen strong men. No offense but what can you four do?

Ariella:*Whispers to Emma* Can you two actually do it?

Emma: *whispers* Figures you’d know what she meant. Technically yes, but. I’d have to use the seer abilities.

Ariella: You’re going to have to learn to use this power eventually. This might be a good chance.

*Emma sighs.*

Emma: how much would a quarter even be?

Jax: The request would've been 100 gold.

Ariella: 25 gold isn't a bad deal.

Emma: Okay. Okay.

*That night the group sits around the fire Lyra and Emma are dressed in their armor. Both their spirits rest on their shoulders. Lyra’s spirit, Tilly, Is a mole like creature with a snake-like tail.*

Ruddy: This is stupid. You two are going to get killed.

Lyra: You both know how strong Emma is. She’s been holding back massively.

*Emma looks over confused.*

Lyra: Why do you look confused? Our battle you from my point of view appeared behind me faster than I could blink. In that time you cut out my tongue. Only my tongue. While I was talking.

*Ruddy and Ariella look at Emma.*

Ariella: Is that true Emma?

Ruddy: You said you had to fight you never told us how you won.

Emma: Because I don’t want to lose control!

*Emma tries to hold back tears.*

Emma: I’m terrified I’ll turn into Lyra.

Lyra: Hey!

Emma: I don’t want to think about killing as my first response. I feel like I have to hold onto myself tightly the entire time or I’ll be lost.

*Ariella hugs Emma.*

Ariella: I trust you.

*Emma Nods and the two run off into the woods. Reaching the location the bandits have setup the two watch for a chance to strike.*

Lyra: You won’t lose yourself.

Emma:What?

Lyra: Keep a level head and you’ll feel more in control.

Emma: But it’s still a life.

Lyra: And? If not theirs how many others?

*Lyra jumps down from her tree and walks towards the front gate a beastkin and human guard the door.*

Human: Looks like they’re offering us slaves now boss!

*The humans head rolls and Lyra slashes the beastkin's stomach disemboweling him. A horn blows and a group of four elven archers prepare to shoot arrows at Lyra, Emma looks down from above.*

Lily: If we don’t go she’s gonna get caught or killed! We have to do something.

*Emma closes her eyes and sees the figure before her. It’s hand already outstretched. It says nothing. Emma hesitates. Lyra gets hit be a dwarf with mace sending her flying back. Emma opens her eyes, seeing the dark souls of the slavers her eyes change to purple. A Large black demon walks out with a large club.*

Demon: Can none of you idiots take out one little elf?!

*Lily and Tilly hunt down the archers. Emma hops down on top a very large Beastkin, her short swords pierce his neck, as he collapses Emma jumps off and lands in front of the Demon and dusts herself off then looks towards the Demon. Emma jumps towards the Demon He swings forward, pushing Emma back.*

Demon: Come here you pretty little thing.

Emma: Stop talking.

*Lyra shudders.*

Demon: You know. With eyes like those I’ll make a decent amount off selling you.

*Emma appears behind the Demon only to barely dodge his club.*

Demon: Or maybe I’ll keep you for myself.

*Emma lets go of her blades they drop for a moment before they start to hover. She starts spinning them faster and faster until you can hear the hum of the blades cutting through the air. Emma swipes up and the blade zips past the demon. Behind him his separated tail drops to the ground.*

Demon: Don’t get cocky just because you cut off my tail..

*The Demon appears before Emma his punch sends her outside the gate. As he walks towards Emma, She stands up.*

Demon: Obsidrax! That’s my name. Figured you should know who's gonna own you.

*Obsidrax swings behind him barely blocking Emma’s blades. Emma looks at his pure black soul. She pulls two of her knives and throws them at Obsidrax, Adding them to her other floating swords. her eyes glow a deeper purple.*

Emma thinking: This is wrong.

*Emma’s eyes flicker Obsidrax sees the opening and strikes Emma slamming her into the ground. She gets back up her eyes back to a solid purple. Emma Raises her hand and starts shooting balls of water at Obsidrax, as they hit the ground they freeze immediately. Lyra strikes down another bandit then looks at Emma’s Vessel it’s fluids sit calmly just under the second level of the vessel. Emma catches the swords from their rotation and jumps at Obsidrax while continuing her barrage of water. Obsidrax rages causing a fiery explosion to evaporate Emma’s water and melt the throwing daggers. Emma looks at the powered up Obsidrax.*

Obsidrax: They told me this would be an easy job!

*Obsidrax’s body has become more menacing as Emma strikes at him her blades are reflected by the strengthened scales. He grabs Emma by he head.*

Obsidrax: Your puny little knives won’t be able to cut me anymore.

*As he starts to squeeze Emma’s eyes start to flicker, she swipes up cleaving his hand. She jumps back and he regenerates his hand.*

Obsidrax: I’m surprised you managed that. But I’ve been working on my demon powers since birth.

Emma: My instructor was stronger.

*Obsidrax’s smirk fades and his face becomes serious.*

Obsidrax: I’ve made up my mind. I want to kill you after all.

*Obsidrax slams the ground, A pillar is created sending Emma in the air, he jumps after her and swings down sending Emma toward the ground. Emma Pulls out a rope she uses it like a whip to grab Obsidrax's leg and pulls him towards her. As he gets close to her she dodges his club then uses it to jump higher above him. Obsidrax looks up at Emma, The green moon sends it’s rays through the clouds is visible behind her. Emma strikes down on Obsidrax piercing his chest. As they both hit the ground Lily Runs over to Emma and helps her up,. After a moment Lyra and Tilly run over.*

Lyra: Fuck yes! I feel so much better!

Emma: Speak for yourself.

*Emma hops up using Lily as support. She drinks a potion and they head inside where they find a group of female gnomes in cages. Upon releasing them they discovered they had already sent out a group of slaves a few days before. They girls sneak back into camp Ariella wakes up and rolls over to look at Emma.*

Ariella:*smiles* Your back.

Emma:*Sniffs* Have you been drinking?

Ruddy: She was worried about you, but wouldn’t admit it.

Ariella: Of course I was worried. My best friend was out fighting and I couldn’t help.*Hick*

Lyra: Dieing wasn’t an option.

Emma: Says you. You ran in swords swinging.

Ariella: You can’t tell me right now. *Hick* I’ll forgee.

*Ariella falls back asleep. Emma tucks her in and sits by a fire Lyra made. Ruddy comes out to sit with the two.*

Ruddy: How are you?

Emma: I’m fine.

Lyra: So only took down two guys.

Ruddy: But it’s taken care of right?

Emma: She’s intentionally leaving out the part about one being the boss. Honestly wasn’t sure a couple of times.

Ruddy: Take as much time as you need.

Emma: That’s just it. I feel fine. I understand that if I didn’t do what I did today.

Ruddy: They would’ve just hurt even more people.

Lyra: Exactly. Yes we’re meant to kill the evil of the world. But, that’s so we can live in a nicer one.

Emma: But, aren’t we just being that evil.

*Lyra stays silent.*