Veiled Trust

Year 2

*In a field in a clearing surrounded by dense forest you can see bridges going from tree to tree

In the sky you can see the morning sun and the green moon of spring in the sky.

There's a small building in the center on a hill for shade or celebration

You can see Emma chasing Bubba around the building and a young male elf, about Keya’s age, is talking with Keya.

Male elf: I thought you said she was two?

Keya: She is, but she got mad at Bubba for running away so she learned to get up and chase him.

Male elf: *laughs* what?!

—------------------

*flashback to Emma repeatedly setting down Lily then attempting to chase Bubba falling over multiple times.*

Keya: Yeah she would get up and fall at first but after the first month she started to ‘move’.

—------------------------

Male elf:*laughs*

*Emma looks over at Keya she then focuses so it shows Keya and the boy elf's soullights*

Emma(Thinking): I think these lights are how good someone is. for every good deed it gets lighter and every evil deed no matter how small makes it darker. Bubba though, he shares Dad’s light color. *Emma plays with Bubba’s face*

Emma(Thinking): I don’t know how dark the colors can go.

*Emma climbs up on Bubba and rides him back to Sister*

Keya: Elwin and uncle need to get going soon so we should head back, Emma.

Elwin: Do you wanna race Emma?

*Emma shakes her head*

Emma: No, I'm tired now. Bubba cheated going up hill *she makes a pouting face*

Elwin:*Laughs* okay well maybe after lunch we can race to the gates

Keya: Not everything has to be a race *serious look*

*Emma agrees with Keya*

Elwin: *irritated* wait I was just trying to…!!

*Emma and Keya Laugh*

Emma: *Idea* First one to finish lunch wins!

Keya: Emma! Not you too!

Elwin: Deal!

—-----------------------------------

*Inside the house in the main room Dad and Uncle Rydel are looking over a pot while Mom and aunt Nala talk. Emma is getting her hair brushed by Nala and Keya by Mom. Elwin is studying in a book at the table set for six and a high chair for Emma since they didn’t have space at the table.

Goren: So when did you learn to cook Rydel?

Rydel: When Nala was Pregnant with Elwin I had to learn how to so she would sit down. But this is a recipe I learned from a dwarf I met on the way here..

Emma(Thinking): I heard Uncle say it was Super spicy but only if you eat it fast. He said it right after Elwin ran outside.*evil grin, lets out a slight laugh.*

Nala: What’s got you giggling little lady?

Emma(Thinking): oops!

Emma: Bubba. He’s silly

*Bubba looks over at Emma twisting his head in confusion and then grumbles

Emma(Thinking): I gotta be careful I can’t let them tell him.

Mom: Yeah, well he is your dad’s spirit *smiles*

Nala: We all miss her Sarah, but she saved you and that’s what matters.

Emma(Thinking): from what I understand Mom lost her spirit because it protected her back when she was younger.

—----------------------------------------

When an Elf is born a drop of blood is used to plant and grow a Totem Tree. It reaches maturity after. About three weeks before their fist birthday the Tree grows two flowers, it looks like two eyes from afar. After one week one flower dies off slower and the other bears fruit. The pit of the fruit is washed under moonwater collected from a new moon, an event when only one of the four moons is visible. Leaving behind a totem. The color of the flowers determine what moon you have to collect the water under.

Those under the green moon have higher agility.

Those under the Orange moon are stronger.

Those under the blue moon are more intelligent.

And Those under the purple moon are a mix of the three. It’s possible to surpass one of the other moons with proper training but they’ll likely become lesser in the other traits.

The Totem on their tenth birthday will become a spirit, a type of familiar like creature.

A spirit can take the form of an accessory when dormant or resting but most treat them like family/pets, And as long as an elf has their spirit they can get stronger. Meaning if their spirit dies they can no longer get any stronger. Which is when most elves tend to settle down.

Although spirits don’t age but can be killed, by other spirits/spirit weapons or through losing the trust of their elven partner.

Spirits can use energy to take the shape of a weapon depending on the moon they originate from making a ‘Spirit Weapon’

Green: Bow or small weapon

Orange: Medium to large weapons

Blue: Small to medium

Purple: Any

Emma’s flowers were green with purple pollen, an abnormal trait but not unheard of.

During a full moon only one moon is visible that night. but during the night of the water collection the Purple moon was hidden from view behind the green moon.

An eclipse that has never been seen before.

—-----------------------------------------

*Everyone's sitting at the table

*Elwin starts eating his food quickly*

Rydel: Now remember to eat it…Elwin!

*Before Rydel can tell Elwin to eat slowly he’s already had half the bowl before the spices kick in*

Elwin: Hot!!!! *Elwin’s face turns so red his face looks like molten Lava.*

*everyone laughs*

Emma: You win *sticks out tongue*

*Keya, now understanding what Emma did, Laughs*

—------------------------------------------

*The next morning Emma and Elwin can be seen running to the gates. They're a natural formation of roots surrounding the town; at the entrances the roots go underground making an opening.*

Emma: Cheater!

Elwin: How did I cheat?

Keya: I told you he’d win Emma.*exhausted.*

Emma: When I get bigger I’m gonna be faster than you.* glares at Elwin.*

Goren: Well then you better start practicing.

Rydel: Yeah we should be finished moving right when school starts.

Elwin: Yeah! Then you’ll never catch me. *hands on hip laughs.*

Nala: If Emma needs a place to go to school when she’s of age she can come stay with us. *Nala kneels down and pokes at Emma’s nose.*

Sarah: If that’s what Emma wants and we can afford it, maybe.

Emma: YAY!*cheers*

—---------------------------------------------------------------

*Back at home Emma is in her and Keya’s room with Goren and Sarah sit by the dying fire talking*

Goren: So… I heard back from Clifton yesterday… *poking the red hot coals*

Sarah: *In a slightly panicked tone.* And?

Goren: He believes it’s the markings of the purple moon and even heard rumors of a purple moon being visible that night in other places in the forest.

Sarah: But we saw the moon water! it only glows when it charges! and only in its color. It was as green as the grass in the field.

Goren: He said he found traces of purple residue in the jar the night after he left here. When I asked him why he didn’t say anything? He told me “ it was late and he thought it was the light playing tricks on him.”

All we can do is watch and see what happens.

Sarah: Well she seems to learn things quickly but that doesn’t explain the egg and we never found out anything about it…

And ever since Keya tried to sneak Lily to us to look at it, she won’t let anyone see it. Totems don’t become eggs, they just become spirits!

*In the room with Keya and Emma*

Emma: Lily? *Lily begins to glow*

Keya: What do you mean Lily?* Keya turns to see Lily glowing.*

*shocked* UUUHHH!!! MOOOOM DAAAAD!!! GET IN HERE!!!

Sarah and Goren: WHAT!!?

Goren: What’s going on in here!

*They both cover their eyes.*

*After the light dies down Emma is holding a creature, it has Beautiful shimmering purple eyes, the Tail of a fox, the head of a bear, a small slender cat like body and green shimmering scales running along its back while the rest of the body is covered in a thick soft fur.

*Lily Purrs*

Emma: Lily!*she squeezes Lily tightly, Lily in turn lets out a playful chirping sound like bubba and licks at Emma's face.

*Everyone else in disbelief.*

Sarah: *turns around*I’m gonna go make dinner…

Emma Thinking: Lily is so adorable!!!*She starts petting Lily in between face licks.*

Goren: *In shock* amazing you got your spirit *sits down in disbelief rubbing face.*

Well I guess I’ll see tomorrow about finding someone to help train her.

*Goren scratches his head* Maybe Clifton knows of someone.

Someone who will stay quiet until we at least understand what’s happening.

Keya: What about Aunt Nala? She's gonna be a teacher and she offered for Emma to come there when she’s older.

Sarah: She’s going to be busy with her own classes, she wouldn’t be able to teach Emma as well.

Goren: I mean we could ask Isabelle. Yeah she’ll call us stupid for not calling her sooner, but she'll keep quiet.

Keya: Auntie Belle!

Sarah: It’ll be best if I write her *glares at Goren.*

Goren: *Claps* Thank you, I owe you one.

*Sarah rolls her eyes and walks out of the room.*

Sarah: *With a snarky tone* Yeah you do I’m excited for dinner ‘Gore.’

Goren: *laughs nervously* of course!

Emma: Gore?

Keya: It’s dad’s nickname from before mom and dad got married.

Emma(Thinking): What kind of things did he do to get called Gore? *pictures Dad covered in blood running through a field.*

*shivers* ew.

Keya: *laughs* Lily is so adorable*Keya pets Lily’s head. She then walks over to her bed, she then grabs her totem and sits down.*

Maybe if I name you you’ll wake up early like Lily.

*inspecting her totem intently thinking of a name.*

*Lily hops out of Emma's lap and slowly creeps, stalking prey, towards Keya.*

Keya: Hmmmm *gasp* oh I’ll call you Lazarus!

Emma: Lily?

*Lily quickly snatches Lazarus and darting out of the room.*

Keya: Hey! Lily!

Both run into the main room after Lily.

Goren: What’s going on this time? *dodging Keya Emma and Lily underfoot.*

*Bubba lifts his head, watches the events happening and then lays his head down and lets out a Big sigh.*

*up on top of the cupboard Lily begins Licking Lazarus.*

Keya:*Panicked* What are you doing to him! Stop! *Cries*

Sarah: *walks out of her room bedroom* What’s going on? Why are we yelling at Lily?

*Lily Picks up by the scruff of a newborn spirit jumping down and placing it before Keya before running back to Emma.*

Keya: Lazarus?

*Lazarus lets out a soft mew.*

Keya: *Hugs Lazarus* Lazarus!!

Emma and Keya play with their new spirits Keya uses a blade on grass as a toy with Lazarus*

Goren: …… I mean at least Keya’s spirit is only a few months early…*nervously happy.*

Sarah: So I’ll put her down for two?

Goren: How are you still calm?!

Sarah: Because It’s Lily. So far everything that had to do with Lily is too far above me to care about.

*Sarah pushes Goren towards the kids.* You’re the one with a spirit this is your area of expertise now!

Goren: Wait what. You know more about spirits than I do!

*Sarah closes the door swiftly.*

Goren: *looks at bubba.*Maybe she meant you bubba?

*Bubba Chirps*

Goren: Yeah figures you’d take her side… *sigh*

*Emma Petting Bubba.*

Emma(Thinking): So Lily awoke Keya's' totem?

*Emma looks Bubba into his eyes.*

Emma: Do you understand all this?

*Bubba lets out a big sigh.*

Sarah: *Sarah walks back out of room with a book and over to keya.*

I want you to have this. It was meant to be part of your birthday but with Lazarus being here early it felt appropriate. And until Isabelle gets here you can help teach Emma.

*Keya looks at the cover of the book it’s been clearly read through countless times. Tabs from notes stick out from almost every page.*

Sarah: It was my first book about spirits. It was handed to me by my mom who got it from her mom. All the notes in purple are from me and the notes in blue are from your grandma and her mom.

*Sarah starts to tear up* If you ever need anything that you can’t find in that book ask me or Isabelle.

*Sarah wipes her eyes and smiles* Never force your spirit into any task or form. They’re going to be your best friend and the one thing you can trust over anything or anyone else.

*Tears begin to form in Emma’s eyes*

Emma(Thinking): huh? Why am I crying?

*Emma looks down at Lily*

*Lily looks up, smiles and chirps. She then stands up, wiping away the tears. Then Emma hears a voice in her head.*

Lily (To Emma): What's wrong?

*shocked expression.*

Emma(To Lily[TL]): Who said that? Was it you Lily, can you talk?

Lily: Only to you, momma.

* Emma hugs Lily tightly.*

Emma (TL): thank you Lily.

Lily: Oh um of course.. Uh momma I can’t breathe.

*Emma quickly releases Lily.*

Emma (TL): Sorry, sorry!

Keya: And until Emma can read I can help teach her stuff until Auntie gets here.

Sarah: As long as you're not actually teaching her how to do something, that will wait until you have a teacher.

—---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

-Three months later-

*Emma, Keya and Sarah are all walking home when Sarah notices someone standing at the door.*

Sarah: Keya, behave.

Keya: I am Mom, why do you… *She spots the person in the door, an elf, she has a sword and shield, the shield armor made of green scales and an amulet of a bird-like creature.*

AUNTIE BELLE!!!

Isabelle: Heya Keya! Mom says your spirit woke up early.

Keya: Yeah, Lazarus! He’s so cute. He’s really adorable when he plays with Emma’s…

Sarah: Emma! *she interrupts* she gets along so well with both spirits Bubba and Lazarus *nervous chuckle* She's got a gift or something.

Emma: Momma who’s that? *pulling on Sarah's hand while pointing at Isabelle.*

Sarah: She is…

*Goren walks into the yard saying goodbye to Clifton.

Goren: Hey, sorry Clif… *nervous* Oh hi Isabelle. So glad to see you made it. *nervous chuckle*

Isabelle: Yeah Sarah said you need an instructor for Keya and I’ve been wanting to take some time off from guard duty. You know, now that no one is leaving to suddenly start a family…

Goren: I mean when you put it that way I don’t quite sound like the bad guy.

Isabelle: … YOU WAITED UNTIL THE DAY I WAS PROMOTED!

Sarah: Anyway! Keya needs an instructor. Isabelle wants a place to stay away from work for a bit so she’s agreed to help in exchange for lodging.

Isabelle: *Picks up Emma* And to answer your question, I’m an old friend of your moms.

*They continue to talk in front of the house sitting by the tree in the corner.*

Goren: Well I’m sure your hungry tonight where having *Goren opens the door to Lily hanging off a shelf being chased by Lazarus. Then quickly slamming the door.*

You know what, I think Emma should go in and prepare her “surprise” for Auntie Belle.

Sarah: Huh? What Surprise?

Goren: *Panicked*You know the one that started the whole reason you asked Isabelle to visit..

.

.

Sarah: Oh…

OH! Okay Emma lets get your surprise ready.

Emma: * Being pulled into the house*But I don’t have one Momma.

Goren: Keya! Why don’t you tell Isabelle about Lazarus while we wait.

*inside*

Emma: Lily! *Lily halts holding onto a small ball, a toy, dropping it as it bounces across the floor.*

*picks up Lily and heads to the front door.*

Sarah: Um no. To your room and don’t come out until we call you.

Emma: Huh? But Momma I thought.

Sarah: Yes! But not yet we need to make sure she’s ready since Lily is such a BIG surprise.

Emma:*smiles* Okay momma! Come on bubba!

*Grumble* *Bubba walks behind Lily using his tail to close the door after making eye contact with Sarah and then shaking his head in disappointment.*

Sarah: …I don’t need it from you too Bubba…

*opens front door* ANYWAY! Who’s hungry?

—---------------------------------------------------------------

*In the bedroom*

Emma (TL): Wanna explain yourself?

Lily: Do I have to?

Emma (TL): Only if I get into trouble. Dad will ask me later anyway.

Emma Thinking: Soon after Lily hatched I learned I could speak to Bubba and Lazarus. Although Lazarus isn’t able to form full words yet.

Lily: Lazarus wanted the toy so I was trying to find somewhere he couldn’t reach me.

Emma (TL): Not about head level at least until mom and dad say it’s okay.

Sarah: Emma, come here please!

—------------------------------------------------------------------

*Emma walks out carrying Lily. Lily wraps her tail around Emma’s waist.*

Isabelle: *stunned* THIS IS WHAT YOU SHOULD HAVE LEAD WITH! *irritated* Seriously, who knows what could happen. some one could take as a blessing or … *Isabelle continues to go into great detail all the many ways things could have gone wrong for what seems like an hour all while Sarah starts dinner.*

Emma: So Lily’s not in trouble?

Isabelle: *sighs* no*rubs Emma's head* But are you excited to learn about spirits?

Emma: Yeah! *cheers*

Isabelle: Now Lily, come here.

*Isabelle inspects Lily*

*Lily lets out an shy chirp*

Isabelle: *looking at Goren* Well she’s definitely a cross between two spirits, you said the purple moon did this?

Goren: That’s what we think, yeah.

Isabelle: *stands up* okay starting after dinner we’ll start practice on spirit accessories and and spirit communication

Emma Thinking: Wait, isn't spirit communication normal? Is that why mom and dad always laughed when I said Lily told me so?

Emma:*smiles* So can I talk to Lily and talk her with me?

Isabelle: Yeah this way it’s easier for her to hide for now.

—--------------------------------------------------

*After dinner the table is moved to the side of the room giving more space.*

Isabelle: Okay! Come forth Shrieker!

*A bright flashes from Isabelle’s amulet*

*A bird-like creature appears and lets out a screech.

Isabelle: This is Shrieker, she's my Spirit.

Keya: Wow!

Emma (To Shrieker): pretty!

Shrieker: Huh?

Emma Thinking: Oops! I almost slipped up. I’m so used to bubba… wait why didn’t bubba seem surprised.

*Bubba has a “ If they don’t ask, I won’t tell kind of policy.”*

Emma: Pretty.

*Shrieker walks over to Emma and lowers his head to be pet.*

Isabelle: … WHAT! Shrieker doesn’t like anybody! He still pecks every guy I try to date!

Sarah: That’s our Emma…

Goren: Yeah you get used to it… That and Lily.

*Both sigh*

Keya: Lily is why Lazarus hatched early though.

.

.

.

Isabelle: Huh? WHAT DO YOU MEAN LILY DID IT?!

*Goren goes on to explain how Lazarus and all the other things that have happened with Emma and Lily.*

Isabelle: *Long sigh*Okay that aside. First, to have your spirit change form you need to tell them what to become. But through thought. Try thinking of having a conversation with your spirit. You need to give them a voice. Maybe think of a similar voice and then make it higher or lower depending on how they look. They can only talk as clearly as you picture them.

If you picture them with a baby voice who can barely speak then that’s all you’ll hear.

If they like the voice you’ve chosen they’ll respond.

Emma (TL): I guess we’ll just have a stare down until after Sissy gets it?

Lily: Probably for the best

Keya: *focusing on Lazarus* *gasp* I heard you!

*looks at Isabelle* He said hello!*smiles*

Isabelle: I’m a little disappointed They way you all talked I thought for sure Emma would be talking first.

Shrieker: She did.

Isabelle: *nods* oh oh okay.

.

.

WAIT WHAT?!*shocked*

Shrieker: She called me pretty right after I arrived. *blushes*

Isabelle: SO do I!!!

*Everyone laughs, even though they can’t hear the conversation it’s obvious what is said.*

Emma Thinking: note to self don’t trust the bird! *shocked*

*After another conversation about Emma.*

Isabelle: Okay so she can talk to any spirit? Is there anything else?

*Emma thinks about the shaded hearts but decides everyone has had enough shock for one day*.

Isabelle: On to access… she doesn’t secretly know how to do this, does she? *unamused*

Emma: Nope, But I wanna take Lily outside.

Isabelle: Then the first step is deciding on an item, teaching them what the item is and how it’s made. So maybe start with something simple like a hair tie or a bracelet.

*Emma and Lily agreed to wait at least three days after Keya learned how to do it to avoid further questions. Keya spent all day trying to explain to Lazarus that String was not food.*

Keya: STOP EATING THE STRING!

*Everyone laughs while watching Keya and Lazarus playing Tug 'o war.*