Veiled Trust

Year 5

*Mid day in a forest you can hear the cart rolling up on a small house, you can see smoke from the chimney and the sound of someone chopping wood comes from the back. The chopping stops. A short dwarf with short red hair. while a thick red twin braided beard with one of the braids white with age, wearing just a Kilt his chest a covered in scars walks around from the back of the house.*

Hakhir: *smiles* Good to see you haven’t gotten yourself killed in all these years.

Isabelle: I could say the same thing to you “Old man.”*Both laugh*

Hakhir: Is that any way to talk to your teacher?

Isabelle: Everyone. I’d like you to meet my teacher. Hakhir Flameaxe

Emma: *walks up to Hakhir* Can I touch your beard?

Hakhir: *Laughs* At least you asked. Bell just grabbed it when first we met.

Isabelle: Is that why you’re always so cranky?

Hakhir: I wouldn’t be cranky if some elf didn’t cry every night.

Isabelle: I WAS A CHILD!

*Isabelle Goren and Hakhir head inside all laughing*

Sarah: * places hand on Keya’s head.* I’m surprised you were the shy one.

Keya: *Pouting* I wasn't shy!

Sarah: *Pats Keya's head and laughs* It’s fine either way. There is no problem with being cautious when you first meet someone.

Emma: *Pulls on Sarah’s dress* Momma, how long will we be here?

Sarah: Just tonight. The last part of the trip has more monster activity so we need to look into more people for safety.

Keya: But I said I’d help guard.

Sarah: *Smiles* I know. *squats down* but if Isabelle is thinking it’s too much just for her don’t you think we should listen to her?

Keya: **Discouraged* yeah…

Emma: *Hugs Keya* you can protect me.

Sarah: Exactly! you can be Emma’s guard, but we need more guards for the adults. Hakhir won’t share anything about Lily so we can still train.

So while they talk let’s practice Spirit Control.

Keya: *Okay. *smiles* But what is Spirit control?

Sarah: It’s like sightshareing but it allows you to control your spirit. The difference is you have to synchronize with your spirit. For now I want you to sit down, have Lazarus and Lily sit in your laps and close your eyes and focus on all the senses. Pet them. Touch the grass. share your senses.* gestures Bubba to come over* I won’t be able to do it like you two but Bubba will help me show you what it should look like.

*The girls all sit down, one hand petting their spirits, Sarah pets Bubba. Quietly listening to the wind, the sweet songs of the birds. The smell of the pine needles in the air, A small creek, the buzzing of bugs in the forest, Goren's footsteps can be heard coming from the house towards the cart.*

Goren: *Grabbing food supplies from the cart* Why don’t we get some lunch going? Hakhir invited us to come around back to cook. And the girls can practice while we cook.

Sarah: That sounds like a great idea.

*Around the back of the house there's a covered cooking area dugout in the ground and a bench surrounding it as well as some old logs sat up like Stools sat around. Hakhir and Isabelle are arguing playfully.*

Goren: *Points at two logs by the house* Why don’t you two sit over there and practice.*

Keya: *But they’re so loud.

Sarah: That just means you don’t have to focus on the quieter things. You’ll also want to learn to use it around noises eventually.

Emma: *squeezing Lily tightly, nervously watching Hakhir*

Lily: *looks up* Momma what’s wrong?

Emma: I know Momma said it’s okay but I’m still scared.

*As Emma’s grip loosens she wraps around Emma’s neck climbing up to her head then curling up and laying down.*

Lily: Well what does his Light show?

*Emma focuses on his soul light. She then quickly calms down before running over and giving Hakhir a hug.*

Emma:You shouldn’t fight.

Hakhir: *looks down at Emma and Lily* Well I can’t argue with those faces.

Isabelle: *smiles* It’s not fighting. It’s just how he and I learned to talk to one another.

Hakhir: Exactly. It’s less fighting and more of teaching her why she’s wrong. *smiles*

Isabelle: Yeah. *nods* WAIT A MINUTE! *everyone else laughs* Now listen here you Jumbo sized Lawn gnome!

Hakhir: *scoffs* that’s rich coming from a buffed up forest ranger!

*looks down at Emma* Now go on.

*Emma climbs back up top of the log and sits down crossing her legs. Lily climbs into her lap*

Emma (TL): His light it’s all white.

Lily: That explains the hug I guess?

Emma (TL): I felt bad for not trusting him

*Emma begins to focus on all the sounds again and Lily's closes her eyes.*

Lily: couldn’t you tell me what to do?

Emma (TL): Yes, but apparently this is faster, because we don’t have to wait on the word’s.

Lily: Can I help at all?

Emma: Oh?! *Emma hops down running to Sarah* Momma! Can Lily help me focus?

Sarah: *Thinks* You know I’ve heard an old trick where one's spirit would help by saying what they feel and hear. Maybe that’ll work.

Emma: *nods nods* Thank you Momma *She runs back to her seat*

Lily: So I just need to tell you what I hear and feel?

Emma (TL): Maybe, we can try it at least.

Emma and Lily both start focusing. After a moment of arguing from Hakhir and Isabelle, Goren interrupts them.

Goren: ANYway. Hakhir, Isabelle used to tell us about you all the time.

Hakhir: *Looks at Isabelle* All complaints I assume?

Sarah: *Smiles* No actually. She’ll never admit it but she really did miss you.

Isabelle: *Bashfully, she looks at Hakhir* Actually I was wondering if you’d be willing to join us to AuroraGlen? *Looks at Sarah* we need to visit an old friend of ours.

Hakhir: *Smirks* and you can’t get them there?

Isabelle: I’m also training Keya since we share moons. I also help teach Emma and Keya about spirits.

Hakhir: I won’t pry as to why we’re being so secretive.*glances at Sarah*

But the earlier you tell those two the earlier they can heal.

Isabelle: It was my idea to wait until we got there. So Emma could be older and understand. She’s smart but we don’t know how she’d handle it.

Sarah: Keya knows something is wrong and she’s figured it out along the way.

Hakhir: Well bell. You know my policies. You wouldn’t have come this way unless you changed your mind.

Isabelle: *Looks at Goren and Sarah* I think it’s time you tell her*

You’ve gotten weaker. If something goes wrong now what’re you gonna do?

Goren: You’re right. *Tears up* Emma’s five now and she’s much more advanced mentally than other children, even for Elven standards.

Sarah: I’ll talk to her after dinner in the cart.

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

After dinner Sarah picks up Emma heading to the cart to grab blankets

Sarah: Emma.

*Emma turns to see her mom sitting down next to her in the cart, tears in her eyes*

Emma: What’s wrong Momma?

Sarah: Come here I have something important to tell you.

*Sarah picks up Emma placing her on her lap*

Sarah: Do you know why we are on this trip or who we are visiting?

Emma: You said it was your friend.

Sarah: That’s entirely right. *sniffs* Her name was Grace. She was Momma’s spirit. See Momma was born under the purple moon so her spirit had what’s known as Spirit Scales. The more scales they gain the stronger they become.

*Sarah describes Grace as having a foxlike face and tail with a feline body and having black fur. Shimmering purple scales covered most of her body. Her Eye’s purple as the Purple new moon sky.*

Sarah: Momma used to study Spirits before she began adventuring with your father and the others. You remember when Momma told you about her favorite Spirit bow? The Wings of Harmony… They only appeared to those of pure nature. Those who have earned the trust of all spirits…If you ever force your spirit to do any task against their will you’re deemed unworthy. The arrows it fires can’t hurt anyone.

*tears falling from Sarah's face and she looks up eyes closed.*

Sarah: During our last adventure we were chasing What is called a Devil. I knew a normal arrow wasn’t enough. Grace begged me not too but he was the one who took away my mother and father from me. Before I knew it I had forced her to fire an arrow of pure hate. Hate I thought I had gotten rid of. So as punishment for my sins Grace passed away…When an Elf loses their spirit they can suffer from what’s called Spirit Loss. It can go away but it always comes back worse every time. We thought I wasn’t going to make it this last time, but.. *She caresses Emma’s cheek both of them crying* Somehow I’ve been given enough time to say goodbye.

Emma: Momma? No

NO! NOT MOMMA!

I DON’T WANT MOMMA TO GO AWAY!

It’s not fair…

*The two hold onto each other crying. As the sunsets.*

*The next morning Emma is silent not out of anger but shock.*

Lily: Do you wanna talk yet?

Emma (TL): I’m not sure where to start. Momma told me last night, the reason for this trip is a final farewell. Because she’s dying.

Lily: WHAT?!

Emma (TL): She’s been slowly dying since she lost her spirit from something called Spirit loss?

Lily: But that only happens if they wronged a Spirit before its death.

Emma (TL): what?

Lily: Spirit loss is a punishment for if a spirit is forced against its will before their death. She’d..

Emma (TL): *interrupts* She did… But I don’t think it was as evil as it sounds…

Lily: What does that mean?

Emma (TL): *Emma sighs and then tells Lily everything she was told* She did a bad thing… but no one can be perfect. Flaws are what make us perfect.

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

*The next two weeks go by quickly, Emma spends Them attached to Sarah. As the cart wraps around the cliffs below you can see a canyon, the River down below is calm but the drop is enough to end any one. Keya, Isabelle follow the cart while Hakhir steers with Goren sitting in front as an extra pair of eyes. Emma and Sarah inside the cart Learning about spirits.*

Emma: Momma? Can I learn your magic?

Sarah: No only… Wait actually… we can try but if you can you are not. I repeat, not allowed, to let anyone know. Except everyone here of course.

Emma: *nods nods* Of course Momma. *smiles*

Sarah: You know magic is separated by moons. Well, The adults believe that it’s because you’re a special unheard of two m…

*The cart stops. Goren and Keya hop into the cart.

Goren: *whispers* stay down, keep quiet.

*After a moment the sounds of kobolds can be heard. In the midst of all the fighting one appears at the back of the cart. As the furry humanoid looking creature starts looking around until It sees the fear in Emma’s eyes.

Keya: *Smacks the kobold with her hammer.* Leave her ALONE!

Emma: *holding on to Sarah tightly* Momma, is it safe?

*The sounds of the battle die off*

Isabelle: ALL CLEAR!

Hakhir: Damn things. We’ll have to report that when we get to town.

Goren: How many got away?

Isabelle: only two but who knows if there's more or not.

*As the group reaches AuroraGlen they walk through the gates, The front of the town is an open field where families of elves have set up camp.*

Guard: Don’t get many dwarves around here

Hakhir: *Gestures towards Isabelle* I helped raise that one.

Guard: *looking at Isabelle* you look familiar… *salutes* Captain Isabelle! What brings you this far north?

Isabelle: Calm down. I’m just here to visit and support my friends. *looks at the group* we won’t be staying in an inn, don’t worry about any special treatment. We’re just here for the week.

Guard: *Extends arm towards an empty part of the field* Since we aren’t as busy you’re free to choose a location just make sure before you finish unpacking, you let us know what plot you’re in.

Hakhir: special treatment or not, where's the best place to get a drink around here?

Guard: The ‘Aurora Borealis’ would be your best choice. You can also get most of your supplies from the market they run out front.

Goren: Why don’t you all head that way? I’ll find us a spot and then meet you there.

Emma: Can I go with you Daddy?

Goren: Of course! You can even help pick the spot.

Emma: Yay!

*Emma and Goren take the cart into the nearby stables. Goren grabs the tent and hands Emma a hammer.*

Goren: want to know why everyone sleeps outside the town?

Emma: Yeah.

Goren: You remember the Skylights? Well they happen here every night. The only people who live in town are the guards and the permanent residents, which only amount to maybe half the population here most nights. This Town is called the Spirit Graveyard. You see that big building over there?

*Goren points at a building visible from the other side of the wall. It has three smaller peaks holding an orange, blue and green moon like glowing stone. Another fourth peak of the building is topped with a purple one.*

Goren: That’s the house of the spirits. When a spirit dies an elf can go there and see them in a magic mirror to the afterlife. If your spirit wants to see their Partner they’ll appear in the mirror and they can talk.

*The two decide on a spot where they can see both the lights and the house. They set up one of the tents and head back to the others.*

*They happen to run into Keya and Sarah outside the Tavern getting supplies from the market.*

Emma: Dad said we get to see Skylights every night here!

Keya: What?! Really?!

Sarah: *Laughs* yes Actually. They say The skylights here are the connections between all three planes, Afterlife, spirit and ours. And tomorrow we get to go visit the house of spirits.

Keya: What’s that?

Emma: *Proudly points* It’s that big building over there.

Keya: It’s so pretty. *Looks at Emma* Can we see it from where we are sleeping?

Goren: Yes She made sure. She said *Goren does an Impression of Emma“ Sissy and Mommy will wanna see it.”

Sarah: Please don’t ever say Sissy like that again *disturbed but smiling* I love you but that’s a bit much

*Everyone laughs and the finish getting supplies Goren heads into the Tavern and The girls head to the camp.*

*As they start to reach the camp the Skylights start to become visible, lighting up the area.*

Keya: how are we gonna sleep like this? It’s so bright.

*Sarah pulls out some headbands from her bag*

Sarah: With these. You put them on, over your eyes when you sleep to help block out the light.

Emma: What if I don’t want to wear it?

Sarah: Well no one is going to force you but if you can’t sleep because it’s bright you don’t get to go play.

Emma thinking: There go my plans.

Emma: I’ll wear it momma.

*Sarah helps fit them on both Keya and Emma before setting up the tent and sitting down by the fire Goren made, her eyes widened as she thinks about Tomorrow.*

Goren: I see that look on your face. Stop it. You’re going to be fine, you’ll see her.

Sarah: She didn’t want to even talk to me last time.

Goren: But she appeared. She could’ve outright refused, she also never told you to never come back.

Sarah: Then she’ll be mad. I never came back then.

*A drunk Hakhir and solo singing Isabelle arrive*

Hakhir: I apologize for the little one, she's a bit more lightweight than I remembered.

*Hakhir helps Isabelle to her ten and gets her to bed*

Goren: *scoffs* She really is a giant baby when she drinks.

Sarah: *fake smile* yeah.

Goren: What can I do to help you understand my perspective?

Sarah: Just promise me the girls won’t look at me like I’m a monster if she rejects me.

Goren: That won’t happen. If it’s too much we can have Isabelle watch over them.

Sarah: No. No, I want them there. *Smiles* because if things work out, I want The girls to meet her.

Goren: And if she doesn’t I’ll go through the mirror and pull her out myself.

Sarah: *Laughs* I love you.

*The next morning the family heads to the house of the spirits, the entire building’s entryway is adorned with different statues of elves and spirits.*

Emma: Momma, who are they?

Sarah: They are the first Elves and spirits to ever coexist.

Emma: where are they now?

Goren: Well the first two are Sylvar Crayarus and Ratha Petzana the other two are their spirits Aurora and glen.

Their Love for spirits drove them to create The mirrors we use today to talk to Spirits we’ve lost. For those spirits who didn’t get the chance to say a proper goodbye.

*A female elf with glasses comes to greet the four.*

Kelly: Hey Sarah, is this everyone?

Sarah: Yes.

Kelly: Here is your hourglass and your room is the third one on the right.

*After everyone enters the room Sarah places the hourglass on a platform by the door. The room is big enough for a small party. They have two benches in the middle of the room and on the other side of the room is a mirror with a beam of sunlight hitting. Sarah walks up to the mirror and lets out a deep breath.*

Sarah: *Tears start to form* Grace are you there… I’m sorry I haven’t come back… I understand if you’re still mad…

*Emma grabs Sarah's hand*

Emma: Can I see Grace Momma?

*The mirror begins to glow and after a moment a spirit appears on the other side. Beautiful purple scales cover the feline hips, over the fox-like head the scales look like armor. And the dark flowing fox tail. She opens her Eyes staring right at the two.*

Emma: Your eyes are like Lily’s!

Grace: *a soothing calming voice*Who’s a Lily?

*Sarah bursts into tears from hearing Grace’s voice after so long*

Sarah: I’m Sorry Grace! I’m so sorry!

Emma: *Looks at Sarah* Grace. Do you hate Momma?

Grace: No.

Sarah: what?

Grace: I was never mad at you… I was ashamed of myself for not being able to keep you safe. When I didn’t come back all this time I started to fear it was too late.

Sarah: It was as much my responsibility to protect you as it was for you to protect me. I shouldn’t have forced you.

*Sarah and Grace go back and forth for a while eventually giving in and then begin telling stories of what has happened since they last met.*

Sarah: You’ve already met the youngest Emma, you know Goren and this is our oldest Keya.

Goren: Hiya Gracie. *Smiles*

Grace: I’m so glad you ended up together. *Looks at Keya and Emma* Both of you are very fortunate to have her as your mother.

By the way, I'm assuming Lily is Keya’s spirit?

Keya: No, She is Emma’s. Lazarus is my spirit.

Grace: Well Let me see them.

Sarah: Grace has the ability to see how compatible an elf and their spirit are.

*Lily, Lazarus and Bubba are now all in there Spirit forms*

Grace: Keya you and Lazarus are gonna grow up to but head but nothing will break your bond.

Emma, I don’t know if I’ve ever seen something so pure.

Sarah: And she can communicate with all spirits it seems.

Keya: Wait, why can I hear Grace too?

Sarah: The mirror amplifies the conversation so that we can hear the spirit on our side.

*Grace stares and Emma and Lily*

Grace: Are.. Are those scales? I thought you said she was from the green moon?

Sarah, do you know what that means?

Sarah: Not much, but we’ve heard things here and there.

Grace: *puts paw to forehead* SARAH SHE’S SPIRIT TOUCHED!

Everyone: Spirit touched?

Grace: it’s a legend in the spirit plane. “A group of Double moon spirits will Fall upon the earth, They and their partners decide who will be worthy of Trust.” I can’t remember all of it. Whatever you do. Don’t let anyone know about that. Some see the legend as the end of coexisting with spirits others see it as a new beginning.

*Everyone looks at Emma and Lily.*

Emma: Is that what the soullight is?

Grace: Soullight?

Emma: I call it that because it feels like I’m looking at their soul. Momma’s became brighter everyday since I met her.

Sarah: What do you mean “met” me?

Emma: Uhm.. I don’t know. It just came out.

Emma: Am I in trouble again?

Goren: Only if you’re hiding anything else from us.

Emma: Um. I was able to sight share almost my first try?

Sarah: You develop quickly, that doesn’t surprise at all.

Emma: Then That’s all I think. Is this Spirit touched bad?

Grace: if you were someone else's child maybe but I trust Sarah's raised you correctly. I think for elves they call them “Veil Seers”. There might not be many who know of it, but Who knows how they’ll perceive it. So be careful doing research.

*Goren, Sarah and Grace spend the next few hours talking, Eventually saying their goodbyes.*

Sarah: I know you can already guess, but I don’t know if I’ll be visiting you next time or if we’ll finally get to be together again in the afterlife.

Grace: I can see it in your eyes, Love. No amount of time is going to stop me from understanding you. We had a bad fight, sure one of us died, but we gotta learn somehow! Until then enjoy this while it lasts and get home safe. Take care of her Goren or I’ll haunt your ass.

*The next morning as the group is heading out of town and Sarah looks back and for the first time since Grace, she felt she could smile without holding back and she begins to cry as the town slowly fades out of view.*