Veiled Trust

Year 7

*Emma and Lily are reading a book in Isabelle’s office*

Emma (TL): It says you can’t force a spirit away from their Partner or The Spirit is transported back. Does that mean if you got hit away from me as a weapon you could will yourself back to me?

Lily: It would make sense. It would be a type of ‘force’

Emma: Hey Auntie can you teach me how to throw a knife?

Isabelle: Not today Emma. The Princess should be back from their trip tomorrow though.

Emma: Hey Auntie? Can I go to the bathroom?

Isabelle: Sure, just hurry back.

*Emma exits the room and starts to sneak away.*

Faelar: Hey Emma, where are we going?

Emma: bathroom *smiles*

Faelar: *smiles* oh? Let me walk you there, don't want you getting lost.

Emma Thinking: I can't argue with him, he's already caught me going the wrong way.

Emma: Thank you.

Faelar: Well after the kitchen mishap, the Captain made it clear to not let you out of our sight.

Emma Thinking: That explains why she let me go so easily.

*Emma spots Valorin walking ahead*

Emma: Valorin!

Valorin: Yes Emma?

Emma: Can you teach me to throw a knife?

*Valorin looks at Faelar*

Valorin: I’m busy at the moment, meet me at your aunt’s office in an hour.

Emma: Okay!

*Emma Skips back towards Isabelle’s office.*

Faelar: *Irritated* Miss Emma. The restroom is this way.

*Emma pauses then slowly turns around and walks to the restroom.*

*Back in the office*

*knock**knock**knock*

Isabelle: Yes?

Valorin: Emma called for me.

Emma: Valorin! He’s gonna teach me to throw a knife. Can I go auntie? I promise I’ll listen.

Isabelle: The courtyard is clear today, just stay where one of us or Faelar can see you.

Emma: Yay!

*Emma follows Valorin out to the courtyard*

Valorin: *grabs a knife off his belt* Step one. *at the flick of his wrist the knife flies 20 meters and into one of the bullseyes.* It's not about strength, but control. Hold it firmly, but not too tight. Your wrist should be loose, ready to snap forward.

*Valorin walks Emma 10 meters from the target*

Valorin: Start from here. And follow my motions.

*Valorin hands the knife to Emma*

Valorin: Focus on the target, visualize the knife's path.

* Valorin grabs another knife and begins slowly waving it in his hand.*

Valorin: and when you’re ready. *He flicks his wrist and the knife hits the Bullseye again.*

*Emma takes a deep breath and grabs the knife.*

Valorin: don’t overthink it.

*Emma throws the knife, it goes behind her. Faelar holds starts Laughing.*

Emma: I’d like to see you do better!

Faelar: So placing it in front of myself?

*Valorin Laughs*

Emma: What’s that Faelar!? You think Isabelle acts like an ogre and she’s too bossy!?

Faelar: what? Oh no..

Isabelle: FAELAR!!

*Faelar runs inside the office.*

Isabelle: Faelar I have a Job for you, come here.

*The door closes and you can hear yelling*

Valorin: Has he ever really said that?

Emma: Not the Bossy part.

Valorin:*Laughs* I have a new level of respect for you Emma. You’ve definitely earned your Illusion magic.

*Emma smiles and runs to go pick up the knife throwing it again this time it at least hitting the target this time*

Emma: I did it!

Valorin: good now work on it until you can hit the middle.

Emma: okay.

Valorin: It has to stick. So hurry up even if it takes you all night *he sits down off to the side*

Emma: All night?

Valorin: Yeah you wanted my lesson, you don’t get to quit till you’re done. Don’t worry I’ll explain it to your Aunt.

Emma: Okay..

Valorin: Is that how you talk to your instructor?

Emma: … No Instructor Valorin!

*The next day Emma is asleep on Isabelle’s office couch when Ariella Bursts through the door.*

Ariella: Emma!

Emma: Ahhh! Oh *rubs eyes* Hi Ariella.

Ariella: You look really tired. Are you ready for Lessons with Valorin?

*Emma remembers throwing the knife until it went dark.*

Emma: I haven’t recovered yet. *Eyes Wide*

Ariella: Isabelle, is she broken?

Isabelle: *Laughs* No Valorin decided to go full instructor with her yesterday. She didn’t get home until right as everyone was laying down. Luckily Keya was asleep or I might have been too tired to come in myself *Yawns*

Ariella: That means she’s able to study with me?! *Drags Emma out of the room* Even more of a reason to go!

Emma: Save me Aunt Isa..

*Isabelle stands and Salutes Emma*

Isabelle: We thank you for you contribution you will be missed *Smiles*

Emma: Noooooooo!

*on the fifth floor training area*

Valorin: Princess Good to see you’ve made it back safely.

Ariella: Of course! Good to see you too, Instructor Valorin.

Emma Thinking: Good it seems like it was a One time thing.

Valorin: Good to see you got some Sleep Emma.

Emma: ack. Yes, Instructor Valorin!

Valorin: Good. Emma Those three Targets. Are yours *Hands a belt of knives* Hit each Bullseye.

Emma: Yes Instructor Valorin!

*Emma runs off to start practicing and Valorin turns to Ariella, who is smiling.*

Valorin: I’ll take that smile as a challenge.

Ariella: No I was just h..

Valorin: start your routine, But Double The amount.

Ariella: That’s ten miles!

Valorin: Triple!

Ariella: … Yes Instructor Valorin!

*By Lunch Emma finishes finishes he task and ariella manages to finish her laps.*

Valorin: Lunch time Ladies be back in five!*Leaves*

Emma: What happened to Thirty minutes?

Ariella: He only allows thirty minutes to those who finish their routine.

Emma: But I didn’t have a routine to do.

Ariella: He probably means for both of us to finish.

Emma: Maybe.

*After Lunch Ariella gets started on the rest of her routine.*

Valorin: Emma since you’re learning so quickly. This time I want the whole belt and every failure, you will restart.

Emma: Yes Instructor Valorin!

Emma Thinking: Goodbye sleep it was nice.

Emma(TL): Hey Lily I need some help throwing knives.

*Lily in Isabelle’s office hiding while looking at the book*

Lily: Can you use magic to make it look like it hit it?

Emma (TL): maybe. What spells are there?

*Emma starts Sightshareing with Lily and run across the spell Telekinesis.*

Lily: It sounds like it’s easier to learn barrier magic first.

Emma (TL): I can’t learn two spells if I want to have enough Magic to not get caught.

*Emma Misses her third knife and begins collecting them*

Emma (TL): Turn to the barrier magic.

Lily: It says To start picture A wall at the tip of your fingers, The stronger you can picture it the stronger it can be.

Emma (TL): Now back.

Lily: To Telekinesis? Okay.

Emma(TL): So picture A bubble extended from your hand. If I can do it right as I throw it.

*Emma throws the knife and hits the bullseye perfectly*

Emma: Woah.

*Valorin appears behind Emma*

Valorin: I don’t know whether to call you out for cheating or be impressed. I can train you on the barri….

Emma: I can’t do Barrier magic.

Valorin: Wait, but didn’t you cast Telekinesis?

Emma: Yeah it was easier to learn this way.

*Valorin’s Jaw drops. Ariella comes over to see the commotion.*

Valorin: You skipped an entry level magic for Intermediate?!

Emma: Yeah, I wouldn’t have the magic to learn both.

Valorin: Learn? Like now?!

Emma: Yeah I read about both but Telekinesis used too much Magic to also learn Barrier before hand.

Ariella: Emma, Most people our age struggle with barrier magic.

Emma: I just pictured a bubble around my entire body, then I extended my arm with the knife.

Valorin: Today, just finish your knife training. you’ll start barrier magic tomorrow. We’ll check for magic levels in the morning.

Emma Thinking: Uh oh!

*At home Everyone is sitting down for dinner*

Emma: Valorin wants to check my magic level tomorrow.

Goren: *Spits drink* What why?

Isabelle: Relax, the one they’ll use doesn’t check color. Just numbers. It’s more practical for constant use.

Keya: Wait, is Emma getting trained by him now?! We have tomorrow off, so can I come meet him at least.

Goren: Why do you have tomorrow off?

Keya: Our teacher is sick. We should have a substitute found by tomorrow night, they said so we got tomorrow off.

Isabelle: I got the okay for her to come visit today as well so it should be fine.

Goren: Good you can keep Emma from revealing herself.

Goren: Sorry Emma I asked you a question then we all talked over you. Go ahead.

Emma: Because I cast Telekinesis when throwing a knife to hit the target.

*Everyone is too stunned to talk*

Emma: Then I told him I didn’t know barrier magic because learning two spells was too much magic.

Goren: Emma!

Emma: What?

Goren: I just, I love you sweetie but please try walking before you run.*Laughs*

Isabelle: What was his reaction?

*Emma makes Valorin's face*

Keya and Isabelle: And I missed it?!

Isabelle: How did you memorize that spell enough to learn it like that?

Emma: Uhhhh…*mumble* Sightshareing, Lily was in your office reading. I made sure no one could know. She hid behind your couch to avoid people walking in.

Isabelle: Goren What Kind of super elf did you make?

Goren: It has to come from her mother.

*Everyone laughs*

*The next morning Isabelle, Emma and Keya are in Isabelle’s office*

Emma: Auntie I told Ariella I’d meet her on the training floor when I got her can we go?

Isabelle: Keya don’t faint and keep your eyes of trouble 1 and 2 over there *Points at Emma and Lily*

Keya: Will do *Smiles* Come on Emma lead the way! You can’t be late!

*The start heading towards the training floor*

Emma: You just wanna meet Valorin.

Keya: shut up!

*Reaching the 5th floor Ariella has already started her usual routine, Emma and Keya enter the courtyard.*

Valorin: Emma!

Emma: *Stands upright* Yes Instructor?!

Valorin: And who's this?

Keya: Keya SilvaShade. Emma’s Older sister.

Valorin: I don’t have time for a third.

Keya: No you’ve got it wrong. Although I wish that wasn’t the case. I’m just here visiting. I've always wanted to meet you.

Valorin: Well, you've met me. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have things to do. Emma Come over here let’s get your level read.

*Valorin heads to a table with an orb*

Keya: Ouch.

*Keya and Emma follow and sit at the Table*

Valorin: Keya you can sit here while they train. Emma.

*Valorin gestures towards the orb for Emma, she places her hand on the orb. And it shows the number 33*

Valorin: 33!

Keya: Can I try?

Valorin: *Shakes head* Go ahead.

*82*

Valorin: Wait, you two?! How often do you two train?

*Keya and Emma look at each other*

Both: Whenever we can.

Keya: where we grew up, everyone practices from birth.

*Ariella finishes her laps and comes over*

Ariella: Is that why Emma is so good at it? *looks at Keya* Hello I don’t think we’ve met. I’m Princess Ariella.

Keya: I’m Keya SilvaShade. Emma’s more responsible sister.

Emma: And I’m the smart one.

Keya: Hey!

Emma: You’re my only sister of course you’re the more responsible one!

Keya: WE… Fair.

*All three girls laugh*

Keya: Okay well I’m gonna study. Emma, behave.

Emma: Yes Sis!

Valorin: Today’s training is going to be against each other. Emma you’re going to work on Barrier’s only Princess you’re on the offensive.

Ariella: But I’ve been training for longer.

*Valorin hands Ariella an eyepatch.*

Emma: how do I cast a barrier?

Valorin: push your magic in front of you like a shield.

Emma Thinking: That’s not going to help.

Emma (TL): Lily can you help with spells again?.

Lily: I think so.

*Lily looks around the room and goes to the book she was looking at yesterday on the bookshelf.*

Lily Thinking: Maybe Auntie will help.

*Lily hops on Isabelle’s desk*

Isabelle: *Jumps* Lily. You can’t be out right now.

*Lily Chirps*

Isabelle: Emma?

*Lily nods*

Isabelle: *sighs* okay whatcha need from me.

*Lily hops over to the shelf and paws at the book.*

Isabelle: If this is for cheating you’re both in trouble.

*Isabelle places The book in the bottom drawer of her desk and Lily hops in.*

Isabelle: There I won’t close it but you’ll be safer here.

*Back to Emma Ariella has been doing practice swings with a wooden pole until Emma could cast a barrier*

Emma: Ready!

Valorin: When either of you reach your limit They’re done training until lunch. Understood!?

Emma and Ariella: Yes Instructor!

*Ariella charges Emma. Right when Ariella gets close to Emma She creates a barrier blocking Ariella. Ariella strikes again blow after blow. Emma’s Barrier starts to crack and Ariella backs off*

Ariella: Can you keep going Emma?

Emma: Give me a minute.

Valorin: Emma, work on holding the barrier for longer. The more you use it the more efficient you’ll become. Ariella, Good job keeping an eye on her barrier strength, but you need to work on your foot work. For no Emma go back to your knife training until lunch Ariella lets burn that energy. You and me, let’s see if you can get a hit in. Oh and Emma, No cheating.

Emma: Yes Instructor!

Keya To herself: She didn’t even argue when she didn't get a break for losing the duel.

*After lunch Ariella and Emma attempt another duel. It became Emma’s routine to beat her previous record every duel until she could hold it for 3 minutes total*

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

*7 months later.*

*Emma, Ariella and Valorin are walking along a road.*

Valorin: Emma. What are the risks of fighting Goblins?

Emma: You must be aware of your surroundings and not get surrounded.

Valorin: Pass. Ariella. How many Goblins minimum?

Ariella: most group have at least five

Valorin: Why?

Ariella: two in front two in back and a scout.

Valorin: Pass.

*The group stops at the edge on the forest*

Valorin: I’m not here to help you unless your life is at risk. You have 2 hours to find, hunt and kill at least 4 goblins. If you get the Scout you win a surprise.

Emma: Oh?

Ariella: We got this Emma!

Emma: Yeah!

*Valorin smacks them both upside the head*

Valorin: Not if you alert the whole forest.

Both: Yes Instructor. *Both rub their heads*

*The group wanders the forest until they spot a scout in the distance.*

*Ariella Gestures for Emma to wait, after a moment two goblins with swords walk by then two with bows. Ariella gestures to move out. Emma activates her stealth and sneaks up behind one of the goblins while Ariella prepares an arrow. Emma waits for the arrow to shoot then attacks the other goblin. They quickly and quietly begin to move up on the next two goblins taking them out in quick succession again. With the scout the only one left, Emma gets a head of them and exits stealth, causing the goblin to run towards Ariella who strikes it down with her sword as it runs by.*

Valorin: All five. I’m impressed.

*Both girls smile*

Valorin: Who can tell me why you both almost got killed?

Ariella: I broke a branch right before my first shot…

Emma: My stealth almost broke when I was walking near the scout and I bumped a bush. So I cast Silence on it.

Valorin: Exact… Good job but still. Work on being more aware of your surroundings.

*The group begins heading back out of the forest*

Valorin: Now as for your prize The queen gave us the go ahead to go get some cake.

Both: Cake?! Yay!

Emma: I haven’t had cake since Keya’s 10th birthday.

Ariella: What?! We have to fix that. Starting tomorrow I’m bringing Cake for lunch for you. *Smiles*

Emma: That sounds like too much cake…

Valorin: Nonsense. Those words don’t belong in a sentence together.

Emma: I didn’t know you were such a fan of cake Instructor.

Ariella: That's how I bribed him to be my instructor. That’s where he goes for lunch everyday. He has cake.

Emma: And I’m the weird one?!

Valorin: No that would be Ariella and her innate power to drag people into things they normally wouldn’t agree too.

Emma: *nods nods* very true.

Ariella: I’m just friendly and assertive.

*The group laughs.*

*at a popular little café the group sits down to order. The waitress places a slice of cake in front of Valorin.*

Waitress: Here’s your usual Val. And what about for the two girls.

Emma and Ariella: We’ll have the same as him.

*The waitress brings over two more pieces*

Waitress: enjoy. *smiles and walks away*

Emma thinking: I want to call him Val but I know I’ll be doing triple drills for a month.

Emma: So Valorin...

*Valorin glares at Emma*

Emma: Valorin, how often do you come here so they know your order?

Ariella: I bought him one of every kind.

Valorin: Despite what people think picking cake is an art. The richness, the sweetness. How fluffy it is or how dense it is. No two cakes are the same and everyone has their own likes and dislikes. my personal favorite is made by a gnome northwest of here. Choco-Fudge by Pillwin Pastries.

*Emma takes a bite of her cake.*

Emma: This is delicious!

Valorin: Right! It looks so soft and fluffy on the outside but when you look on the inside it’s color and density are beautiful.

Emma: And it’s rich but not two rich. The sweetness just comes and lingers like it infuses into the tongue.

Ariella: … I just like cake *Smiles*

Emma: instead of getting cake daily for lunch can we just come here once a week?

Valorin: I come here every day anyway.

Ariella: I don’t know if I could.

Emma: It helps me practice my magic as well.

Ariella: I feel like I'm talking to myself here.

Emma: Deal *Smiles.*

*Keya and two Elven twin sisters walk in they both have Blonde hair one has purple eyes one has green. Emma spots her sitting down across the way.*

Emma: I see my sister, I'm gonna go surprise her.

*Keya looks up and spots Valorin*

Keya: Look look! He does come here regularly.

*Emma jump attacks Keya*

Emma: Heya Sissy!

*Keya turns and swings at the unexpected voice, stopping right before hitting her.*

Keya: What are you doing here?

Girl 1: Is this the famous Emma?

Girl 2: Is it true you taught yourself Telekinesis?

Emma: Keya, you told me not to tell anyone.

Keya: they're not just anyone, they're Tams and Chris. *Hugs* we’re gonna start a party after school this year. So today we’re celebrating.

Emma: At the same place that Valorin rumors to go daily?

Keya: it was more out of interest if he actually came here.

Emma: But you’ve met before.

Chris and Tams: Wait, you met Valiant Valorin!?

Keya: yes and he was definitely not what I was expecting.

Tams: really?

Emma: he’s bossy and mean and…

*Valorin appears behind Emma*

Valorin: *Eye twitches with anger* Keep going I’m sure I can get you running drills all week until you pass out.

Chris and tams: *Squeal*

Emma: And a cake genius!

Valorin: *scoffs* That’s because there isn’t a cake I haven’t tried.

Emma Thinking: At least I can use cake to get out of trouble *Smiles*

*Chris and Tams start bombarding Valorin with questions about cake.

Emma: Are you really going to start adventuring soon?

Keya: Yeah I’ve been talking to Dad about it for a bit now. I had to promise for the first few quests we wouldn’t do any hunting quests.

Emma: why?

Keya: Because, “ Every monster should be studied before encountering even slimes.” according to him.

Emma: That makes sense.

Emma Thinking: I’ll avoid telling her about today so she doesn’t become reckless.

Emma: I’ve learned about goblins, slimes, kobold and.

Ariella: carnivorous plants.

Emma: Yeah those thingies.

Keya: Well maybe you can help me study before bed sometime.

Emma: That sounds like fun!

*The groups eventually go their separate ways. Both Chris and Tams carry a paper list full of cakes to try. Keya joins the group to walk Emma home after they drop off the princess.*