Veiled Trust

Year 9

*The spring flowers cover the Capitol canopy causing a faint stained glass effect on the city. On the fifth floor. Both girls hold a bow fully nocked, Therion Walks around them quizzing them while they hold the bow in position only releasing when they answer correctly. Alternating who answers*

Therion: Princess Ariella, When fighting flying type monsters where should you aim?

Ariella: At their wings.

*Therion nods then turns towards Emma. Ariella relaxes, taking a breath before her next turn.*

Therion: What is synchronizing and why is it important?

Emma: The connection between individual elves and spirits. The more in sync the two the stronger they can both become.

*Therion nods. Emma and Ariella switch stances.*

Ariella: At least let me catch my breath.

Therion: Pay attention. Name three different types of monsters that can be seen working together in the forests around the Capital and how they do so.

Ariella: Goblins use Zyrmin as mounts or guard animals and orc’s use goblins as foot soldiers.

Therion: Correct, final question. Why should you avoid a barrier in a dungeon filled with mass insects?

*as the two hold the bows, their arms already trying to buckle, you can hear the wood creaking from the constant stress. After what feels like an eternity Ariella believes she remembers the answer.*

Both: The light from the barrier can attract more than most parties can handle at once.

Therion: *Claps* Correct. Okay that’s it for today, I have a meeting with the queen. Make sure you have everything for tomorrow.

*Therion heads off and both Ariella and Emma let out a breath of relief*

Emma: I always think it’s because they can crawl through them.

Ariella: No, that's slimes.

Emma: Yeah that’s why I paused. I knew I was wrong.

Ariella: I’m excited for tomorrow though.

Emma: It’s Squox right?

Ariella: Yeah. They’re only hostile when provoked.

Emma: But, they’re great for spirit training.

Ariella: They’re so cute, I almost don’t want to hunt them.

Emma: They’re also poisonous so we can’t even eat them.

Ariella: WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO EAT THEM?!

Emma: Hm? Why not? we eat other animals? I like to think it would be spicy. mmmmm…

Ariella: I sometimes forget how you get when you’re hungry…

Emma: *Holds up an antidote* But I heard if you cook it with an antidote, it removes the poison.

Ariella: Emma..*stares then chops her head softly.* No.

Emma: I’ll try it myself and if I get sick..

Ariella: I leave you to be the goblins new play thing?

Emma: So mean!

Ariella: Last time we tried your food creation we got delayed coming home because we started hallucinating.

*Flashback to Emma adding mushrooms and some purple meat to a frying pan. Therion finds them both wandering the forest at dusk. The girls are brought to Seraphina’s office where Goren and Isabelle are also at.*

Emma: yeah I’d rather avoid that… But! This comes from Gorim.

Ariella: I’m not getting scolded again. My Mom thought I was getting into drugs.

Emma: Yeah but she laughed afterwards.*Smiles* Tell you what, I'll wait until we get home.

Ariella: You’re not my problem at that point, so do whatever you want. *Smiles*

*The next day Therion and the girls are carrying camping supplies heading out of the city.*

Emma: I’m so excited, Lily and I have a couple new hunting ideas.

Therion: Emma, you can only hunt Blue Squox.

Emma: What? Why?

Ariella: Because Green elves are born hunters.

Emma: Fair. But do we even know if there are any in the area?

Therion: That’s why this trip we’ll be gone for a month, Emma will be expected to search locations up to two days away.

Ariella: Meaning she’s going to have to be on her own and can’t cook her weird concoctions.

Emma: One time!

Therion: In her defense, even the queen didn’t know that was how they made Fairy treats, we thought they used sugar.

Ariella: Most people can’t say they accidentally made drugs still!

Emma: *Laughs* Never said I was proud of it.

*They reach a field, a couple of Squox can be seen playing in the distance as the group set up camp and collect supplies. Therion grades them on how well they prepare for the night: collecting water, catching or foraging for safe food and making a fire. Therion begins making Dinner while going over the plan for the next month.*

Therion: Ariella, starting tomorrow you and Celestra will practice hunting together until you can catch a Squox couple. Emma, Like I said, find and hunt a Blue Squox you’ll need to be able to send Lily away to help you search while being able to contact her. And just to remind you both. I’m just playing the role of doctor, there shouldn’t be any monsters in the immediate area. That said Emma You need to keep an eye out for goblins as well. Don’t engage monsters on your own, if there is a large group we’ll head back to town and report it.

Ariella: Doesn’t that mean we'll have to cancel the trip though?

Therion: Yes, but Emma and Lily have stealth now. They can sneak around without being caught if they need to. They’ll double as a scout for danger.*Laughs*

*Emma Gets down on one knee.*

Emma: I’ll protect you princess even with my life.

Ariella: Thank you brave Knight, You will be missed.

Emma: Wait, missed? I didn’t say I was going to die for sure.

*Ariella and Therion laugh*

*Emma watches a couple of goblins attempting to capture a Zyrmin while she is stealthed*

Emma thinking: It’s been two weeks and I’ve only found some fur on my way back one day so I know there is one in the northeast quarter.

Lily: I found another nest, this one matches the requirements.

Emma(TL): how many exits have you found?

Lily: at least eight, but that’s not going to be the problem.

*Lily looks upon a large tree filled with twenty Squox*

Lily: It might be a kingdom.

*Kingdom referring to a monster nest that has a king and queen. With it comes an extra level of intelligence.*

Emma(TL): I’m on my way just let me know if you spot a blue one.

*Emma and Lily watch the tree for the next day until at the top of the canopy.*

Lily:Spotted!

Emma(TL): That’s all the confirmation I need. Ready whenever you are.

Lily hops down from the tree and stands before the tree. After a moment three Squox stand in front of the tree while the others stand at different branches ready to ambush when the fight starts.*

Lily: Just like they said they won’t start a fight.

*Emma uses stealth to get to one of the back exits, She then begins to cast creature water. After a moment the ground around the tree begins to shake. BOOM! Water shoots out of all the exits catching all the Squox except the three watching Lily. Before they can escape Emma changes the temperature causing the water to freeze instantly, leaving behind a beautiful Ice sculpture one the top covered in ice is three blue Squox: king, queen, child. Five of the Squox above were able to break free of the ice and run towards Lily.*

Emma: Nope!

*She fire’s an arrow into one of them causing it to slam in another. It and another Squox turn their attention to Emma, right as they jump at her, a large object flies past, taking out the Squox closest to her. An elf with one green eye and one purple eye, slightly taller than Emma, appears, next to him, a large bear-like spirit. He points at the other Squox surrounding Lily. In an instant the fight is over. Emma draws her sword and Lily appears at Emma’s side.*

Male elf: Relax, you're safe. I’m like you. Names Robin.

Emma: What do you mean? Like me.

Robin: You know purple and green. I get being careful, but I’m just here to introduce myself and show you to the others.

Emma(TL): I don't know why but I have the feeling, we can’t beat him, what do we do?

Robin: Well you could come with me. I can be quite persuasive.

*Robin forms a ball of fire above his hand threateningly.*

Emma: If I go with you what happens?

Robin: That’s not for me to decide. But if you behave you might be allowed to keep playing house with the princess.*Smiles*

Emma: Let me grab my Squox first. If I’m coming back I’ll need them.

Robin: Okay well hurry up, we have until sunset to get there.

*Robin leads The two some old ruins in the middle of them a stairway leading down. As they go through Emma spots at least five other elves before being taken to an office. Emma and Lily Enter alone, across from them is an adult Female Elf with blue eyes and orange hair.*

Female Elf: Emma SilvaShade. You can call me Archon, I’m glad Robin managed to bring you in.

Emma: What do you want?

Archon: At the moment? Nothing. We have eyes on the rest of your generation. I know you’ll tell them anyway, but as you can tell. It’s not six elves. It’s six eclipses.. You are the second generation. We arrived to lead. You arrived to be our scouts.

Emma: What’s stopping me from bringing anyone here?

Archon: You wouldn’t want them to end up visiting your mother already would you?

*Emma freezes in fear*

Archon: Take this and head out.*Archon tosses a bracelet* Once you leave the area the only way to enter is during the day only you and one other elf can enter the ruins if you wear that.

*Emma grabs the bracelet and heads out*

Robin: I think she likes you. So. Need help getting back?

Emma: You’re probably gonna stalk me anyway.

Robin: Mean, True, but still mean.

*Robin Leads Emma to where they met, Leaving her and Lily as the sun sets. The next morning Emma and Lily head back to Ariella and Therion.*

*Therion spots Emma.*

Therion: Any luck? You’ve been gone longer than expected.

*Emma pulls out the three blue Squox.*

Therion: You found a royal family? You’ll have to tell me how you managed that when Ariella gets back.

Emma: You two can stay but tomorrow I need to go back and see queen Seraphina.

Therion:What?! Why?

Emma: I don’t want to say anything until I’ve talked to her, I’ll just say I was confronted by someone.

*Emma looks at the bracelet.*

Therion: Okay, I’ll call her back a little early today.

*therion sends his spirit, a wolf-like creature with a beaver-like tail, off to go get Ariella. After a bit the three come out of the forest.*

Ariella: What’s up? Ash said you have to leave early.

Emma: I’ll tell you when you get home. Tonight I just want to sleep.

*She quickly heads bed, in the morning she heads to the Capitol and she tells the queen in private what happened.*

Seraphina: We thought the timer started when you were born. Well we know they still have four generations. The problem is they probably know what we’re saying now.

Emma: I have one request for your majesty.

Seraphina: of course. Anything if it can give us a better chance.

Emma: I’d like Ariella and I to be allowed to go on adventures when I actually turn ten. She’s a better shot than me and I need to get stronger if I want to be able to protect those I care about.

Seraphina: It’s funny you mention that. Come in!

*Valorin, Isabelle and Goren walk in.*

Valorin: We had talked about me joining you two when you were both of age. We agreed as a group that you very well might be the key to our survival.

Isabelle: It was actually his idea surprisingly. Your dad Talked about you getting more training and Valorin said if you can defeat a Troll he would join you both when you got old enough to adventure.

*Goren kneels down to talk to Emma and hugs her.*

Goren: I always had a feeling this day would come. With how fast you learn everything. I know I can’t ask you to stay in the Capital like your sister, but before you leave home let us say a proper goodbye.

*Goren begins to tear up.*

Goren: Your mother would be so proud of the Women you’re becoming.

*Emma begins to cry and holds on to Goren.*

Emma: Of course!

—----------------

*three months later. After dark near a cave entrance.*

* Emma looks up at a Troll, its skin made of stone, you can hear the rumbling of its joints when they move. Lily becomes a set of dual blades. Ariella ready’s her bow and Celestra stands by her. Ariella fires an arrow with a flasher attached to it right before hitting the troll; the flash temporarily blinds it, causing it to stumble back and kneel down. Emma runs behind and attempts to attack it from behind but the troll swings back, throwing her into a tree.*

Ariella: Celestra, heal her!

*Ariella fires another arrow hitting the troll's left foot. The arrow freezes the troll's foot to the ground. As Celetra starts healing Emma, Lily transforms. Lily Darts to the troll wraps around its right arm, The troll attempts to remove her as she tightens her grip. Lily adjusts herself then bites down on the shoulder of the troll, The troll screams in pain. Between the grip and her bites The troll's arm drops to the ground severed and crushed. Lily backs up to Emma, Emma hops on her back.*

Emma(To Lily and Celestra): Get me to the opening before it has time to heal.

*Everyone nods in agreement Ariella starts firing arrows made of ice, the break on the troll but distract it from Emma. Emma hops off Lily as they get closer to the troll and uses stealth and illusion to appear to be on her still. The troll spots Lily and breaks free from the ice and begins swinging and stomping at Lily. Emma casts a water bubble on the troll and one of Ariella’s arrows freezes it. Emma quickly drives one of her knives into the wound Lily left, with the twist of the knife she casts a fireball inside the troll's body, liquefying it’s insides. The troll stands up and stumbles for a moment before its body part’s crumble apart.. Emma falls back on her butt takes a deep breath and laughs. Ariella runs over to her.*

Ariella: You're an idiot.

Emma: he moved faster than expected. Ow!

*Emma holds her side.*

Ariella: That’s because we didn’t give him enough time to soften up. If we had waited an hour like I said he would’ve been slowed down.

*The inside of a troll is the consistency of wet clay if they avoid sunlight for three hours. Otherwise they’re more agile because there is less moisture and their skin dries out. Alternatively if they spend too much in the sun they will eventually lock up until the temperature drops.*

Ariella: Drink a health potion, I’ll get a fire going then we’ll head out when your bones heal.

*Lily curls up to Emma and acts as back support, Emma Smirks.*

Emma: Sounds good.

Lily: Pushing yourself to death isn’t going to help anyone.

*Emma’s smile fades and pet’s Lily’s head.*

Emma: I know.

Ariella: Luckily Celestra can heal or we’d be here all night.

Emma: Too bad she can’t heal bones. Either way Valorin was wrong.

Ariella: Or maybe it’s because we didn’t use a light spell like I told you.

Emma: I thought the flasher would work the same. He said the bright flash temporarily turned it to stone.

Ariella: It’s also possible he just wanted you to learn a lesson.

*After Ariella sets up some wood for a fire Emma shoots a spark to start it. And the two rest on Lily while Celestra sits across.*

Emma: *Smiles* We did it though.

Ariella: Yeah, is there anywhere you wanna head first?

Emma: I wanna see the ocean.

Ariella: There’s a great view of the ocean from DeepDock is Beautiful at sunset. It’s in a giant cove and the sunlight fits perfectly inside before it disappears making the whole town turn rainbow for a moment.

Emma: That! I want That!

*both laugh*

Emma: What about you? Anywhere the princess hasn’t been to yet?

Ariella: I haven’t been everywhere! But, I’d want to go to the Whispering Falls. The city is surrounded by waterfalls, but somehow it’s completely quiet in the town. Farthest I've been is the bordering towns of the elven territories.

*The two rest up and after an hour they head back to the capital.