Year 24

*The summer night heat flows through the window of Emma and Ariella. They both lay in bed sweltering while Lily and Celestra stay in their accessory forms to avoid the heat.*

Ariella: I can’t sleep like this.

Emma: I know. I feel like my skin is turning into a swamp.

Lily: Gross.

Emma (TL) :Sorry.

*knock knock knock.*

Ariella: Come in.

*Falicia walks in with Ruddy.*

Ruddy: Falicia has an idea for dealing with the heat wave.

*Emma looks at the two, her eyes sunken.*

Emma: If you say labor I’m stabbing you both.

Falicia: *Laughs* No let's go to the river.

Ariella: What river? The closest one is the next town over.

Ruddy: So? We normally try to leave this time of year to our next place anyway.

Emma: Not intentionally, we just had to leave because of..."Issues."

Falicia: And I go back to Aquarine this month for the festival.

Emma: We heard about a festival from My uncle when we first got here. And the river does sound nice.

Ariella: I’ll go get a cart tomorrow. *Rolls over in bed.*

Ruddy: Well I’ll let you two get some rest.

Emma: Funny.

*Ruddy and Falicia leave the room.*

Emma: Hey Aire.

Ariella: Yeah?

Emma: Ruddy and Falicia are getting really close.

Ariella: Are you jealous?

*Emma sits up.*

Emma: No! But, when I would hang out around any boys you treat me like I date everyone.

Ariella: Because it bothers you. It’s cute.

Emma: *Embarrassed* Well still. You’ve never even tried to give Ruddy a hard time about it.

Ariella: Because he’s a human travelling with two female elves. I’m sure everyone gives him shit behind our backs.

Emma: I’ve never thought about it like that. But, I’m glad Those two are still such good friends. We need to get her in the party before he decides to leave us.

*The group reaches Aquarine, a river flows through the town. Stalls selling different masks, snacks and toys cover the streets. Upon reaching an Inn The group runs into Falicia and she hugs Ruddy.*

Falicia: *Smiles* You’re a day early.

Ruddy: We decided to leave early so we could see the beginning of the festival.

Emma thinking: More like you seemed depressed when she was gone.

*Emma holds back her laughter.*

Falicia: well only a few stalls are setup as you can see they won’t open until dusk. During the day most people go to the river.

Ariella: Well, Ruddy why don’t you go on ahead we’ll get stuff put away.

Ruddy: If you’re really okay with that then, thanks!

*In the Inn Lily hops around on Ruddy's bed chasing Celestra while the two sort their bags.*

Emma: It’s been a while since we all had to share a room.

Ariella: Yeah. Wanna go look at the stalls?

Emma: What about the river? I was excited.

Ariella: We’ll go when it gets darker so less people are there.

Emma: *Sad* Fine..

*The two wander through the town. They happen upon a stall selling sandwiches.*

Ariella: Two please.

Seller: Alright! So what bring two elves to the Summer festival?

Emma: A friend of a friend invited us for the river.

Seller: *Laughs* Well that is what brings most folks around here.

Ariella: So what’re are you all celebrating anyway?

Seller: It was originally a festival for the harvest gods as thanks for the bountiful years they’ve had and to come. Nowadays, most are just celebrating another year without war.

Emma: War?

Seller: The north, Ebresh, Their young king has been making threats to take over.

Ariella: What’s he like?

Seller: Well first, He sees all other races as less than humans. In the north if you’re not human you’re likely killed or put into slavery.

*Emma and Ariella look at one another. The Seller hands them their food and the two find a bench. After a moment Haze hops down from a nearby tree and approaches the two.*

Emma: What do you know on the north king Harron?

*Haze looks at Ariella for a moment then speaks.*

Haze: The current situation make it likely war will break out in the next year. But, it sounds like Oscein will be hit first.

Ariella: won’t the other two help?

Haze: The Weavers here in Loswor seem like they might be supporting Erbesh.

Emma: So we should probably look at leaving.

Ariella: what about your grandma and everyone?

Haze: The Ficus family live outside of any town or city to avoid becoming targets. And since they still use the slave collars the north don't question them. Unless this turns to genocide, the Ficus family is still going to be the safest place in Valoria.

Emma: I’m sure Uncle Rydel has a plan as well but I’ll write him just in case. How is their moral?

Haze: Because most slaves in Valoria are non-human, They don’t see it as right but they won’t oppose what others do. Those that do speak up tend to “disappear.” In reality the guards kidnap them and beat them until they’re unrecognizable.

*Haze leaves the two and as the sky starts to darken they reach the river, Falicia and Ruddy sit next to a small fire talking.*

Falicia: Hey you two!

Ruddy: What took so long?

Emma: We decided to look at the stalls first.

Ariella: Hey, I hate to ruin the mood but Ruddy we need to have a serious talk for a moment. Falicia should stay as well.

Ruddy: Oh. Okay. Is everything alright?

*Ariella and Emma explain the current situation. Falicia reveals she knew about it but now quite to that severity.*

Ruddy: So what is their to discuss? We have to lea…

*Ruddy looks at Falicia. And Fireworks explode in the sky. The group stops talking and watches. The town is filled with different colors and people’s excitement. As people head away from the river the explosions slow down, Emma grabs Falicia’s hand.*

Emma: We want you to be happy too. So Falicia, We don’t we don’t have that guy in the party yet, but. We’d really like you to join. We don’t want to lose Ruddy but we won’t take him away from you.

*Ruddy turns red realizing what Emma means.*

The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

Falicia: Wait you mean like leave Valoria?

*Ariella and Emma nod, Falicia turns to Ruddy.*

Falicia: I don’t know. I.I.

Ariella: You said your biggest regret was not beating us to join him for adventures.

*Falicia looks at Ruddy.*

Falicia: I’ll join you until you leave Valoria. Then I’ll decide if I’ll stay.

Emma: YAY!

*Emma hugs Falicia and Ruddy.*

Ariella: We want you to decide by then as well Ruddy.

Ruddy: Yeah I know.

Emma: Just make sure you think about what makes you happy first. We’ll argue afterwards why you should stay then.*Giggles.* now for my stupid question.

Ariella: Oh great here we go. Yes Emma?

Emma: What’s your class Falicia?

*Ruddy and Falicia laugh.*

Falicia: I guess I never did tell you two. but , I’m a light mage.

Ariella: I always just assumed a priest or paladin since you wear heavier armor on quests.

Falicia: I trained to be a fighter class as well, So I wear armor for when I'm up close. hence the blades.

Ruddy: She also normally solo’s so it makes sense.

Emma: I guessed she was secretly a barbarian.

Falicia: But I wear heavy armor?

*Ariella and Ruddy laugh.*

Falicia: How did you get to barbarian though?

Emma: Your personality. You come off as a bit more assertive. The fighter makes sense though. I also just kinda wanted it.

Ruddy: Emma decided the next teammate she wants to look for is a barbarian or shaman.

Ariella: But only Beastkin and dwarves can be Shaman.

Falicia: I get the barbarian but why a shaman specifically?

Emma: Because they can commune with the dead. I’ve always wondered how it worked.

Falicia: I thought it was gonna be something like. *Mockingly*“Because they use totem”. But that actually is a good question.

Emma: Hey! What’s with the mocking?

*Everyone laughs.*

Ariella: You’ll fit in just fine.

Ruddy: Mocking Emma is a right of passage. Congratulations.

Emma: I will not be ignored!

*Emma creates water over the other three soaking them all. After a moment of looking at each other they all start to laugh.*

*Back in the cart the group heads north east The snow is melting off the peaks as the party reaches a hole in the road. They stop to fix the landslide. Emma and Ariella use a mixture of earth and water magic to make a solid path, Ruddy lifts rocks to help prevent future slides and Falicia calls down a beam of sunlight to help dry the new road, Back on the road they happen to reach an old abandoned sawmill and house were they decide to stay for the night.*

Falicia: You know, I’ve never realized how easy things are with a group of magic users.

Ruddy: Most humans can only cast light or dark class magic.

Emma: Elves depend on their eyes. Or at least that's the fastest way to check their magic class.

Falicia: Don’t you all have crazy high magic levels too?

*Emma and Ariella laugh.*

Ariella: Yes, but it works differently for us. Most humans max out around 100, but for an elf we’d have to constantly practice for at least 1000 years to reach that level

Ruddy: What would that translate to elven levels?

Ariella: after level 500 for elves it’s hard to gauge actual strength to magic level. Most elves that train their magic, even just casually, reach 500 before they're 100 years old. 500 is more like you have a clear understanding of magic.

Falicia: I think most humans top out around age 35.

Ruddy: And most retire by 45-50.

Emma: So you’re gonna leave us in 25 years?!*sarcasm*

Falicia: That’s like two days for you two.

*Falicia looks at the elves and everyone laughs.*

Emma: We should check our levels in the next town.

*Upon reaching the town Lilton The party heads to the guild to check their magic levels.*

Ruddy: I’ll go first *Sixty*

Falicia: I wanna go before I feel belittled. *forty.*

Ariella: My turn. *578*

Falicia: That’s why I wanted to go early.

Emma: My sister is my goal. She’s always so far ahead of me. *721*

*Falicia just looks at the number silently.*

Emma: That’s a little more than what she had when I saw her last.

Falicia: So what would you say it translates to humans?

Ruddy: Well if it was 57 eight years ago I’d guess close to 65.

Falicia: Is this because Ariella is a princess?

Ariella: *Giggles* I’m sure it had something to do with why she let me go but no.

Emma (TL): I feel bad not letting her know about the seers but if she’s not going with us it could be risky.

Lily: Yeah but at least she doesn’t ask about it.

Ariella: So how long do we want to stay here?

Emma: I actually wanted to talk to you about that.

Ariella: I don’t like that look in your eye. What’re you planning?

*Everyone heads upstairs to the room for privacy.*

Emma: I’m going to look into Hopkins Ficus.

Ruddy: What why?

*Emma looks at Falicia.*

Emma: No offense but I can’t talk about that at the moment.

Ruddy: Why? Is it because!

Falicia: It’s fine Ruddy. It’s because I might not stay. But still why would you want to do something so dangerous especially this close to the border.

*Emma passes some reports, through them they talk about multiple half elven children.*

Emma: The mothers died in birth. I heard they were conceived from rape.

Ariella: And what are you going to do?

Emma: I’m going to become a slave. If the reports are true I’ll deal with the problem.

Ruddy: But aren’t Slaves in capable of hurting their master.

Emma: Directly yes. I’m going to leave Lily with Ariella, her scales could cause an issue there.

Falicia: What are we going to do while you do this?

Emma: Whatever you want. I’ll meet up with you in Larvet probably this time next year.

Ariella: Just come back.

—----------------------

*The heavy rains leave mud puddles all over the road. Emma stumbles into the ficus Estate before collapsing. The next morning she wakes up in a bed a thin creepy adult male sits at the foot of the bed. Emma’s eyes are disguised blue, her hair turned blonde.*

Hopkins: Oh goodie you’re awake.

*Hopkins moves his chair closer to Emma and takes her hand. An elf with white hair and purple eyes walks in with some water.*

Hopkins: Petunia here found you outside in the storm last night. Are you okay?

Emma: Yeah. I think so.

*Emma holds her head in pain.*

Hopkins: It seems you hit your head pretty hard. It’s okay you made it to the Ficus estate. *Creepy smile.*

Emma: Thank you. I can’t remember what happened I just remember running from a man.

Hopkins: Oh that’s terrible. Well I’ll get you some clothes and I hope to see you at dinner tonight.

*After an hour Petunia comes back with some clothes. Emma grabs her hand before she goes.*

Emma: Hey I’m a little confused as to where I am. Who was that guy?

*Petunia looks towards the door then whispers to Emma.*

Petunia: Hopkins Ficus, The noble of the house.

Emma: And you’re treated well? I see the collar.

*Petunia places her hand on the collar before answering.*

Petunia: Better than most places yes.

*Petunia gives a fake smile and rushes off. She stops to talk to another maid, Emma makes out the words by reading her lips. “He’s taken interest in another one. Poor thing.”*

*At Dinner Emma shows up wearing a dress that looks like it’s made of leaves. *

Hopkins: Oh you look wonderful in that dress! Let’s give it a spin.

*Hopkins makes a gesture with his hand multiple times encouraging Emma to spin around. After a moment she gives in and spins hesitantly. One of the elves sighs in the corner of the room. Emma sits down across from Hopkins.*

Hopkins: So do you have anywhere you can go?

*Emma shakes her head.*

Emma: I can’t remember where I even came from.

Hopkins: Well at least until you get your memories back, why don’t you come work for me?

Emma: But you have so many slaves already.

Hopkins: Oh they’re not slaves. They’re like family.

*Hopkins gestures for a female elf to come closer. He stands from his chair and hugs her, Holding her tightly.. The elf forces a smile.*

Emma: But the collar.

Hopkins: We use it to help protect the elves from slavers.

Emma: I don’t know. What if someone comes to get me?

Hopkins: if there is someone after you then the collar will protect you.

Emma: What if it’s family.

Hopkins: If that happens then we’ll abolish the contract.

Emma: Can I sleep on it?

Hopkins: Of course but, be careful if you leave. Because we have so many elven slaves here slavers like to watch for runners.

*After dinner Hopkins walks Emma back to her room, as he leaves he calls over an elf to help Emma with any needs.*

Hopkins: This here is misty.

*Haze in disguise as misty, their hair and eyes are a clouded blue. They turn to Emma, smiling.*

Emma: Misty? Well it’s nice to meet you. *Smiles.*

*Hopkins leaves the two. Haze brings out a collar.*

Haze: This is going to be the type he uses.

*Emma inspects the runes inside the collar.*

Emma: If we add an air rune right in the middle of my neck right here. I can use Illusion magic to hide it and that should keep a full connection. it'll look like he has control but it allows me to fight it.

*Emma pulls back her hair and points in at the back of her neck. Haze rune and presses it on Emma's neck, leaving behind a mark that Emma disguises quickly.*

Haze: I also have a copy of the master key i’ve placed one under you bed here just in case. I've managed to become his main help like you requested.

*Emma nods before handing back the collar and dismisses him. The next morning she meets Hopkins for breakfast.*

Hopkins: I do hope you rested well. Did you have a chance to think about your decision by the way?

Emma thinking: Just quick and to the point? Okay.

Emma: Yes.*Smiles shyly.* If you’d allow me I’d like to stay here for now.

*Hopkins creepy smile reaches from ear to ear. He claps calling for Misty to come in carrying a collar on a pillow. Emma turns in her chair and moves her hair aside for Hopkins to place on the collar. The collar crackles with energy as it powers on.*

Hopkins: After breakfast I’ll have you go with Misty to see where you will do best.

Emma: I’m not really good at much if I’m honest.

*Hopkins places his hand on Emma's face and turns her towards him. He looks lustfully into her eyes.*

Hopkins: Don’t worry, I’m sure we’ll find something for you.

*Misty brings Emma to a room next to Hopkins bedroom, a heavier set elf with short green hair and orange eyes looks at Emma and frowns.*

Misty: This is Hailey.

*Misty excuses herself and leaves, passing a glare to Hailey.*

Hailey: *Sighs* Well lets have you fold some clothes.

*Emma makes a pile of neatly folded clothes and hailey looks both impressed and disappointed.*

Hailey: Can you cook at all?

Emma: I don’t like knives.

Hailey: Girl I’m trying to help you.

Emma: Oh I know how to run a bath.

Hailey: That’s good *Irritated.* But how about household chores?

Hailey thinking: I’m trying to get you a job away from that pervert.

Hailey: Well where is your spirit have you tried calling them? Maybe they can help you remember.

*Emma looks down and Tears fall into her lap.*

Hailey: You don’t need to explain. Humans are evil.

*Emma sniffles and wipes her eyes.*

Emma: what about the master?

Hailey: He.. The Ficus family cares deeply for elves.

Emma thinking: Haze said they were being pressured to talk good. Those who talk negatively become “runners.”

*Hailey manges to get Emma to help in the kitchen for half the day. Hopkins made sure to ask for Emma almost everyday. He would give her stereotypical Elven accessories to wear with her attire.*