Year 28

*The party, Kimmy included, are sitting in a carriage with Haze is driving. The carriage has the Ficus house emblem adorned on the doors. The leaves blow with the chilling winds. Ariella, Ruddy and Falicia shiver from the cold. Ariella cuddles with celestra for warmth while Ruddy and Falicia hold onto each other.*

Ariella: How are you two not cold?

Emma: Because we lived in the north for years. The winters were beyond cold some years.

Kimmy: One year we couldn’t open the doors.

Emma: Wait I have a spell for this.

*Emma reaches through her bag pulling out a book after some reading she places her hand on the seat. Falicia smiles and rubs the seat with her hands.*

Falicia: It’s warm!

Ariella: how long does it last?

Emma: About an hour.

Ruddy: Where did you learn this one?

*Emma rubs Kimmy’s head. Ruddy Raises his head in acknowledgement.*

Kimmy: Mama tell me another story of your adventures.

Emma: How about I tell you about the time Ariella and I had to catch a blight brat.

*Flashback to Emma and Ariella back when they had just recently started adventuring. Ariella talks to some older elves while Emma walks down into the basement.*

Emma(TL): Do you smell anything?

Lily: It’s coming from down here.

*Emma peaks he head down looking around, unable to find anything, she moves further downstairs.*

Emma: I hate brats, they’re so creepy.

*A pair of glowing yellow-green eyes open and look towards Emma. Emma freezes in place and Lily starts to hiss. The bat-like creature with a rat heads mouth foams with blight.*

Ariella: And you said there was just one?

Male elf: That we could find.

*Emma screams and runs upstairs past Ariella. Ariella laughs as she heads downstairs. The flashback ends.*

*Everyone laughs*

Kimmy: Mama ran away?

Ariella: Yeah.*Laughs* It was one of the funniest moments from when we started.

Falicia: But you always talk about the troll sto...

*Ariella tries to stop Falicia from talking when Emma places a hand on Ariellas shoulder. *

Emma: Should I tell them the slime story?

Ariella: Please no.

*Ruddy struggles to hold back a laugh.*

Falicia: the slime story?

Ariella: It’s not appropriate for Kimmy to hear.

Kimmy: Why?

*Ariella looks embarrassed as she turns to Emma.*

Emma: Let’s just say Ariella learned why you should look where you pee the “Interesting way.”

*Falicia’s face turns red and Ruddy starts laughing.*

Ariella: You promised you wo.

Emma: You promised you’d stop telling the troll story.

Kimmy: What’s the troll story?

Emma: *Sighs* go ahead it’s only fair.

*Ariella tells Kimmy the story, changing some parts to be more child friendly.*

Emma: Dad did not seem impressed when I talked to him later.

Kimmy: Mama, can I meet your daddy?

Emma: Someday. Right now I’m not sure how we’d get back with how bad the war has turned. It’s part of the reason we went this way.

Ariella: Yeah, Mother’s tried to get me to come back multiple times. Last letter she wrote she said I might not be able to come home until the war is over.

Falicia: Couldn’t your mom have just order you to come back?

Ariella: Yes, but she likes to try to give me my freedom. When royals turn thirty We are allowed to start making our own choices. By 100 we can revoke our royal status to live more free lives. Only three of my siblings have done that. I never actually met them.

Kimmy: Does that mean you won’t be a princess anymore?

Emma: She gave that up a long time ago.

Ruddy: It doesn’t matter you’ll still be the same Ice princess I know.

Ariella: Hey!

*Everyone laughs.*

Ruddy: I’ve never asked, but, how many siblings do you two have?

Emma: I thought I told you. Keya is my only sister.

Ariella: I have 3 brothers and 4 sisters. Two of my brothers are soldiers.

Falicia: Like captains?

Ariella: No, just run of the mill soldiers. I’m the only other daughter who learned to fight, Willow. My brother Red left Sylvndor before I was born. I’m not sure where he lives. My other sisters have either married or work for mother. Mother tries to have a child every 200-300 years so she knows how to connect to the populace better.

Falicia: How does having children connect you?

Emma: Most elves you meet are probably way older than you. Haze is 860.

Falicia: I thought he was younger than you?! Because you’re ruddy’s age right?

Ariella: when directly talking to another elf we see anyone under 1000 years as children. And yes we’re all about the same age.

Kimmy: Not me!

Emma:*Smiles* Yes baby.

*As the cart carriage stops for lunch Ariella stops Emma while she collects wood for a fire.*

Ariella: How’ve you been?

Emma: I haven’t felt any urges.

Ariella: I know you made it sound like I wouldn’t see you for at least another few years.

Emma: That was the plan. But. That day I just snapped. Nobody hurts Kimmy.

Ariella: *Smiles* That's not the worst thing. Sure you went a little overboard.

Emma: I know, I want to learn to better control it.

Ariella: Are there any signs I should look for?

Emma: Not really. It feels like me in the moment but afterwards it felt like I watched someone control me. Like I slowly became this other me.

Ariella: Are you sure you’re not being controlled?

Emma: Haze mentioned the air rune on my neck throughout the years may have impacted it a little, but not enough to do what I did in the end.

Ariella: Have you explained any of it to Kimmy?

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

Emma: Maybe if she was a full elf. I’m more worried about her then having her worry about me.

Ariella: Still, I never expected one of us to become a parent before 100.

Emma: Yeah, I never planned on taking her with me. I wanted her to grow up in a home, with family. * irritated* But, because of These. These. These voices.

Ariella: I know. *Hugs* But, hey. You’ve never physically hurt any of us.

Emma: Thanks?

Ariella: I wasn’t there that day, so I don’t know how you looked or acted. But I can promise that Kimmy and I will be here to help you.

*Emma and Ariella hug as Ruddy walks towards them carrying two small bags.*

Ruddy: Sorry to interrupt, but we need to stop in a town soon. Our supplies are getting dangerously close.

Emma: I’ll head into town with Kimmy after lunch.

*After lunch Emma, Kimmy, Falicia and Haze take the carriage into a nearby town, Emma is dressed as a maid wearing a fake slave collar. Emma and Kimmy wait in the carriage while Falicia walks up to the counter and addresses the older male human on the other side.*

Human: And how can I help someone of the Ficus family today?

Falicia: We’re taking Miss Kimmy to see the grounds of her father's house.

*The man looks towards the carriage and Kimmy waves to him.*

Kimmy: Mama why did we have to go?

Emma: Because they know you own this carriage if Ruddy showed up odds are they’d alert the guards to a theft.

Kimmy: How do they know?

Emma: We came through here when you were just learning to speak. And since I was your maid at the time I had to come as well.

*Falicia and the man walk over to the carriage and load it with supplies. *

Kimmy: Thank you!

Human: Ok course, I’m sorry about what happened to your father. I see you still have Emma, How’ve you been?

Emma: *Smiles* I’ve been good George. Wish it would’ve been under better terms but it is what it is.

*George smiles and waves towards the carriage.*

George: Well, I’m glad you chose to comeback through here. Have a safe trip Lady Kimmy.

*Kimmy smiles and waves back to George.*

Kimmy: Thank you!

*As they head back Kimmy takes a nap resting her head on Emma’s lap. Emma brushes her head softly.*

Falicia: Why didn’t you tell me you knew George?

Emma: I didn’t expect him to remember me. Then again thinking back he and his wife Barbara were very nice to me when we came through. They made me a new dress after Kimmy had an accident.

Falicia: *Sighs* You can drop the maid act. You’re uppity tone is almost offsetting, knowing how you normally speak that is.

*Emma smiles and relaxes*

Emma: Sorry.

*Emma continues to watch Kimmy sleep*

Emma: It wasn’t all bad. I don’t think I could imagine my life without Kimmy right now. I’m just worried I’m going to lose myself to the Seers.

Falicia: That’s the secret elves thing right?

Emma: Yeah, Kimmy doesn’t know yet. And I’ve noticed myself losing to it’s impulses more and more often.

Falicia: Has it Ever threatened someone you cared about?

*Emma remembers the figures response before meeting Ruddy. *

Falicia: How often?

Emma: It depends. If I’m surrounded by good people I’m fine. But, before. When I first met Ruddy…

Falicia: But you didn’t. It’s been years and you haven’t done anything.

Emma: Yet.

*Emma holds back tears as she looks at Falicia.*

Emma: What if It decided it no longer trusted him.

Falicia: Then you tell us. We’re a party. If that day comes we’ll discuss it then. But, Ruddy worries about you too. He wouldn’t just give up on you.

*When they get back to the camp Emma and Kimmy quickly fall asleep in the carriage while the rest of the party hangs out around the fire.*

Falicia: She’s really worried, but she doesn’t seem really any different.

Ariella: Well, it’s like she said. It depends on the people around her.

Ruddy: I have an Idea that might help her.

Falicia: But?

Ruddy: I’ll have to ask David if he still knows ‘Him’

Falicia: *Shakes head.* No.. not Clayton.

Ariella: Clayton?

Ruddy: He’s a Beastkin, if David can help. Well, Clayton used to be an ex criminal.

Ariella: How can an Ex criminal help her ‘not’ kill someone?

Falicia: We don’t know what happened but one day he changed. He’s been in hiding but all he does is help others now.

*Emma rubs her eyes as she walks towards the group with Kimmy holding her hand. The two look like copies of each other in how they act.*

Emma: Are you talking about that big beastkin that saved me back in Willowcreek again?

Ruddy: Probably. David said he met him around then but I never actually thought about it until now.

Emma: David knows him?

Ruddy: He said he found him one night, bleeding and exhausted. He was resting at the church steps, David took him inside and the next morning Clayton told him his story. He asked how to atone and David just told him to just help others. OH! The kids called him the wandering guardian. Or that’s what David called him in the story.

Emma: *irritated*You've heard me talk about him before. Why have just now decided to tell me this?

Emma: Then why doesn’t he talk?

Ruddy: David said his voice hurt people so I’m not to sure.

Emma: But he travels the world. How would we find him.

Ruddy: We’ll go visit his daughter.

Ariella: Where do they live?

Ruddy: Lycaris. She works at their family Inn.

Emma: But.

*Emma looks at Kimmy. Then back at Ruddy.*

Emma: Wait. You never explained how he’s going to help me.

Falicia: Are you forgetting Ruddy?.. That thing killed my family!

*Falicia starts to cry. He face filled with rage and anger. She storms off.*

Ariella: Wait what?

Ruddy: It's true. It wasn't his fault necessarily from what david had told me

Ariella: Well even if He can help how do we know Emma won't try to kill him onsite?

Emma: She’s right.

Ruddy: Because she met him before. Emma you said it works like an instinct when you’re in danger right? Wouldn’t that mean you saw his soul?

Emma: Yeah. But, if I did I can’t remember. That’s a big risk if you’re wrong.

Ruddy: Then my next point. You saw his strength. Even if you tried, do you think you could’ve beat him?

Emma: Gods' no!

Kimmy: Mama. Is Falcica okay?

*Emma squats down to Kimmy’s level.*

Emma: Yes sweetie. She just needs some alone time. We’ll go find her in a bit okay?

*After some time passes Falicia comes back as Ruddy was equipping his armor.*

Ruddy: I was just going to look for you.

*Falicia’s face is filled with anger.*

Falicia: Well?

*Emma walks over*

Emma: I didn’t want to decide until I talked with you.

Ruddy: To clarify, we don’t need to go just Emma and myself really.

Emma: Kimmy is going to be coming as well, She’ll be hiding her eyes of course.

Falicia: I’m coming for one reason. And that’s so if Emma kills him I want to be there to see it.

*Emma slaps Falicia.*

Emma: I told you what happened to Kimmy’s father. Should I die? We don’t know the whole story.

*Falicia start to tear up.*

Falicia: That’s different my. I never even got to know mine!

Emma: Falicia. At least let him speak. He’s spent years trying to makeup for it. Souls can lighten as much as they can darken. It’s just slower. Let me meet him first.

Falicia: Fine, But I won’t let Kimmy near him. Let her stay with me when you go.

Ruddy: It might be easier depending on how you react.

*Emma looks back at the carriage where Kimmy is asleep.*

Emma: I know... We'll see when the time comes.

Falicia: Fine.

*Ariella brings over some drinks.*

Ariella: Well maybe we can practice. You could scout like you used to.

Emma: Lily might enjoy that. Okay, I’ll talk to her in the morning.

*Emma and Lily watch the Carriage from a far. Lily watches some birds playing in some water while Emma focuses her tracking.*

Emma(TL): I see trouble up ahead.

*Lily appears next to Emma and the two enter stealth. The two find a group twelve human males watching the carriage up ahead. Emma hops off Lily falling in the middle of the bandits.*

Bandit 1: Where’d you come from?

*The bandits draw their blades*

* Haze stops the cart.*

Ariella: What’s wrong?

Haze: Emma’s disposing of some bandits. I thought it might be best Kimmy doesn’t see it.

*Lily drops down as a copy of Emma.*

Bandit 2: I don’t like this boss. They just keep dropping from the trees!

*Emma creates ten copies of herself each one fights one of the bandits. The boss aims his blade towards Emma.*

Boss: Listen girly. I’ve seen this trick before, The can’t actually hurt us.

*Emma grins and one of the copies grabs a bandit, holding onto his back.*

Bandit 3: GET HER OFF ME!

*The copy glows before exploding, leaving nothing but his shoes.*

*Ariella opens the door of the carriage.*

Ariella: Come on Ruddy, We need to go check on her!

Haze: I can assure you she is perfectly okay?

Ruddy: Is she still herself?

*Emma looks at the boss’s soul, Black. Emma hears the voice screaming.*

Voice: KILL THEM!!!! THEY DON’T DESERVE A CHANCE!

*Emma tries to suppress the voice, Lily seeing her struggle quickly finishes off the bandit she’s facing. The rest of the copies start grabbing the other bandits exploding. One by one. Ruddy and Ariella walk up to see Emma standing over the bodies, her eyes slowly turn purple.*

Ariella: Emma?

*Emma turns towards Ariella and Ruddy for a moment her eyes flicker. Emma’s eyes turn back to normal and Lily helps her stabilize herself while back in her medium animal form. Ariella and Ruddy walk towards her. Emma looks down in tears.*

Ariella: It’s okay.

Ruddy: We know you’re still trying.

Emma: What if Falicia is right?

Ariella: About what?

Emma: What if we can’t atone? Can I really make up for what I’ve done?

Ruddy: You’ve only ever killed someone who was evil at heart. While I don’t completely agree with the killing. I do think you are still good at heart.

*The three walk back to the Carriage and Kimmy runs over to Emma. She looks at the blood on Emma and starts crying.*

Kimmy: Mama are you okay?!

Emma: *Smiles and laughs.* Yes sweetie. This isn’t mine. Are you okay? Most kids your age don’t see this much blood up close. Are you okay?

Falicia: Yeah, you need to take a bath no offense.

*Emma looks at Falcia while a drop of blood and sweat drops from her hair. Emma looks confused. Falicia separates the two.*

Falicia: And preferably before you get blood on Kimmy.

*Emma smiles as Ariella laughs.*

Ariella: She gets it from her dad.

Falcica: Being covered in blood?! What kind of family did you grow up in?

*Everyone laughs.*