Year 44

*Emma and Lily rest upon an upper ledge, watching over an underground town. She watches as some children play and a couple of women hang up their clothes next to a heat vent. She looks out and sees a dust storm approaching from the far east and the townspeople run inside. Emma hops on Lily’s back with a massive spear strapped to Lily's side.*

Emma: Here is good.

*Lily stops and Emma can hear a couple of guards in the distance calling out. Emma jabs the spear into the ground as the dust storm reaches them. A deafening squeal from the boar fills the area and as the dust clears it reveals a five-meter-tall, stone-tusked boar, The boar turns to Emma with a spear stuck in its upper front leg. As the Boar squeals it charges towards Emma, she jumps back and the boar crashes into a large pillar. Emma’s eyes glow green as they pierce the dust, the boar stands back up and starts to charge. Emma creates a slanted earth pillar in front of her. As the boar runs into the Pillar the spear is pushed deeper, piercing its heart. The boar lets out one final squeal as Lily runs over. As The two approach the body, they hear the guards running up speaking dwarvish.*

Emma: Sorry I don’t know dwarvish very well.

*A younger female dwarf walks out.*

Female: Papa said, "Are you really an elf?"

Emma: Yeah.

*a younger male dwarf runs up and hugs her legs.*

Male: Thank you Nightwarden.

*Emma looks confused as she pats the child's head.*

Emma: You're welcome?

Female: That’s what people have started calling you. An elf and her spirit protect us dwarves without so much as a single word.

Emma: I’m just training. I heard from someone that a stone-tusked boar came through here annually and they were on my list of things to hunt.

*One of the guards speaks to the girl.*

Emma: Would any of you know where to find an Obsidian fanged tiger might be?

*The girl nods before speaking to the dwarves.*

Female: Tha i airson faighinn a-mach càite lorg i tìgear?

Lily: Can we eat soon?

Emma(TL): Just a moment. You can have some of the boar before we go.

*The dwarf turns to Emma.*

Female: They asked if you were going to take the boar. As for the tiger, people on the road say they haven't seen one in at least a decade, and it was to the north.

Emma: I’ll take some to resupply; otherwise, you can have the rest.

*Emma waves to the town. The townsfolk all yell out thanking her in dwarvish.*

Emma: Let’s head up top. I need to check for mail.

Lily: do you remember where the nearest Divepoint is?

Emma: They’re all off a road somewhere.

Lily: That leads to Horiiston?

Emma: We’ll find a sign. I can read Dwarvish now. I’m just struggling with pronouncing words.

Lily: Isabelle, did always complain, about how difficult it was to understand Hakhir when they first met.

Emma: Yeah, apparently it’s harder for elves to learn.

*After a couple of days pass the two make it to the city of Horriston. Smoke from the countless forges working fill the sky. Emma walks into the post office where a younger male dwarf waves to her. As she walks to the counter some dwarves glare at her.*

Emma: Hi Padraig *In dwarvish* How are you?

Padraig: *in Dwarvish* Very good.

Emma: *In common* I’ve been practicing. But sometimes I miss not being able to understand all the insults.

*Emma looks over her shoulder and one of the dwarves squints her eyes and walks away.*

Emma: I finally found that stupid boar.

Padraig: The Stone Tusk bothering Durgis?

Dwarf: And then you probably pissed yourself as you ran away. *in dwarvish* Cowardly elf.

*Emma pulls out a piece of meat from the boar.*

Emma: Yeah that one. And like I promised. Some stonetusk bacon.

*The dwarf from before puffs out his chest as he walks out.*

Padraig: *Excited* The missus has been so excited about this. Thank you again. Oh did you hear about your new nickname?

Emma: *Annoyed* Nightwarden. Yeah, I heard.

*Another, male, dwarf speaks up*

Dwarf: Nightwarden? I doubt you could beat a Tarbeast without crying for help.

*Padraig hands a stack of letters to Emma. She walks past the dwarf, ignoring him.*

Dwarf: I bet you just stole that meat. No way some elf was able to take down a stone-tusk boar by themselves. And a female one at that.

*As Emma starts to walk down the road the dwarf yells out.*

Dwarf: Exactly. Can’t even defend yourself from that, can you? Stupid bitch.

*Emma holds her tongue as she thinks of all the ways she could end the Dwarf's life.*

Lily: You okay?

Emma(TL): Yeah, just thinking about that letter I got. I'm wondering if it was Jacod. I kept in touch with Petunia. He might have found it and just never put his name on it.

*Emma and Lily are resting against some trees outside of town reading her letters when a couple of younger dwarves walk toward her, a boy and a girl.

Girl: Are you really the Nightwarden?

Emma: *Looks up* That’s what you guys call me. I didn’t pick it.

Girl: A lot of us dwarves don’t like elves. Why did you want to help us?

Boy:*Excited* Yeah! And what’s the toughest thing you’ve fought?

Emma: I had a run-in with a steelrex. We didn’t fight it though.

Boy: When I grow up, I’m gonna take down a steelrex all on my own.

Emma: Hey, where are your parents?

Girl: We don’t have any.

Emma: Oh.*Pauses* Well what’re your names?

Conall: Conall!

Aibhe: Ailbhe.

Emma: Well, Conall. Aibhe. Did you need something?

Conall: I want you to train me!

Emma: I don’t have time to train right now. I’m training myself.

Aibhe: *Looks at Conall* See I told you she would be busy.

Conall: But my Dad said elves have all the time in the world because they don't age.

Emma: *Rolls eyes* Well yes. But I still am limited to the same amount of time in a day.

Conall: Aww...

Emma: Tell you what. When I figure out a way to slow down time, I'll come train you.

Conall: Really?!

*A male teenage dwarf calls out.*

Dwarf: Conall! Aibhe! You two are on laundry duty today! Let's go!

*Both Conall and Aibhe smile as they run away, waving to Emma and Lily.*

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

*Emma enters a bright room. She looks around for a moment, calling out.*

Emma: Are you here? Hello?

*A door appears with a small penguin with what looks like a name but it's in another language. Emma opens the door, and Inside she follows a path of trees. At the end of the path, the figure can be seen sitting at a table.*

Emma: Where is this?

*The figure places their hand over their heart.*

Emma: I understand it’s inside. *Shakes head.* That’s not why I’m here.

*The figure stands up and speaks. Their voice, still, distorted slightly.*

Figure: I know.

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

Emma: I want your help getting stronger. I don’t know what happened in your lifetime. I just want to make both of us happy.

*The figure looks at Emma. Emma could feel their gaze, looking into her. The figure speaks but Emma can only make out one word. “Why?”*

Emma: If we have to live together then we should get along. It’s been 44 years and we still don’t work together very well. I can tell you’ve been hurt. Can you trust that I want to help at least?

Figure: Trust?

*The figure waves their hand and the two are suddenly looking down as a child is left alone crying.*

Figure: Find Bubba.

*The child looks up holding the dragon stuffed animal she had seen before. *

Child: Momma? Where are you, Momma?

Emma: He’s your child?

*The figure shakes her head.*

Emma: Then why is he impor...

*Emma stops as she looks at the figure’s smile. Filled with sorrow and regret.*

Emma: Is he important to you? Will he be safe if I bring him to you?

*The figure turns to Emma. Emma can feel the figure’s intimidating gaze as if saying. “ How dare you?!”*

Emma: I don’t mean anything bad. I just want to learn more about you. *Nods* I’ll help you find Bubba. Is there any information you can give me to help?

*As they return to the forest, the figure hands Emma the stuffed dragon. Emma can still feel the warmth on it.*

Figure: Find Spike.

*After the Figures words Emma opens her eyes. She sits on a small island in the center of a shallow pond with her legs crossed, back underground. She looks down to pet Lily who stretches out and yawns.*

Lily: Well?

Emma: They didn’t say they would help. But they did ask me to look for someone called Bubba. Apparently, I’ll get help if I find Spike.

Lily: Bubba?! Like Dad's Bubba?

Emma: No. Bubba just looked like a child. But Spike was just a stuffed red dragon.

Lily: Oh. Wait! Didn’t that Devil guy say he was looking for someone?

Emma: Yeah, but I don’t know how to get a hold of him. We last saw him in Inferna though, so he might still be over there.

Lily: What if we make the stuffed animal? Carrying it around might help us find Bubba.

Emma: I could probably draw it. Let’s look for a toymaker next time we’re in town.

*Their stomachs growl in unison and they both laugh.*

Emma: Let’s eat first.

*After eating Emma hops on Lily’s back and they head off. As they reach a Divepoint they notice a checkpoint blocking the way. Emma hops off Lily and approaches a couple of Dwarven guards.*

Emma: Sorry, I haven’t come through here before. Where is this?

*One of the dwarves sneers at Emma as she speaks.*

Guard 1: This is the City of Cairndûr. What brings an elf?

*The other guard raises his hand to interrupt.*

Guard 2: You wouldn’t happen to be the Nightwarden would you?

Guard1: Who?

Guard 2: You know, that Elf I told you about. The one my kid is always going on and on about.

Guard1: Well it doesn’t matter to me. Without any papers, you’re not coming in.

Emma: Papers?

Guard 2: She’s trying to enter not leave.

Guard 1: “Any new faces passing through the gates need to supply a signature from the King.”

Emma: Since when?!

Guard 2: It’s proof you can handle the monsters from this Divepoint. *Turns to the other guard* I can speak on her behalf Cormac.

Cormac: Then I’ll have to report you to the captain.

Guard 2: *Looks at Emma.* I’m sorry, I wish I could help.

Emma: *Sigh* It’s fine. I’m used to it. Can you at least point me in the direction of where I can go then? I just need to get a toy made. It’s for a child I’ve been asked to find.

Guard 2: *Points* If you head that way until you hit the first Pillar, not the wall! Then head north. You should make it by dusk.*Emma nods* By the way This child. What can you tell us?

Emma: The client wants it to be left anonymous. *Looks at the first guard* Maybe! If someone had let me in I would've been able to talk more. But I need to go now.

Guard 2: Okay well if you need any help. Look for the dwarves with a leaf on their helmets.

*The guard points to a leaf drawn on by a child.*

Guard 2: It means we see elves as equals. The king started requesting it to hopefully make us seem more inviting.

Emma: *Smiles* Thank you. I didn’t catch your name.

Máirtín: Máirtín.

Emma: Well, Mar-cheen? I hope that’s right. *Glares at Cormac* And Cor-sack.

*Máirtín stops himself from laughing and Cormac bites his tongue.*

Emma: Thank you for the help.

*As Emma leaves she passes a party of dwarves. One of the dwarves speaks out in dwarvish.*

Dwarf: Finally, Damn elves think just because they’re ageless they can take up everyone else’s time.

Emma: *In dwarvish* Blame Cormac for being an old racist fuck then.

*The dwarves just look back, mouths agape as they watch Emma walk away.*

Dwarf: I’ve never met an elf that knew Dwarvish before.

Dwarf: When have you ever, met, an elf?

*Emma smiles as the dwarves' voices fade away.*

*Upon reaching the town of Dùnbeith, the moons light up the village as Emma approaches the gates Lily sleeps on her shoulders. Emma spots a pair of guards, one of them walks away waving to the other. Reaching the guard Emma notices a green leaf and lets out a sigh of relief.*

Emma: Good evening. You aren’t gonna ask me for papers or anything are you?

Guard: *Laughs* No why would I do that?

Emma: The last place I went to said I need papers just to leave the Divepoint.

Guard: Cairndûr, but they shouldn’t have stopped you going in.

Emma: one of the guards said because I was a new face passing the gate I needed permission.

Guard: *Nods* Sorry about that. Not all of us hate elves. Just most dwarves do. It’s getting better though… Wait you said leaving the Divepoint. That spot is for ‘B’ rank PARTIES at least. Where did you come from?

Emma: I can’t remember. I get lost down there. I normally find a town and have my mail forwarded there, then wait until it arrives. Sometimes I get lucky and find the same town.

Guard: Still for anyone to explore by themselves underground. Everyone goes in parties of at least two, it’s rare for even dwarves to go alone.

Emma: Trust me. I’ve heard it before. My friends have all sent letters yelling at me. But, we are very tired. I don’t mind talking later but for now, I’d like to find a toy store and a place to possibly sleep.

Guard: The only toyshop in town is closed for the night. Clach na Cluichidh, If you need help finding it look for the stone bear statues in front. As for a place to stay. *Rubs head* I’ll be honest. I don’t think you’ll have any luck being an elf and all.

Emma: That’s fine.

Guard: I’d be willing to let you stay at my place but the missus.

Emma: I’m fine. *Laughs* I promise.

Guard: No she loves elves. I’m not sure she’d let you leave. *Laughs* A couple of elves saved her when she was young and was traveling the world. She was captured by slavers in Glimmerfell about twenty-four years ago.

Emma: Wait did the elves travel with a human?

Guard: Yeah, a human male, and there was a third elf as well.

Emma: Can I meet her?

Guard: I can’t really leave my post but she likes to bring my lunch around midnight.

Emma: I don’t mind waiting. Is there maybe a place I could get something to eat until then?

Guard: Yeah, there’s a place that’s run by a gnome called Lux’s Cafeteria. You can see it there.

*The guard points at a building with smoke coming from its chimney. The lights flow out to the street.*

Emma: Thank you.

*Emma starts to walk away then turns back around*

Emma: Oh! I didn’t catch your name. I’m Emma by the way.

Torcán: Names Torcán. I’ll be here all night.

Emma: Okay. I’ll see you around midnight.

*At Midnight Emma exits the Restaurant, She looks towards Torcán and spots a female dwarf handing him a bag. Torcán spots Emma and waves to her. Emma heads over and the dwarf runs over and hugs her.*

Dwarf: *crying* Thank you! I can’t believe it, after all these years. I finally got the chance to meet and thank you again.

*Emma hugs her with a smile.*

Emma: Of course. I’m just sorry I didn't stop it from happening to begin with.

Torcán: Briana? She’s the elf you talked about?

Briana: Yes, her and her party. *looks at Emma with a smile.* Are they with you?

Emma: I’m traveling alone. That Human, Ruddy, has a kid of his own now, and as for the other elves. Lyra and I don’t speak anymore, we got into a fight.

Briana: Wasn’t she the other one who saved us? What happened?

Emma: *Laughs* Long story short. She only helped save you all because I made her. And Ariella, the other elf. Well, she’s working as an Instructor back home.

Briana: Aren’t you lonely?

Emma: Not at all. I have Lily remember? That Spirit I arrived with. She’s asleep right now, but I’m never truly alone with her.

Briana: Speaking of sleep Torcán said you need a place to stay. I insist you stay with us. We have a guest room. You can stay as long as you like.

Emma: It’s just until I get my mail. So it won’t be more than a month. I also want to get a toy made for someone important to me.

Torcán: Well love, you two head home. I’ll see you in the morning.

*Torcán waves as they head to the house. Briana continues to ask Emma question after question about her travels. As Emma enters the room, she’s surprised to find the bed is large enough for her to rest comfortably.*

Briana: I told Torcán I wanted the guest room to be big enough to house an elf. I wanted somewhere for the elves that saved me to sleep if we ever met.

Emma: Thank you. It’s almost impossible to find beds even for humans in Mithrun.

Brina: Well, I’ll let you get some rest. Tomorrow I can show you the toy shop and the post office.

Emma: That would probably speed it up a lot, thank you.

*As Emma gets ready to sleep she grabs Lily, as a Pin, and places her on the bed where she becomes her small form. Lily stretches before curling up. Emma smiles as she watches her then lays down next to her.*

*The next day, Briana and Emma leave the post office and head down the road.*

Emma: I forgot how much things move when you know where you're going.*Laughs*

Briana: It also helps that I know who in town will help you.

*As they reach the toyshop Emma notices stone figures fill the shelves. Emma remembers all the dolls Keya made as a child. An older dwarf with a white beard sits behind the counter. As Emma makes eye contact he smiles.*

Críostóir: Hi there my name’s Críostóir Cíngil. Is there anything I can help you ladies with?

Emma: I’m hoping you could help, I’d like a stuffed dragon made.

Críostóir: No problem at all. What color do we want for it?

Emma: Actually *Pulls out a drawing of Spike.* I was hoping you could make it look like this as closely as possible.

Críostóir: A red dragon. I haven’t seen one of those in who knows how long. Last I heard there was a rumor one spotted out past the? Undersea?.

Emma: And it looks just like this drawing?

Críostóir: Why yes. I saw it as a child. It’s not 'Just' a fire dragon. The red Dragon is said to be a descendant of the dragon god himself. It never bothered anyone, some say it was there to protect us, dwarves. After it left we noticed more and more monsters started to show up in the underground. That was almost 800 years ago... *Looks back to Emma.* So you want one of these then?

Emma: Yes, please. He’s gonna be called Spike. He is for a friend’s child.

Críostóir: Well You’ve left Spike in good hands. I’ll get him made up in no time flat.

Emma: Well my mail should reach us in a week. So I won’t bother you until after then. *Laughs*

Críostóir:*Laughs* That won’t be a problem then.

Briana: Anything else Emma?

Emma: I’d like to get some supplies.

Briana: Then let’s head to Gráinne’s.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

*Emma enters Críostóir’s shop. Críostóir places down a stone carving he was working on*

Emma: Good morning Críostóir. How’s Spike coming along?

Críostóir: He’s all stitched up and ready to see his new pal.

*Críostóir hands Spike to Emma. The figure within's presence almost overwhelms her as a tear falls down Emma's cheek.*

Emma: He’s perfect. *Sniff* How much do I owe you?

Críostóir: one gold.

Emma: That seems rather cheap doesn’t it? I want to pay you the proper amount.

Críostóir: Actually, that is a more expensive toy I’ve made. The dolls I carve are about 5 gold pieces each.

Emma: That. That doesn’t make sense.

Críostóir: I normally charge fifty silver for a custom stuffed animal. But Spike there didn’t want to cooperate and needed extra stuffing in his tail. I had to use real dragon scales to get his tail to work. Only a few though so it’s nothing crazy. The stone dolls are given lifelike detail if you at them closely.

*Emma holds one of the dolls closely. The dwarf has loose flakes of stone stuck between some of the beard hairs.

Críostóir: The dwarf that's modeled on is known for coming home from the mines with a trail of pebbles falling from his beard.

Emma: That's amazing, my sister never managed that level of detail.

Críostóir: Well I've only met two elves who could do a better job. One of them was called the greatest elven earth mage. I think her name was Monica.

*Emma places down the doll.*

Emma: I've never heard of her. But, thank you for Spike. I’m sure he’ll be happy when he gets this.

*As Emma and Lily take their leave of the town, they wave to Briana and Torcán before riding away.*

Lily: Where are we gonna head next?

Emma: I want to find that red dragon. I think that’s who they wanted me to find maybe.

Lily: How are we gonna cross the water though?

Emma: We’ve got time to figure it out. Until then let’s keep an eye and ear for that Tiger as well.

Lily: Hey. I was just thinking. Remember that city we couldn't enter without papers?

Emma: Yeah? What about it?

Lily: Wouldn't that ring from the King have worked?

*Emma pauses for a moment.*

Emma: I hate everything right now...

*Lily laughs*