Year 49

*Emma, Lily, and Pipiri rest on a ledge overlooking a watering hole. Different types of monsters peacefully lap at the water. Pipiri scribbles on some paper while Emma stands guard, using her illusion magic to hide them. A glowing tree rests at the center of the watering hole making everything visible. Emma uses her Illusion magic to hide them. A very dim light crystal rests on Pipiri’s head as a headlamp.*

Emma: How do you draw them when they’re all moving?

*Pipiri takes turns scribbling and watching the monsters, responding in between.*

Pipiri: It’s not so much drawing an exact copy, as much as I’m making a drawing from the different ones at different angles to get the proportions right. The way their legs bend at different angles gives more shading. Some lighting hides the.

Emma: You’re losing me Pipiri.*Laughs*

Pipiri: Sorry, I’m not drawing just one. I’m using each of them to help me draw one by using a mix of them.

Emma: Oh. I see. Is that why your drawings are so detailed?

*Pipiri goes silent as they focus on drawing again, bobbing her head with a smile. After some time passes a swarm of Tarbeasts scare off everything.*

Pipiri: Stupid nasty creatures. *Sigh* Oh well. I finished my drawing.

*Pipiri shows the drawing to Emma, the bulky, jagged, quadruped, is captured perfectly. The two curled horns on their heads look like they’re made of stone.*

Emma: So what should we call it?

Pipiri: Hmmm. A Rock deer for now.

Emma: The horns remind me more of a goat though.

Pipiri: Yeah but they seem too fragile for a goat. more like antlers.

Emma: Yeah, kinda. Anyway. Should we head back? The tarbeasts mean Larz and the rest have finished taking care of their side of things.

Pipiri: Let's wait a bit more. See if anything arrives now that the watering hole is clear.

*After waiting some time, the ground begins to shake. Emma pulls back Pipiri as a massive serpent with rocklike and jagged scales slithers down the wall nearby. The serpent dips the end of its mouth into the water and begins drinking, Pipiri quickly flips to a new page and begins drawing again. After the snake finishes drinking it spins around, breaking apart the shore until it can rest just below the surface, its body surrounds the watering hole as it sits in wait.*

Pipiri: So something that big is still an ambush predator?

Emma: It appears so.

*Emma walks over to Lily and looks over at Pipiri who is still drawing.*

Emma: Come on. Let's hurry before the others come and check on us. I’d rather not fight something that big right now. especially because it's clearly waiting and knows something will come through here.

Pipiri: Good point.

*Emma helps Pipiri onto Lily she continues to whisper about different serpents she has drawn in the past, and then hops on behind her. Returning to the party the others have grabbed their packs and are headed toward the water.*

Emma: We’re going to need water from elsewhere.

Raffael: Why?

Larz: did the tarbeasts not scare them all?

Pipiri: They did. But now a massive rock serpent monster is waiting in ambush. Its body was large enough to circle the entire watering hole

*Pipiri shows a quick sketch of the snake, its eyeless gaze makes Sam shiver.*

Sam: Never cared for cooking snake. and rock serpents never hold any flavor.

*Larz looks to Emma and Pipiri.*

Larz: Okay, well if we don’t find water soon we’ll have to head back. Let's recheck the maps.

Emma: You go do that. I’m gonna keep an eye on the watering hole in case it leaves.

Larz: Okay, come back in an hour if nothing changes. We should have a plan. Worst-case scenario we can stay here a day or two.

Emma: Will do. If you want I can just watch it until tomorrow.

Larz: No I'd rather not have us split up during the night again. Last time Iet you stay out we got attacked,

Emma: Okay.

*Emma starts walking back toward Lily, waving to the party.*

Emma: I'll see you all in an hour!

*Emma hops on Lily and heads towards the watering hole.*

Emma(TL): You heard the man. We have one hour. If we can do it in thirty minutes I’ll double your meat for the day.

Lily:*Excited* Really?! Can I try some of the serpents? if it has some under its scales?

Emma(TL): *Laughs* Yes you can. But only if we don't get caught.

Lily: Yay!

Emma(TL): Sam just said they don't taste good. why do you like them so much?

Lily: Because. If you cook the serpent meat it loses all its flavor.

Emma(TL): Oh. Well, I'd rather not eat raw snake meat. especially this far from a proper healer. I can hear Ariella yelling at me already just for mentioning it.

* As they reach the watering hole, Emma hops down from Lily.*

Emma: Now let's see if this works down here too.

*She places her hands on the ground and begins to freeze the immediate area.*

Lily: did it work?

Emma: Give it a moment. I know you're excited to eat, but...

*The ground begins vibrating; violently. The ground begins to heat up as the serpent rotates its scales around its body, superheating itself.*

Emma: I'm going to guess not. Plan 'B' Let's go!

*As the serpent calms down, Lily roars to draw its attention. Lily dodges as the serpent strikes at her rapidly. Emma runs around to the side of the snake and prepares another spell.*

Emma: Can’t use Ice. What about Stone?

*Emma charges up a stone javelin and fires it at the serpent, shattering as it hits the scales. The serpent starts to turn its attention towards Emma when Lily manages to bite down on its body. Lily quickly releases as the serpent starts to rotate its body again attempting to remove her. Emma looks over to Lily as the Serpent stares at the two, waiting for the next strike.*

Emma(TL): I’m running out of ideas. Have you noticed anything yet?

Lily: It looked like it slows down a little after it heats up. I don’t think fire is its friend.

Emma: I really hope you're right.

*As the serpent hisses and strikes at Lily faster than before. Emma uses her telekinesis to wedge her knives under the scales around the serpent's head. As the serpent starts to rotate again to remove the irritants Emma casts heat metal. The serpent squirms quickly, entering a death-roll-like state, its body twists wildly as it screams in pain. As the serpent trashes around it splashes water everywhere causing steam. The serpent then dives into the water to cool down.*

Emma: If we had more time I’d suggest seeing how long it can hold its breath for.

*Emma hands Lily some meat to help sustain her magic as she begins heating the watering hole. The entire water hole slowly begins to boil, slowly spreading across. Emma stops and stumbles back holding her stomach.*

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

Emma: I used a little more magic than I should have.

*After some time passes the lifeless body of the serpent floats to the top.*

Emma: Let’s send anything useful to storage. If there is any meat you can have some but I want you to drag the rest off so the others don’t find it.

Lily:*Happy* Was it under thirty?!

Emma: *Laughs* Not quite but I didn’t expect it to take fire so you can have extra as a reward.

Lily: Time to eat!

*Lily takes a bite and her smile quickly fades.*

Lily: You cooked it all.

Emma: I mean, it might've cooked itself, let's be honest.

Lily: Yeah I guess...

Emma: So are you going to eat it or not?

Lily: Of course!!!

Emma:*Laughs* Okay.

*After disposing of the body, Emma and Lily return to see camp almost completely put away.*

Emma: Serpents gone. It got bored, I think.

Larz: You sure something bigger didn’t arrive?

Emma: I waited probably fifteen minutes before heading back.

Larz: How would you know?

Emma: Like Raffael. I’m a green elf we can tell time without needing to see the sky.

Larz: That works down here too?

Raffael: Yeah, that’s why Emma and I don’t carry hour lanterns. We can use our spirit's night vision and Can tell time anywhere.

Larz: What about you Max?

Max: I’m more durable. And orange spirits either act as our eyes above or help strengthen us by sharing their strength.

*Max’s spirit comes out, a small bear with the body of a French bulldog.*

Max: Kit lets me borrow strength from him when we fight. That's why I can deflect those giant hits.

Emma: A lot of blues have support spirits and purple gets more of a jack of all trades. Just not as strong as the rest of us.

*A light flashes from Raffael’s bag and a small ferret-like spirit pokes out.*

Raffael: I guess we’re heading back to the cove anyway. The other scouting team is here.

Emma: But what about?!

Larz: We got our orders to return back now that the second team has arrived.

Emma:*Disappointed* Okay...

—------------------------------

*As the party returns to the cove a small army of elves march across the area. Emma looks through the crowd, confirming none are seers. Andrew calls out to Emma as he runs towards the party.*

Andrew: Glad to see your back. You have a visitor.

Emma: Who would be crazy enough to?

Ariella: Oh so I’m crazy now am I?

Emma: Arie?! What are you doing here?

*Emma hugs Ariella both smiling.*

Ariella: Mother asked for me to come join the expedition. She gave the king two more years before she is pulling everyone out. The better question is, what are you doing here?

Andrew: Oh did I not clarify? Emma is the Nightwarden we talked about.

Ariella: *mad* Emma. You told me in the letters you were only fighting small things that you knew you could take out.

Max: how can the Nightwarden exist though? I heard they cast multiple elements.

Ariella: If Emma didn’t explain, then I’m not at liberty to discuss. Only she and the queen have permission.

Pipiri: Is it true? *Looks at Emma.*

Emma: I’ve never met them. *Nervous laugh*

Raffael: I’m sure if Emma was the Nightwarden she’d have a good reason to not tell us while we traveled.

Ariella: So these are my replacements?

Emma: *Looks at the soldiers* Only if those are mine.

Ariella:*Laughs* It would be a downgrade. I brought them to help strengthen them. Oh.

*Ariella hands Emma a letter with the royal family seal on it.*

Ariella: Mom asked me to deliver this. said it was for the Nightwarden.

*Emma opens the letter and her smile turns to a frown.*

Emma: She wants me to help train the soldiers too?

Ariella: Is that why mom asked me to tell you to go easy on them?

Emma: She permitted me to go all out in the letter though. *Sigh* Okay, let's finish this after dinner. Where are we doing this?

Ariella: She didn’t explain much to me. How are we training them?

Emma: She asked me not to give all the details here, but I have to go against them all at once?

Ariella: We don’t have a spot to fight though.

Emma: *Whine* Arie. I just want to take a long nap. The last thing I want to wake up to is a fight.

Ariella: Quit being a baby and build an arena then.

Raffael:*Laughs* What happened to the cool collected Emma?

Ariella: this is how she really is. I normally bribe her with sweets.

*Emma walks away from the group, nodding as she listens to Ariella.*

Ariella: Back to the Nightwarden business. *Irritated* I heard you took out a glow turtle on your own?! And what about a giant boar?

Emma: I’m safe aren’t I?

*Emma places her hands on the ground and creates a small arena in an empty corner of the cove. She stands up to Raffael and Max standing on guard.*

Max: What was that?

Emma: *Sigh* Arie can explain while we eat. That used up the last bit in me. Even Lily is starting to feel hungry.

Ariella: You need to report to King Ruairí still.

Emma: fine. But only if you take back the bribe comment. I’m normally more complacent and you know it.

Ariella:*Laughs* Ok fine.

Raffael: Emma is a green elf. Why was she able to cast Earth magic?

Emma: *Sigh* Andrew. Can you explain to them what I told you?

Andrew: *Chuckle* Yeah.

*Andrew starts walking away with Max and Raffael.*

Andrew: Don't worry, you two can ask her more later I'm sure.

*The next day Emma stands at one side of the arena while the soldiers await orders to attack. Ariella, King Ruairí, the party, and many others have all stopped working to watch.*

Ariella: This is what you’ve been training for boys!

*Emma counts the soldiers: three blue casters, two purple casters, four green rangers, and six orange fighters.*

Ariella: Begin!

*Emma watches as the soldiers run at her from both sides. As two of the soldier's swords collide with Emma her clone explodes into a smokescreen.*

Ariella: REMEMBER YOUR TRAINING!!

*One of the other elves creates a gust of wind to clear the area and they all look around for Emma. Emma attacks one of the soldiers from behind, stunning them. Three elves with blue eyes cast Ice Tomb at her. Emma throws a knife before the spell releases, locking the casters in their own spell. Arrows zip past Emma, one hitting her leg. As Emma stumbles, two of the fighters swing at her, she dodges the first but the second attack knocks her back. Emma creates a quick earth wall between them and as he collides with the wall the impact pushes her back again. *

*the night before, Emma is feeding large amounts of meat to Lily.*

Emma(TL): Here.

Lily: But Momma. I’m very. *Burp* Full.

Emma(TL): I know. But I have an idea. I’ll reward you with something later.

Lily: Oh! Can you cook me your bread?!

Emma(TL): Mom’s elven bread? Yeah, sure. I thought you hated that.

Lily: No. You said I can’t have too many breads because it makes me bloated.

Emma(TL): *Laughs* Oh yeah. It gives you puffy cheeks.*Smiles* Okay, fine. But only afterward.

*Back to the arena Emma catches her breath as she stands up. Another set of arrows flies at her, the fighters charge her from all directions, and the purple casters prepare another Ice tomb, while two of the rangers protect them. Emma dodges the arrows by turning the land around them into a quagmire. Emma then hardens the ground, locking the fighters in a shoulder-high dirt prison. Emma creates a clone to recast the hardening spell and turns to the rangers. Two unsheath their blades and charge Emma, She smiles as she creates an ice bow. The air around her chills as she fires an arrow, freezing the ranger's feet.*

* Ariella turns to Lily.*

Ariella: Oh you cheaters.

*Lily smiles*

*Emma turns to the last of the casters.*

Emma: Charge up whatever spell you want. I’ll wait.

*Emma pulls out a knife and plays with it using her telekinesis while the two elves talk amongst themselves before they create a ball of fire. Emma throws the knife into the forming ball and creates a ball of water. The heated water drops and burns the elves. Emma turns to Ariella.*

Ariella: Are you proud of yourself?

Emma: *Smiles* Kind of, yeah.

Ariella: So, you didn’t feed Lily?

Emma: Oh, no I, absolutely did. *Laughs*

*Emma releases everyone and Celestra comes down to help heal the burned.*

Ariella: These dwarves are getting to you. You’re more cocky than before. I wasn’t sure that was possible for you. *Laughs*

Emma: Yeah, kicking racist ass has its fun to it.*Smile*

Ariella: That just means you have to come back with me.

Emma: I’m kind of busy now.

Ariella: No I mean after. I got permission for you to come back to the capital. I wrote you about it but you never got back to me.

Emma: Maybe. I’m looking for someone.

Ariella: Who?

Emma: *Looks down* I can’t tell you. Not yet.

Ariella: Okay. I trust you.

Emma: Wait. No fighting? I thought for sure you’d try to guilt me or drag me.

Ariella: *Shakes her head* I know why you’re doing everything. I may not know the specifics. But I know you wouldn’t do anything to hurt innocent people. Just promise me you’ll be safe.

Emma: So If I said convince the others to let me travel alone for a year. Would you?

*Ariella turns to King Ruairí as he approaches them.*

Ariella: I need Emma to confirm something in yesterday's report. Can I take her while we are here?

Ruairí: She’s my best scout!

Ariella: Wish is exactly why I need her. You saw what she’s capable of. I need that.

Ruairí: Fine. Only because we can’t do anything here anyway. I’m leaving at the end of the month. Can I have her until then?

Ariella: *Looks at Emma.* That’ll be fine. We’ll be gone for a couple of months, but when we get back. I’ll take her with me.

Ruairí: *Smiles* Perfect. Thank you.

Emma: Why do I feel like property?

Ariella: Oh goody. She knows her place.

*Emma looks at Ariella, mouth wide open from shock. King Ruairí laughs as he starts to walk away.*

Emma: Offended.

Ruairí: When you’re done here, Emma. I need you in the planning room.

Emma: Yes, your majesty.

*Emma turns to Ariella.*

Ariella: Now explain.

Emma: You remember that *Whispers* Devil?

Ariella: Yeah. He didn’t ask you to look for someone did he?

Emma: No. But I asked “Her” how I could help.

Ariella: And?

Emma: I’m getting to it. She told me I could look for someone called Spike to help find someone called Bubba.

Ariella: Okay but why would they be down here? In an unexplored section of the underground? And are you sure it’s not your Dad’s Spirit?

Emma: That I can’t explain. It’s dangerous enough to where I know you wouldn’t let me go.

Ariella: But important enough you won’t let me know. If you won’t tell me at least tell Celestra. If you go missing I’d like to know what happened.

Emma: *Smiles* I’ll tell her before I leave. I promise. Now, can we go see how Raffael and Max are doing? The two elves from earlier?

Ariella: After you go meet.

Emma: Ugh. I hate working...

*Ariella laughs as Emma starts walking away.*