Year 51

*Emma and Ariella sit at a tavern, back in Mithrun.*

Emma: So you’re all heading out next week?

Ariella: Yeah, we need a little bit more time for our eyes to adjust.

Emma: That’s why I’m only going to travel from dusk till dawn. At least until I reach Sylvndor, by then I should be able to see just fine.

Ariella: We’re also taking a longer route to train some more. I still feel bad for Lily, you work her really hard.

Emma: Honestly, if she could stay at home all day and eat. She would be the happiest spirit alive.

Ariella: I mean, I’d be happy with that too some days.

*The two elves laugh*

Emma: Too bad Andrew was already gone.

Ariella: I told you. Hand it to me. I’ll deliver it.*Smiles*

Emma: No. I’ll just wait to write her until I get back. Maybe I’ll explain to Dad or Isabelle.

Ariella: Well I need to finish writing my report still. So I’m going to head to my room. I probably won’t see you until the Falls.

*They both get up and hug.*

Emma: It’s dark enough. I should get going.

Ariella: Okay, Travel safe.

Emma: *Smiles* I will. I planned on a nice quiet trip back.

Ariella: You’re taking the pass right?

Emma: Yeah, The guards said it’s cleared up this past couple days. I want to get through before the next storm.

Ariella: Hopefully we don’t get caught up in one. But I’m also going to have them swim part of the bay.

Emma: *Concerned* Don’t kill them, Arie.

Ariella:*Smiles* Are you saying you couldn’t do it? The famous Nightwarden?

Emma: I was smart enough to say no if someone challenged me to do it.

Ariella: It’s only part of it anyway. They’ll be fine. If the weather is bad then we’ll go hiking. The high altitude should help.

Emma: *Smiles* Night Arie.

Ariella: Night Emma. I'll see you soon.

*Emma waves to Ariella as she walks away, finishes her drink, and heads to the city gates. Once past the gates, Emma hops on Lily and they begin their trip. After a couple of days, they reach the Mithrun mountains. The frozen mountain range creates the border of Mithrun to both Sylvndor and Glimmferll. Emma wears a large fur coat while Lily rests on her person. She travels with a small group of gnomes and elves guided by a dwarf.*

*After making it to the border Emma stops in the nearby forest to bathe. Lily rolls around in the river in her larger form, washing the years of rubble and muck from her fur. Emma is lying in the river, watching the morning sky when she hears a twig snap. Lily quickly hops next to Emma as she stands up. Emma uses telekinesis to grab her blades. As Emma points her blade at the area a young human boy walks out. Emma puts her blade away, grabs a towel, and slowly approaches the boy.*

Emma: Are you okay? Where are your parents?

*Emma pats on Lily and she shrinks down. As Emma gets closer she notices how skinny he is, his ribs visible.*

Emma: Do you want some food?

*The boy falls and uses his hands to drink some of the water, before collapsing. Emma runs over, quickly picking him up. Emma gets dressed and makes a fire. She quickly makes something to eat and as the aroma reaches the boy his eyes begin to open. He looks over to notice, that he is lying against Lily. His eyes get big when Emma notices him.*

Emma: She won't hurt you. I promise.

*Emma walks over to him with a bowl.*

Emma: I'm sure you're hungry, and I made some food. Let me help you eat. Can you sit up at all?

*The boy looks at the bowl of porridge.*

Emma: I’m sorry it’s nothing special. I didn’t want to hurt your stomach.

*The boy manages to sit up with Lily’s help and Emma sits down in front of him. Emma feeds the boy slowly, she looks his body over while she feeds him noticing scars and bruises all over his body.*

Emma: Do you have a name?

*The boy nods.*

Boy: Day.

*The boy begins to cough*

Emma: *Smiles* It’s okay. Your throat is probably sore from not eating and drinking properly. Just focus on eating for now if it’s too hard.

*The boy nods and after eating he quickly falls asleep. Lily rests her tail over him like a blanket.*

Emma(TL): I guess when he wakes up, we can check the town. But, if he is this thin. Odds are he was abandoned. I’d guess he’s probably only around eleven or twelve.

Lily: Could he be a slave?

Emma(TL): he doesn’t have a collar. Wait.

*Emma notices a scar on the back of the boy's neck.*

Emma(TL): Maybe he was a slave. It looks like he might’ve broken his collar. Remember when Ruddy healed that one girl who we attempted to remove the collar on at camp?

Lily: Yeah, it shot a spike through her neck and she almost died.

Emma(TL): So, he must’ve had someone to heal him. The Venom from those things is lethal without immediate care.

Lily: Hopefully the guards recognize him.

*As Lunch rolls around, the boy wakes up to see Emma making lunch. Emma looks over to him and smiles.*

Emma: Morning. Or I guess afternoon now. Lunch is just about ready.

*The boy grabs ahold of Emma, in tears, and begins crying, his voice still very hoarse she can make out what sounds like his attempts at wailing. Emma kneels and holds him.*

Emma: You’re safe. Don’t worry.

*As the boy calms down, Emma hands him a bowl and watches him eat.*

Emma: How’s your throat?

*The boy sniffles*

Emma: You don’t need to talk about it. I just wanted to know who healed you.

*The boy pauses for a moment before pointing to himself.

Emma: You did? That’s impressive. Who taught you to heal like that? Most adults can’t even heal that well.

*The boy’s voice cracks as he tries to speak.*

Emma: Don’t force it. I used to know someone who went through that. It took them about a week before they could talk completely.

*The boy smiles*

Emma: I’ll stick to yes or no questions. Sound good?

*The boy nods*

Emma: Were you a slave?

*The boy nods again*

*Emma asks the boy if he was sold into slavery. No. If he was born into slavery. No. Are your parents still alive, yes. Is there anyone else, any other slaves, no.*

Emma: Can you spell? Your name at least?

*The boy nods and Emma hands him a stick and he writes his name in the dirt.*

Emma: David?

*David nods*

Emma: Huh. I know three Davids now I guess.

*David looks at Emma, confused.*

Emma: I’m not sure if he’s still around but I knew a pastor David and my friends Ruddy and Falicia.

David: You know Dad?*Coughs*

Emma: Wait. *Emma looks at David’s golden eyes.* It really is you. I haven’t seen you since you were still attached to your Mom's teat. Yeah, I know your dad. My name’s Emma. I’m sure he’s told you about me.

*David nods*

Emma: The bigger question is. *Angry* How the fuck did you become a slave?

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

*As David goes to speak Emma raises her hand*

Emma: Don’t answer that right now. *Sigh* Well good news. I was heading to go visit you all. So once you’re done eating we’ll head into town and get a Stagecoach. It'll take me a little longer to get there, but oh well.

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

*As winter falls upon the whispering falls, Ruddy walks outside to Falica as she sits in a daze watching their fields slowly gather snow. He places a blanket over her lap.*

Ruddy: Don't stay out here too much longer. It’s getting cold out. Levi should be back with David soon. I’m sure of it.

*Someone knocks on the door*

Ruddy: That’s probably him. I’ll be right back.

*Ruddy opens the door, Levi looks at him and then shakes his head. As they walk to the back of the house Ruddy watches as Falicia begins to stand up he runs outside to see her in tears as she looks out at the fields*

Ruddy: Hey. Are you okay? What’s wrong?

*A faint voice calls out from the field*

David: Papa! Mama!

*Ruddy turns to See David running up towards him. Emma walks up behind and waves to them as they notice her. Ruddy and Falicia's eyes fill with tears.*

Both: David!

*Falicia screams as she runs to David and falls to her knees hugging David tightly, tears of joy streaming down her face. Ruddy joins them as he embraces the two. Levi walks over to Emma.*

Levi: How did you find him?

Emma: He found me believe it or not. Little perv found me while I was bathing.

*Ruddy sets Falicia down in bed to sleep, closing the door behind him as he leaves. Levi sits in the living room watching Emma instruct David as he swings a wooden sword.*

Levi: He never wanted to learn anything when I taught him.

Ruddy: Did you know she was looking for him? I never wrote anyone about it. I’ve been so busy.

Levi: She said she had just reached Rockwood and was bathing in the river nearby when he approached her. He was just skin and bones.

*Emma walks inside, leaving David to continue swinging his sword.*

Emma: I don’t know which of you has been teaching that boy, but they need to practice more. *Smiles*

*Ruddy hugs Emma*

Ruddy: Thank you.

Emma: Of course. *hugs* But what happened? He told me he was just outside helping in the fields when some guys showed up and grabbed him.

Ruddy: A small part of me wonders if it was “Them.” But I can’t understand why. He’s not a threat. Until today, I’ve never seen him interested in a sword. We tried holy magic but he always seems afraid of it. I've never even taught him any Cure spells.

Emma: Yeah he wouldn’t explain it all, but he said he cured himself after removing the collar. *Points at Ruddy* You almost passed out from healing Tif in Glimmerfell.

Ruddy: That doesn’t make sense, he couldn’t even heal a cut on me. *Looks outside.* Emma I know it's asking a lot, but can you teach David? Levi’s been trying but he would rather read.

Emma: Well what does he read? Is it about casting?

Ruddy: No, it’s mostly the stories of the gods and their teachings, but if he’s still around when it all happens I want to know he can defend himself enough to get away.

Emma: Ruddy, I can’t stay right now. I mean I’ll be here for a month or two until Arie comes through, but I need to take care of some things in Lycaris.

Ruudy: Then while you’re here. Please. Just enough so I don’t have to worry about him leaving the house. If it was the “them” then they will try again, we know that.

Emma: Okay. Okay. He can join me in my morning routine. I’m not sure about Arie, but I’ve been doing it since we started as kids. Whether or not it was the seers. He said they were slavers. Are they common around here?

Ruddy: Levi’s keeps most slavers out of the falls. When they took David, Levi blamed himself, and Falicia just looked broken. He was gone for three months.

Emma: Well if he was teaching David, maybe they targeted him because of that.

Ruddy: I don’t know. Falicia reported some weird elves watching her the days leading up to it.

Emma: I’ll look into it.

Ruddy: But you said you were kicked out.

Emma: That doesn’t mean I can’t track them. I know for a fact I’m being watched. I just can’t tell which one it is yet.

Levi: Hey. *Irritated* What happened to me joining you?

Ruddy: Yeah, you just ditched us. I thought you’d at least wait until we got back here.

Emma: Sorry. I knew if I left with you guys I might not have left to train. And this kind of proves that.

*Both men look down in guilt.*

Ruddy: You could have at least said goodbye.

*Emma starts to walk to the back door.*

Emma: I knew I would come back.*Smiles* Well, to make it up I’ll train David for now. Speaking of.

*Emma turns to Ruddy, a soft smile forms, and sorrow fills his eyes.*

Emma: When?

Ruddy: Last year. He has a gift for you and Ariella.

Emma: It can wait until she gets here then. Ruddy. Did he suffer at all?

Ruddy: No.

*Ruddy wipes his tears and smiles.*

Ruddy: He passed in his sleep. I was taking care of him the last of his days.

Emma: So you lost both Davids. Ruddy. I’m so sorry. At least you still have your son now though.

Ruddy: Exactly. I like to think Father helped guide him to you.

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

*Emma helps train David. Every day they run a full lap around the city, Afterwards David fights against one of Emma’s clones while she searches for the Seers watching her. A male elf with blue eyes sits on a balcony watching the two practice sipping on tea.*

Emma: Well I found the twins. So it’s Robin then.

*The Elf turns to Emma, surprised, he loses his illusion spell and drops his cup. Just before it hits the ground, Emma catches it with her magic.*

Robin: *Stutters* E-Emma, What a pleasure to see you. How was Mithrun?

Emma: Who ordered the attack on Kimmy?

*Emma’s eyes begin to turn purple and Robin backs up.*

Robin: I-I-I don’t know what you’re talking about. I stay away from her out of respect f-for you.

Emma: Then where is Lyra?

*Robin stops backing up.*

Robin: Lyra? She’s been ordered to stay home last I heard.

Emma: Of course. Oh, and Robin. Who took David?

Robin: You have to understand Emma.

*Emma’s clone disappears and David looks around when a Large explosion shakes the city. Emma walks towards Robin in the rubble.*

Emma: I won’t kill you. But if you ever touch that family again I will bleed you out for Archon and all the others to see.

*Robin crawls away from Emma.*

Robin: But then they’ll go after everyone. And you’ll lose them all.*Smiles*

Emma: It’s too early for them to make a move. That’s why you’re here. And they’re hiding back there. As long as I don’t kill you they won’t kill me.

*A crowd forms around the building, as the smoke clears Emma is gone, and Robin quickly reapplies his disguise. Ruddy and Levi reach the scene and start asking people around if they saw anything while Emma returns to train with David, Falicia watches him from the back door while looking out to the city.*

David: Where did you go? Right before that explosion you disappeared.

Falicia: I told him you probably went to investigate.

Emma: That was me.

David: Woah.

Falicia: What happened?!

Emma: I took care of the threat.

Falicia: Emma! That explosion probably destroyed some people's hearing.

Emma: I used wind magic to contain the explosion and push the sound up. That’s why the buildings around it weren’t harmed at all.

David: Can you teach me how to do that?

Emma: How about you practice you prove to me you can cast things like cure without depleting all of your magic.

Emma thinking: We learned whenever he uses healing, he doesn’t know how to limit his output and pours everything into even the slightest of cuts.

Emma: You’re already level seventy-eight. For a Human that’s huge. You just need to learn to turn off your spell.

David: But I don’t know how.

Emma: Think of your magic as a liquid running through your body. We’ll call it mana. Okay?

David: Okay.

Emma: So, The same way you can pinch a waterskin to slow down or stop the flow think of yourself pinching the mana flow off.

*Emma cuts her arm and stretches it out to David, the cut heals quickly but David struggles to stop pouring his Mana into Emma at first but eventually, it slows down until finally stopping. David drops down, exhausted.*

Emma: You did it.

Falicia: What’s mana?

Emma: It’s something I learned back in Mithrun. I had to pour some of mine into an egg to help it hatch. Since healing magic has always been described as a pouring action, I figured it might be related to mana.

Falicia: So this Mana. Can it be used to create barriers?

Emma: It already is. It’s just another word of magic. Understanding it better might help make a barrier stronger.

David: How do I cast a barrier?

Emma: I can only remember how to make a personal barrier. It’s part of the enhancement spell.

Falicia: Your dad called it Enhanced Defense remember?

Ruddy: What did I call?

*Ruddy and Levi both walk into the backyard and drop down as they sit on a bench.*

Emma: How was everything?

Ruddy: No one knows. The owner of the house lived without a scratch but wouldn’t talk. The neighbor's houses were all surprisingly unharmed though.

Emma: Good. That just means he learned his lesson.

Ruddy: Emma. What did you do?

*Emma explains the situation to the adults before returning to train with David.*

David: So if you can’t use barrier magic how did you protect those houses?

Emma: A strong enough wind current can tear through steel. I forced all of it up and out to avoid falling back into the city.

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

*Ariella knocks on the door of the house.*

Falicia: One moment, please.

*Falicia opens the door.*

Falicia: Ariella!*Hugs*

*Ariella comes in and everyone gathers around the main room. Ruddy brings a small box and hands it to the elves.*

Ruddy: Father David wanted you two to have this as a thanks for everything you did for the church.

Emma: You’re the ex-princess you open it.

Ariella: Yeah, because of you. *Smiles*

Emma: Don’t blame me for your mistake in childhood friends. *Laughs*

Falicia: Open it already!

Ariella: Okay. Okay.

*Inside the box rests a note as well as a pair of necklaces with vials of a red glowing liquid. Ariella hands the note to Emma and pulls out one of the necklaces.*

Emma: “I hope these phoenix tears save the life of someone precious to you one day. But, hopefully, that day never comes for you two.”

Ruddy: Those are phoenix tears?! He kept them on his desk as long as I knew him.

Ariella: Please! Tell me you found, like, his diary or something. I need to know more about him.

Falicia: He never liked to write about himself. He preferred to care for others.

*Everyone pauses in silence for Father David.*

Emma: If it wasn’t for Father David, we would have never met.

Ariella: Yeah, he introduced Ruddy to us here when were like fifteen I think.

Ruddy: Yeah, I’m glad he convinced me. He asked me about joining other parties but most of the time they were way older than me. I wanted a party I could grow with.

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

*Ariella talks to her troops while Emma talks to the party. David runs up wearing a bag full of supplies.*

Emma: Where are you going?

David: To train with you, Teacher.

Emma: *Looks at Ruddy and Falicia* Do you know of this?

Ruddy: David, Emma is going to be busy I’m sure. She won’t be able to teach you.

Emma: I’m not saying no. I was just confused.

Falicia: Ruddy. *Whispers* The safest place we know might be with her.

Ruddy: Are you okay with that though? We lost him before.

Falicia:*Looks at Emma.* You’ll keep him safe right?

Emma: Of course. Does he have ID? I plan on visiting Kimmy.

David: *Pulls out ID* Right here. I even have my savings to help with travel funds.

Emma: It’s up to you two. He is your child.

*Ruddy and Falicia step aside to talk with David. Ariella approaches the party.*

Ariella: What’s up?

Emma: David wants to go with me to train.

Ariella: Oh. How's that conversation going?

*Ruddy walks towards the elves.*

Ruddy: Emma. Can you make sure he writes? I’d send Little Rud with you but he’s gettin' up there in years.

Emma: Yeah, he can mail them when I mail mine.

*Falicia looks at him with tears, and David walks back to the party.*

Falicia: You listen to Emma alright?

David: Yes Mom. I promise.

Falicia: Emma. Please no dungeons. Nothing above ‘C’ rank.

Emma:*Laughs* I’ll treat him like I treated Kimmy. You have nothing to worry about.

*Ariella and the troops take their leave, while Emma and David slowly follow. Falicia, Levi, and Ruddy all wave goodbye. David waves with a giant smile on his face. *

Falicia: Remember! Write me in every town you visit!