Chapter 2

The Tainted

“Emily? Are you ready, dear?” my court lady, Jasmine asked me. She looked rather tired from all of the commotion that this morning has caused. Being the day of the ceremony, a lot of people have been coming and going throughout our estate all morning. I’ve been dreading this day for a long while.

“Yes, Jas, I’m coming, let me grab my things and I’ll be right there” I said as I pocketed my coin purse into my leather trousers. Taking one last look in the mirror I made sure I was semi-presentable. I tied my long brown hair into a loop behind my head and walked out. Never being one for dresses, I’m usually found in shorts or trousers and a shirt that is good for movement. I’ve been trained in swords since I was a little girl, my father being an avid believer in the ability to stand up for what you believe in. He made sure that, since a young age, I was taught to defend myself from any danger I may face. He’s not a big fan of magic, though. He usually turns his nose up to magic users, except my mother, of course. Being the head of a noble house, their marriage was arranged but from an early age they had been almost inseparable. Growing up together, they became some of the best friends as children and that blossomed into an unwavering love for each other. I like to think that it really is a fairy tail story but it’s not. My mother’s house was set afire by a rivaling magician that was scorned by my grandfather and only my mother and grandmother made it out alive. Ever since that incident my father has viewed all mages as tainted beings. I was especially made aware of this when I found out I have an innate ability in healing magics and incantations. I thought he was going to disown me when he found out but mother consoled him. She finally convinced him that, maybe having a healing mage for a daughter, isn’t so bad. I personally like the term “little spellsword” my uncle gave me one day while training.

“Oh, Emily, you really should put the dress on that I laid out for you. Your mother is going to be so disappointed if you get in front of everyone looking like a street ruffian” Jasmine tisked as I walked out of my room.

“I’d much rather be comfortable than pretty, especially when it comes to being in a crowd. I also don’t like standing out too much. Kind of like you and your black and white gown you wear everyday. Who would ever notice you in a crowd of regulars” I said while playfully rolling my eyes. “Besides, mother will be okay. She knows that by now I can’t be dressed up like a doll.” I skipped up to Jasmine and jostled the frill belt around her waist. “Come on now, you don’t want to be left behind,” I said flippantly as I strode to the stairs, turning around I added, “we’re going to be late, you know? Better hurry up” I laughed skipping down the stairs.

Upon reaching the bottom of the stairs I looked around and was shocked at the amount of movement I witnessed. “Busy, busy, busy” I said, whistling. I headed to the kitchen to grab a quick bite before I had to leave for the center of the city. I browsed the pantry over a few times, hoping it would magically add more every time, until finally just grabbing a bright red apple and quickly biting into the fruit. “Jathmine, vring my thword” I said with a mouth full of the sweet and tart fruit.

“I really wish you wouldn’t do that, it’s… not very ladylike” she said as she sighed. “I figured you would want it so I have already grabbed it. Now, please hurry and be on your way” she groaned upon seeing my toothy grin.

“You know you love me, Jas.” I said with a smile that reached my ears and I took the sheathed sword from her and latched it to my belt. “What excitement would you ever find without me?” I turned and headed towards the door to leave. “Let mother and father know that I left.”

I strode through the side door out towards the stable and my horse, Eleanor. I’ve had Eleanor since I could remember, she’s grown with me through everything and I do my best to spend some time with her everyday.

“You’re finally here, aye?” I turned as Turner, the stablehand was coming around the corner with two buckets of water. “It’s about time, was wondering if ye was even up yet.” Turner is around my age and takes care of all the stable animals and actually lives in the house with us. My father hired him a few years ago as a favor to one of his old school buddies, he needed a job and my father needed a stablehand, it was a win-win.

“Ha-ha, Turner, don’t you have some crap to shovel or something?” I enquired with a grin.

“You mean other than the usual Tesharion mess?” He quipped back, “I think I may but the ceremony is keeping everyone busy so I’m just gonna relax today,” he stated with a toothy grin.

“Don’t let father hear you say that, he’ll have your head, or worse. Besides, you’re just jealous that I’m able to go to the ceremony while you have to sit here and entertain all the animals. Wait, now that I think about it, you fit right in. You should be happy!” I laughed.

“Bah, that’s just mean. I’ll go get Eleanor for you, I know that’s why you’re here. You never come for any other reason.”

“I appreciate that, now hurry up before you make me late!” I yelled back at him as he wandered into the giant double doors. A few moments later a beautiful, jet black, mare sauntered out the doors with a smiling Turner in tow.

“I saddled her for you already, I know you usually have trouble and I can do it quicker. She’s been missing you, I can tell.”

“Thanks, Turner, I appreciate it, really.” I said as I put my foot in the stirrup and jumped into the seat. “You saved me a bit of time.” I grinned and nudged Eleanor onward. “Maybe I won’t tell my father about that Tesharion comment after all!” I yelled behind me with a huge grin. Turner visibly paled upon that and went back into the stable rather quickly. “What a fool” I laughed as I rode towards out of the house yards and into the roads.

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The ride through the city is always a blast. So many people, animals, and trade goods. It’s always amazing to see. A few people always look at my sword then me, then back to my sword before quickly averting their eyes but that’s nothing new. You get used to that when it happens so much. I trotted through the city towards the governing building. Hopefully I’m not late, I thought to myself. Father will kill me if I’m late.

I finally approached the huge brick building around midday. It’s always cool to see the wooden stage that sits far to the side of the place. I hitched my horse outside and made my way in.

“This is absolutely unacceptable. I cannot believe you would allow such a travesty in this city!” I could hear someone yelling as I walked into the door. “After everything they have done you would allow such a party to venture in here as if nothing was wrong. You have really gone soft, Eldwin. I'm sorely disappointed in you.”

“I understand your anger, Hagor, but you need to calm down. This is my decision as king and you need to accept that. The Wilders reached out to us a few days and they have generously sent materials and schemas for new potions, weapons, armor, and even food. They are seriously trying recompense for their wrongdoings in the past, and as king, it is my goal to unite my people.” I heard the Elf king bellow back towards my father.

I walked into the room slowly trying to avoid causing a stir, I was almost sitting on the chair in the corner when my father saw me. “Ah, Emily! You have finally arrived. We need you to get ready for the announcement. Do you have everything for the trip? You won’t be able to return to the house after this.”

“Uhhh. What? What are you talking about?” I asked, concerned.

“Your one that has been chosen to go on to Ashwood and being from house Tesharion, it’s a great honor. I told you all that training in combat and agility would pay dividends in your future! This is a huge chance for you and the family to make contacts and increase our reach to other cities!” My father marvelled while looking towards something that only he could see.

“What? No one told me this! Do I even get a say in this? What if I don’t want to go?” I reeled at the realization that I was being forced on this excursion.

“Emily, it’s always such a pleasure to see you” Eldwin said while giving me a caring smile. “I personally chose you. I can assure you your father has no say in this. I’ve followed your training for awhile and the group could greatly use someone of your skill, and you can even heal! That’s a huge help, you have no idea how much this means to me. It’s greatly appreciated.”

I frowned, “you know it’s hard to complain when you put it that way.” Putting my hands on my hips I stuck my leg out, “don’t stop complimenting me, now. I’m ready for some more.”

Eldwin belted a laugh out, “some things just never change” he said while making his way to me and embracing me in a hug. “It is good to see you. I do appreciate your help on this, there’s no one else I would have in your spot.” Releasing me, he continued, “if you make your way to the back room, we’ll be starting soon.

I nodded my head and pointed quizzically and Eldwin gave me a quick nod. “Good luck with father,” I said as I exited the room with a laugh headed towards the back.

“Not funny, Emily. Eldwin this isn’t a joke. You can just let a Wilder put their hands on this. We need to keep this a secret and it’s too dangerous to include one of them,” I heard father say as I walked out of earshot. Dangerous? Secret? What are they talking about? This is just a trip to Ashwood for trade relations, what is father talking about I wondered. As I made my way into the back room I quickly noticed I was not the first one in here. There were 3 other people in the room. One I recognized as an elven Watcher. “Gerald! It’s been awhile! How have you been?” I asked the tall elf.

“Ahhhh! Little spellsword, how are you? I see you’ve grown a few inches since the last time I saw you.” Gerald, a high elf about a hand span taller than me replied. His elegant smile reached his pointy ears and blonde hair. “I heard you would be joining us and I was pleased. Not many humans can use a sword like you. What’s this I hear about healing magic, though?”

I chuckled, “It’s nothing. I’m just pretty decent with a blade and being able to heal my own wounds let's me train even harder! I’ve been doing my best to get stronger.” I gave him a playful punch to the shoulder, “I could probably take you in a duel now, you know?” I winked at him.

“Oh? I’d like to see you try” he replied playfully as his palm started to glow red with a small flame. “It would be interesting to see how you’ve improved,” he quipped.

“What’s this, Gerald?” a stout orc male said. “I didn’t think you took your nose out of a book long enough to socialize with us commoners. You haven’t said a single word at all to any of us since you’ve arrived here.”

“On the contrary, Batul, you haven’t said a word to me either.” Gerald said walking towards the orc. Upon getting close to him I could see the height disparity, the orc was at least my size. The difference being he was covered in chainmail that shined as if it were brand new. He wore a branded mace at his hip that looked as if it was putting off a faint white glow and bore a shield on his back with a giant red horse on its hind legs.

I quickly walked up to both of them and stuck my hand out. “Hello! It’s a pleasure to meet you. My name is Emily, it looks like we’ll all be traveling together. I noticed the horse on your shield, you’re from House Traster?”

“Hmph,” Batul looked at my hand for a second before taking it, “The pleasure is mine. I am Batul, the younger brother to Halith, the head of House Traster. I look forward to our trip, may it be prosperous for all of us.” Batul said to me with a grin that showed off his bottom tusks sticking out over his lip. “Gerald is bad at introductions, don’t mind him.”

“Really now? Gerald we will have to work on that” I said jokingly while poking my elbow into his side. He just gave Batul an annoyed glance and shrugged at me. Just as he did that the door opened and a young troll walked in and saw us.

“Are you all ready? We need to head towards the tunnel. My name is Jirak, if you’ll follow me, I’ll lead you to the stage.”

“Well, let’s get this shit over with.” Batul said as he walked towards the troll. Gerald and I followed behind him. I noticed that the other one, an orc that was covered in robes slowly stood up and walked towards us as well. I’ll have to greet them when we get up there, I thought to myself.

We made our way down the hall towards the room under the stage that led to the tunnel. I couldn’t help but marvel at the gleaming white bricks that made up the walls of all the rooms and tunnels down here. It’s just absolutely beautiful, I’ll have to be sure to tell father that we need to employ whoever laid these to build something of ours.

As we arrived just before the tunnel the troll turned to us, “You all will be coming from this door which is just beside the stage. The king will come from the center tunnel to introduce you all. Congratulations on being chosen and good luck on your adventure!” Jirak stated matter of factly as he turned to walk away. “The door will open when it’s time.”

The troll left us all to our own whims for a few minutes in the tunnel while we all waited for the door to open. Rather suddenly the robed orc jerked and looked up. “It’s time,” the stranger said just before a red gleam started showing through his robes and around his hood.

“Are you okay, friend?” Batul, questioned with worry on his face.

“No!” Gerald shouted quickly, pulling me away and pushing me towards Batul. In a matter of seconds a pale blue glow encased us as I witnessed Gerald moving his hands while saying the words for a spell I didn't recognize. “Get back, he's using magic." He barely got the words out before a massive explosion blew the three of us back, slamming us hard into the brick wall behind us. Feeling an immense heat completely cover my body I started to black out.