Arwen laid by the stream mesmerized at its clear view of the fish that dwelled within. It was his fifteenth birthday and he spent it alone with no family to celebrate with, lost to him at a young age to the flames of his burning home. Arwen only had one friend, his brother in this world and that was Palaros a sickly child who was now laying next to deaths doors. The thought alone began to anger Arwen, he rose from the grass, grabbed as many stones he could find, and tossed them one by one furiously at the stream. What a day to be utterly alone.
Palaros was on mount Dairin looking below at all the kingdoms he knew he would never have the chance to see. Next to him stood Arwen but yet it wasn't the same boy he knew. Arwen stood tall and proud in fine worked armor with a symbol of a wolf engraved on a patch. Arwen looked at his friend and smiled Palaros was always struck by his friend's bright blue eyes which seemed to glow in contrast to his jet-black hair.
"I don't think this is part of the silver vales, how did we get here?" Palaros questioned
Arwen looked at him and laughed till his face was wet with tears
this act angered Palaros what was so funny. As Arwen finally got his bearings, he decided it was finally time to answer "Tips, we haven't been home in a great many years"
Just as Palaros turned to gaze at the view he was pushed off the mountain. Screams erupted all around him the sky was red and as he looked at the man who threw him over, Palaros saw himself.
Palaros woke and began grasping for air unable to cry out for his friend, his brother. As if a signal went off Arwen came bursting into the hut making strides to the bed
"TIPS!!!" Arwen shouted
"I'm okay Arwen" Palaros was finally able to croak by the time a coughing fit occurred Arwen was sitting on the bed gripping his friend's hand to show that he wouldn't be alone through this.
The two men strolled into the Silver Vales a place famed for its natural beauty in the wilds. The man in armor looked around in amazement before turning to his ally saying, "the tales are true 'tis a place of beauty isn't it Ethedir". The man called Ethedir removed his hood, he was a man who has seen a great many places, yet the Vales felt like an area with wonders. Ethedir looked at his long-time friend and companion Alaric, who's face was lit up like a child for someone as old as he. Alaric gazed at the stream barely seeing his own reflection he had to make note that it was due time he shaved.
" 'tis a wonderful place and amazed that it could reside in the
Wilds" Ethedir sneered
"Don't judge until you walk upon it yourself" Alaric jested
Ethedir didn't respond he just kept walking till they spotted the village it was small and filled with huts he could hear the people from the kingdoms quoting here lies savages and such.
The square was a joke compared to the markets in the kingdoms, the clothes the people wore seemed finer than the beggars but lesser than low born families.
Arwen left the hut and went down the hill it rested upon to go into town. They needed medical supplies for Palaros, he walked through looking at all the familiar face and then two men caught his attention. One wore finer robes than he has ever seen the man wasn't that tall, but he had this demeanor about him. This man had long black hair and a neatly trimmed beard, he turns and stared Arwen straight in the eyes. The boy was trapped in his gaze unable to move. The white-haired man that stood next to the dark haired one made moves toward Arwen. As much as he wanted to the boy's legs wouldn't move, he was trapped.
"Do not fear boy 'tis only a question we wish to ask" said the white-haired man
"My name is Alaric and my friend here is Ethedir" he continued
the dark-haired man named Ethedir began to walk to them the wind blew, and Arwen saw something that reminded him of Palaros. It was Ethedir's ears.
Palaros sat up in alarm when he saw two men walk in behind his brother. He glared at the men in alarm but was unable to do anything about it. He hated himself for that since they were little it always felt like he was the younger brother when in fact he was seventeen. The man in finer robes walked up to the bed, Arwen looked uncomfortable, but he let the man continue his approach.
"So, you're the boy" the man said
"I'm Ethedir a man who is in many ways just like you"
Palaros was confused like him what could this man possibly know about him and what he has been through. If they were the same how can this man be walking perfectly fine how is the man's blood not boiling like his own blood felt every day of his life. Rage continued to rise for the young man his eyes looked Madden it was like looking into flames of hell.
Ethedir was unnerved by the boy how could he have that much anger for one who has yet to experience life. He continued to approach young Palaros until he stood over him. He gazed at the young man whose hair was so long and unkept it looked like an untamed fire. Palaros looked up at the man as if to challenge him, his gaze didn't falter he was someone who wouldn't fall he was a man who would rise with all that passion. But the wise man knew passion wasn't always a good thing.
"Hello young one my name is Ethedir and this man accompanying me is Alaric" The who was man known as Ethedir said as he went on to sit on the bed which Palaros sat. The man in armor never said a word he just leaned on the door and watched with his bright hazel eyes and short white hair it was intimidating. No man had held a presence like this since their father and it rattled him. Palaros shifted his gaze to his one source of comfort his brother, Arwen didn't look as gazed as him or as on guard in fact he just sat on the ground watching.
"What do you want with us" Palaros demanded
Alaric chuckled and as if on que Arwen glared at the man who laughed at his family
"Something funny" he growled but Alaric just burst into laughter and as it started to die down, he exclaimed "kid I like you, but it is far too soon for you to even think about taking me on".
As if a match was lit Arwen charged at the man grabbed a knife as he went Alaric stood straight letting, him come. In a flash the knife was now in the knight's hand and Arwen was sent flying out the door and kissing dirt.
Alaric stepped out of the little hut and closed the door he could use a little warm up and this kid held the answer. Arwen got up and wiped the dirt off his face anger rolled along with embarrassment this people were supposed to help yet here he was eating a mud pie for lunch.
Alaric laughed some more then motioned for the kid to follow him "while they talk how about we go for a hunt kid"
"It's Arwen not kid and if you think you can keep up with me you're on" with that said Arwen burst into action jumping through the bush and into the forest. Alaric watch under his breath he said "reminds me of a young me wonder what he'll do when he realizes his friend has to leave" marching into the woods to begin the hunt.
Palaros wished he could have helped his brother, but it's been years since he could even amount the strength to walk out of this hut. Instead he was stuck with this old man who has yet to even utter a word since his introduction. "I think it's time we talked"
"That it is young one, alas I'm here to help you regain yourself and hopefully you'll join me under my wing as an apprentice"
The boy sat there with a loss of word apprentice how could he be any help to this man in his state, as if reading his mind, the man begun to explain
"You and I aren't like most people we are beings of incredible power and wisdom, once you come with me, I can show you what you cannot possibly comprehend on your own.'
Don't you feel the boil of your blood that holds you captive that is your mana calling to you and you have forsaken it for far too long."
Ethedir got up from the bed and took a few steps back but watched Palaros as he moved, the man raised his hands and said an ancient word "caeli"
The word held power and Palaros felt every fiber of it, then something extraordinary happened! A huge gust of wind started to blow through the door and form into Ethedir's hands it was a sight to behold the man now had a ball of wind swirling on his palm.
Palaros gazed with wonder as the ball continued to swirl, he watched as Ethedir just smiled at him but then the boy noticed something it was something he knew all too well. Palaros noticed that the man shared his trait of pointy tipped ears.
Arwen ran with all the strength he could muster, no way that geezer is gonna catch up he thought as he went. He knew these woods like it was his own backyard, he knew the spots he should and shouldn't cross. That knight would be lost in seconds he thought then rustling occurred next to the young boy and popping out was Alaric jumping high and passing by a few feet. He landed gracefully as if he had wings on his back and that left the boy in awe, who was this man really and what powers did he possess?
Alaric stared at Arwen triumphantly, he knew that he had skills beyond the lad and hidden talent that no one else could attain by normal means. His eyes saw things better than any normal man, he could jump high and descend as if he had wings of his own. This was the talents of those who tie themselves to a dalish it was a gift and a curse. Arwen stood there dismayed for a few minutes but then the fire lit back in his eyes the hunt wasn't over and as a hunter he wouldn't give up. Alaric watched the boy jump into so bushes and disappear. That's the spirit he thought it was good that the boy didn't give up because what he would face later on would be much challenging. The boy needed the spirit to keep on going.
Arwen jumped and dashed further into the forest than he planned. He was going into territories that he had been warned not to by his father. He looked over his shoulder and couldn't see Alaric grinning to himself that the geezer was unable to get him. But what was that jump he preformed in front of him that wasn't natural but yet it felt fitting for the man it was as if the man could fly like the birds. Arwen was hit by a huge force on it sent him straight to the ground. In a daze he couldn't see what it was but he felt the heavy breathing of a predator on him. He knew that trouble had found him, on top of him pinning him to the ground was the biggest wolf he had ever seen. It was a rusty colored creature the size of three grown sized men, it only needed one paw to hold him down.
Arwen had to calm himself and think of a way out of this, his father had taught him how to hunt well. He was taught how to survive by relying on his natural instincts. His breathing slowed and he didn't move from facing the wolf, but he used his peripheral sight to find something of use. A sharp branch laid to his left and a smooth rock to his right. Stretching his arms out slowly Arwen tested to see which object was in his reach. The wolf lowered its head and bared its fangs at the young boy, it was now or never he thought. Gripping the stone, he banged it to the side of the wolf's head, it pushed back stunned the paws grip releasing and Arwen rolled over into his feet grabbing the branch as he steadied himself.
The wolf charged and Arwen danced around its assault, he knew he couldn't run from the beast that only one of them would walk away from this. They began circling each other listen for and watching for any sign of an attack nothing else at the moment mattered but the fight that was in front of them. Arwen held the stick as he would have held his hunting knife it was stupid of him to have left the house unarmed but it couldn't be undone now. The wolf made the first strike it charged and leaped in the air to dive at Arwen. The boy was prepared and rolled right under the beast. As he rolled, he dug the branch into the wolf's side. A howl of agony pierced the sky, the wolf toppled as it went the branch was punched into its side even more. Blood pour out of the creature it couldn't possibly continue to fight in that condition. Arwen couldn't relax though he saw the fire was still burning in the eyes of the beast. It forced itself to its feet staring intensely at Arwen. It felt like a whole lifetime had past as the wolf walked up to the boy. It was right in front of him and it stood tall and proud. A trail of blood followed its approach, Arwen knew the fight was over, but something held him there in that moment.
Palaros still sat on his bed shocked at what Ethedir had just preformed. It was no doubt that was magic the man had just displayed but how could a mere man possess such a talent, no He knew Ethedir was no man he was something more. The wind calmed and the man took a seat on the bed to be on eye level with the boy. He wondered what feat will this young welp preform once he's trained what mark would young Polaris leave on their world.
"I know you aren't here for our great residence so begin explaining yourself as to what you want with me" Palaros exclaimed
Ethedir said nothing he continued just watching the boy which just made the young on frustrated.
"WHAT DO YOU WANT WITH ME!!" The boy erupted
The anger flew out his body in a searing heat the wax on candles began to melt. Smoke started to accumulate, and the bed just erupted into green flames.
Shock hit Palaros those flames, it was the same flames that took everything from him. The flames of hellfire but why is it tormenting him they danced around the bed like a fireplace. Taunting him for his weakness, memories flashed in his mind of the day the boys lost their parents.
Arwen was told by father to go deep in the forest and find food for the family. Mother was cleaning up their home. This was before hell day before the village shunned the boys to the edge of the vales so close to the wilds.
Men came into town asking for a King that tried to rebel against the kingdoms. The rebellion ended twenty years ago and the King of Sasan the forgotten sixth kingdom had disappeared many believed he died at the battle of the Regent. Father came busting trough the door asking mother to pack and hide the grimoire. Mother ran and pushed the large golden tome right under the mattress I laid on and told me to bare with the discomfort for a bit. The soldiers came waltzing I'm not too long after demanding to see everyone who lived here. Father grabbed his hunting knife and tucked it in his boot, mother went to the soldiers to plead for them to let me stay in bed that I was sickly. One of the soldiers back handed my mother to the floor demanding she not speak. My father rushed over with rage in his eyes, as if they could tell they pulled out their swords. The one who hit my mother was smiling he was looking for chaos.
A sword was plunged in father's gut, mother's scream echoed through the house. As father's body fell and hit the floor Palaros watched with terror and rage. A rage so hot he felt his blood boiling, the young boy let out a scream. This scream wasn't anything special but what was to come would define that moment. The halls erupted into flames, these flames were a deadly green the symbol of hellfire. As if by command the flames charged for the soldiers and engulfed them, it happened so fast that the Soldiers were unable to shout in agony. The hellfire didn't die out with the soldiers it split and rushed to multiple homes. Killing all the invaders searching for a long-lost king. Homes became covered in hellfire leaving no one the chance to escape.
Screams echoed throughout the village families lost, children, wives, husbands, and friends. Palaros sat on the bed unharmed by the flames. Mother ran to his side she grabbed hold of him and held tight. She whispered words in his ear a message to share with his brother when the time was right. Arwen saw smoke in the direction of the village dropped all the carcasses he acquired and ran for home. Palaros held his mother's burnt corpse and began to rise, he had the strength to move so he marched right out the door. Tears streaming down his face for his loss that day. His family was shattered, the village wouldn't recover from his, and he knew deep down that he was the cause.