Fifteen years later…
It was a beautiful day, the sun was shining, not a cloud in the sky in the Elven city of Urithe. Adolescent she-elves were tending the gardens with their mothers as the young boys came back with their fathers from the day's hunt and helped them begin preparing the meat for the upcoming festivities. Everything was running smoothly in this bustling city.
A grizzled man by the name of Titarius was just finishing up cutting up his kill for the day as he boomed, "Thain! Can you give me a hand with this? I have to get the rest of the things ready for the upcoming festival!" For a few moments Titarius wasn't sure if the lad had heard him or not until his heightened ears picked up the heavy footfalls of Thain dashing towards him.
"I got it Uncle!" Thain exclaimed enthusiastically as he gathered all the meat his uncle prepared and lugged it to the storage unit besides the house. Thain was tall and large for an Eladrin, standing at five foot eight he was about one hundred and eighty-five pounds of corded muscles. His hair was on the longer side, his violet eyes flaked with gold peeking out just from beneath his bangs, and was raven black tinged with violet streaks, and he had bronze skin from many days beneath the three suns of Solanthion. Thain's body hummed with vibrant energy as he always got excited around this time of the year, as the upcoming festival was his favorite of all time. The festival took place on the Eleventh day of Fernicus and it was the biggest festival of all Solanthion. Men and women from all over Solanthion would come and compete in the Festivals Challenges. There were three contests that challengers would have to compete and complete. One would always take place within the Elven city wall, the second just outside the wall in the forests and the other would take place in the Faye, where only Eladrin could withstand the magical effects that made any other creatures go mad if they stayed in it too long. But the hardest part and the greatest, in Thain's opinion, was the fact that all three challenges, although held in the same areas, were never the same as any other previous years, they were always different. The contestants never knew what to expect except to expect the unexpected.
"Uncle, do you think I would have an actual chance at winning the contests this year?" Thain asked curiously as he finished hauling the meat. "That is if I actually sign up to compete this year." Titarius stopped in his tracks and looked at his nephew incredulously as he said, " So you mean to tell me you won't try and sign up the one year you're actually old enough to compete but for the last seven years you weren't you would?" His uncle snorted "Thain we both know your name is already on that tryouts list again" Thain smirked and said, "Well that's beside the point Uncle, answer the question." Titarius chuckled as he replied, "Of course I do."
Thain looked back slightly surprised at the honesty in his uncle's voice "You really mean, that don't you?"
"Of course, why wouldn't I?" Titarius asked.
Thain shrugged and said, "I don't know Uncle, just curious is all."
Titarius shook his head and looked at Thain, "Thain you were born on Eladrin and Elven the day of Honor and didn't even shed a tear or utter a single cry upon your entry into this world. Your father was a great warrior himself. Not only that the Goddess Elain blessed you as well. Your violet eyes are rare among Eladrin and is all about nonexistent anymore thankfully it is still a possibility to get them so they don't stand out as much as they would have if everyone knew your eyes were originally emerald, your hair being tinged with streaks of violet and tattoo over your right eye, and not to mention your physique is that of warrior. Thain it runs in your blood through and through, there is no denying you're meant for war However, that being said I am glad you use illusion magic to not make yourself stand out."
Thain looked at his Uncle as he processed what he'd just said as he agreed with him and then asked, "So that means you're a warrior too right Uncle?"
Titarius grunted and after a moment said, "Yes I was, but I gave that all up in a heartbeat the moment I met your Aunt Gwendillyn, and I've never looked back since especially now that we have you Thain." He smiled at Thain, the love and pride shining through eyes.
Thain never doubted his Uncle or Aunt's love for him but he sometimes wished they wouldn't keep his father or mothers name a secret from him. Every time he brought it up, they always said, 'He was a great warrior whose name was worthy of great praise and name shall be sung for eternity in the afterlife. And that his mother was a woman whose beauty was equal to a Goddesses and who loved him very much and did everything in her power to keep him safe. Thain knew that he came to live with his Uncle and Aunt for his own safety, but never really understood why he was in danger, just that one day when he was old enough, he would inherit something that his parents left behind for him that he would need one day. It was frustrating to no end, but he understood, besides, he knew he was meant to be a warrior, he was what they called a Warborn. A child blessed by the Goddess of War, Elain, he was gifted with unnatural abilities bred for battle, such as enhanced strength, speed, agility, reflexes and senses.
An untrained Warborn was rumored to be able to take down ten armed men in the blink of an eye, as they had an unnatural sense of knowing how to fight; it was almost like a reflex. However, a trained Warborn in the arts of battle was the fear of all armies and nations, as there were records of Warborn's fighting in the Great War, leaving hundreds of bodies dead in their wake. They also had a tendency to become fueled and driven mad by bloodlust and urge that sent them on murderous rampages and the order had to send their personal, special force of assassins to take them out, however this bloodlust was a genetic defect in the person themselves not the fact they were blessed by Elain. As there were plenty of known Warborn warriors who never succumbed to bloodlust and it was rumored that the assassins of The Order were Warborn's who were immune to the bloodlust. It was said to take a force of thirty regular soldiers to take one Warborn down and nearly twice as many to take down one that was crazed.
Every Warborn had a unique mark that marked them as such, but that was with every child blessed by the gods and goddesses of Solanthion. He had a few, but he covered his hair and tattoo with magic, so no one knew he was a Warborn. Children being blessed by the gods were becoming extremely rare and were instantly taken by The Order.
"So, if you already signed up for the contests, how are we going to keep your Aunt from trying to find a way to stop you? The contests are extremely dangerous as you well know, and your Aunt is very protective of you." His Uncle's words brought him back from his thoughts and he snorted as he said, "What she doesn't know about can't hurt her right?" They both looked at each other and burst out laughing, as they both knew she'd find out anyways, if she hadn't already, you couldn't hide anything from her no matter how hard you tried and Thain all about just gave up on trying.
Two days later Thain found himself in the market looking for new equipment for the contests. He knew he needed a shield, and some armor, he wasn't worried about a sword as they would supply those if they were required, what he really needed was a new pair of boots as his were heavy and loud and would only slow him down as well as give his position away should he need to hide.
Thain walked around for a bit when he passed a bench with an extremely nice pair of boots on them, however they looked expensive and he wanted to try and save some of his money he'd been saving for years but no matter how hard he tried to walk away he couldn't, he felt as if he was being drawn to them by an invisible force stronger than his own will. Finally giving into his urge he stopped and began to reach out for them when a hand snatched them away before he could blink. Looking up Thain saw a she-elf around his own age with flowing long silver hair that almost looked white from the sun's reflection. She had pale skin and deep emerald eyes that were striking against her hair and skin but would catch the attention of anyone. Her face was elegant, with high cheekbones, almond shaped eyes of the elves, an aristocrat's nose and plush lips. She wore a long flowing sundress that was tied about her waist with a ribbon that complimented her hair and eyes, but by the looks of her shoes Thain figured she needed them way more than he did.
"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't realize you were looking at these as well, I didn't mean to take them from you." The she-elf smiled innocently as she offered them to him.
"That's okay," Thain said as he waved off the boots, "I was simply curious but from the looks of things you need them more than me."
"What's that supposed to mean?" she asked with mock indignation.
"Well, I-I just meant that... I mean..." Thain stammered.
The she-elf giggled at his loss for words and then gave him the most genuine and brilliant smile that dazzled him with her beauty, and Thain felt the breath being knocked out of him as he stared. "Don't worry I know what you meant. These old boots are so worn it's a wonder they haven't fallen off my feet yet."
Thain blinked as her word penetrated his daze and he realized she was giving him a hard time, and hoping she didn't notice him staring quickly said, "oh, okay good," then added, "I mean not your situation with your boots but the fact you knew what I meant."
"Uh-huh." She gave him a smile that said to keep going and his face turned as red as the suns on the festival of blood, the day all the races honored the fallen of The Great War, then said " I apologize, I'm just embarrassing myself. Please take these boots I insist, I will find myself another pair."
"Thank you very much!" She gave him another dazzling smile that left him at a loss for words again, then turned to the merchant selling the boots and handed him her coin purse. She turned and gave a small wave towards Thain before walking back off to wherever she had come. Thain quickly turned to the merchant and said, "I need the next best set of boots you have, and a new coin purse, quickly!" The merchant chuckled and handed Thain the items he requested. Thain quickly paid him and looked back towards the direction the she- elf had walked and could just see the top of her silver hair, and asked, "Also what was the price of those boots you just sold that girl?" The merchant glanced at him then followed his gaze and chuckled shaking his head, "Twenty elven gold pieces and five copper rounds." Thanking him, Thain quickly ram after the she- elf. Grabbing the new coin purse, he quickly transferred the currency she'd spent from his coin purse into the new one a thought struck him, and he groaned inward mentally.
How could I be so stupid? Now I've completely made a fool of myself!
He had just realized he didn't even know her name yet, and was chasing her like an idiotic fool, but even knowing that it didn't stop him from saying "Excuse me! I believe you dropped this." The she-elf looked up in surprise as she saw him jogging up beside her, raising an elegant eyebrow when she saw the outstretched purse. She accepted it cautiously and peeked inside and a small smile split her face as she said, "Thank you, but I cannot accept this." She handed him back the purse and added "I appreciate the gesture, but we don't even know one another's names."
Thain grinned as he said "If that's the only issue that can easily be fixed. My name's Thain." The she elf smiled and said, "I am Silver, nice to meet you Thain." He grinned and handed her back the purse as he said, "Well then Miss Silver I think this belongs to you, and I am obliged by my chivalrous heart to return what was rightfully stolen from you by that greedy merchant!"
Silver giggled and said, "Well then I guess I have no choice but accept lest I bruise your Honor." She accepted the purse, shaking her head a smile across her face, "Now excuse me Mr. Nightlokk but I have to return home." And she quickly dashed off, and it wasn't until after she had disappeared that he realized Silver had called him by his last name. Raising his eyebrow, he just shrugged and continued his hunt for equipment.
Later that day he returned to his home in the woods to a furious Aunt Gwendilyn. Thain sighed deeply in resignation as he entered and heard her screaming at his Uncle and thought idly, It's going to be a long afternoon it seems. He set his equipment down by the door, he had managed to get a new set of leather armor, a medium sized oak buckler shield, his new boots, and a small variety of potions he could use in the contests if need be, he had planned on buying a sword but after giving the money he had to Silver he couldn't afford one, which was fine as the contest did supply weapons, and armor for contestants if need be.
"How can you support this, let alone encourage it Titarius!" Gwendilyn exclaimed in a rage, as her eyes narrowed on his new gear. "You know how dangerous those contests are!" "Gwendy stop worrying, you can't coddle the boy forever and he is capable of handling himself. He's of age and allowed to enter, and there's nothing you or I can do to stop that even if we wanted to." His uncle stated simply. "Yeah Aunty, I'm not a kid anymore I'm going to do this." Thain stated firmly. She looked at him in shock, as he had never taken an authoritative tone to her or his uncle and even Titarius seemed surprised by it. She looked at him and saw the dead set resolve in his eyes and sighed and pulled Thain into a hug and said "Just promise you'll be safe; I can see in your eyes your mind is made… just like your father… Can't dissuade you once you set your mind to something, you'll do anything to see it done." She patted his cheek and kissed his head.
Thain smiled and said, "I promise Aunty." For the next few days Thain trained hard for the contests, practicing anything he thought would be thrown at him, but he could only do so much as the contests were meant to be unpredictable, he panted as he lowered his practice sword he carved from a tree and said "Then i'll just train for the unexpected..." Two days before the contests he signed up and was told to be ready for the first challenge.