'Amazing! That gnome has a few mithril tools! And look at this sketch, its a beautiful piece of work but he never finished it. Wish those two buffoons would stop this devilry and just run the dungeon but not much I can do about that. Just an archer and craftsman, just the weakest link.' Thinks Henwick bitterly as he continues to shift through the gnomes building room before he hears the doors to the smith opening and the sound of boots on the ground.
"Henny, you find anything interesting? Chena's setting up camp and getting a meal prepared so hurry it up." Yells Drago as Henwick grimaces slightly before taking a deep breathe and responding.
'I can remember the day I met these two. Worst or best day of my life.' Henwick thinks before he begins to reminisce.
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In a large forest in an unknown land a pale man with pointed ears and the physique of a body builder uses a small knife to delicately carve a branch of wood, each stroke of the blade taking small pieces from the wood while a soft glow is released at the end of each stroke. The man breathes deeply and holds his breath as the knife twirls around the branch before the whole thing glows an emerald green, the wood creaking gently before the light fades and the branch reveals itself.
{Wand of the Fairy Prince Rarity-Unique/Rare Description- A wand handcrafted by Henwick Amadeus Frazeen, Prince of the Unseelie Court, from a branch of the winters edge tree. Using his own magic this wand has the power to both heal and punish those its used against. Additional Enchantments are locked into this wand until a worthy wielder is met.}
"Bah useless, another failure wand for the armory or auctions. At this rate it'll be another three hundred cycles until I can make epic equipment unless better materials come in." Henwick grumbles as he leans back on his arms and looks to the sky.
Above him rests the tops of the trees, each slightly enchanted to watch the prince lest he attempt to something foolish once again. Movement in the tree's draws his attention as several small creatures leap from the canopy and glide towards him, their large black and brown eyes focused on his chest before they all crash into him in a heap while a small chuckles escapes him.
"You little buggers! Well you caught me so I guess I don't have a choice but ton play with you eh?" Henwick laughs out as the small creatures chitter happily while crawling all over the man. Swiftly the man stands and chuckles as the creatures fall off his body before a yellow current appears under their bodies and they fly around the mans head.
Without thinking Henwick crouches and leaps into the air before delicate wings of crystal and silk appear on his back, wisps of emerald and orange shine throughout the appendages as the flit up and down, quickly bringing the man to the top of the canopy. among the highest branches lies several small buildings made from gathered branches and silk, rope bridges span between several of the buildings while hanging from branches are planters filled with vegetables and fruits growing in random.
Chasing the little things through the branches he laughs happily before they all set down in front of a towering building built into the treetops. They stand at the top of a tower, a balcony of vines underfoot as Henwick walks inside his room and see's another man waiting for him with his arms crossed. The man is muscled but thin, his face set into an almost constant glower as he glares disappointedly at the fairy prince.
"Henwick I've told you thousands of times you can't just hang out on the surface. What happens if any of the lesser races find you? They already hunt us for our wings and knowledge! If they were to see you and track you, what then? Who would defend the few of us left? You? No your just a useless princeling with no idea of how this world works. Get washed up your mother wishes to speak with you." Lectures the man before he turns stiffly and walks away.
Henwick just stares at the mans back, a distant look of rage and loathing on his face before he takes a deep breath and follows after the intrepid manservant.
'Idiotic fool....who does he think he is to command me? I'm a prince! Even if the lower races saw me that means nothing, I could easily vanquish them.' Fumes Henwick silently as he finally steps into a large circular room, the walls shine with natural light as the vines and branches that make them up move slowly over one another to pitch shadows around the interior. Several large mushrooms dot the ceiling with a soft blue glow while a throne sits at the far end of the room. Standing behind the throne stands the fool who ordered him here while staring out a large window is a woman in a trailing gown.
Glancing at the woman a small smile shows on Henwick's face as takes in todays choice of outfits. A light metal breastplate, more cloth than metal covers the woman from her shoulders to her waist, a long flowing silk attached to the the bottom of the plate, its color a soft green that glows as the bottom of the material meets the floor and trails behind the woman. As he steps forward she glances at him and smiles. Her face is a delicate pale white, her eyes shine an orangish brown like fresh honey while her hair trails over her shoulder like fresh hewn wheat.
"Hen, I hear that you were off exploring the ground lands again? You know its forbidden except for our hunters. Tell me why my lovely boy?" She says in a voice filled with the warmth of summer, love, and the gentle lap of a river.
"I wasn't exploring mother, I was searching for regents to attempt a new wand. I can still only make rare items with what our people scavenge from the treetops. I need more to get past that and take the throne, to give our people hope for our future! If our hunters can't find the materials I need I am forced to search myself. You know this!" Henwick says carefully, watching his mothers reaction and seeing the flash of sadness before her loving gaze returns to her.
"I understand your frustration Hen and maybe this mission I have for you can help with this. Three days past our borders we have reports of a group of Skaddle nomads. They wish to both trade with us and take refuge in the forest. As the oldest sibling and heir to the throne I feel it is within your abilities to negotiate a fair alliance between our two peoples. Rokai also believes your the best suited and has already gotten your equipment for the trip. Just be careful my child, this is outside of the forest and I know your curiosity. Avoid going further than your mission, I hear rumors of both humans and elves wandering closer to our forests. Now go and return to me safely." The mother says as Henwick smiles excitedly and pulls her into a breath stealing bear hug. Gently kissing his mothers head he nods at her before grabbing the small pack next to her feet and leaping through the window towards the pull of his quest.
"Your highness, your aware what will happen when he see's this site on his return correct? He will never forgive himself even with as cold as we've tried to be." Says the fool as the cold indifference slides off of him and replaced with sadness.
"True but it's better he survives and is hunted than he joins in our massacre. We will leave the memory crystals running until they run out of mana, hopefully they will give him the hints he needs to both avenge us and start anew." The queen says sadly before straightening her back and looking back out the window, her eyes hovering over several small streams of smoke coming from the edge of the forest.