Fae Touched (Original Work)

[FireCat319]

Chapter 1​

The giggles of several young children echoed and bounced off the walls and water of the room. Shrimp climbed the statue of the beautiful woman carefully. The water that cascaded down made the way slippery. She stood on the statues head and looked down to the other Trendil children below in the pool.

Breeze, the only boy in the group, was a light orangey tone with bright fire hued hair. Sprig had light pastel pink skin and hair that matched. She swam next to Tweet, who had skin the same shade as a bright ripe red apple. Tweet's hair such a light shade of yellow that it seemed almost white. Shrimp dived and landed with a small splash in the pool below.

She had just surfaced when a sudden light broke through the darkness. Shrimp's laughter died in her throat and the three other children with her all froze like statues, eyes wide in shock. They all turned to look at the doorway just as a loud shout rent the air in their direction. A large grin crossed Shrimp face as chaos erupted around her.

"Leave this place, nuisances! No better than raccoons." The old priest's voice echoed throughout the room.

A guard rushed towards them but even his long legs weren't quick enough. Her comrades sent blinding lights erupting from their fingers to blind the man as they all ran in different directions. Shrimp swam down, down to the hole in the barred grate were the stream that filled the pool came in. She was out in a flash and running through the forest to the hidden hideout nearby. They made a lair in an ancient oak tree. The trunk was mostly hallow and perfect for the small Trendil. The tallest of the children was just over a foot and a half high. They had drug all manner of findings into their secret place. Things left from those who camped in the woods or found in the nearby ruins.

Shrimp climbed inside the entrance to the hollowed trunk. Sprig was already there and getting dressed. They looked at each other and burst into laughter. Shrimp was pulling on her tunic when Breeze and Tweet arrived.

After dressing they slipped out of the tree one at a time. Shrimp was the idea person in the group so she felt she aught to go last. After all, the others always distracted the guards long enough for her to leave the Elvine temple first because of her lack of magic skills. She couldn't blind the guards with bursts of light or weave illusions around herself to hide as the others could.

Now that they were safe in their hideout though, her lack of magic didn't matter and she took over her what she felt where her responsibilities again. As Breeze stepped out into the cold night air she looked into the human hand mirror hung against the wall.

She concentrated hard at her reflection and what little power she could muster grew inside her and responded. A hot wind enveloped her and dried her body and hair quickly. She squinted harder at her reflection and soon her red hair changed as her weak illusion magic made it a gradient, yellow starting at her roots and fading to orange and finally into her natural red.

She let out a small sigh of frustration. Shrimp had reached her limit. She knew that after spending energy drying off and maintaining this small illusion that she wouldn't be able to cast anything else. It was better that way though. Her power was a slippery thing that tended to do what it liked and express itself in odd ways if she didn't keep it working. She didn't need to bring more attention to her otherness.

Shrimp plopped down off the ledge and out of the opening. A slight crunch of the leaves was the only warning she got before she squealed in shock as she was gripped around the middle and lifted up high into the air.

"No use struggling, little raccoon.", a melodic voice soothed her.

The guard! She had been caught. She started to struggle and writhe, but in her efforts opened her eyes to find just how high in the air she was. A good six feet at least. A fall from this height might do her some serious damage. She was a bit under a foot tall herself. The giant who was holding her noticed she had stopped wiggling and brought her closer to his face. He was handsome, but all Elvine seemed to be. He was definitely the same guard who was regularly posted at the temple. She recognized the brilliant blue and green feathers he always wore in his braids.

Resigned to her fate for now Shrimp settled. She knew her only real danger was embarrassment at finally being caught. The Elvine adored children of any breed as a rule and wouldn't hurt her. They may tattle on her though, and who knows what her da would do.

Shrimp didn't bother asking the man any questions or ask to be let free. He asked her several though. She pinched up her face, crossed her arms, and remained silent. Her mind working always on escape and tuning out his voice. She remained silent the whole trip back to the Elvine village center, refusing to acknowledge anything the guard said to her. Being caught had made her feel very put out and uncooperative.

Soon she was in front of three Elvine elders in the big tent that was always in the middle clearing of the Elvine village. They loomed over her in their throne like chairs. She had been set gently down by the guard on a table in front of them. They were staring at her like her younger siblings might stare at a fascinating insect. She crossed her legs too then as she sat down in a huff.

The only female elf in the room was dressed in a light blue gown that set off her ebony hair. She sat in the middle of the three chairs and spoke first.

"What's your name and age little one?"

"Little one?, Shrimp responded indignantly, "I am quite a normal height, you're all just ridiculously tall."

So may-hap she had fibbed a little. Her use-name was partly due to her short stature after all. She was about a head shorter than the other Trendil children her age. However big folk so did love to lord over the Trendil and call them silly names like they were pets, or wee babies. It always frustrated her to be thought not like a whole person when around the larger races. It never crossed her mind that the woman might be referring to her young age more than her height. Then she turned her head and refused to speak further.

"Her use-name is Shrimp. She's the leader of the band of miscreants plaguing the temple.", old feather head said from behind her with a smile in his voice. Was he enjoying this or did he think her capture was funny?

"How do you know my name!", Shrimp demanded as she stood again and turned to look at him better.

"Oh, I've heard the others call out to you in warning a time or two. I've probably overheard theirs as well, but yours stands out to me for some reason."

Mirth was twinkling in his eyes. He was making fun of her! Trendil skin tones ran from a light blush pink through to a deep red, and her coloring was exactly that of a cooked shrimp. At least that's what her mama told her. She had never seen one herself. The closest thing they had were the crayfish in the forest rivers. Cooked up they were a darker shade then her coloration. Her small stature, even among her kind, and her skin pigment had earned her the use-name.

"Your age?", the woman asked again.

Shrimp sighed and turned to her. They knew her name so it was now pointless to not comply. They'd just track down her parents and get whatever they wanted anyway. Her punishment would be lesser at home if the Elvine didn't show up. It would cause quite a scene and everyone in the village would know something was happening. It's not like the Elvine could be inconspicuous in the Trendil village. They were as tall as most of the houses there.

"Ten.", she finally replied. The elf smiled at her then.

"I'd have guessed a bit younger, but I see your use-name suits you in more ways then one." The woman's voice was soothing and good natured. Shrimp knew she was trying to jest and not really aiming to hurt her with the teasing. It stung anyway, just a bit.

"Now Shrimp," the man to the left of the woman started, "why have you and your friends been so adamant about desecrating our temple?" His smile didn't reach his eyes like it did with all the other Elvine in the room. His eyes seemed hard somehow and it made her squirm to meet his gaze, but she did it anyway, almost in defiance of her body daring to be cowed by him.

"I'm not sure what you mean. All we do is swim in the pool there. We've never hurt or broken anything."

The other man spoke now. "Our priests would appreciate being able to drink from waters that haven't been tainted by your wee Trendil arses." Shrimp liked him immediately. He looked coarse like his voice and language. That was rare in one of the Elvine. He was odd, like her.

"There are plenty of other swimming holes in the forest. Why must you play in our holy place?" The woman cut in while giving the coarse man a cutting look of exasperation.

Shrimp knew lying wouldn't get her out of trouble, not with the Elvine. Mama always said never to lie to one, they always seemed to know when you were.

"It's pretty. I like the paintings on the walls, the statues." She put more thought into why she wanted to play there so badly. The temple just seemed to call to her. She loved the place. The others liked it, but they liked the thrill that came with the chance of maybe getting caught more.

"It just feels safe," She continued, "like home…...and the water tastes so good." She added the last bit as an afterthought.

The smiles on the elders faces vanished and they all seemed to be giving her the same piercing stare. Shrimp became uncomfortable and started to fuss and twist the edge of her tunic under their unwavering gazes.

"What, exactly, does the water taste of?", the woman asked.

"How many of you think it tastes like more than spring water?", the lighter haired man to her left asked at almost the same time.

Shrimp didn't like the now serious looks on their faces, or their sudden change of mood. What was their fixation on the water's taste. Had she upset them, was it against their religion in some way to comment on the water's taste? She just didn't know enough about the strange Elvine despite how close their villages were. Their sudden intensity was certainly odd. She cleared her throat.

"Like frozen berries.", she finally responded quietly.

The elders looked at each other, exchanging glances she didn't understand.

"And your friends?", the man repeated.

"They never know what I'm talking about.", Shrimp shrugged as she spoke. "Just tastes like normal spring water to them. At least that's what they told me when I asked the first time I noticed."

The man who had spoken more harshly before stood then and walked to the tent entrance. He leaned out of the tent and whispered to someone outside. Shrimp sat back down on the table when the interest of the elders returned to whispering to each other as soon as the man returned. They only gave her glances from time to time. From what little she could overhear they hadn't expected the response she had given, but was unsure if she was in some kind of trouble or not. Well, more trouble then she was in already. Rather then fret further she sat and began to daydream. It was very late in the evening and she had almost drifted off to sleep when a few guards entered. They carried small cups and began placing them on the table in front of her.

"Take a taste from these and tell us which is the temple water.", the woman said while motioning to the nine cups lined up across the table.

Shrimp got up and brushed off her skirts. Mentally she shrugged to herself. Elvine were a strange bunch. She tried them one at a time as instructed and stopped after the fourth cup.
"
This one.", she stated, pointing to the glass in front of her.

The whispering erupted again and Shrimp rolled her eyes. They were speaking low enough she couldn't make much out. Occasionally the voice of the hard eyed elf would raise in excitement, and she caught her name said by him a few times, so she knew they where chattering about her. Soon she realized no one was really paying her much mind. Even the guards had been brought into the conversation.

She scooted to the table edge and looked down. Not too far, but not preferable either. It was about a four foot drop. Then she spotted a stool to the side and silently made her way to it. She was able to lower herself to it and then from it she dropped quietly to the floor. Who needed magic when your captors are easily distracted? She was out of the tent and almost to the edge of the clearing the tent sat in before she heard a call ring out in the air. She just smiled and ran faster.

The next afternoon she was at the dinner table fighting her many siblings for lunch when a letter was delivered. Her mama read it and frowned, calling her da into the living area. Shrimp missed her mama's worried glances while she reached for a piece of fruit. Her da strode back into the kitchen and threw the letter into the fire under the soup kettle. He walked past Shrimp's chair and caught her by the back of her shirt as he past, dragging her with him.

"But Da, I'm still eating.", she protested, struggling like a kitten. He said nothing. Shrimp twisted in his grasp and looked up at his face. Noting his grim expression she stopped trying to get back to the table and followed willingly to the yard.

"What's going on?", she asked.

He roughly tossed her on the grass. Shrimp looked up in confusion and tears in her eyes. She was more hurt buy the action of what he had done then any pain hitting the ground had caused. Her da had never treated any of the children so carelessly before. Finally he broke the silence.

"The damned Elvine sent us a letter. They say they think you're Fae Touched." He spit the last words out like a curse.

"Fae Touched," Shrimp repeated with horror building in her, "no da, they're mad I played in their temple is all. They're lying on me. They have to be. You know how weak I am with magic, how can I be Fae Touched?"

"Even so, the Elvine love Fae magics. They know more about it than any races outside the Fae Realms, and they don't lie."

Her mama emerged from the house now and saw Shrimp still laying on the ground. As Shrimp started to rise her da called over his shoulder to her mama.

"Get her things packed. The damn Elvine coo over Fae magics so much, they can deal with this one and the hell storm to come."

"No da! No!", Shrimp begged.

"No.", her mama said loudly and firmly. Her da turned to glare at his wife. Before he could start a scene her mama continued. "You know very well that Trendil law says she's our responsibility to raise until she's of age, Fae Touched, or no." Her mama squared her jaw and didn't blink or move a twitch. Her da stood and looked at her, all Shrimp saw was hate in his eyes. As her mama came out and ushered her back into the house her world was falling apart inside her.

"It shouldn't take a law to force you to care for one of your children Boffin." As she was guided to the room she shared with her three sisters her mother muttered reassuringly to her. "It'll all be alright, Sweetling. Da's scared and acting stupid right now. You're still our little Shrimp. I do need to talk to the council though. You stay here till I get back, do you hear?"

Just before her mama shut the door their eyes met. Her mama was crying now too, and Shrimp saw the pity and love reflected in her mama's eyes. After the door closed she heard the lock mechanism turn with a small thud that seemed to echo deep within her.

 

[One-who-reads]

Interesting beginning. I'm going to follow and see where this goes.

 

[FireCat319]

Chapter 2​

​

Shrimp ran through the forest quickly, dodging here and there to avoid rocks and roots, all while
trying desperately to keep her quarry in view.

"Slow down.", she chittered in squirrel speak.

Her furry friend stopped, realizing Shrimp couldn't keep up this speed. They started off again with the creature leading the way at a more sedate pace. Soon they reached the encampment Shrimp was being guided to.

All the Trendil were friends with the creatures of the woods, and like Shrimp some could even speak a few of their languages. What Shrimp had always lacked in magic she had made up for with a gift for critter talk. The song birds had been twittering today about humans camped overnight. It had taken her some bribing, but now she had a guide to it.

Humans were shorter then Elvine but not by much. They used a lot less magic, had rounded mouse-like ears, and were very noisy. Shrimp always thought they seemed to want to forget that they came from nature. Their cities, she was told, were things of stone and crowded to the point that nature wasn't welcome. They passed through the forest were she lived often enough, using trails and the one road through it. Best of all they tended to leave the most interesting things behind when they camped.

Shrimp's treasure hunting kept her in coin and helped the family too. She thought that may be why it had been years since her father had mentioned anything about her uneasy status in the clan. The council had bid them all to watch and wait, so far none of the dreaded signs of her being Fae Touched had appeared. She was past adulthood now and while her powers flared oddly and did things she didn't want to from time to time, they had stayed weak and nonthreatening. So while most of the Trendil relied on illusions to hunt and hide, she focused on archery and trapping. She learned the critter speak, every kind she could.

Shrimp hid in the bushes surrounding the campsite. The tent and horses were gone. The fire had been put out very recently. It still smoked a bit Shrimp noted with a frown. Damnedable humans. It was hot and dry. Fires were always a danger this time of year. Shrimp sighed at the stupidity and handed some choice nuts and berries over to the squirrel. It ran into the woods, it's task complete.

Taking her flask and a stick Shrimp turned the ashes into a gray slurry, ensuring the fire wouldn't spring back to life. Her investigation of the abandoned campsite brought her some nice prizes. A strip of bright blue cloth, a large spoon (that could easily be made into a ladle), and a carving knife. She looked the knife over. In her small hands it was a dagger, and she was in desperate need of a new one.

Trendil folk didn't mine, nor had they have the resources, strength, or knowledge to work raw metal. The tinkerer may turn human or Elvine items into things they could use, but a good dagger was much harder to come by. They could always commission one from the Elvine blacksmith, but the man was as much an artist as a metalworker and his workmanship cost more than Shrimp could afford to pay for a small dagger. They sometimes came out to meet the human parties, and their prices were better, but it was rare. The Trendil were secretive by nature. Part of being the smallest of all the thinking races meant you had to be careful.

She would sell her old worn knife and keep this one for when she headed out into the world. Shrimp was preparing for that day. She didn't know when, but she was waiting for a sign. So far she was content to sell her finds to the trading shop and build her money stash for that day.
Shrimp longed to see the human's stone cities where the races all mixed together. She had only ever seen her people, Elvine, and an occasional human, and she wanted to see all the others. She wanted to travel and see new things, and learn the critter speak of new animals.

Shrimp was trying to reorient herself to head back home when some kind of music caught her ear. Flutes? Maybe, but the tone was wrong for the low wooden tones of Elvine music. This was higher pitched, and wondrous. It stirred something in her and her heart began to beat faster. She stopped suddenly, remembering the many tales she was told as a child.

Don't ever follow lights in the woods, or the Fae would get you. Don't walk in mushroom or flower circles, or the Fae would get you. Don't go near strange music, or the Fae would get you. Don't, don't, don't! Shrimp was at odds with herself then. Everything in her was telling her she needed to follow this music to its source. Her culture told her that it was dangerous and unholy. It was the Elvine who decided her. She had seen their temple and listened to there stories. They didn't fear the Fae in the same way. They worshiped them and held an awe for them. Everyone she knew agreed they could be deadly, if they wished to be.

Shrimp's feet started moving toward the music again. After all she could be deadly too. Many things were. Didn't she kill and trap prey? Didn't the wolf and bear? Yet Shrimp respected the fellow predators of the forest. She would treat the strange music that way too. What harm could there be from watching carefully from afar. She would observe like she did the wolves. She knew she would feel silly when the sounds turned out to be a human minstrel. Most likely from that very same group who had camped here so recently.

Shrimp awoke confused. The sun was just beginning to set and the shadows were starting to take over the meadow. How did she get here? The last thing she remembered was following the music. Then what? Shrimp concentrated so hard she could feel a headache coming on. She then recalled the music stopping and a bright light, but that was it.

"Really?", she called into the woods around her.

Well it seemed mayhap she had found some Fae after all. She stood and examined herself. She was unhurt as far as she could tell. Her gear was still were it should be, nothing was missing, memories aside. Oh! Perhaps hundreds of years had passed by. That happened in the tales sometimes. She had best get back to the village and find out.

Shrimp took a step and her foot landed on something that crinkled under her boot. A scroll?

"Really?!", she shouted again in disbelief.

No, they couldn't have. Shrimp unrolled the parchment that was over-sized in her hands, but not unmanageable. She saw a loopy elegant writing. It was a language he had never seen before. She started when she realized she could read it despite all that.

~All you seek you will find in Dellmore~

She stood in shock for a bit then almost doubled over in laughter. Of all the ridiculous things. The freaking Fae had left her a letter! Shrimp shoved it into her bag and ran off toward home. She'd have to ask where Dellmore was, it seemed to her to be a place of some kind. She'd also have to ask Feather Head about the swirly fancy language. If he didn't know were it came from he could possibly let her know who might. It seemed similar to the Elvine language, it might even be Elvine. She wasn't sure as she couldn't speak or read it. The only Elvine writing she had ever really seen was in their temple when she was a child.

She arrived home just in time for the last meal of the day. As she ate she looked at the letter trying to figure out why she knew what it said. She sounded out the syllables and traced the mysterious looping letters. Lost in thought she didn't hear her da returning home from the day's work. He ignored her at first, got his bowl of stew, and took his seat at the table.

Shrimp suddenly felt like someone was watching her. She looked up to meet her da's gaze. He was giving her that look that meant she was being odd again. She sighed and rolled the letter up, tucking it into her belt to ponder later. Feather Head still guarded them temple at night. She'd talk to him soon enough, the parchment could wait.

"What cha got there?", Da asked her gruffly.

"A letter."

"What's so important that you couldn't greet me? I work all day so you can eat at this table. Did you're wanderings bring in any earnings today, or are you wasting my food again?"

"Nothing important really, just something I'm pondering over." Shrimp ignored his griping and didn't answer any more of his question.

"Hmmph", was all he grumbled in response.

Shrimp tried to finish her meal quickly so she could visit with the Elvine guard before it got too late. She wanted plenty of rest before she hopefully started out to where ever this Dellmore was in the morning. She walked the dishes to the basin, glad it wasn't her night to do supper clean up. As she passed her father his arm shot out snake-strike quick, snatching the parchment from her belt.

"You have no rights to that, that's mine.", Shrimp said calmly. She knew she should have remained quite, but she couldn't help it. The letter felt important somehow. Shrimp knew she was in for it now though. If she hadn't said anything he would most likely returned it after realizing he couldn't read it. He couldn't read it, could he? She hoped not.

"Let's share with the family whatever has you so flustered. Maybe one of the wee ones can figure it out for you." His voice was honey sweet and grating. Across the table mama stood.

"Boffin, stop harassing Shrimp and return her letter."

"Mayhaps its a suitor's note Midya? Somethings got her in a tizzy. Wouldn't want her to come to harm. Sides, under my roof anything of her's is mine too."

"Boffin…" Her mama's voice was a low warning.

Shrimp was about to grab the parchment back when her da stood as well. He put a hand on her shoulder keeping her at bay and turned looking down at the letter held in his other hand. His eyebrows scrunched as he looked at it.

"You steal this off an elf?"

"No, it was freely given."

"Boffin!", mama repeated. Da looked at mama and handed the letter over, his fun dashed since he couldn't read it and mama was angry at him.

Shrimp took it back with a sigh of relief. She hurried off to pack her things and grab her wandering money. When she had finished she came back out after looking around to make sure her father was out of sight.

"Mama, do you know a place called Dellmore?

"Oh? Let's see now. Let me think a bit." After a few seconds mama's face lit up. "That's right, I think that's the name of the big city a few months travel west. Why?'

"My note says I'll find something there. I think it'd be grand fun anyway. You know I've always wanted to travel and now I have a goal of sorts."

Mama's eyes glanced to her pack and began to water. "You can't go just because...what did happen?"
"I heard music in the woods. I followed it and then I think I saw a light. Then I was waking up and this was next to me."
"How do you know what it says Shrimp? Your da said it looked Elvine. When did you learn Elvine?" Mama was trembling slightly.

"I…."

"Yes, Shrimp, how do you know what it says?," da interrupted. "Been taking lessons in the Elvine language?"

"I had an Elvine friend translate it." Shrimp lied. She hoped he had only heard the last bit of their conversation.

"You followed Fae music in the woods.", he stated dashing her hopes and turning a darker shade of red with every word he spoke.

Before she could respond he had slapped her so hard she twisted and fell into to counter, before slipping to the ground. Pain burned across her face. Shrimp could hear her mama and da yelling something, but couldn't make out what was being said over the pounding in her ears. She groaned and moved to get up, absently rubbing at something sliding down her face. Her hand came away red with blood. Her nose was bleeding she realized with a start. It was enough of a shock to clear her head.

"Don't you dare touch her again Boffin." Her mama's voice came from the living area. Apparently her parent's squabble had moved them into the other room. Her siblings were all now in evidence, looking from her then to their parents argument. Shrimp walked to the doorway, intent on telling her da she was leaving for good any way but came to a halt in the archway as she looked into the room and saw her da's fist raised in anger. He held mama in front of him by her gown. Mama's eyes were wide, scared and angry.

Seeing her mama's eyes like that snapped something in her. All her hate and anger at the man she once loved built into a crescendo in moments. She screamed, a banshee's wild wail coming from deep in her hurt heart. Her da turned to her. His eyes widened then too as a ball of burning fire, yellow white like a small sun, appeared in the air before Shrimp. The magic in her body pulsed then and like an instinct she knew what to do. She threw her arm in front of herself as if violently pushing the fire sun towards him. It flew straight into his chest. She glanced quickly at her mama then. Mama was unhurt.

Suddenly her body sagged and Shrimp felt as if she hadn't slept for days. She forced her body to move and ran into the kitchen to grab up her bag from the floor. She ran from the house with eyes full of tears. She was at the edge of the property when she heard her da calling out into the night.

"You're no child of ours Fae Touched! Don't return to my house, you don't exist to us from this night on!"

She ran for the Elvine village. She hated the man but couldn't help thinking he was right to cast her out. Despite all her denials she had turned out to be Fae Touched after all. That hadn't been normal magic and she hadn't been able to control it or her emotions at the time. That was the danger the Fae Touched represented. The tales all said they held too much magic for mortal creatures. Their power was wild and chaotic. Many tales about them ended with the wild magics destroying both the wielder and any village they happened to be in as well. But, the stories never mentioned the Fae leaving behind cryptic notes either.

With a heavy heart she squeezed into her old hideout in the oak tree. It'd be a few hours yet before Feather Head would start his patrol and she wanted to sleep some before talking to him. Whatever she had done had drained her energy. How badly did was da hurt? No, that's right he isn't da any more. How badly was Boffin hurt? She touched her tender nose and cheek, and decided she didn't really care. In fact she hoped she'd left him with a scare or two. Shrimp settled in and drifted off to sleep.

 

[One-who-reads]

I wish Boffin had gotten a taste of Shrimp's new dagger instead.

I like how you have a race that is traditionally fae being afraid of the fae. It gives a different flavor than the standard fantasy formula.

Also, chapter 1 needs a threadmark.

 

[FireCat319]

I wish Boffin had gotten a taste of Shrimp's new dagger instead.

I like how you have a race that is traditionally fae being afraid of the fae. It gives a different flavor than the standard fantasy formula.

Also, chapter 1 needs a threadmark.

Click to shrink...

I won't dismiss the possibility of Boffin meeting an ill fate at some time.

Thanks for the threadmark tip, I've never posted anything on a forum before so I'm still working out how to do all the things and what they are for. I'm actually kind of technology inept.
This is the first story I've really written since high school so I'm rusty on all accounts.
I hope you keep enjoying the story, I plan on posting roughly once a week.

 

[One-who-reads]

I won't dismiss the possibility of Boffin meeting an ill fate at some time.

Thanks for the threadmark tip, I've never posted anything on a forum before so I'm still working out how to do all the things and what they are for. I'm actually kind of technology inept.
This is the first story I've really written since high school so I'm rusty on all accounts.
I hope you keep enjoying the story, I plan on posting roughly once a week.

Click to shrink...

Well, i like the story so far. I have noticed that, on this site, the nsfw side seems to get a lot more traffic. Were I you, I would throw in a sex scene or something after asking the moderators to move this thread to nsfw creative writing.

 

[FireCat319]

Well, i like the story so far. I have noticed that, on this site, the nsfw side seems to get a lot more traffic. Were I you, I would throw in a sex scene or something after asking the moderators to move this thread to nsfw creative writing.

Click to shrink...

That would depend on where the story goes. I'm not very concerned with traffic per say, more constructive criticism and what is working well and what isn't. As well as just hoping others enjoy what I have to write. Of course if the story naturally progresses in that way I'll have to move the story or just have a note that a particular chapter is found in that section. I could also do a safe and NSFW version of anything that comes up. It would be quite a bit away though, so I have time to ponder.

 

[Megagulp]

Threadmarks are reversed.

 

[FireCat319]

Threadmarks are reversed.

Click to shrink...

Thanks! I believe it's fixed now

 

[FireCat319]

Chapter 3​

Shrimp awoke from the light that was pouring in from the opening of her cozy childhood fort. Gods be damned, she'd slept way to long. What to do, what to do? She really didn't feel like waiting another whole day to set out. No, she had to get moving and she had mysteries to solve. Really she would never have a better opportunity to head off into the wide world beyond the tiny hamlet she lived in. It seemed fate, or Fae, was steering her that way.

She stood and looked herself over in the hand mirror that still hung on the wall here. It was cracked now, but still serviceable. Shrimp wet her sleeve with her water skein to clean the dried blood from her face. Nothing was going to hide the bruising on her cheek though. Sighing, she took the mirror down and found a place for it in her pack. As she turned to the entrance to leave she almost stumbled over a small sack on the ground that certainly hadn't been there last night. She popped her head out of the oak's hallow and glanced around but found no one close by.
It must have been placed there as she slept. Cautiously she moved to the pack to examine it. There was a note on top. This note had no looping elegant writing, just the precise and angled letters of tight Trendil script. The writing was her mama's.

-Shrimp, I will never stop being your mama. Write me often, if you need to come home let me know in advance so I can arrange things here. I'm not sure what happened to you, but it seems a good thing for you to find a place in the world right now. When you feel up to it I'd like the whole story. Stay safe, Mama-

Shrimp hugged the note to her, then put it in one of her many pockets. She opened the small sack to find hard cheese, a jar of jam, bread, dried and salted meat, and nuts. It would last her a few days on the road. More if she hunted and rationed it out. Apparently her mama had known about her secret place. Was any place truly secrete from a mother though? Shrimp repacked everything and made sure she could carry her pack comfortably. She still could carry a bit more which was a good thing. She needed to pick up a few things before setting off.

Shrimp was hailed by an Elvine scout as she approached the their village. He had seemed to emerge from the trunk of a nearby tree. So much for sneaking in and avoiding the extra time it would take to talk to a scout.

"What brings you here? Do you need assistance?"

"I'm looking for someone. He wears feathers, blue and green, in his hair and guards the temple at night."

"I know him. What do you need from a temple guard. I can help you just as well, most likely." The blond scout kneeled down close to be on her level then and frowned. "You've been hurt." The anger in his voice startled her. She chose to ignore his last statement. "It's a personal thing I need to talk to him about."

"Personal is it. That's odd as you don't seem to know his name. If this is about how you got that bruise on your face, I can take care of anyone who did it easily enough." His eyes narrowed. "Even if it was an one of ours that did it."

"He's the only Elvine I'm acquainted with. We talk from time to time. I've always just called him by the friend-name I've given him, and he's never given me another to use."

The scout's mouth widened into a smile then. "You gave him a friend-name? I have to know what it is. I'm sure the whole village would like to know. Coming from you, Shrimp, it has to be a good one."

"Does everyone know my name?!" Shrimp was starting to get exasperated. She couldn't very well continue about her business without a scout's permission to enter the village now that she'd been spotted, and this one seemed to be finding his days entertainment in tormenting her.

"All of the guards and scouts do. Most of the magic users too. The elders, the children surely. The stories of you exploits as a wee one have certainly circulated the village enough. Raylon is always sharing tales about you at the tavern. Raylon, that's your temple guard's name, though I suppose Ray would work for a use--name. Tell you what, how about an exchange? I'll tell you were to find his home, and allow you into the village, if you tell me your friend-name for him and how you got that bruise."

Shrimp thought on it a bit. Do I tell the truth? What problems could it cause my family if I did? Elvine and Trendil didn't usually mettle in each other's affairs and she needed to get into the village. The scout may have been able to answer the questions about the odd note, but she wanted to say goodbye to Feather H….Ray. She also needed to see if she could purchase a map. The Elvine were much more likely to have one then her people. The Elvine traveled far more then the Trendil did. The scout waited patiently while she thought. Finally she made up her mind.

"Feather Head, that's what I've always called him."

The blonde scout chuckled, mirth filling his eyes. "Oh, I'm going to have so much fun with this. Raylon let you call him that, and never corrected you?"

He started walking then, motioning for her to follow him towards the village.

"To be fair if he had I wouldn't have listened anyway. He probably knew that."

"True. And your injury?"

Damn, Shrimp had hoped he had forgotten.

"I did something very foolish and my d…Boffin, a Trendil whose home I lived in with my mama, he punished me and threw me out." It was a hard change to use her un-father's use-name.
The scout stilled beside her. She glanced up at him. There was so much anger in his eyes as he turned to look back in the direction of the Trendil village. She was a stranger to this man, why did he care so much? She needed to lighten the mood, quickly. She looked at his blonde hair.

"It's fine Corn Silk, I was leaving anyway. Besides I threw fire at him before I left so we're even, pain for pain." Shrimp walked on hoping he'd keep following. She heard him stand in place for a few beats longer before he started moving to keep up with her.

"Corn Silk?"

"You're hair." Shrimp pointed as she walked.

He gave her a small grin and didn't correct her or give her a use-name. He probably also knew it wouldn't do him any good. He directed her through the village in companionable silence after that. They stopped outside of a medium sized house and Corn Silk knocked on the door much louder than Shrimp could have ever managed.

"Wake up Feather Head! You have a most important guest!" The scout had been loud enough that many of the Elvine nearby had stopped to stare. He didn't bother to hide his smirk. At the sound of footsteps inside nearing the door he gave her a small bow and ran off, presumably back to his post. Shrimp's cheeks were red as Ray answered the door with a groan.

"You know he's going to tell everyone in the village that silly name you gave me." He had answered the door with a smile, but it changed to a frown as he looked at her face. "Come in, be welcome. Tell me what happened, something clearly has."

"So much, and in so little time." Shrimp replied while stepping inside and glancing around. She had never been in his home before, or even met him during the day. What little she knew about the Elvine and their view of the Fae was from their late night talks.

While she no longer bothered the temple she did sneak into the village at night to ask him this or that. He never tattled on her. He had told her once that guarding the village was the scouts duty, and the temple his. As long as she stayed out of the building he didn't care what she did. He knew she wasn't a threat. He had told her he did chide the scouts each time she managed to make it past them, though. Shrimp expected they let her. She hadn't been able to sneak past Corn Silk this morning, and surely the best scouts were posted a night when real trouble was more likely.

"Here sit, have you broken your fast yet?"

"No." She admitted.

They eat as she explained the situation that had brought her to him. Ray was furious. A storm raging just under control. To her surprise she could see his magic crawling across his skin. Her hair rose in goosebumps. Unlike most Trendil she had never been able to see magic before. Just what have the Fae done to me? He was scaring her a bit with his emotion. The Elvine where an intense people with strong natural magics. If you were a friend or family member they showed what they felt and were unashamed of it. To outsiders they were serene and mysterious. Nothing was serene about Ray at the moment.

"I should.." Ray started to speak but Shrimp cut him off.

"You should what? Even the council will say all's fair now. I hurt him back, justice is served on that account. I'm no longer in danger. He wasn't always like that Feather Head, and only reacts like this around Fae stuff. Now that I'm not there I don't think he'll do anything like that again."

"Trendil may say so, but not the Elvine. For anyone to purposefully harm a child is a grave thing. A parent more so."

"Well I'm not Elvine and neither is he." Her voice quieted to a whisper. "And I'm not a child, or his daughter anymore either."

"What utter idiocy." He was still very clearly enraged.

"What is it with the Elvine and protecting me from the past. First Corn Silk then you. Though I get your reaction more. Corn Silk was about to haul off to the Trendil village himself. Probably would have if I'd mentioned that Boffin used to be my da."

That distracted him a bit. "Corn Silk?"

"The blond scout who brought me to you."

Ray smiled despite his anger. 'That'd be my younger brother."

"You look nothing alike"

"We take after our fathers though we both share our mother's eye coloring. What did you need me for Shrimp, if not to take care of your father?"

"He's not my da no more Feather Head. The note I told you I found when I woke up. It's in a different language, but I can read it for some reason. I was wondering if you knew what it was." She pulled the note out and handed it to him. Ray finally retook his seat and opened it. He looked from the note then to her face.

"You can read this?"

"I said so didn't I"

"It's Fae. We use it to enhance our magic. Spells in Fae tend to be stronger and more effective. Our own writing is based on it but has changed over time. Your note here is spelled so that no one other then the intended recipient can read it. I can recognize that's it's in Fae though. I wonder if that's why you can read it. I'll be right back." Ray disappeared into another room for a bit a reemerged with some books in hand. He flipped them both open to a random page.

"Read", he stated.

Shrimp looked at the pages. "This one is talking about fire elementals, I can't read the one on the right at all."

"Well that settles it. You've been blessed by the Fae for sure. The left book is written in Fae, this one here is Elvine script. Most who can read either language can piece together a bit of the other"

"The Elvine writing is pretty but I have no idea what any of it says at all."

"Looks to me like someone gifted you with Fae speech, Little Raccoon."

Shrimp's head hung low. "There is no denying it now. I am Fae Touched."

"I don't know why your kind sees that as such a bad thing. I'll have to inform our council about some of this. I'd tell you to stay here and learn to control your gifts, but clearly your gifter wants you to go to Dellmore. It's unwise to go against the will the gods."

"And what of my own will?"


"You may do as you like, it'd just be unwise. Shrimp, it's rare for the Fae to come to this land and take an active interest in someone. Until you know more about the one whose chosen you, it's best to go along with what they've planned. I don't think they mean to hurt you or you wouldn't have been given a note or gifts. That being said, Fae have a different set of morals then we do and angering one isn't wise." Ray leaned down to her and placed his hands on her bruised face. "Let's take care of this. My brother should have done something about it as soon as he saw it and I really should have done this first thing. You have a way of detracting people."

His magic flowed from him and into her face. It cooled her pain. Her eyes met his while he was healing her and she felt her cheeks reddening.


Very quietly she managed to squeak out, "Come with me, Raylon." Shrimp wondered if he knew the connotations behind her using his birth-name. If he knew what she was really asking. Most outside of the Trendil didn't understand all the intricacies around names. The Elvine though, lived long and had been their neighbors for years uncounted. Though the Trendil cared little for Elvine affairs, she was certain the diplomatic Elvine knew a thing or two about her people's customs. Her cheeks burned with even more embarrassment and she couldn't keep eye contact with him anymore.


Raylon finished his healing giving no indication that he knew her feelings or that anything odd had happened. "I wish I could, Little Sister. My fighting skills and magic would be helpful I'm sure. I don't wish anything to harm you on the road. However, if I was meant to come with you, I'd have been able to read that letter. I'm thinking you're meant to start out new. Forgive an old man giving you advice. My five hundred or so years are telling me this, you need to meet new people, see new things. When our children come into their powers we send them out into the world for a decade or two. There are things you just can't learn from these quiet woods."

While Shrimp was a mite hurt from the rejection it wasn't so bad. He'd told her a lot just then. He was far far older then she realized. She was a child to him still, no matter that she had been an adult for some years now, and he saw her like a sister. He'd just told her that she was family and welcome in his home when or if she returned. At least that'd be what calling her Little Sister would mean if a Trendil had told her that.

"Fine, just admit you're too old to travel the roads any more Feather Head. I'm sure it'd not be good for your arthritis. I'd like to send mama news and if I do good money too, or a bauble here and there. Can I address it to you, so as Boffin doesn't keep it from her? Can you get my packages to her?" This was her way of letting him know she accepted their new kinship and would leave off trying to find anything else with him. She gave him a task an older brother would be expected to carry out and had teased him as a sibling would. She wouldn't use his birth-name again.

"Of coarse Little Raccoon. In fact lets go make sure you have everything you need. Dellmore is a long way. Even longer for someone with such short legs. I know you can hunt and forage, so food isn't a big issue." Ray asked to see all that she was bringing.


In the end he replaced her new knife with an even finer one of Elvine make that the guards used. He accompanied her to the market and bought her a journal and charcoal sticks. He seemed to think it very important for her to keep a log of her journey. Most important he got her maps. A map of the whole of the continent, a map of the kingdom, and a map of Dellmore. It was the biggest nearby city and one the Elvine children most set off to when they reached an age to take their travels. A city so big it needed a map to navigate if you were new there. Impossible, no city could be that big! But there it was all on paper.


"Dellmore has a mix of all the races of the planet", Ray was explaining. "Still Trendil will be very rare there. The people of your village rarely leave the woods, as you know. The same is true of most Trendil. Be careful of the Trendil you meet wandering. Those you find out there may well be exiled for crimes and don't think that the city will have changed them. They may try to exploit your bond to them and your loneliness for others of your own kind. Big cities like this are mostly human. On the road and in the city you must be wary of everyone. When you arrive the city guards will give you a list of rules and laws. Do not think the antics you get into here will be forgiven there. Guards in big cities have to be harsh to keep everything in line, they may even be corrupt or enjoy hurting people. The wild Elvine wouldn't stand for letting that kind of trash serve as protectors, but city Elvine are different."

He went on and on like that, giving her advice and not letting her pay for any of the supplies. At each place they stopped he had told the merchants there that he'd pay for anything his "little sister" required. At least she knew if she needed to come back she would be recognized as a member of the Elvine village and not have to sneak in. What would Corn Silk think of suddenly having a new sibling?

 

[Scipio231]

The mother knowing quite well where Shrimp hides away is quite accurate, I can say. I always used to think I had tons of secrets from my parents, come to find out as an adult that kids can be really dumb and most times adults are humoring them.

I love the interactions between Feather-head, Cornsilk and Shrimp. Also, that whole group sounds completely ridiculous when layed out like that and I love it.

 

[FireCat319]

The bit about her mom knowing where she is, that's from personal experience. My kiddo thinks I don't know about his secret hiding spot.

 

[FireCat319]

Chapter 4​

Shrimp had never used a map before, but she knew how to use the shapes nature made to not get lost in the forest. Maps seemed much the same. There's this hill, follow this road, I just passed that bridge. She enjoyed the maps and was lucky they were written in the trading tongue all intelligent species were taught from infancy. From time to time she'd mark her map with her charcoal sticks noting her progression or an interesting feature no one else had bothered to record.

She was wary because of Feather Head's warnings and traveled just off the road. It made her progress even slower, but she wasn't on a schedule. Her first big decision was coming soon though. Continue the way she was going, down less traveled roads that wound through mostly wilderness, or brave the more direct route with lots of villages and towns. The wilderness path would be less traveled, and save her money. Sleeping in a tree was easy for someone her size, comfortable, and free. She was used to living off the land so food and water wouldn't be an issue. From her discussions with Raylon she knew the quick road would have more travelers, mayhap even bandits, and it wasn't safe to sleep out of doors in towns, nor usually allowed. It would cost to sleep and also to eat. No wilderness meant all the food growing was owned by someone. Shrimp thought that odd. Both the Trendil and Elvine communities shared food when they had excess and it was fine and safe to sleep were you pleased. Except, of course, on mama's flowers. As strange as these new places seemed, that way was adventure and new people and stories. New foods to try and new experiences. So the safe slow path or the exciting quick road?

Before she could make up her mind she heard arguing voices coming around the bend. She tried to run off the path and back into the woods but stumbled over a root that she swore hadn't been there before. The voices, one male, one female were close now. Shrimp lay in the dirt not moving in an attempt to not draw attention to herself and hoping they'd just walk by. They seemed like they were going to and then…

"What in the realms of hell is that?" the female said. Shrimp assumed she must be the subject of the question, but stayed still just in case.

"You there, child, are you hurt." It was the male's voice. "Mirri, go assist the child."

"Fine, but I'm doing it for the poor mite, not because you say so. You'll learn what comes of bossin me someday Scales"

"You will address me by my name and behave yourself."

No luck at not being spotted then. Stupid root. Shrimp was in the process of getting up when she was lifted off the ground and set gently on her feet now facing the two travelers. The woman was young looking, an adult, but just. She had muscle but still thin, lithe. Her hair was blonde, and based on her somewhat pointed ears and sunset colored eyes, she was most certainly some mix of Elvine and something else. A mix breed. There were a few in the Elvine village, so she wasn't too shocked. The Man was a mixed breed too she noted, though not one she had ever seen before. Shrimp stared in wonder. A part dragon? They were said to be rare. He looked like a human, but was taller. Everywhere not covered by his clothes had small golden scales. His eyes where reptilian and his head was bare but for a row of short horns. His face was human like but the nose was a bit flattened. When he spoke again she could see his teeth were all sharp.

"Are you hurt child? Where are your parents?"

"Shush Scales, you're scaring the wee lass. Bet she's never seen a monster like you in all her days. Let me talks to her." Shrimp was a bit afraid but more curious than anything. If his much smaller Elvine companion could argue with him, he must not be cruel. Besides his eyes only showed concern.

"Mirri, I have a name"

"So, you've said, and I've ignored it multiple times per day and will continue to do so." Shrimp liked the feisty part elf.

"Sorry to cause you alarm. I'm not a child though, just a Trendil. I was trying to head off the road and tripped." Shrimp took a second to glare at the traitorous root. Damnable old woods and the weirdness in them.

"A Trendil, truly? Are you full grown then, not a child I mean? Where is your party?", the dragon man asked.

"I'm an adult." Shrimp straightened to her full height. Just under a meter tall and she was indeed as tall as she could hope to be at twenty four years. Trendil were long lived like the Elvine but were considered adults at twenty. She had no more growing to do and was still a head shorter than most females her age. "It's just me. Speaking of, I need to be on my way." Shrimp turned back to the woods. She stopped short when the part elf grabbed her arm.

"Now that's not right. Are you very dangerous? You must be to be traveling alone, a wee thing like you. You're bound for trouble, more like, I thinks. Scales we can't be leavin her out here. Aren't you supposed to be teachin me to be the charitable type?"

"You are correct. A young lady shouldn't be traveling alone. You should join us. The more in our group, the less likely we are to be accosted."

Mirri released her arm. "So what can you do squirt? You fight? You steal?" She said the last bit with a wink.

"I can hunt and forage, I never get lost in the woods, and I….you really don't want to travel with me. I'll only bring you trouble."

"Why would you say that. Is someone trying to hurt you?" The dragon man's hand went to the hilt of his very large sword as he looked around for danger.

"No, I'm Fae Touched. I'll just be going on my way now." Shrimp sighed as she waited for their repulsed reactions, however the two travelers just looked confused.

"Is that some type of sick? You contagious?", Mirri asked.

"You don't know, really?" Shrimp was beyond confused. Everyone knew what it meant to be Fae Touched, at least she had thought everyone did. Traveling and meeting new people and races was getting interesting already, and she'd only been on the road for five days. "No, I'm not sick."

"Please tell us why you think we would leave a young woman to travel these roads alone. What could be so upsetting to you?" The golden man had a kind voice.

"Maybe you have another name for it. I have magic that isn't natural, it flares and does things I don't want it to. Like when I'm scared or angry. I've gone my whole life with very little natural magic and a few days ago...I don't know what happened. I have much more now, and I don't know how to control it really." As Shrimp explained they nodded like they understood but Mirri smiled when she had finished.

"A Mage? Well that's a bit o' luck for us.", Mirri said with a grin.

"Luck has nothing to do with it. Surly the Goddess of Mercy and Justice has guided us to her. She's possesses just the skills we lack."

"You're gonna have to get used to his blathering or learn to ignore 'im. He fights and goes on about his Goddess all the day long, I steal and pick locks and such."

"You do nothing of the sort. Not anymore at any rate. She's a criminal and has been given into my care for rehabilitation by way of serving others."

"And I'm doin a fine job makin sure this slip of a thing doesn't get gutted wandrin the roads alone. Come on lass. Where you headin?"

"What is a Mage?" Shrimp had never heard this term before and thought maybe they didn't understand what she was trying to say. She wanted no chance that they'd discover the truth later and be angry. She wasn't going to trick anyone by claiming she was something she wasn't

"You don't know, really?", Mirri replied clearly mocking her reaction to their confusion earlier.

When Shrimp crossed her arms in frustration Mirri continued. "Well a Mage has powers see, magics that most of us don't. Not the little bits everyone has, but big magics. I have a cousin what is one. From what I know their big magics can come to them at anytime. Usually if somethin tries to hurt them. They have schools and such to teach Mages. Plenty don't go though. My cuz didn't. He's still just fine. Doesn't know anything too fancy but that's one not to rob, you know? Why'd ya think we'd care if you were a Mage, or Faed, or whatever.?"

"Are people not afraid of Mages? We Trendil are very afraid of the Fae Touched. They aren't allowed to live in the village after they become an adult. Most go to live with the nearby Elvine. Everyone knows their power can get out of hand and blow up the village."

"Some people are frightened of those with strong magic, but an incident that devastating is extremely rare. Over all most people won't think to much of it. If you do damage to someone or their property with no cause you'll be expected to make amends. You're not a trained Mage, so we might expect a small issue here or there. Most people will respect you and want to do you a favor or two, hoping to get free spells in return. Mages are very sought after and demand a high price for their services. It is good luck, truly, to have a Mage travel with us, trained or no. We'll have to pick you up a Mage sash the first chance we get. We'll be even less likely to be harassed on the streets then.", the dragon man replied over Mirri's shoulder.

Shrimp wasn't sure she had much choice in the matter, they seemed convinced the right thing to do was not let her go alone. The Elvine would probably decide tripping on the root was fate or something. Having traveling companions wasn't a bad idea. She had taken and instant liking to the woman. Maybe it was her way of talking and her familiar Elvine features. The dragon man was a bit frightening at first, but seemed a gentleman. It could be a trap, she supposed, but what was the point. Mirri could have easily hurt her when she had grabbed her earlier. If they were going to rob her they probably would have done so by now.

"Well, if you're sure you're ok traveling with me, I was headed to Dellmore, and yourselves?"

"Doesn't matter. We travel till this one learns her lessons and is a changed soul. Dellmore is as good a place as any."

The sun had started getting low while their exchange had taken place. Shrimp led them off the road and found them a good place to camp. Her new companions set up their tent and started a fire. Shrimp offered to forage and maybe catch something to eat. She returned some time later with two pheasants, some nuts, and a handful of leafy greens. As the birds cooked Shrimp decided to get her curiosity taken care of.

"So…. whats your story? Scales said you are a criminal?", Shrimp asked the part Elvine woman.

"Please refrain from using that horrid name she calls me. My name is Torrin." The scaled man scowled in their direction.

Shrimp turned to the man. "Is that the name your parent's gave you, or is it a use-name?"

"What's a use-name?", he replied.

"Well, we Trendil have a lot of rules about names. I know the Elvine don't have the same rules, so wasn't sure if other races did or not. We have a birth-name, that's a name your mama gives you when you're born. No one but your mama and you know it. Names have power. If someone gets your birth-name they can do horrible things to you, or sell your name to the Fae. You only ever call your dearest loves by their birth-name or give them yours. So we have use-names for people in general to call us, and friend-names our friends give us and use. Shrimp is kind of both in my case. It was a friend-name that stuck as a use-name."

"See we's gots to call you Scales now. You don't want to be offending the lass. Just so's you know, Mirri isn't the name my mother gave me. It's just a nick-name. Elvine language is real tricky like and not many can pronounce my true name. So Mirri will do fine for yas."

Torrin thew his hands up in disgust and walked off to attend the fire. Shrimp could tell the fire was doing just fine and didn't truly need his proddings, but didn't comment.

"He's not lying, about me being a crook.", Mirri went back to their earlier conversation, "I done told you I'm a sneaky sneak. Got caught pickin his pockets is all. Wasn't the first time I've been caught niether. They was like to string me up this time. Scales here told the guard he was a priest of Revna and wanted to get me to change my ways. They didn't want to argue with a man what talks to the Goddess of Mercy n' Justice n' all that. Not in their line of work. So's we're off to find "good deeds" for me to do."

Shrimp leaned in close to whisper. "Why don't you just run off while he sleeps?"

"I tried that already, I did. He's had me ensorcelled so I can't go very far from him. Bout twenty or so big strides and that's it."

In the morning they decided the faster route would be the best way to take. Torrin was from a wealthy family and had coin enough that Shrimp didn't have to worry about costs. The reptilian man was convinced that the extra coin was worth the increased opportunities for good that Mirri would come across in the more inhabited spaces. Until meeting up with Shrimp he had actually been avoiding having to share a room at night in a tavern with Mirri. What would become of her reputation he had said. Mirri had rolled her eyes at that. Shrimp supposed having food and rooms for free was more then an adequate payment for acting as a full time chaperon.

"Isn't him sharing a room with two women at once a bigger scandal then just boarding with one?" Shrimp had asked when Torrin was out of earshot.

They walked into the only tavern in the first hamlet on Shrimp's map. Their trip was going to go slower than Shrimp had first thought. Instead of traveling through multiple towns a day Torrin wanted to stop at each one to see if anyone was in need of help. It was fine by Shrimp since she had no reason to believe she had a time limit on reaching Dellmore. Since Torrin insisted on paying he arranged to have dinner brought out. He was a very fast eater. "From my days in the Temple, twenty children training to be priests and only so much food to go around." Since he finished early Torrin walked back to the owner to secure them a room.

"How much for a night's stay here? More importantly do you have any openings tonight?", Shrimp hear Torrin ask. It was a small tavern and she couldn't help it.

"We've two of our four rooms free. It'll run you seven silver for the both of them, or if your daughter bunks with you and your lady, four silver for the one."

Apparently Mirri couldn't help but over hear them as well because she laughed into her ale and choked as the liquid went down the wrong spout. Shrimp's cheeks reddened as she looked down at her plate to avoid Mirri's gaze. Shrimp had forgotten that her race wouldn't be known to most and at a glance she did resemble a small Elvine mixed girl. Trendil did have ears that pointed. He must have thought her strange coloration was due to dragon blood. Her traveling clothes were loose and comfortable and she supposed her obviously not-a-child body was hidden. Fine then, let them think what they wanted. Torrin didn't correct the man, most likely to avoid embarrassing her further. Deciding to be good humored about the whole ordeal, Shrimp took to calling Torrin "da" the entirety of the night until it was time to retire. Mostly because it made Mirri Laugh. She had a nice laugh that reminded Shrimp of the friends she'd had as a child.

It had been a long time since she'd had friends to laugh with. Ever since the Elvine delivered the letter with her doom written on it. Her father had left and gotten sotted with drink that night. He told one and all her shame. After that no one would let their children interact with her. Most of them hadn't made a point to try though. The Fae Touched were considered ill luck and even if they didn't lose control of their magics and get you killed that way, being near them attracted the notice of the Fae.

It was starting to get late and Torrin was already asleep on his bedroll on the floor. Mirri was tossing and turning in the bed Shrimp was sharing with her. Shrimp's mind was reeling from all she'd seen and learned that day and couldn't sleep either.

"Shrimp," came Mirri's voice after a bit, "I understand bein a bit afraid of Mages. What's the Fae to do with anything though? Why they call Mages Fae Touched and worry bout the Fae getting their names?"

"My people think the Fae are evil. You know though, thinking on it not one of the stories ever said what it was the Fae would do to you. Just that they would "get" you. Feather Head, that's my Elvine soul-brother, has told me some of the Elvine beliefs. That they can be deadly but so can any race and that they created us, the Trendil and the Elvine. That's the most I know about them really."

"Oooo, Elvine stories. I know some about it! Let's see, I'll do my best but some of the details might be wiggly. So ya, the Fae created some of the races. They made the Elvine, the Trendil, and the Groden. The Fae were lonely n' bored so's they made the big strong Groden first, to free them from work they didn't wish to do n' to give them entertainment and companionship. Eventually the Groden rose up against them and left the magic Fae lands. The Fae searched far n' wide but couldn't find 'em. They didn't know that their was slits in the magic to get to the land were humans and dragons and the rest lived. They had been made by different gods.

Then the Fae made the Elvine. They wanted to be more fair, see, so they gived the Elvine magic to do their tasks. They treated the Elvine much better but they eventually decided they was no one's slaves, no matter how nice they was treated. When the Elvine found the secret way what that the Groden had followed n' asked to leave. The Fae saw how unhappy their creations were and let 'em go. The Fae closed the tears between the realms so's no one could find 'em again.

Then they made the Trendil. They made 'em with magic but with less then the Elvine. They decided they wanted a race of eternal children cuz it was rare for 'rm to have there own. So they made 'em small and kept 'em from knowin' of anythin' existin' outside the Fae realm. They were like the Fae and didn't age. They was all happy together, or so the Fae thought but then some of the Elvine returned. They had found a way to break through the veils with their magics. A war between the gods of this realm was ragin' somethin' fierce and the Elvin needed help. Somethin' happened then, but the Elvine don't know what it was. The Trendil must have been mighty angry 'bout being treated as wee ones when the Elvine were treated as adults when they returned. The Trendil dissapeared without sauin' nothin' and went through the veil into this realm. The Trendil started to grow old when they came here but are still long lived. The Fae kept the openin's in the veil cuz they be hopin' that some of their play toys will come home.

If'n that's what really happened, then I don't know what you all have to worry 'bout."

"We have no stories that the Fea made us. We're told that our god Ferroe did. About all we're told besides that the Fae might get us or become interested in us, it that the Fae and Ferroe hate each other. They say the Fae hurt us to hurt Ferroe. Why would we lie to our children about who made us? Mayhap we're scared of being kept as pets again?"

"I don't rightly know Shrimp. I've never had much thoughts on the ways of gods n' such myself, who knows if they're even real?"

Shrimp thought of the letter sitting in her pack. "I don't know if they are evil like my folk think, or gods of some kind, like your folk think, but I do know they're real."