I have not found a proper job for some time now. Since my father left, I have been moving around and doing odd jobs wherever I can find them. Usually that entails helping farmers with their crops or animals. Having learnt the ways of a ranger allowed me to do such jobs. In return they provided me shelter and food, both of which were welcome. But I never stayed long in any one place. I still had a mission. I traveled not knowing which way to go or where I would end up. Maybe I was hoping that I would find my father by chance. It was wishful thinking but I was merely 40 years old then. Young even by elven standards. My father had left me only a year before. 

The years went by slow at first but as I settled into the pace, it went by rather fast. Looking back there were a few incidents that stand out. One of which is rather funny now that I look back upon it. In a particularly slow month, where I had not had a proper job for some time. Although I could survive in the wilds by myself well enough but I found that I craved interaction. I needed to talk to people. I accepted a job from a farmer that needed help to retrieve something that he had dropped in a nearby cave.

Every part of my being screamed against it but I needed a place to stay and he seemed innocent enough. He did have a very fair daughter, even by elven standards. So I agreed to retrieve the object from the cave. It was a gem stone. He said it was a family heirloom or something. It did not matter to me. I went to the cave and stood at the entrance. It was dark

I did not light a fire as I thought that my elven vision would serve me well enough. I entered the cave as quietly as I could. I did not want to disturb anything that might have been in the cave. Time passed at a crawl. I did my best to stay quiet. The cave went rather deep and I could not see the back of the cave. But a twinkle on the floor caught my attention. There it was. The gem was amongst a few rocks. I went to pick it up. But in my haste I think I made a bit too much noise. That was when I heard a growl.

It sent shivers down my back. I know the sounds that the animals in the region would make and this was as bad as it got. I stopped, my finger inches from the gem. I looked up as a face of a dire bear appeared from the darkness. We stared at each other for what seemed an eternity. Fear had paralyzed me. That was when I did what can be considered the stupidest thing a being can do.

I grabbed the gem from the floor and ran. Yes, I ran. My father had taught me that a bear can run faster than any creature with 2 legs. This was a dire bear. So by my guess, it would be just as fast if not faster. I heard a roar that sent chills down my spine. But I ran on. I did not dare look back. That was when the impossible happened. I hear the bears growling getting further and further away.

But I still did not dare look back. I just ran as fast as my legs could carry me. When I finally stopped I looked back and there was no bear. I could not believe my luck. Either the bear lost interest in me or, just maybe, I had outrun a bear. I think that my fear gave my feet wings. Till this day I remember it. I would never try it again nor do I think I would be able too. He said that he was resting in the cave when the bear arose from its slumber and he ran away. The gem had fallen out by accident.

That would have been a great story in itself but it does not end there. I returned to the farmer’s house, exhausted, and gave him his gem. He was grateful and apologetic that he had not warned me about the danger in the cave. He really wanted the gem back and not many adventurers passed by to help. He was afraid that I might reject the offer if I knew the dangers. That night we had a feast. I was shown to my room and that was the end of my day. Or so I thought…

I did not know how long I was asleep but I was roused from my slumber by a gentle hand on my arm. It was past midnight and it was dark. The candles had burned out. But by the moonlight I could still see clearly. It was the farmer’s daughter. I was surprised. But it turned into shock as she slowly disrobed. What happened next was only natural. But my night was about to get more exciting.

The farmer had overheard us “kissing” and rushed to the scene. Here I use the term “kissing” rather loosely. As the farmer ran to get his pitchfork shouting curses and profanities, I grabbed all my belongings and dressed as best I could. For the second time of the day I found myself running being chased. At that point I was not clothed properly but I still ran on till day break.

I think back to that day with fear and no small amount of humor.

I continued on my journey and reached New Keep. Here I have stayed, doing any job that I could find. Somehow I find that the life in this keep does not suite me. I yearn to continue to look for my father. I long to see him with his twin scimitars again. I wish to learn to wield them as he did. I long to know why he left. What does the amulet he left me means? What does the chimera and gryphon carvings on it mean?

There have been Ettin attacks on New Keep and I heard that a band of adventurers have been hired to find out the source. I have been hired to lead them to Old Keep deep within the forest. Should not be too hard to find. I hope to find an adventure. Might be fun. Who knows, I might be able to find my father. Tomorrow is a new day and I shall see where it takes me.

 

What can one say about ones life that is not yet complete? What can anyone say? Until now, i have lived as best i can. Survival is all that is important. I am young for an elf. Merely 136 years old. My childhood was filled with vague memories. None of which are worth mentioning. But it is the best place to start is it not? My family lives in the nation of Dorn. They moved from Elore, land of elves. I do not know why. We lived in one of the towns. My mother died when i was very young. We moved away after her death. We moved to a secluded area within a forest, much like the Eloran elves. I was brought up by my father. Growing up i was told that my mother had died of natural causes. I accepted it. I did not know better. I was a mere child.

I was taught the was of the forest. Hunting, tracking, stealth, combat. I loved it all. I would be able to lose myself in the moment. Nothing mattered but the moment. Surviving. I especially liked combat. My father was an expert at two-weapon fighting. He taught me the way to fight with 2 weapons. We would sometimes spar into the night. I never realized this but growing up, i rarely had any contact with outsiders. I learned everything from my father. The years moved by fast. Soon i was a teenager. Able to survive by my own. That was when things turned for the worse. I remember that night as if it were yesterday.

We were at home, my father and I. Eating dinner. We had killed a dear. Suddenly, my father looked up and there was a look of pure shock on his face. He drew his weapons and ran out of the house. I was too shocked to move. I heard swords clashing outside. Shouting. Still i did not move. Soon the sounds died down. I waited, scared. My father walks in, there was blood on him. But it wasn’t his. I still had not move, scared beyond my wits. He closes the door and sits down in front of me. He looks me straight in the eyes and says “I think its time you knew”. He then tells me that our family was from a race of protectors He showed me a pendant. It had a gryphon on one side and a chimera on the other. He said that the reason he moved to Dorn get away from it all. He did not know that they would be able to find him here.

I was too stunned to say anything. He said that his wife, my mother had been killed by them because of them moving away. That was why we had moved to the forest. To hide. They were after my family as my father had broken his oath. he had been training me to take his place. Silence. My father got up and went to his room. I stayed at the table the whole night. Thinking of all the questions i had and wanted to ask him. What are we protecting? Who were the man last night? Who killed my mother!? I never got the chance. I got up and walked to his room. But my father was gone. All that was left was the pendant on his bed.

That is all i have of my father till this day. That and the skills he has taught me. After my father left, i could not go on living there. Alone. Plus if there is a chance i get to find my father… I have so much to ask him. I left with as much i could carry that very same day.. The pendant around my neck. It had to be important. Since that day, i had been traveling from village to village. Doing odd jobs and earning enough just to survive. the skills my father taught me were very useful. It was in this manner that i finally reached New Keep. I was hired by the local military. Apparently there were a group of adventurers that need to go to Old Keep and i was to be their guide. Another day, another job.

But who knows, maybe i might be able to find my father. I keep my hopes up. But they diminish with each day. Knowing that he is being hunted. The only reason he left was to ensure my safety. I know it. Hopefully, when i find him, i will be able to stand beside him and face whatever comes between us. I will find him. I will find those who killed my mother. But until then. I will survive…