Norelta: Prologue and First 3 Chapters

This is a small side project I've been working on for some time I have much more written and a lot of that needs to be reworked and changed. These intro chapters would be changed to be a bit more action packed to get the reader in but I do like what I have so far and I hope you enjoy it too! Thanks for reading!

Prologue:

A Siren's Song

    Sovereign Shattenfae paced in her dark throne room, its high vaulted ceilings echoed with her steps. She starred down at the dark marble floor. Ornate glass windows let in bits of pale moonlight. As the dark elf paced her velvet dress, the bottom of which appeared to have stars on it, flowed behind her making it appear as if she were floating.

     "My Sovereign," said an approaching guard with a bow, "your prisoner has arrived."

She stopped; her dark hair hiding her pale, gaunt face. She looked up upon hearing the news and her violet eyes blazed with the anticipation swelling in her. Soldiers entered with dark purple capes which trailed behind them. A slight girl, no older than ten, with many bruises on her face, was being pushed along in front of them. The tall elf queen turned to face the girl as the guards stopped and shoved the child forward. She landed on her knees and stared up into the cold glance that met hers.

     "Do you know why you have been brought here to Schattenwald?" inquired the elf.

     "No," answered the girl who was trying to master her fear.

     "You are here because I wish something of you," she knelt in front of the girl and put her chill hand on the child's bony shoulder, “I want you to sing for me."

     "Why?"

     "You know why," replied the elf as she rose, "And so do I. I want the power that your song holds. I know that if you sing over, something, anything. It will give it enormous power."

     The child was silent and avoided the dark elf’s eyes.

     "I have a crown here." She retrieved a thin golden crown with no ornate detail, and placed it in front of the girl. "Sing over it."

     "And why should I help you Nachtelf. You hate my kind," replied the girl coldly.

     "Because," she stroked the girl’s dingy blonde hair, "I will kill you, and all your family very painfully if you do not."

     The child looked at the crown, a tear rolled down her cheek. She thought about it for longer than the elf expected her to do. Finally, the girl let out a quivering sigh and began to sing. Green glowing lines began to trace its way up on her skin, starting at her throat, slowly working, swirling, and making beautiful designs on its way to her arms and face. The crown began slowly to lift.           

Chapter 1

Breaking Point

   "Oh! There you are late one!" called a high voice. Raelin Daystrum was not in the slightest way amused. She sat on a log by the river that ran some miles from the town of Wenton, in Dreshenhame, where she lived. Her brunette hair was pulled half back, and her face was hard, as though she had trained herself to show no emotion when dealing with the girl.

    This was the third time in one day, and the thousandth time in the past two years that Shara, a pretty girl from Raelin's town, had taunted her.

     "If she mocks me one more time..." whispered Raelin.

     Shara was walking with her three friends, who were now some way ahead of her. They had stopped on the other side of the makeshift log bridge that crossed the wide river. Shara was just about to cross when she decided to make another jab at Raelin. "It's been two year and it's said you never cried. Your duty is to be there when our people need of you. But you couldn't even handle that right." She laughed, and started to walk over the log to follow her friends.

   Raelin sighed, this had to end, and she had endured Shara's torture, but no longer. Raelin stood and walked up the warn path cutting Shara off from her friends at the end of the bridge.

   "What do you want?!" Shara said, with a bitter tone. At this point her friends had stopped and turned their heads to see what was holding her up.

   Raelin's dark eyes seemed to pierce Shara's soul as she said, "If you were a Seer you would already know that."

   "If I were a perfect Seer like you,” Spat Shara, “I would have been there, all those days ago!"

   "You have taunted me, for something that was not my fault."

   "You basically killed her yourself, it is your fault!"

   Raelin raised her fist and suddenly the girl ran, screaming before her, Raelin gave chase down the trail that lead away from town. They ran past Shara’s friends who looked on with amazement. Raelin was fast, but her anger and adrenaline gave her even more speed. She closed in on Shara and grabbed at her hair, pulling her backwards and down onto her backside. She landed on the ground with a thud. Raelin stood over the girl so she was looking down at her and said, “I know how your life will end, I've seen it. And oh do I pity you. Such a horrible death has no one endure, but you shall. Never speak to me again, for next time my fist shall not be raised in vain.”

    Of course Raelin had no idea what Shara’s life would be like, but the best way would be for her to dread it.

   Shara's friends ran up as Raelin strode away, leaving Shara behind her. The girls halted, blocking Raelin's way.

   "Would you like the same, would you like me to see your deaths?" Raelin asked. Her dark eyes were now looked like fire and the girls shook their heads and Raelin passes through them with a shove. They rushed to their fallen comrade who was now wailing like an infant. Raelin walked toward Wenton, hot tears streamed down her face and her first which were clenched shoot. The words that Shara said echoed back in her head. "You basically killed her."

Chapter 2

The Council Interrupted

   Raelin's hair whipped in the wind as she ran down the busy street that lead to the city center of Wenton. She enjoyed running and the wind had helped her tears dry. The smoke from a nearby smithy stung her eyes as she sprinted to meet her Grandfather, Brogan, who was an Elder in the Council. She ducked into the Silver Swell, the main tavern in town and Brogan’s favorite. Smoke and the smell of cooking food filled the air. It took her eyes a moment to adjust to the dim and firelight but when they did she found Brogan sitting at his usual spot. His hair shone silver in the firelight but his eyes were young as he smiled up at her. She was out of breath and sat down across from him.

   "Are you alright?" He asked shocked by her disheveled look, "What happened?"

   "Nothing...I did what I should have done a year ago."

   "Ah! The bullies. Have you taught them a lesson?"

   "Yes, I hope. The others were just following their leader, not that that excuses them."

   "No it certainly does not. You can tell me about me later I want to hear all about it later. Are you alright with going to the council today?"

   "As ready as I can be."

    They rose and left the tavern. The wind hit their faces and she breathed in the salt air trying to calm herself. She was always got nervous before the council meetings, speaking in public never came naturally to her.

   "Alright, when you speak to the council tell them all," the Brogan said. "Don’t be afraid, and always speak the truth. Though I know I don't need to worry on that score." 

   She nodded feeling uneasy. They rounded a corner and entered the large town square. The fountains gushed and the shouts of vendors selling flowers, fresh fish, food and jewelry accosted them. The sky was blue and the day fine. She wished she could be going anywhere other than the council chambers where, she would inevitably sit waiting for hours, while they deliberated her words.

   The council chambers were as tall as three houses and wide as eight. It was round, and at intervals there were huge statues of the wisest Elders of the council's past. She always thought they looked like old giants that were sentenced to stand there for eternity and had eventually turned to stone. She brushed the dirt off her crimson dress and adjusted the leather belt. She noticed her Grandfather glance at her and she knew he could sense her nervousness.

   As they approached the Council Chambers Raelin walked ahead of her grandfather and with some effort pushed open the great oak doors. The inside of the chambers were even grander then the outside. Great red banners, of different silken hues hung from the domed roof. In the large round room was a great circle of large wooden chairs. In the middle of which there was a golden arched lectern, where elders would stand when they addressed the council.

   A sad sounding horn was blown and all the elders slowly made the way to their seats. Raelin and Brogan walked to the lectern. Brogan took his place at the lectern and Raelin stood off to his right.

   "I address this council with honor and loyalty," Brogan said, "on behalf of my granddaughter, Raelin Daystrum. She has seen something I believe the council should be made aware of."

   "Speak Seer," said the oldest member of the council.

   Raelin traded places with my grandfather and took a quivering breath. "I have seen a seafaring elf, an Auenfae, coming here from across the water," said Raelin, her deep voice echoed throughout the hall. Her Grandfather looked grave; his already wrinkled brow was made more lined by his expression.

    Before she could explain more, she was interrupted by an old, ugly, dark haired man, with a crooked nose, who stood and said in an agitated tone, "Is that all that worries you Seer? That a single Elf is coming here? That is foolish! We are, and have always been, at peace with the Auenfae!"

   "This is true," She answered calmly, "but I have also seen Sirens, fighting an enemy stronger then them but I do not know when this will come to pass but..."

   "Are you sure this is what you have seen Seer?" another elder said.

   She answered to the affirmative. The council began to talk among themselves. But again the dark haired man stood and said, "I would understand your concern, Seer, if you had seen a Nachtelf coming here, but an Auenfae? We have always been at peace with them. And they have never even stepped foot on our shores!"

   She was about to answer, and maybe she was to annoyed to speak without showing it in her words, when suddenly the doors of the chamber swung open and an Elf, an Auenfae, entered. All the elders sad dumbfounded, Raelin and Brogan on the other hand were not.

    The stranger was an impressive site. He wore a bronze breastplate, leather arm bracers, and shoulder guards had the most intricate carvings. They were of the finest make, and enhanced his slim figure. His cape and the tunic that peeked out from under his breastplate were of the purest blue. But crowing all was his handsome face and piercing blue eyes. The doors closed behind him and he walked swiftly and smoothly toward the circle of elders. As he walked forward his steps were inaudible, only the rustle of his cloak and a light clink of his armor could be heard. Raelin had never seen an elf in person until that day, but this stranger seemed to embody all she had heard about that great race.

     Brogan looked at his granddaughter and so did the rest of the council. She felt awkward having so many eyes on her at once. Even the elf seeing their faces looked at her as he approached the lectern bowed and said in a voice deep and smooth, like the ocean after a storm. "I am Morgan Anfa'auen. I come seeking help from Men."

   All the elders started talking at once again and Brogan had a hard time calling them to order. When they were finally all quiet he said, "What help can you ask of us?"

   "The help that my people will not give, help they refuse to give." 

   “It seems as though you come at the right time,” said Brogan, “Welcome to our council. This is my granddaughter Raelin, she is a She is a Seer, and she has just told us of your coming."

   Morgan's eyebrows rose in surprise, "then will you at least hear me, and ponder my words?"

   "We shall. What is your cause Anfa'auen?"

   "As I'm sure you all know, ten years ago the wife of the Nachtelves Sovereign was murdered by a rogue Siren. The Sovereign was so enraged against the Sirens because of this that he had their entire population forcefully removed from the forest of Schattenwald. He pushed them into the desert of Tollwust where they live even now as nomads. He has recently died and his daughter Shattenfae, who succeeded him, is not satisfied with their exile and is out for blood. I am the Auenfae Ambassador to the Sirens in the desert of Tollwust and this is what makes this my concern.”

   He began to walk in a large circle, in fount of all the council members. He continued, saying "A group of Nachtfae warriors attacked the Siren city of Flottarx. During the battle a Siren child was abducted during the raid. The power in a Siren song is very great, but that of a child is even stronger. This child in particular is the strongest of all Sirens that now live and she is in the enemies hands. With the child’s power anything could happen. I have already been to the land of my people and there I begged for aid. I was refused and now I have come to ask you and your people for help. Will you give it?"

    Brogan looked graver then before. Slowly he answered, "We must discuss the matter before we give you an answer. Raelin, bring Morgan to our home and give him food. I shall be back with the councils answer soon."

                                             

Chapter 3

Bread and Cheese

     Raelin escorted the elf out of the council chamber and the doors shut with a boom behind them. She led Morgan through the busy streets, around carts and by shops. For some reason she couldn't stop looking at the stranger with, his angular face, pointed ears and brown curly hair. The last of which was especially odd for her people, for men in Dreshenhame had only straight hair.

   "So your grandfather said your name was Raelin?" He said at last.

   "Yes, Raelin Daystrum."

   "Well, Raelin Daystrum, if you keep staring at me you are going to have a neck sore." Morgan said with a hint of what might, in a man, be humor.

   "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't realize I was staring." She apologized awkwardly.

   "Tell me, am I the first Elf you've met?"

   "Actually yes you are, in person that is."

   "Have you seen many Elves?"

   "No just you.”

They rounded a corner and made their way down a narrow road.

   "May I ask a question?" She said.

   "Yes, although I believe you just did."

   This took her by surprise but she asked anyway, "When you said that anything could happen. What did you mean?"

   “I meant that the child’s song has unlimited power, and in Nachtfae’s hands she could use it to wipe out all of the Sirens.”

    They finally reached her house which was situated on the outskirts of Wenton. The back of the house faced the wide expanse of green hills, and the spring breeze rustled their hair. The house itself was made of gray stones and roses were growing up the right side. The roof was newly thatched, and the door was painted a pretty green. They walked up the path and opening the door, Raelin lead Morgan inside.

   "Mother, I'm home, I brought..." there she stopped and looked at Morgan who only looked back at her, “a friend..." she finished uncertainly.

   The elf smirked.

   "Come into the kitchen and get him something to eat." Raelin’s mother replied.

  They walked down the long hall, past the stairs, and into a clean cooking area. Before she could get Morgan any food her mother, Helen Daystrum walked in. She was a tall, pretty women with dark hair loosely pulled into a bun. Her hazel eyes went from the stranger to Raelin and gave a look of approval. Morgan bowed gracefully he looked so out of place in the quaint room.

   "It's about time you had some friends with manors," she said with a wink at her daughter. To which Raelin rolled her eyes and said, "This is Morgan, an elf who has come seeking the help of the council."

   "Ah, I see, very nice to meet you." She curtsied with a laugh, again Raelin rolled her eyes, "How long do you believe the council shall take to deliberate."

    "Judging on Grandfathers face? Quite a while."

    "Well you’d better make yourselves comfortable. And get your friend something to eat!"

   Raelin rummaged through the cabinets and drawers finally setting out cheese, bread and some apples. She also fetched a skin of wine. The Elf, who didn't look hungry in the slightest, ravenously ate the food. Eventually, he polished off a large loaf of bread, an entire round of cheese, seven apples, and half the wine skin. When he was done he wiped his mouth, and looked at the very amazed Raelin with a smile in his eyes.

   "Do all Elves eat that much?" I asked, quite seriously.

    Morgan let out a hearty laugh. Which made her jump a foot or so, and that of course only made him laugh more. Raelin was left staring with her mouth open.

    "We don't generally make it a habit of it.” Morgan finally said, “And if you had not eaten in 3 days you would probably eat just as much. And yes, before you ask, we can laugh. I don't know who first said that we didn't."

    After a little while of Morgan eating in silence, Raelin suggested they go outside while waiting. He agreed and they walked around to the back of the house to the nearest hill 300 yards or so away. There they sat, and waited as the sun began to go down, Morgan was still munching on an apple. Raelin’s eyes wandered over the hills beyond and to the flowers. The sun made them look whiter than ever and even though Morgan was a stranger she felt like she had known him for a thousand years.

    "How did you become Ambassador to Tollwust?" she asked after a short silence.

    "My father is the King of Auenland," he said with little to no emotion in his voice.

    "So...you’re a Prince?" she stammered, as if being an elf wasn't intimidating enough he was also royalty.

    "Yes, I am. That is how I got the position of Ambassador. What about your father?"

    "He died when I was rather young."

    "I am sorry, I...did not know."

   "It’s alright, I barely remember him anyway."

   "How did he die?" Morgan’s smooth face was creased with a worried expression.

   "He died in battle. He went to help the sirens long ago when their people needed aid. I intend to do the same."

   "You are willing to go with me?" Morgan said looking into her eyes, as if he was seeking the full truth in them.

   "Yes." Raelin said. They became quiet as they gazed out over the rolling hills. Morgan threw the apple core an incredible distance as Raelin asked, "Do you enjoy being an ambassador?"

   "Not at first; I thought it was a waste of time and effort. Ever since the Sirens were cast out of the Schattenwald by Shattenfae they have been reserved when mixing with other races. But after a while their people grew on me and I think I grew on them. What about you? What do you do?"

   She let out a sad chuckle, "Well, I wouldn't really call it an occupation, but I'm a Seer."

   "And what do Seers do, pray?"

   "We see glimpses of the future and present and we try to help when we can. Mothers always long for their children to be Seers. But it seems more like a burden than a gift to me."

   "Why is it a burden?"

   "Because I see things happen, and I can never tell when it will come to be. Once I was late for something I could have stopped but I won't be again."

   Morgan didn't press the subject to her delight but she almost wished he had, it would have helped to unburden herself on someone. They continued talking as the sun sank below the horizon. A chill wind blew from over the sea and over the hills lifting their dark hair and making it dance.