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Chapter One: Salamander's Hearth |
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Prologue... [1st PoV]
I am dreaming that dream again, the one that's been haunting me every night since Beith* began. It's too vague for me to discern something from it. Someone's face... I can't see their face, but I feel as though I must protect the face's owner, or die trying. I can see myself in armor, father's armor, his sword in my hands, fighting against shadowed foes.
I can identify almost everyone: Briseis and Gais, Spark and Neece's twin children as well as paladins in the service of Goddess Marfa. Anaxarete, daughter of Laina and "Blue Shooting Star" Gallac. There is someone else, but this is the person I can't see... [End 1st PoV]
Somewhere in the outskirts of Allania, Marmo settlement Salamander's Hearth...
Pirotess stared at the bright, blue sky and smiled. Finally, the snows have gone, and it was the first day of spring. She spied a dark shape running across the forest path towards the village and herself. The Dark Elf knew who it was. "Pharis!" She waved at the newcomer.
Pharis came, breathing heavily, carrying the basket of clothes. "Hah...Mother, here they are, all washed..." Pirotess watched her daughter slump against the wall of a house. Her daughter was certainly a sight, even for half-elves. Her skin was a lighter shade of tan than her own, and she inherited her mother's ears and gold eyes.
However, the human side of Pharis' lineage made itself known: Pharis' hair, growing to the same length as Pirotess', was pitch black with gold highlights the same shade as her mother's. Pirotess took the laundry basket. "Have you seen S-your father anywhere?" "Da?" Pharis frowned, biting her lip.
Wordlessly, she pointed towards the plains. "He's over there...I think." "Thank you. You're free to do what you please now." As her daughter raced off, the Marmo Dark Elf bit her lip. She really had to stop addressing her spouse as "Sir Ashram"!
Kingdom of Flaim...
Without a single hint of regret, Estas lifted the mattress. The result was an indignant "Ow!" from the sleeper who fell off the mattress. He looked up at her and scowled. "What's the deal, Estas!? If you have to wake me up, do it like a normal person!"
Estas looked down at her younger brother while absentmindedly twirling a lock of brown hair. "About that. Dad wants you outside, something about training." Rey glared at her. "Why did you beat around the bush, then!? Out of my room!"
Salamander's Hearth, Allania...
Ashram was lying on his back against the grass, staring at the sky. He wondered if Emperor Beld was smiling down at him from wherever he was. After all, there was peace in Lodoss. The Black Knight let a rare smile spread across his finely chiseled features as his thoughts turned to his family.
Pharis's smile lit his heart up every day; her smile was her mother's smile, but it was unique. Sometimes he found himself wondering how she coped with hostility from both Dark Elf and human in the settlement, as not all of the inhabitants saw her as she truly was but as a repulsive creature; he had seen the bruises caused by some of the boys.
Yet, their daughter did not mind at all, having come to terms with it. And...speak of the devil. Pharis walked over to her father, dropping two wooden swords. "Here I am, ready for training." Getting up, Ashram picked up the heavier of the the pair. "Ready?" Pharis grinned. "This time, I will beat you, old man!"
Kingdom of Flaim...
Parn and Rey were resting lightly after a sparring session. Parn studied Rey. The boy grew strong every day, and it was evident he was a natural warrior. It's true that Lodoss was at peace right now, but one never knew when the forces of darkness struck again. The Lodoss Knight wondered if his son would follow in his footsteps.
 Death Papillon · Sat Jan 15, 2005 @ 02:34am · 1 Comments |
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