I was walking through the overgrown forest; a passtime not untypical of me given the beautiful weather during the spring. The downwind breeze was cool through my long grass-colored hair, blowing it messily in the process, so I tied it up. Nothing seemed out of place or imperfect. The foxes in the distance pranced and played. The squirrels were eating their acorns, and then there was me. In the center of it all, being blessed by the Earth Goddess to watch this peaceful sight. We had a deep love, the Earth and I. A respect I knew I could give to nothing else. I sat and basked in the rays of the sun coming through the trees. This was perfect. My ideal life, just nature and I, together.
Something awoke me from my Meditation...
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🎼"Tá an sionnach álainn ag snámh san abhainn...~"🎼
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A beautiful singing voice, a girl's... it woke me, but tranced me at the same time. She sounded like a goddess, even speaking the language of the Old Earth. I got up and walked towards the voice. When I got closer... the singing stopped. All I could see was a red fox, at the base of a tree, with the most beautiful green eyes.
"Olric... I'm so sorry I had to go, Master... I believe you can do great things with that magic of yours... I... I love you. Please take care of our Clover, Sweetheart..." I heard a soft voice say, almost as if it was in my own head. I looked around. No one. I felt tears coming to my eyes, for what reason, I don't know. But hearing that voice makes me feel an emotion I can't descibe with any string of words.
I turned my attention back to the fox, she looked at me with doe eyes. Was that singing, those words... coming from her? At that thought, she glew in a brilliant light that hurt my blue eyes. In an instant the fox was gone, leaving behind specks and residue of glowing light. I felt myself starting to fade away, getting dizzy.
I opened my eyes, the sun feeling warm on my skin, and the grass was soft on my head. Just a dream, huh? A strange one it was... I felt so at peace in the woods, but yet her words made me feel so... strange. Why is it that my eyes feel wet, still... I can't explain anything. And... Magic? She said I can do great things with my magic? I can't use magic... As much as I try and pray to Gaia, a poor Elf could never become a mage. Mage lessons are for the rich, and for humans. I could never afford even one.
Also, Clover... Who is Clover? I don't know a Clover... do I? All this thinking was making my head hurt. I decided to push the confusion to the side and go about my day, not letting it bother me. First stop... jewelry store, right. I made my way down the stone road into town. Passing the crime post on the way there, normally I wouldnt have given it a second look, but on this particular day. Sonething drew me to it.
Among the drawings of thieves and people labeled for treason. One stood out to me. Not that I haven't seen this poster before, however, I have since I was a boy. But looking at her drawing gave me a funny feeling this time for some reason. As if there was a familiarity. Known as the evil genius "Fen", everyone in town has seen her picture. She must be really good at hiding her identity, considering no one has found her yet, and her wanted poster has been up for years, offering a million coins. No one really knows what she has done, most humans say treason, some people say she was a danger to the whole society of Arden. The stories are never the same about Fen. No one knows her crime, all we know is if we see a voluptuous red-haired girl with a button nose, to keep the children away. I feel bad for other red-haired girls, the kids must unreasonably fear them.
I continued my walk into town, ignoring the giggles from the rich Humans at my tattered brown cloak. Us Elves have no reason to entertain such pettiness. We all end up in the same place anyway eventually, so why make a mockery of those less fortunate than you during the time of living. I've met some nice Humans though, that dont hate us Elves. A Human man gave me an oppertunity once to have my drawn face of the cover of the weekly womans paper, said I was too handsome not to ask, I declined, not wanting the attention, however. I could have made some good coins off of that but I decided it wasn't worth it.
I finally made it to my destination. The store was dead quiet, as if people were avoiding it on purpose. I walked in and saw a familiar face.
"Olric! How ya' doin' kid? Didn't think I would see ya' around for a while, guess I was wrong, huh? By the way, those potions ya' sold me really did their coins worth!"
Cilan. I knew he couldnt have been a mage... he works at the damn jewelry store!
"Ha... Hey Cilan... I'm just here for an earring, have anything cheap?" I said through my fake smile.
"I can sense your annoyance, ya' don't gotta fake that look, kid. So, what's up? Wish I bought thirty-one instead?" He said with a toothy grin and a chuckle. I get the sense this guy is a big goofball, too much of one for my taste.
"Just... a mage? That works at a jewelry shop? Never seen that before is all. Being a mage should set you up for life, so be honest, what are you doing here?" I said, dropping the act.
"Ahh... Ya' got a lot to learn, kid. Mages only make money if people hire ya' for tasks. I don't get hired anymore, the townspeople think I'm some kind of laughingstock of a magic user. Screwed up too many times, ya' know? That a good enough answer for ya', kid?" He said through a laugh. Although, I found laughing at your own bad reputation quite a strange thing to do...
"I see... Well either way, I'm going to need some gold today, my old earring is getting tarnished." I said, clearly wanting to finish this transaction and go on my business.
"I mean I'll sell ya' an earring, but if you're so worried about how ya' look, then how about you and I go shopping for some clothes for ya'. My treat. That cloak of yours is holding together by threads. Whaddya' say, kid?" He said, cocking his head to the side. I was shocked. There must be some type of ulterior motive...
"I would feel horrible, I wouldn't want you you to spend your hard earned coins on someone you just met! And besides, why would you want to do that for someone like me...?"
"I'll be honest, kid. I can see it in your eyes. You remind me of myself when I was your age. A hunger for knowlege but no where to get it. Trying to get ahead but no road to run on. Am I right or am I right?" He spoke, giving me his same cocky, toothy smile. He wasn't wrong... I... want to learn magic... I want to learn a lot of things. But i just... Can't.
"You may be correct, but how will buying me a cloak help my situation with wanting to learn magic?" I said, looking down.
"Ding ding ding. I hit the nail on the head, didn't I? It's as obvious as the sun shines. Ya' dont think I don't see ya' heading to the forest to sleep, instead of on that blanket ya' own by the stand. I can tell ya' are loyal to the Goddess, ya' love the world she created, kid. Ya' would be a perfect candidate to learn magic. And I can help ya'! Let me be your master, Ill give ya' a place to stay, an allowance, anything you want. The only rule I'll put down is dont make a fuckin' mess out of my place, but I know ya' won't, whaddya' say?"
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