Avour's Story -1st Place

Laying down on her fur rug, spell books splayed out in front of her, some open some closed, each book littered with leather book markers for various spells and potions. Her ink well almost empty, the quill inside tattered and covered in ink. Her hands were stained in ink, paper scattered around the room with scribbles and notes on each. Candle light flickered around the room as a slight midnight breeze trickled through the room. Warmth from the fire tickled her toes. Long locks of burgundy red hair trailed over her shoulders, her leather tunic well molded to her slim figure from daily use. About her neck a pendant of fire.

Taking a sip of grape juice as she sighed remembering the dreamy warrior from her parents shop below her. Laying on her side she slumped on to one arm and picked up her small magic stick and waved it about the fire place. "The flame does imitate the man." Softly she spoke in almost whispers gently moving the wand in an oval shape. The fire crackled and then from the magical sparks came the shape of a male warrior.

"Why oh why." She sighed and blew away the figurine. Knowing him only as Kenith a mighty and proud warrior for her town who had saved her life when she was younger in the slime marshes when an enemy town raided. Taylor scratched the side of her cheek as she sat up and pulled her legs in to her chest. Yawning as she looked out the window at the moon. With another sigh she stood up and went to bed.

~~~~~~~~~~

The sun rose and Taylor woke. Dressing herself in her leather tunic again, tying her hair back out if her face as she walked towards the stairs. Living in a two story house which housed also the town shop. Stone walls were littered with shelves over flowing with various size health potions, magic pots and stamina pots. Her sister Chantell and her husband Daniel ran their own mending business which allowed customers to buy odds and ends, while getting their equipment repaired at half the cost of buying new ones. While Anne, their mother would provide the new items, potions and meals.

Her face flushed red when she saw Kenith take off his winged helmet and tuck it under his arm. Chantell laughed and nudged Taylor in the side. Pretending that she didn't know what Chantell was doing, Taylor walked over to a small cupboard and took out an old wooden staff and a leather pack. Dumping the pack on the counter and placing some pots in side Taylor scowled at Chantell and tied up her bag and went to walk out of the shop.

"Where you going Red" Kenith asked putting his hand on her shoulder. She froze and looked at his hand, taking a deep breath she looked up at him and blinked.

"I was going to the.. " She didn't really know where she was going. "Hunting for potion parts really. I need some more skeleton bones, and orc teeth to make some pots for mother to sell." Taylor answered, her eyes nervously darting around the place. Kenith laughed slightly and looked at Chantell.

"Tell your father, I'm taking his daughter on a hunt." He smiled and tapped Taylor o­n the back, the strength of his tap pushing her forward slightly. Her eyes widened and her stomach sank.

"I'm not good enough to go out with a warrior, I'm a pot maker, not a spell caster." She hesitated looking up at him.

"Nonsense." Kenith grabbed her firmly by the hand and pulled her gently out of the shop towards the lands in the middle of the two towns. "Ever seen an Ogre" He laughed looking down at her. She shook her head and whimpered. Laughing Kenith continued walking towards what was commonly called the Middle Lands.

"Sir Kenith I really don't think that I should be going with you." She murmured as the two started getting closer to the lands of the ogres. Trying to remember spells Taylor gripped her staff and followed Kenith who held his sword up high.

"haha what's this Sir Kenith business Red?" He laughed looking at her. "Ken, or Kenith, I'm by no means worthy of the title 'sir' just yet" With another laugh he continued "I don't really need help. Just company. You can do that?" Kenith turned around and winked at Taylor. He saw that she was frightened and stopped walking. He took his sword by both hands and thrust it firmly in to the ground. "Here." He pointed to her staff motioning for her to hand it to him.

"The staff isn't where your true power is held, its within your own person." He pointed to her heart. "I can feel the power inside you. I'm surprised that your parents haven't sent you to the University for Magic to see Gandalf already. Especially your father of all people." He shrugged and pointed to the staff. "This staff was your fathers correct?" He paused and waited for her answer, Taylor's brows pressed together as she nodded. "Your father was...." Kenith put his hand to his chin and covered his mouth. "Your father is a powerful mage, and your mother has some magic powers also. Your whole family is littered with great mages with great power. one day you will realise just how powerful you are." Clipping her chitin gently Kenith picked up his giant two handed sword and swung it around and stopped suddenly with it held a hair away from the neck of a female mage that Taylor hadn't noticed until now.

"Hmm." The mage hummed, blinking. Raising her free hand to the blade and lowered it from her neck looking at Kenith in the eyes. Smiling at him as she walked around his armored body towards Taylor. "Hmm." She hummed again looking at Taylor down her nose. The woman towered over the young girl. She was obviously a powerful mage, judging from the staff that she held she was well versed in the arts of magic. Swallowing hard Taylor took a few nervous steps backwards.

"Rachael, I'd like you to meet..." Kenith started to introduce Taylor when the female mage butted in.

"Taylor, Daughter of the Great One." She stopped and half turned her head towards Kenith. "I know." Turning her head back towards Taylor she lowered herself and balanced on her staff. "Ken is right about you. I can feel your power, it's invigorating." She spoke softly. The woman was beautiful, blonde hair which reached half way down her back, perfectly groomed even though she'd been out in the Middle Lands for some time. Big brown eyes with long lashes, lightly tanned skin and peachy cheeks. Nothing seemed to be imperfect about her. Even her boots looked perfect reguardless of the fact that she would have had to have fought her way to get to this part of the middle lands.

Taylor looked at herself, long unbrushed brown hair, a leather tunic she wore day in and day out. Her sisters mended and remended boots, an old cape also mended a few times, an old leather carry pack and her fire pendant about her neck. Nervously Taylor put her hand to the pendant as Rachael stood up.

"Cute charm." She commented. "Now Kenny, really?" Rachael turned her attention to Kenith. "Hanging around with...." Looking over her shoulder at Taylor, Rachael softly snorted. "Children?" Raising an eye brow, her head tilted to the right. Kenith put his sword in its holder o­n his belt and pressed his teeth together, his jaw bobbling.

"Rachael, enough!" He said firmly. Walking towards Taylor he put a hand on her shoulder. "I'm just mucking around." Kenith replied.

"Good" Cutting him off before Kenith could say anything more Rachael put left hand firmly against her hip and firmly held her staff in the other. "We wouldn't want people getting the wrong idea about you now would we? The Mighty Kenith having a pre-wedding fling with a.... girl." Rachael looked down at Taylor again.

"I said enough. If you've finished showing your claws." Kenith tried to talk but was again interrupted by Rachael.

"Oh I've not even begun to show them, Darling." Rachael took Taylor's staff from Kenith's hands and looked at it. Waving it around a few times Rachael nodded and tossed it towards Taylor who fumbled to catch it. "Didn't he mention that Deary?" Rachael looked at Taylor. "He's getting married." Rachael smiled and walked towards Kenith. "Next week." Now at his side, Rachael put her hand on his sword and looked at Taylor again. "To me." Rachael kissed him on his helmet and then laughed as she disappeared in a sparkle of stars that evaporated as they touched the ground.

"I'm sorry!" Kenith said holding a hand out towards Taylor.

"What in Aresien's name was that all about?" Taylor asked looking up at Kenith who sighed.

"Rachael, is my.... We're getting married next week. She's some what protective-"

"Jealous you mean."

"That to." He laughed in reply. "I think we might go back. I'm suddenly not in the mood to swing this thing around." Kenith said putting a hand on his sword.

Some what confused Taylor nodded and silently followed Kenith back to town. She felt confused, and scared. Her mind re-played Rachael saying "Oh I've not even begun to show them, Darling.", "He's getting married. Next week." Putting her staff in side the two loops that she had attached to her sack, she folded her arms and thought to herself. 'News of Kenith getting married would be all over town....' Recalling the woman who stood in front of her, it dawned on her. Rachael was from the other town.

"Oh my!" She uttered. "Kenith, she's one of them. Your going to marry o­ne of them!" Taylor asked looking at him.

"I love her Red." He answered and continued walking. "Your almost home." Kenith pointed to the shop which was now in view. "We'll have to do this another time. You be alright to go the rest of the way alone?" Taking off his helmet he looked back at Taylor.

"I'll be fine." She replied disheartened, turned her back and continued walking. Her mind racing with what Kenith had told her about the history of her family that she didn't know, and the images of Rachael which for some reason bothered her a great deal. Feeling some what lost Taylor opened the door to the shop and walked in.

As always there were people eating, waiting for repairs, contemplating what they wanted to buy. She saw her friend Riley talking to Chantell at the counter. Untying her hair Taylor smiled at the two of them. Her mother was looking after a customer, and her father was busy stacking shelves with scrolls. Riley walked up enthusiastically towards Taylor and hugged her.

"How is our budding Magey this fine and might I add beautiful day." Riley asked, his voice as joyful as ever. He was training to be a warrior, fierce, strong and brave. His some what lenky figure was beginning to fill out as he continued his training, already he was showing potential of becoming a great warrior.

Holding Taylor at arms length he squinted his eyes and looked at her. "Tay-Tay what's wrong?" He asked his entire mood suddenly changed.

"Nothing Riley." Her eyes looked at her father and then to her mother before returning to Riley. "Nothing at all." With a small distant smile Taylor walked up the stairs inching past Daniel on his way down. Riley looked at Chantell and she nodded. Daniel continued down the stairs towards Chantell and raised an eyebrow.

"What in Aresien's name is going o­n with her this time." He asked Chantell.

"I've no idea, but if any one can get it out of her, its Riley."

~~~~~~~~~~

Riley walked up the stairs after Taylor and entered her small stone room after knocking on the wooden door gently. Entering he saw Taylor laying face down on her fur rug in front of the fire place in her room. The fire was out, but ready to be sparked up again with the simple flick of her wrist. Potion bottles scattered all over the room, collections of various animal parts stored in jars, boxes, and stacks on the floor. Frowning Riley shut the door behind him and sat down next to Taylor.

"Tally, what's wrong?" He asked putting a hand on her shoulder.

"I said nothing Riley." Her reply was short and muffled.

"I don't believe you."

"I don't care. Riley drop it!" Taylor nudged herself away slightly and put her head back on her arm, Riley catching a glimpse of her tears.

"Your face says other wise. Tay, what's wrong Baby-Girl?" He moved closer and frowned more this time sounding a lot more worried now that he'd seen the tears on Taylors face.

"You'll think its stupid. Aresien it is stupid!" She sat up crossed legged and slouched her posture. Riley raised his eye brows and just looked at his friend. Rolling her eyes Taylor lent back o­n her arms. "Kenith is getting married, and the woman - if that's what you can call her - met up with us in the middle lands. She was all weird, jealous. She scared me. I think her name was Rachael or something. They both knew who I was, and who Dad was. It put me off." Squirming she put her knees up to her chest wrapping her arms around her legs.

"Oh." Was all that Riley could say for a moment or two. He shook his head trying to understand what she'd just told him. "So." He paused. "Your upset because Kenith is getting married, and its to some woman named Rachael who didn't like you, and both of them knowing something that you don't about your father?" He tilted his head to the side.

"Yes." Taylor nodded. "And she's from Elvine! Racheal is an Elve!! I don't believe it. There has to be some magic working, Kenith wouldn't do that to us!" She stood up and paced the room. Her breathing heavy and her whole body oozing frustration. Riley laughed as he watched his friend. "Oh I'm glad you think this is funny Mr. Sit-on-my-back-side-and-do-nothing!" Taylor glared at him.

"What's there to do? Two people who love each other are getting married. There's nothing evil about that Baby-Girl. I would have thought that you more than any one else would have been understanding of the whole idea that its not what you are, or where you come from, but who you are." Riley looked at Taylor and stood up as well. "Taylor, you have a crush on Kenith, shh!" He raised his hand when she saw that she was about to object. "It's obvious, especially since you blush and get all squeamish when ever he enters the room. Your crush is getting married, tha's a fact that you can't change and you met the bride. Big deal. Be happy that Kenith is able to marry the o­ne that he loves. Not all of us will be that lucky." Riley's eyes dropped at the same time Taylor's jaw did. She watched him walk towards the door.

"Riley!" She called out after him. He raised his hand and threw it down. "Humpf" Was all she could say as the door shut behind him. Shaking her head at her own stupidness she went over towards her bed that wished she didn't get out of, and opened the shutters. Below her Riley was walking out the shop. He was unusually stiff with his walk. She could see that he was upset now and it was because of her.

"Can this day get any worse!" She hissed and laid back in a puff on her bed.

"Taylor we need more Invisible Potions!!" She heard her sister call from down stairs.

"I had to ask!"