Fantasy Farewell to Kings: Elide’s Tale

[A Play On Words]

Elide felt her head throb as she forced herself to sit up.
"Shit..." She mumbled, rubbing her temples softly.
She glanced around the empty room before pulling the veil from her face. Black liquid bled from her right eye, the scars on her eye filling with the black substance. This had only ever happened to her a couple of times, but never this bad. Elide turned towards the food and began to eat, not realizing how hungry she had been.

 

[Jodyguru]

In the quiet of the room she could hear the squeak of a mouse skitter across the floor. It ran towards the bar area, where a cat lying above jumped down and attacked it. The cat emerged with the caught mouse in its mouth.

It seemed like everyone here is a hunter of some kind. What kind of a hunter is she?

 

[A Play On Words]

She let her legs hang over the side of the table as she wiped some blood from her eye. Her madame was right. She would never fit in here. She was an outcast. Elide stared down at her hands, a pain in her heart. She didn't belong anywhere. At any moment she could lose control and potentially kill someone. She was dangerous. I am a monster. She stared at her reflection through the fork she had been given, before letting out a sob.

 

[Jodyguru]

After she got a moment of reprieve from the world, there was an interesting sound coming from outside. It sounded like a bunch of voices speaking at once. There was more to it though. A pattern, maybe some up and down. There were songs playing.

The tavern door opened and Bart emerged. He seemed different. He was slightly tilted.

“Hey Lidi you’re up, that’s great.” He said. “Hey, if you’re feeling better, you sshould come outside.” His speech was a bit slurred. He was a little drunk.
“Everyone’s waiting to meet ya, cmon.”

Outside on the riverbend were tons of tents and enough campfires to light up most of the Uri River. Behind the guild hall was a massive bonfire where a dozen people were drinking, singing songs, and playing music. It was fun but not rowdy like some parties could get. These people were in good spirits tonight.

 

[A Play On Words]

She tied a rag around her eye before slipping her veil back over her face. Elide poked her head out of the door frame before slowly stepping outside of the tavern. The fire and the music brought back pleasant memories. The music lifted her spirits, she wanted to dance. She missed her fellow caravan sisters- the ones who had taught her to dance, they always aided her with her confidence in these situations. Elide tucked a loose strand of pale white hair behind her ear, stepping into the light with a large gulp.

 

[Jodyguru]

Bart was happy to see her spirits lifted. He knew he was doing the right thing getting her out into the cool spring air. As they approached the camp, they all cheered at the sight of Elide. One of them called her the “ice cracker” because she managed to scare mean old Mitzi. Bart introduced everyone quickly. There was Barney and Jeff, Stevie, Winter, and Cailou. There was George and his bloodhounds, then Tess the Body, who was known for her deadly charms. Marcus, Teddy, and Other Jeff. After a moment she probably forgot half of them.

Bart offered her a mug of ale, then sat on a barrel and started slapping his knee to the song being played by Winter on his lute and Stevie on drums and tambourine.
Tess got up in front of the fire and started dancing. The way she danced was very snakelike, or a piece of cloth in
the breeze. People cheered and drank
to her honor.

 

[A Play On Words]

Elide tried to remember the names as she greeted the new people. She took the mug she had been offered and took a swig. She felt the fruity liquid burn its way down her throat. She shivered but it didn't mind her too much. Eli watched Tess dance and felt the music call to her. Eli took one more drink for confidence before joining her. The music moving her body as she twisted and twirled to the beat, laughing brightly. She finally felt happy and peaceful. Maybe it was just the ale, but she was going to savor the moment.

 

[Jodyguru]

(Mead would be fruity. Ale would taste like Budweiser or something lol)

The crowd cheered more when Elide jumped in to dance. Bart was especially cheerful. Other Jeff decided to join in, dancing with a hand on Tess’ hip. The crowed booed at his awkward attempt to try getting back into her life after they split yet again. Also his dance moves were pathetic. Teddy pulled him down and shoved his face into the water pan for a prank.
Bart stood up and started dancing himself with big steps and his arms over his head. He was like a marble statue coming to life.

“well well, one of the tough guys showing his moves. Pretty well for a brute I’d say.” Tess mused and thought about moving past Elide to dance closer to him.

 

[A Play On Words]

(oops! I'm mixing up my alcoholic beverages again!)

She chuckled softly. "Music brings out the best of us." Eli smiled, spinning near the flames, the steps of the dance she had perfected over the years returning to her.
Elide was graceful in each of her steps. She pulled one of the scarves tied around her waist and allowed the corner of it to catch a flame. This was a trick she had practiced many a time. She spun, the warm fire crawling up the scarf. She tossed it in the air and with one swift spell, the fire was expelled, allowing the scarf to fall back into her hands unburned. Eli laughed and stepped back for a moment, leaning against a barrel as she took another swig from her drink, watching the others.

 

[Jodyguru]

The crowd oo’ed and aw’ed at Elide’s fire spectacle. They gave her a short round of applause that interrupted the song a moment then continued. Tess used this moment to move in front of Elide to reach Bart. What she didn’t expect was for Bart to pass her at the same time so that he could approach Elide away from the bonfire.

“That wass impressive. You’re just full of surprises aren’t you?” He giggled and held his empty cup out for a refill from the keg. The keg dropped the last of it’s contents in with a dribble.
“Aw damn, the keg kicked it”

 

[A Play On Words]

She smiled at his compliment. "I'm a girl of many talents." She chuckled brightly as she gazed up at the stars with a long yawn.
"God I'm drunk." She laughed, pressing a hand to her forehead as she placed her empty cup on top of the empty keg.
Elide turned towards Bart, a more serious expression on her face now. "I wanted to thank you for everything you did for me today. Things could've gone...well a lot worse, so thank you. If there is anything I could do to repay you, please let me know"
Eli smiled, gently placing a hand on his shoulder, retracting it a few moments later as she looked back up at the sky.

 

[Jodyguru]

Bart shook his head and put his hand over her hand. “Don’t thank me yet. I had to convince the guild to let you pay your dues through wage garnishing. Not only that, but the road ahead will be tough, and you could easily hate me for it. Starting tomorrow we’re going on a quest together to try and start paying that debt off.”

He stared off into the great dark wonder of the sky with her. He wasn’t sure what she saw in those stars, but the way she stared made him think something special was out there.

 

[A Play On Words]

"Well, in that case, I should head to bed unless I want to wake with an awful hangover." She chuckled, glancing towards him.
"Goodnight, I'll see you in the morning," She smiled, resting a hand against his arm before she left back towards the tavern.
She entered the darkened room, gently closing the door behind her. She blew out the remaining candles before retreating towards an unoccupied corner. She propped up her bag and removed her veil, setting it on the ground next to her. Elide rested her head against her bag and allowed sleep to take another willing victim.

 

[Jodyguru]

In the morning the guild was fairly busy with everyone getting things together and discussing details of their quests. Elide wouldn’t be able to sleep in with the ruckus. Bart was in different form today. He had been given his quest, something suitable for a two-person squad. Problem was that small groups bring in smaller jobs.

“Our quest today is to track a small pack of goblins back to their cave and slaughter them. Farmers reported the creatures have been stealing animals and tools, and harassing them at night.“

Bart was wearing his helmet and strapping on his iron armor set. He asked Elide to fetch his weapons and bag of gear. He had rope, torches, caltrops, A jar full of yellow liquid, flint and tinder, whetstone, tent, bedroll, and some dry rations.
He also had a greatsword. A weapon as tall as his partner.
What does Elide have with her?

 

[A Play On Words]

Elide had done as he had asked, taking a couple of minutes to change into something a little more fitting for a job like this. She had exchanged her loose-fitting clothing to a tighter armor-plated suit that Tess had helped her arrange. It was a bit tighter and made her feel a bit more exposed then she normally had, but Tess had insisted. She clipped a cloak over her shoulders, the wrap still tied across her face. She returned to Bart, with the weapons and her bag which she had slung over her shoulder. It contained items like her bedroll, food, water, and a few of her items as well.

 

[Jodyguru]

Bart smiled brightly today. The man somehow managed to avoid a hangover, shocking everyone. He waved over Elide to his horse, a fine mature mare with a lot of run in her legs today.

“Looking sharp today, Lidy! Won’t that armor get in the way of your spells? Your dancing?” He did a weird little flutter with his hands to mimic spell.

Another horse rode up towards them. It was Winter, the bard.
“Going out today huh?”
“Yup, pest control, you?”
“Pest control too.”
“Grand. Take care of Stevie. He’s probably still blacked out from last night.”
“I’ve got his back. Hey, new chick!” He looked at Elide.
“Stay out of Douche’ way. That thing he’s carrying ain’t for dance parties.” He laughed and rode off. Bert kicked at the dirt.
“He’s the douche...” he muttered. “uh, anyways, what are you using for weapons?”

 

[A Play On Words]

Elide rolled her eyes at his finger movements as she laughed quietly.
"I doubt the amount of clothing I wear will affect my magic."
She watched the new man pull up next to them and laughed at the banter that was being exchanged between the two of them, before regaining herself.
"Well besides my magic, believe it or not, I am surprisingly handy when it comes to a whip." She chuckled, pulling the two metal whips off of her belt.

 

[Jodyguru]

Bart’s eyes widened. That was unexpected.
“Well then! I’m sure they will come in handy. I think I have something you may find useful.”
He went to his horse and pulled a length of knotted hemp rope. One end had a head and a hole big enough for a marble.
“How skilled are you with a sling?” He handed it to her.
After that he’d mount his horse and offer a hand to her so he’d pull her up to sit on the back end of his horses saddle.

 

[A Play On Words]

"Don't believe I've ever tried it," She answered, taking his hand.
She pulled herself up, sliding one leg across the other side of the mare. The small seat had made the two share closer quarters, but that didn't seem to mind Elide that much.

 

[Jodyguru]

Bart clicked his tongue and started trotting down the dirt road. “We can practice when we reach the farm. I wouldn’t swing that around with me so close.”

The hoofbeats on the hard ground went on in monotony for miles. They crossed a river over a small wooden bridge, and went on through the woods.

By mid-day they emerged from the woods and Elide could see miles of farmlands stretching on like a sea of golden fleece.

“Alright, that should be the farm on the left. I’ll handle the farm hands. I want you to investigate the houses that got broken into. If you can, find evidence of where the goblins were headed after the robberies. Sound good?”

 

[A Play On Words]

"That sounds easy enough" She chuckled with a smile.
She watched the brightly colored hills calmly roll past them. It was quite pleasant out here.

 

[Jodyguru]

A hazy memory pushed its way to the front of Bart’s mind. He thought of a covered wagon and a baby crying from hunger. He was hungry as well, laying on the floor that smelled like tobacco and donkey shit. His dad arguing with his mother, and the baby crying even harder. He could see a field out of the back of the wagon. A windmill and a barn in some backwood country they were passing through.

“How’s your eye?” Bart asked, almost in passing. He was both here and not here.

 

[A Play On Words]

Her body froze at the question.
"W-What?" She stammered, her heart beginning to pound against her chest.

 

[Jodyguru]

Bart looked back at her. “Your eye. It’s freshly bandaged. Did you get attacked yesterday?” He seemed a little concerned.

“Be careful if you can’t see out of it. Bad perception means I’ll be taking a lot of marbles to the back of my helmet.” He tried playing it off with a laugh since he could see she was very touchy on this question.

 

[A Play On Words]

"It-It's fine...I-I'll tell you about it later," She said quietly, her voice breaking slightly.
Elide rested her head against his back with a gentle sigh. "I'm sorry- I-It's just hard for me to talk about it," Her voice was near a whisper.