Anomaly

Liliana was more than thankful for Freya’s help. She hugged herself to the woman and hummed lightly. She gazed up to the umbrella when the woman made it, another look of awe. Liliana giggled and touched the handle of the umbrella. “Your magic is so...incredible...to be able to create anything you like, whenever you like.” She leaned her head against Freya. “No one can truly touch my magic. In fact. The fires would injure someone that I am not healing...funny isn’t it? The healing fires could cause so much damage and yet...that’s not what I aim to do with them...perhaps that is why the people of the Shadow Temple are so interested in me…?” She shrugged slightly.

As they approached the bakery Liliana’s expression fell, a great sadness washed across her expression. She held back tears as they walked into the bakery and down into the basement home. “Helion...” She repeated the word. “You’ve many different things where you come from hm?” She giggled as she leaned against the arm of the couch. She hugged the cup to her chest and sniffed it. “Smells lovely.” She whispered softly. She lifted her ocean hues as the bread was held toward her. Another giggled escaped her lips as she grasped it and took a bite. “You know. The last time I drank tea it had a sedative in it.” She smirked though she took a sip, showing her trust in the woman. “But I don’t think you’d do that to me.” She gazed to the empty fireplace. Her father always kept a fire in the hearth. It would light the room with the dancing flames.

Liliana gazed to Freya as she spoke of who she was. “So you’re...like a princess, hm?” She giggled playfully. “The only reason so many know me is because...” She gazed around the room and her eyes fell upon the sign that she’d hold in front of the shop. “I used to stand in front of the shop with that.” She pointed. “I used to call out our specials of the day. Greet customers. I’ve done it since I was old enough to speak. It drew in a lot of customers.” She smiled sweetly. “This city, though it may not be small...it truly is much like that of the small farming villages. Our people are close knit...we support one another...” She had finished her tea and leaned heavily against the arm of the couch now. “Freedom is much more than what the word entails. I’ve never been free.” She smiled softly. “The last year of my life has been the most free that I have ever felt...but it was a paid freedom...which is not a true freedom...” She hummed lightly before she giggled. “Oh yes, Ruby makes a fine drink. The best in town. Don’t tell Crow, he’ll be upset. His ale isn’t the best, but my father loved it...”

When Freya grasped her legs Liliana’s eyes opened wide, she had been close to dozing off. She tensed quite a bit, her eyes glowed from the fear that gripped her. Though when she realized that Freya was merely helping her she calmed and her head leaned against the arm of the couch once again. “I...can’t get up...” Liliana admitted with a giggle as she closed her eyes. Soon enough she was fast asleep.

The morning came swiftly. Liliana woke to a drop of water upon her face. She shot up swiftly. “The ship!” She exclaimed, she could see a bit of light shining down the stairs. “Freya! The ship!” She bolted from the couch and up the stairs. The sun had already begun to rise into the skies, her breathing was quick. “No...no no no...” She exclaimed as she sprinted through the streets. “Hurry up!” She called back to Freya. Liliana was quick as she zipped in and around citizens. She knocked a man over that was carrying a crate. “Sorry!” She called over her shoulder as he toppled to the ground. Soon enough they had made it to the port and Liliana skidded to a stop. “Wait!” She called as they were drawing up the ramp to the Galleon’s Leap. “Wait!”

The captain looked down from the deck of the ship and a hearty chuckle came over his lips. “Ah let them on. We need those two.” He grinned.

Liliana looked back to Freya and chuckled as she ran up the ramp onto the ship. Within minutes they were pulling away from the port. She glanced to the docks to see the captain of the knights standing upon the dock with his hands upon his hips. Liliana bit her lip slightly and then grinned to Freya. “Freedom huh?” She giggled before she turned and a bucket and a brush was shoved into her chest.

“Scrub the deck.” The man spoke before he looked to Freya, “You too, there’s another brush in the bucket. Get to work.” He then walked off.

Liliana laughed as she looked to the brush. “Well...if this is what gets us to freedom. So be it.” She spoke as she found a spot and she knelt down. Liliana dunked her brush and began scrubbing away at the deck.

“I didn’t think you two were coming.” The Captain spoke as he stood over Liliana. He looked to Freya, he smirked slightly. “You have any plans in Harada?” He questioned then, he didn’t look to Liliana for an answer, almost as if he knew that the young elf was wanted by the tower. "I expected to have several other crew members aboard the ship this morning, seems they must have slept in. We're a bit short because of it." He kept his eyes upon Freya.

Liliana gazed up to the captain as Freya spoke of the party on shore. Her brows furrowed slightly as she thought of the smugglers and their leader Natalie. She took the rag and rubbed it against the deck absentmindedly as she listened. “Well, there are always big parties in this city.” The captain chuckled playfully. “Make sure those decks look good. You might want to help your friend there.” He moved along to give orders to others as the city shoreline grew further and further away.

The young elf paused as Freya instructed her, she pressed her lips into a line as she focused on the instructions. A slight giggle came over her lips. “Don’t apologize...you’re right, I’ve never done this sort of thing.” She wrung out the rag and pressed it into the deck. She paused as Freya asked the next question. A giggle came over her lips. “Carrot.” She repeated and then laughed as she sat back on her heels to look to the viking. “Kellet. You were close. I attended Kellett’s Academy of Magical Pedagogy, it is in a city called Aradon.” She gave a smile and then went back to scrubbing. Liliana wasn’t the strongest, it was her magic that carried her through most things.

“Master Kellett had asked for me to attend his academy since I was a child.” She continued scrubbing. “But, my mother was quite ill...and...for the longest time I kept her alive...you see, before the anomaly I already had magic like I do now...it just wasn’t nearly as strong.” She sat back on her heels again to look at Freya. “No matter how ill it made me to heal her, I would do it. I couldn’t go to the academy. If I left my mother would die...but...she became too ill for me to heal, and she knew it...and she passed...on the night of the anomaly...I received this gift...and the one person that I wish I could have saved...” A long sigh came over her lips. “I couldn’t save her because she was already gone.” She dipped the rag into the bucket and wrung it out before she began a new section of the deck.

“Master Kellett took me into the tower. He knew my family was poor, so he charged my father considerably less coin...my father used my mother’s savings...the savings she had kept to send me to the academy.” She scrubbed away. “He placed me into my own room in the tower.” She gave a soft smile. “I had everything I could ever dream of, I felt like a princess.” A laugh came over her lips. “He personally trained me...and to be quiet honest the past year of my life has been incredible...I have learned so much from him...but...” Her expression fell, the smile disappeared. “I...cannot return...the guard of Presstria will be looking for me when they do not receive the payment...”

Liliana winced slightly and withdrew her hand. A splinter from the deck stuck into her palm. She stared to it for a long moment as blood trickled from around the wooden piece. She touched the splinter and grit her teeth, it burned. “Oi.” A man walked up he was scraggly and was dressed in worn clothing. His eyes looked over the two. “Ah the old deck has seen better days. You ought to use brushes to clean it instead of rags.” He knelt down and took her hand into his. “I can wrap that up for you, my lady.” He smiled to her as he helped Liliana to her feet.

“Oh no, I am quite alright.” She protested.

The man raised a brow and chuckled, “No need to pretend to be tough, eh?” He glanced to Freya, “Come on.” He waved to her. “She’ll be more comfortable if her friend is around, I’m sure of it.” He then led the two below decks. The ship rocked about and swayed. “Sit.” He pointed to a chair as they walked into a room that held a cot and several medicinal vials.

Liliana held her hand as she sat down in the chair. She watched as the man gathered a bottle of clear liquid, cloth and tweezers. “Are you the apothecary?” She asked curiously then. She knew better than to use her magic, especially now that she knew she was being hunted for it.

The man chuckled and grinned, “Something like that.” He pulled a stool up in front of her. “I served the good ole Baron for many years in his guard. Throughout those years I had to go to many wars and I had to pull many men off of the battlefield. So, I learned a thing or two from it.” He lifted the bottle and gave her a nod. “This will hurt.” He spoke before he poured it over her palm. Liliana squeezed her eyes shut and grit her teeth. The man quickly pulled the large splinter from her palm then. Liliana let out a whimper as he poured more of the liquid upon her hand. He then inspected the wound. “Ah that was a good one.” He spoke as he blotted blood away only for more blood to come from the wound. He then tightly wrapped her hand. “No dirty soapy water for you, otherwise you might lose that hand of yours, hm?” He gave a smile. “Perhaps the kitchen is a better suited place for you ladies? We lost our chef, not sure where he disappeared to last night.” He shrugged. “I’ll inform the captain. Why don’t you head down the hall and get started on some food for the crew then?”

Liliana looked to him, “Um...thank you...I didn’t catch your name...” She watched as he secured the items back in their rightful places.

“I didn’t give it.” He chuckled, “Louvel.” He bowed deeply. “And you two might be?” He asked with a grin.

“Lilly.” Liliana spoke with a warm smile, “And this is Freya.” She stood and looked about the items in the room. “Thank you.” She spoke before they were led from the room.

“Down the hall on the right. Can’t miss it.” He spoke before he climbed the stairs back above the decks.

Liliana gazed back to Freya a moment and then headed down the hallway. She came to the kitchen and watched as the pots that hung from the ceiling swayed about to the movement of the ship, clanking slightly. “Is it normal...to feel dizzy?” The young elf questioned as she moved about the ship. “Or uneasy...” She looked to Freya, her skin was a bit pale. Seasickness was something that Liliana had never experienced. She began looking through the items carefully and before long she had vegetables upon the cutting board and she was chopping slowly, adding the vegetables into a pot of boiling stock. “Do you ever think about returning to your people one day?” Liliana questioned out of the blue. “Your family...I mean...they must miss you.” She gave a soft smile.

Liliana looked to Freya and gave a soft smile, “My father called me Lilly...it’s a lot less regal sounding than Liliana...and besides...I’m certain that those that are looking for Liliana Morgenson will be looking for just that. Not a Lilly.” She winked and then held a hand to her stomach that churned. “How is it your favorite?” She groaned slightly as she paused for a long moment before the urge to hurl into the supplied bucket passed. “Hopefully I won’t have to use it.” She spoke softly as she continued chopping up food.

The young elf looked to Freya as she began to speak of her home, of her people. Her eyes softened as Freya mentioned that she was saving coin to travel back home. 65 gold was a hefty sum, but it was doable. Especially for one with the skills that Freya possessed. The sound of the chopping of vegetables slowed down as Liliana listened intently to the story, her eyes lowered as she focused on preparing the meal. “I’m certain that someone misses you...I know my father wrote me letters every week while I was at the academy.” She had a soft smile upon her lips. “I want to help you get home.” She brushed the last bit of vegetables into the stew and began rummaging through the cabinets for spices. Liliana was an excellent chef, she’d learned from her mother as a child and when her mother passed she’d cooked for her father and brother up until she left for the academy.

“I’ll go with you and if...for some reason you are not welcomed. Well, we shall sail to the eastern continent.” She grinned. “I’ve heard that the people of Onya are as wild as they are free. Oclera is full of politics as you said. Each family is on their own. My family had next to nothing but, we fed nearly the entire district with what we could scrounge up. I’ve spent my life in that sort of mentality. It takes a village to raise a child, that is what my father always said. He believed in what your people believe in. Taking care of one another.” Liliana paused and held her wrapped hand to her stomach briefly. She closed her eyes as she fought the urge to throw up once again. “I’m not so certain I am cut out for the sea.” She drew in a long breath.

“I would fear going home as well, if I were you.” She spoke as the churning in her stomach was subdued once again. She moved about the kitchen cleaning off the knife that she’d use to chop the meat and vegetables. “There was a point in time that I forgot about home. While I was at the academy.” She let out a soft laugh. “Silly, I know. But, Kellett...he treated me as if I was his own kin...and to be honest...I’m not certain exactly how much coin he asked my father for...he may not have made my family pay at all for me to be at the academy...” She pondered the thought. She turned and stirred the stew then and tasted the broth before she seemed to think a long moment. She moved about and dropped in a few herbs before she stirred some more. “Freya...I want to thank you.” She lifted her ocean eyes to the woman. “Without you I’m certain that tomorrow morning the guards would have dragged me to the castle dungeon. Shortly after I am certain that they would have shipped me off to Harada and I would have been in the hands of the Temple of Shadows. I still wonder what it is that they want with me.” She scoffed slightly and then fell quiet.

Soon enough the door of the kitchen pushed open and the captain came walking in. “Well, well, Louvel was right. You are quite the chef it seems.” He chuckled heartily as he walked around near Liliana and he peered into the huge pot. “You’re barely tall enough to see in this thing.” He smirked to her as he grasped the ladle and he lifted it to stir before he brought it to his lips to taste the stew. His eyes widened and a huge grin split his lips. “You two are going to cook every meal for this ship.” He nodded. “This is excellent work. Hell I’d throw my old chef off the side of the ship for the sharks to eat him, his meals all looked like slop. This has depth, it has flavor.” He grasped Liliana and kissed the top of her head before he chuckled. “I might not let you go when we get to shore, you know that?” He laughed once again. “How long until it’s ready?” He licked his lips.

Liliana looked to the man, she gave a soft laugh and then she looked to the pot. “An hour or so. Should be right about noon when it is finished.” She spoke as she took a step back from him. She held her wrapped hand and rubbed the back of it slightly. The wound hurt. Normally she would have healed herself by now, but she couldn’t risk it.

“Very well. I look forward to it.” He then looked to Freya and grinned. “You should have told me this one could cook.” He elbowed her playfully. “She wouldn’t have gotten that splinter if I knew she could cook.” He chuckled as he walked from the room.

Liliana let out a long breath, she rushed over to the counter and grasped the bucket and heaved. Though, her stomach was empty. She groaned as she moved to sit upon the floor, her head leaned against the wall. “I don’t trust him, Freya.” She spoke softly. “I don’t trust him at all.”

“He’s far too quick to say he wants to keep us around on his ship. I wonder if he knew those smugglers that were set to take me to Harada.” She had closed her eyes as she leaned her head against the wall as Freya prepared the tea. “What if he was in on the smuggling? What if he knows exactly who I am?” The questions rolled off her tongue like water within a river flowing around a boulder. “It has become quite evident that there are plenty of people that would trade me for gold, and if the Temple of Shadows is offering such a large sum of coin, well...” She shook her head and heaved again. Tears came to her eyes this time as she tried to fight against her body. She leaned her head back once more and fell silent until Freya handed her the tea. “Ginger?” She hummed the word and inhaled the steam before she took a sip. “My mother loved ginger tea.” She whispered softly. “I used to make it for her with a bit of honey. It was her favorite.” She sipped upon the tea with her eyes closed as she listened to Freya.

“Those ships sound amazing.” She spoke with a soft smile upon her lips, her eyes still closed. “Perhaps one day you will get to sail upon the ships of your people. It sounds very freeing.” She sipped from her tea once again. Soon enough Liliana had finished the mug and nearly an hour had passed.

The doors of the kitchen pushed open and in walked Louvel. “Ah haven’t gotten your sea legs yet?” He chuckled and inhaled. “It smells incredible in here.” He nodded to the open door. “I brought a few hands to carry this pot to the dining hall.” Two men came into the room and placed a lid on the pot before they lifted it from the stove and Louvel put out the hot coals. “How’s the hand, Lilly?” He questioned as he looked to the two.

“I can endure it.” Liliana spoke as she opened her eyes, she had nearly dozed off. Sleeping felt much better than the feeling within her stomach. She stood and looked to Freya. “We’re going to grab some fresh air.” She spoke and then walked from the room.

Louvel looked to Freya and grinned slightly. “You had better catch up to your friend.” He chuckled before he walked from the room.

Liliana found her way to the upper deck and she made her way to the bow of the ship. She placed her hands upon the railing as she looked out over the sea. Her eyes looked up to the skies that were as clear as can be. A bit of salty water sprayed up over the bow as the ship pushed through a wave. She smiled slightly as she took in the sight, it was beautiful. She heard the footsteps approaching her from behind and Liliana turned her gaze to Freya, a delighted smile upon her lips. “You’re right, it isn’t so bad if you can see where you’re headed.” She chuckled and looked up to the sails of the ship. She watched in awe as men moved about tightening some ropes and loosening others. It was truly a sight to see. She had no idea what each rope did or what was happening exactly but the men that ran the ship seemed to be a well oiled machine.

“Kellett told me not long ago that there had been rumors that the king from Erwania across the great sea was planning on hunting down each and every gifted being...to execute them.” She spoke and drew in a breath. “I wonder if he is behind all of this and it merely is the Temple of Shadows that has offered to be the hammer to enforce such actions.” She pondered the idea for a long moment. “Or perhaps the world is spiraling out of control like the Priestess of the temple would like us to believe.” She chuckled lightly. “She speaks for the Goddess of Light, but...I do not imagine that she can actually speak to the gods.”

There was a yell from the crow’s nest then. Liliana lifted her eyes up to the man that called down orders to the ship. Suddenly the sails were pulled up, the speed of the ship began to slow. “What’s going on?” She questioned her brows furrowed slightly. She gazed toward the stern of the ship to see a battleship that had the Presstria seal upon its sails. “Freya...” Liliana swallowed slightly.

“Time to get below decks ladies.” One of the men on the deck grasped Liliana’s arm. “Come on.” He pulled but she pulled her arm from his grasp.

“Freya something isn’t right...” Liliana watched as the ship quickly approached it would be upon them within minutes.

The captain walked up to the two, he had a smug smile upon his lips. “You know. It’s a hard decision to make. You make quite the stew.” He slurped the last bit of the bowl into his mouth. Others stood behind him at this time. “You’ve got a pretty penny on your head love.” He looked to Liliana. “And you.” He looked to Freya. He clicked his tongue. “You want a cut? Step aside. I’ll give you a bit of the coin. You brought her right to me, so of course you deserve something. My first hand couldn’t pull through, damn girl.” He scoffed and tossed the bowl to the side. The Presstria ship was nearly upon them now. “You’ll come willingly, hm?” He pulled his sword and grinned.

Liliana backed up her eyes began to glow, flames flickered up within her hands. “You can’t do this.” She breathed. As one of the men lunged forward to grab ahold of her she turned and flames wrapped around his body. The man screamed as the flames burned through him and within seconds his body turned to ash. Liliana took several paces back as another man rushed her. The Presstria ship was upon them now and guards rushed the ship.


They were highly outnumbered. Liliana’s wrist was gripped and she was jerked forward. She fell flat onto her stomach and a boot was pressed into her back. Liliana cried out and pressed her hands into the deck of the ship. Flames began to lick across the deck. Several men fell through holes that the flames caused in the wooden deck. Flames raced up one of the masts and it snapped and fell into the sea. The captain stood with his boot pressed into Liliana’s back, his sword was drawn. “Kill the viking!” He ordered. He pressed more of his weight against the elf which forced air from her lungs. “Stop destroying my ship girl!” He snarled. Liliana groaned as she squirmed beneath his weight she held her hand forward and flames shot from her hand and wrapped around one of the Presstria soldiers. The metal of his armor melted nearly instantly as the man screamed. Tears rolled over Liliana’s cheeks. This was not what her magic was meant for. But she knew that if she didn’t defend herself and Freya that they would likely die...

Liliana choked as the Captain placed more weight into her. “I told you to stop ruining my ship!” He growled and sliced into her arm, “Now.”

Though moments later he was knocked from her back. Liliana’s chest heaved as she rolled to her back. Flames licked around her body as a tendril of flames came from her palm and wrapped around the captain. It laced around him much like that of a leather whip and Liliana jerked back upon the tendril causing it to singe deep into his skin. The man screamed in agony as the flames disappeared. The young elf gasped as she was scooped up by Freya in her magical armor. She grit her teeth as the woman told her to focus in her magic. She closed her eyes and a whimper came over her lips. Master Kellett had worked with her on honing in her power so that she could fight if she needed to.

Liliana held up her hands and flames swirled from her palms. The flames swirled and became larger and larger. Soon enough a tornado made of flames ripped through the decks of both ships. Liliana’s chest heaved, blood leaked from her nose. When she hit the deck of the skiff that Freya had summoned her eyes fluttered. Tears flowed freely down her cheeks. “So...much death...” Her voice was barely a whisper. “I...killed...them...” The tornado of flames still swirled about it lifted bodies into it, broken pieces of the ships, anything that was near the swirling flames became sucked into it. Soon enough everything was aflame, the screams of the men became silence. The tornado disappeared and only black smoke was left lifting into the skies.

The young elf lay with fluttering eyes as she fell unconscious. It would be quite apparent now why the Temple of Shadows would want such a gifted being. Liliana wasn’t even aware of just how strong her magic could be.

“Focus your power, Lilliana.” Master Kellett stood in his robes, a book in his hands. “Just focus.” He nodded and pointed toward a target dummy.

Liliana shook her head. “Master Kellett, I don’t understand. I am a healer. I don’t want to hurt anyone. Why are you so keen on honing in these skills?” She questioned with furrowed brows.

The master stepped forward and placed a hand upon her shoulder. “Liliana, you have such a great power that was strong before you were gifted. Now, you have so much raw power. You need to learn to control it, otherwise it will control you. Hm?” He nodded and pointed toward the target. “Burn it down.”

Liliana drew in a breath, “I don’t think that violence is something that I am capable of, Master Kellett...I...I want to help people...not hurt them...” She sighed heavily as the man pointed to the target once again. She bit at her lip and focused in her magic. She held her hand forward and a blaze of flames appeared beneath the target and within a few seconds the target was merely a pile of ashes. “I’ll never do that to a living creature...I’m not….I’m not going to do that...Master Kellett...please tell me that I won’t have to do that...”

He stepped to the pile of ashes and he gave a soft sad smile. “I am merely ensuring that if you are placed in a situation you are able to defend yourself, Liliana.” He stepped to her side. “I know that you are not a tool of war. You are a healer.” He nodded and gave a reassuring smile. “But, if the world learns of your magic, you may need to defend yourself one day. If you cannot defend yourself you will become a tool of war at the hands of someone whom chooses to control you.” He placed a hand upon her back. “Come, we shall have tea.” He spoke as he led her from the training grounds and back into the academy.

Liliana mumbled in her sleep. Her chest heaved. Tears rolled over her cheeks. Her hands balled into fists and small flickers of flames formed upon her fingertips. It was about the time that the sun was setting that her eyes finally cracked open. The skies had filled with dark ominous clouds, lightening flickered across the skies and thunder rumbled violently. She sat up swiftly and immediately she leaned over the side of the skiff and heaved. She stayed like this for a few minutes until her stomach settled enough for her to lean back. “Freya...” She drew in a breath. Blood was dried upon Liliana’s face as she looked to the woman. “Your arm...” She furrowed her brows and moved forward and droplets of rain began to fall. “Here.” She placed her hand over the gash and she tilted her head slightly. She closed her eyes and a warm glow formed beneath her hand. Freya would have felt warm, a refreshing feeling. Liliana drew in a long breath as she focused healing any injuries that the woman may have had even to the extent that Freya would feel energized once again. Liliana leaned back, her eyes fluttered slightly. “What...happened?” She questioned as she looked about. She couldn’t remember the massive firestorm that she’d created. Though, that may have not been a bad thing...

Liliana gave a smile as Freya spoke of her magic. She gave a soft chuckle. “Hm yeah...that’s what everyone says.” She gazed up to the sky as it rumbled. “That doesn’t look good...” She spoke as she leaned against the side of the ship. She gazed about and then back to Freya as the woman explained what happened. The young elf furrowed her brows slightly as she tried to remember. “I wish I could remember!” She grinned. “I’m sure you fought very well, you’re quite skilled.” A laugh came over her lips. She let out a sigh and shook her head. “Thank you for saving me...I must be dead weight to you, hm?” She shook her head again. “The last thing I remember is the sea breeze, we were standing on the bow of the ship...” She sighed as her memory failed her.

“We didn’t even get stew?” Liliana sighed, “That would have been an excellent stew.” She smirked. She held onto the edges of the ship as Freya pulled it onto shore. She nearly fell as she climbed out of the ship, the movement of the ship against the water made it an unstable surface. She chuckled lightly and looked to Freya. She brushed her hand over her upper lip to feel the crusted blood. “Oh...” She seemed stumped. “Maybe that’s why I can’t remember?” She questioned and then giggled slightly.

Liliana followed Freya onto the island she gazed about curiously to the lush forest. “Freya.” Liliana placed a hand upon her to help her to the ground. “Just...relax, hm? You’ve done more than enough. Let me help.” Liliana didn’t even seem phased by the display of magic. Almost as if that wasn’t even close to her potential. She smiled as she stepped away. She pulled her dagger as she walked into the thick forest. Rain began to fall as lightening lit up the forest. She could hear the droplets hitting the canopy above her, every now and then a drop of rain would land upon her.

Liliana gathered fallen logs and soon enough she returned to the structure that Freya made. She piled up the wood and smiled as she snapped her fingers together and the logs lit aflame. “I’ll find us something to eat.” She spoke as she stepped into the forest once again. She heart the hoot of an owl above her and she gazed up looking to see if she could see the creature but it was lost within the shadows. It took nearly an hour but Liliana returned. She’d filled her pouch with berries that she’d plucked from a bush. She carefully skinned two rabbits and roasted them over the fire. “My father used to take me hunting with him and my brother.” She spoke with a bit of a shy smile. “I’m pretty good with a dagger.” She laughed lightly as she turned over the rabbits on the makeshift rack she’d constructed.

“Um...here...” Liliana moved and placed her hand upon Freya’s shoulder. “Just relax. Close your eyes.” The young elf closed her own eyes and she began to whisper a spell softly. It was a spell that Master Kellett had taught her quite recently. It was a spell of life, of strength and energy. Liliana felt a tug within her chest as some of her own power was siphoned into Freya. Her eyes glowed bright white as she opened them. The glow slowly dimmed over a minute or so until Liliana pulled her hand back. She gave a small smile, “The food should be ready now.” She turned and plucked a stick from the rack and held it toward Freya. “I’m...um sorry I’m such a damsel in distress.” She gave an uneasy laugh. “You wouldn’t have been in this position if it was not for me...” She sighed softly. She set the pouch full of berries between them and then she took a bite of the rabbit. “I hope, you feel a bit better now though...” She spoke after a moment of silence.