Orlais - The Hidden Island

Foot strikes crunched along the blackened barren soil of the north. Heavy breaths seemed to echo over the desolate land as a cloaked figure rushed through the boiling heat of wastelands. Land jutted up into spiked stalagmites around the figure, causing a dangerous maze to traverse through. The figure skidded to a halt at the edge of a huge sinkhole in the ground. She wore a beautiful green cloak with a golden ribbon sewn into the edges in a beautiful flowing design that allowed her an almost royal appearance. The woman stood breathless as she stared down into the black depths of the hole. Thick plated armor pieces clasped to her body, covering her shoulders, forearms, thighs, shins, and her chest. The armor matched perfectly with her cloak. The woman had beautiful blonde hair and a flawless complexion, long slender ears protruded through holes in her cloak reaching up toward the ominous orange skies. She held beautiful almost ice blue eyes and upon her cheeks were red markings that formed a single line down each cheek beneath her eyes. Upon her forehead a swirling marking rest in a black ink that almost looked like that of a tiara. Though this woman was far from anything royal.

“Find the damn book, Luna...” She spoke to herself breathless as she adjusted her bow that rest over her shoulder with a quiver full of arrows. A deep demonic chuckle came from the shadows of the sinkhole then. Luna took a few steps back as her eyes widened. She quickly drew her bow and notched an arrow, ready to fire. The arrow began to glow a beautiful blue color, almost the same color as her eyes.

“What is an elf such as you doing in the wastelands?” A deep voice questioned as a shadow towered before her. “I will consume your magic, mage.” The figure came into view then and the elf stumbled back quickly nearly falling over one of the smaller stalagmites. It was a demon that stood at the size of a giant. The horns curved from the sides of his head as black as the night, his skin appeared to be stone and his eyes were nothing but glowing amber pits. The demon lunged forward reaching for the mage then.

The woman leaped back and yelped as the demons huge claw managed to graze across her arm slicing easily through her armor. “N- lelya- raug. Rinn- na i fierui pits -o udún!” She screamed as she pulled her arrow back. As she loosed the arrow it began to glow a brighter blue the light was almost blinding as it sliced through the air quickly and the tip thrust into the chest of the huge demon whom snarled. Luna tripped over one of the stalagmites as the demon lunged once again. Cracks began to form from the wound that the arrow created, bright white light came from his chest. “Raug awaui!” She cried as she notched another arrow and loosed it quickly.

The demon snickered as he bat the arrow from the sky and he reached forward his huge claws wrapped around the slender form of the elf. “I will drink of your blood...” His voice boomed in her ears.

“Sol….help….me….” Luna breathed fighting to fill her lungs as the demon clutched onto her. She could feel her body crumbling beneath his hold. Though suddenly in a burst of light the demon vanished. The spell worked. Luna fell to the ground and landed harshly, she cried in pain as a stalagmite protruded through her thigh and blood leaked onto the ground around her. “The book...” She spoke through grit teeth. Luna closed her eyes a moment as she prepared herself. Soon enough she pulled her leg up and a yelp escaped over her lips. She quickly ripped her cloak and tied the piece around her thigh before she limped forward. She couldn’t leave the wasteland without the book. Enclosed in the book was a lost spell, a spell of vanishing. The spell that would allow Kal’dom to disappear without a trace…

**

It had been years since Luna fought the demons of the wasteland. It had been years since she stepped foot upon the barren lands and traversed one of the most dangerous plains in Orlais. She was a key figure that helped Kal’Dom disappear, without the book the island may have been enslaved or murdered in cold blood like the other mages of the dark times of Orlais. Once mages were no longer hunted the spell faded and soon enough the island was revealed once again. Luna sat within the high council of Kal’Dom. She sat with six others within the council room. The council room was a round room with a beautiful table that had been cut from the changed nether trees, the wood grain was almost purple in nature. Luna watched as the others filtered into the room, she was the only elf that had not taken on the blue appearance from the use of nether magic. It was a strange phenomenon that even Luna did not understand. Though, she was one of the most powerful mages upon the island.

“There have been rumors.” The male elf sat directly across from Luna, his lips were flat. “The demons are pushing once again against the north walls. The very thing that pushed Orlais into war before and our island is once again in sight of the world around us.”

“The world has changed Ruger.” Luna spoke up, nearly cutting him off. “The only reason for the fall of our spell is mages are no longer sought to be hunted. It is a changed world. Mages flourish now.” She searched his blue eyes, the only thing that Luna had in common with the nether elves.

Ruger scoffed slightly and shook his head. “If that were true, do you think the visitors that we have received would be so fearful? Have you not heard the fears of the humans.” He nearly hissed.

“Enough.” A woman with long white hair spoke she slammed her palm down upon the table, power burst from her palm and everyone in the room froze. “We hid our island before, we can always do so again.” She grinned before she waved her hand.

Luna sucked in a breath as she was once again allowed to move. “We can stop the demons.” She spoke her eyes searched over the other six elves within the room. “We are strong enough, and with the help--...”

“Well Luna.” Ruger spoke up looking to her, “If you believe we should aid the humans then why don’t you assist them and see? You were young when we hid the island. Perhaps you don’t remember the horrors.”

Luna narrowed her brows as she looked to the man. She stood and slammed her hands down upon the table. “I fought through demons and banished many in the wastelands to get the very book that allowed us to hide away. I remember the dark past of Orlais as much as any other mage.” She snapped, “Do not act as though you are an elder to me Ruger.”

Ruger chuckled as he leaned back in his chair. “Well then, shall we aid the humans?” He glanced to the others.

“If we do not surly they shall blame us for the return of the demons.” Another of the council spoke. “Our backs are against the wall here.”

Luna glanced about the council members. “I will find us someone who may help.” She nodded. “Before the demons can bring destruction upon Orlais. Even if we were to go into hiding the demons would find us. They are not humans...they can see right through our facade.”

**

Weeks later…

Luna walked the streets of Kal’Dom her quiver hung about her back. She wore a brown leather coat that hung down past her waist. Emerald green armor pieces with contrasting swirling silver were strapped over the top of the jacket and belts hung about her waist. Her beautiful bow lay against her back. Something caught her eye then, something flying through the air. Luna’s icy eyes gazed to the sky and her jaw loosened. A flying ship. In her research over the past few weeks she found an interesting tale of a captain of a ship that was filled with magic. Just the ally that Luna might need. She walked through the beautiful streets, the buildings were just as flawless as the elves that walked the island. Everything here was calm, well organized. Isolation brought the people that.

The elf caught eye of the short pirate as she walked through the streets. She slipped in behind her as she entered a candy shop, a smirk curved up her lips. The captain was just as the books described her it seemed. A lover of chocolate. “Mjolinr’s Might.” Luna spoke, “That is quite the dream of a chocolate.” She stepped to the counter. “Dark chocolate notes with the sweetness of vanilla.” She raised a brow as she looked to the short frame of the woman. “A Kal’Dom specialty really. It goes perfect with some of our coffee.” She pulled a few unique silver coins from her pocket and nodded to the woman behind the counter whom pulled out a square of the candy. It was one of the most expensive candies in the shop, but the flavor was simply to die for. “I’m certain that you do not carry Kal’Dom currency.” Luna spoke with a friendly smile, “My gift to you.” She held the candy forward to Ren. “I am Luna, I am of the High Council of Kal’Dom. I’ve read much of you. At least if your name is Ren and the ship that you flew on is the Floatsam...” She grasped the two mugs of coffee that the woman handed her as well. “Please, sit with me.” She bowed her head slightly and walked to a nearby table. Luna set the mugs down and she sat at the purple wooden table. She watched the woman for a moment before she took in a breath. “You’ve accomplished a lot, aiding in the mage wars.”

Luna lifted her coffee to her lips and sipped from it slowly for a moment. “If I may...I wish to ask of a favor...there have been rumors that the demons are pressing against the northern wall...though it is just rumors...it isn’t certain yet in fact.” Luna took another drink her icy eyes seemed curious, it had been such a long time since she’d seen a being outside of the Nether Elves that inhabited the island. “It would be quite the adventure, I could also offer you payment for your assistance. You see, if the demons surface again, we fear that the humans will once again turn on the mages and that would not bode well with the rest of the council nor the people of Kal’Dom. We have lived peacefully for so long and we wish to continue that lifestyle.” She gave a warm smile as she looked to the woman before her. “How is the chocolate?”

Luna chuckled to Ren’s comment and shook her head. “No, no not a date.” She spoke in response. She was relaxed as she listened to the woman agree, a brow raised slightly. “I do believe it is the best chocolate, a fine coin for it because of the ingredients, and well...those ingredients are only available here upon the island because of our Nether Tree.” She sipped from her coffee and leaned forward slightly. “The ale is just as delightful, actually.” She noted with a soft chuckle. This Ren was rather entertaining. Just as the books spoke of her. “With magic comes advancement.” She spoke plainly as if the world around her was not as incredible as Ren seemed to think. Though to Luna this was normal, she had yet to see the condition of the rest of the world. “We were also without the damages of war.” She added on to the end. War in such a way that Orlais fell into caused the entire world to lack advancement like that of Kal’Dom.

Luna’s brows tucked together when Ren spoke that she was different. “Yes, my skin did not change like the other Nether Elves of Kal’Dom.” She spoke, “I’ve yet to discover why.” She then fell silent as Ren spoke the name. Her expression fell flat and she took in a long breath. “Lethandrial.” She repeated the name and nodded her head before she drank the last of her coffee. She offered a forced almost uncomfortable smile. “Ren, Lethandrial disappeared with the book of Criptid shortly after she planted the seed of the Nether tree...she was captured and taken by demons into the wastelands of the north on Orlais...” Luna’s expression was serious, she took on almost a sadness in her eyes. “When the war began to get worse and the council decided that we would lock the island away I was sent to find Lethandrial...she was to be the key in helping us perform the spell, she knew the spell...and she also held the book that spoke of the spell. It is how she enchanted the seed when she planted it. Everything that you see before you Lethandrial had a hand in its creation.”

Luna sucked in a breath, “Sadly, when I arrived at the wasteland I was ambushed by several demons that were in wait of an elf. They wanted to perform a ritual, a blood letting...the blood of a pixie and that of an elf...” She shook her head. “I never found her but...I could feel her energy...she was alive...at least in my heart I hope that she was.” Luna lowered her eyes. “I nearly died trying to get the book of Criptid. Yet, if I hadn’t returned with the book this entire island could cease to exist.” She ran her fingertip along the lip of her empty coffee mug. “What is it that you were searching for with Lethandrial?” She questioned. “I’ve had hopes of trying to find her myself. I owe her that much if not more for what she did to help build Kal’Dom.”

Luna watched Ren curiously, the books had not spoken of the woman before her being a pixie. Though her stature certainly pointed in that direction of race. She was silent as she took in the words of the pixie. Broken rules and a shattered past it seemed. The elf shifted slightly in her chair as she spoke of the book, no one outside of Kal’Dom knew of the book, at least that was her understanding. Lethandrial had brought the book with her when she planted the tree.

“I am afraid I cannot offer you the book of Criptid.” She spoke as her icy eyes gazed over Ren. “Not yet, at least.” She gave an apathetic smile before she slowly stood. “Why don’t you come with me. I would like to show you something. It won’t take long, and I can assure you that I mean you no harm.” She waited a moment before she walked out into the city. Luna gazed up to the beautiful blue light that most of the homes held, it was the power of the tree. Everything here was powered by the Nether Tree. A beam of light raised from a fountain near the center of the town lifting high into the sky, it was a glorious site, something that didn’t exist anywhere else. Luna glanced to Ren, “You spoke of Lethandrial giving the magic to humans?” She questioned with a soft smile. “None of the inhabitants of Kal’Dom were ever human. Before the Nether Tree was planted every mage here followed the god of Sol. You may be familiar with such a religion, since you’ve been around for such a long time.” Luna gazed toward the huge tree as they walked toward it. It was an awe striking view, something from a book or imagination. The tree towered over the vast city that bustled beneath it.

“Oh! Watch out.” Luna scooped forward quickly. When the elf stood she held a furry creature in her arms, it was small and held white and black fur that was almost marbled in appearance. The creature had a huge fluffy white tail and large ears. Within the ears blue and purple colors took on the fur. The eyes were wide with a cat like slit and a beautiful teal color. Two horns curled over the back of the head of the small woodland creature. “Shhh.” Luna soothed the creature as it burrowed into her neck. It made a few small sounds that resembled almost squeaks before it climbed and curled along her shoulders. The huge teal eyes gazed down to Ren then as the creature tilted its head. “Even the creatures of Kal’Dom have changed.” She spoke as she walked along. “Lethandrial offered us a salvation, a hope.” She nodded slightly. “We were grateful to her for what she did and...when she was taken by the demons it was I who was sent to rescue her.”

Luna fell quiet after that moment as she scooped the warm creature from her neck. She carefully set it upon the stone ledge of the stairs that they approached. “Don’t get yourself smashed, hm?” She pet the creature a moment before she ascended the stairs. They moved into the roots of the huge tree and within the core a pool of bright blue liquid rest peacefully. Luna glanced to Ren and then she looked to the elves that sat within the room in meditation. Each day all of the elves paid their respects to the Nether Tree, feeding off of the energy. “I went to the wastelands of the north, my job was simple find her and find the book.” She motioned for Ren to keep following her. Luna led her up a spiral set of stairs that led from the core of the tree to the outside edges. The wound around the tree until they were within the canopy where more homes rest with blue glows about them. The council members and those of high status lived atop the Nether Tree. Luna walked through the streets and led Ren to a small home to which she pulled a key from her hip and she unlocked the door. “I spent weeks in the wastelands fighting to find her….the book...anything...” She closed the door and walked into the beautifully kept home. A huge oval window overlooked the city of Kal’Dom below. Various glowing plants were kept within pots around the home.

“I was hunted by a demon that I banished back to the pits of hell...he was a giant, something that even you may not believe.” She let out a breath as she sat down in the chair near the window. She then paused and looked to Ren. “If we find Lethandrial and you help me to stop the demons I will get you your book back. So long as I trust that you are telling me the truth. Getting the book back from the High Council will prove to be difficult.” She gazed over the glowing city then and let out a breath. “I read in a story that your magic leveled an entire city.” She gazed to Ren curiously then. “That you search to help others to make up for the lives that you took when you lost control.” She tilted her head slightly. “I remember long ago when humans began hunting pixies, when they first realized the power that your body holds.” She gave a slight nod before she looked back out over the city. “It’s a fine line and I would understand your council’s reasoning for not wanting Nether magic to get into the world. But, this change in our people it happened over years not days or months and it is the only reason that we have survived.” Luna fell silent then as her gaze turned once again to Ren. “Tell me Ren, do you think that finding Lethandrial will aid us in stopping the demons?”

Luna listened to the small woman her eyes looking over her. The serious tone in her voice brought a gravity to the subject as she spoke of the power and how it consumed those who use it. She’d already seen elves grow ill for no apparent reason, their eyes grew white as the moon and they began to speak gibberish...they would stop eating, stop drinking...it was a slow and painful death. They would draw power from the Nether Tree endlessly it seemed, sleep did not even stop them from their greed of the power. Luna cleared her throat slightly, “I know of the Withered as you call them.” She spoke her voice low as she watched the pixie before her. As she spoke of Lethandrial’s duty the elf shifted slightly she crossed her arms over her chest. Was this all a trick to get her to hand over the book? Luna had read through the book it was full of powerful incantations...things far more powerful than the cloaking spell that they used to seal of Kal’Dom. As Ren formed the crystal bowl out of thin air she caught Luna’s attention. Even then when she poured from a seemingly empty vial and water cascaded from the thin glass she stood slowly, her curiosity had been peaked.

Luna stepped forward as she gazed to the glowing substance, “A scrying spell?” She questioned. She’d never used one, but she remembered Lethandrial speaking of such a thing. It could be used to look into the past or even the future. But looking into the future was a tricky subject, at least that is what Lethandrial had told her. It was a sticky situation that could cause much unrest, especially if the future was not what one wanted because fate has been written and one way or another...viewing into the future whatever manifested would happen. As Ren spoke of looking to her ancestors, questioning her of the god Sol she took a step back. “You want me to believe you?” She asked with a bit of a scoff. “I know what Sol did for my people, I was raised to know such things. I am the daughter of a high priest.” It was clear that Luna thought of herself above those around her, she had been raised to think such things. It wasn’t entirely a fault of her own and 100 years of living in solitude with only elves, well...that hadn’t helped her case much.

“Sol is the father of the elves he gave life to the first elves to set foot upon Orlais with his own blood. He pricked his finger with a needle and called upon his benevolent powers to bring life to the Sol Elves. He gave us our language and music, our arts and our nimble form.” She was passionate as she spoke, her statement about being a high priests daughter showed through. There are even humans that celebrate Sol as a god, mages but nonetheless they are human...as the creator he watches over us and protects us. He is a most forgiving god.” She paused then and let out a breath as she stared to the light glow of the bowl.

Luna shifted slightly and cleared her throat, she offered a forced smile. “Say I do believe you.” She tilted her head, her curiosity was getting the best of her. She’d never used a scrying bowl and the thought of seeing her ancestors caused her an incredible amount of excitement. She reached to her thigh and pulled her dagger from its sheath. “If you try to kill me...” She watched Ren closely. “It won’t be so easy as drowning me in a bowl of magical water.” Her voice was brash as she spoke this she brought her dagger and pressed it carefully against her fingertip. Luna drew her brows together as she felt the pain of the blade pierce through her skin. She held her finger over the bowl and allowed one single drop of her blood to fall into it. As the drop hit the glowing water it began to swirl and mix. Luna stared in amazement as she sheathed her blade. She brought her eyes to look to Ren before she glanced back to the bowl. “Tul-na nin mui guwanur. Galad nin Sol.” She spoke in the ancient dialect of her Elvish language. It was beautiful and it showed her age. It showed why she had such an interesting accent when she spoke in the common tongue.

Luna took in a breath as she leaned forward she pressed her face into the glowing water and the world seemed to stop. The sound of wind rushed into her ears as she opened her eyes. She stood atop a great mountain. Luna’s jaw became slack as she gazed around over the snowy landscape and yet she did not feel the bite of the cold. She heard a loud roar in the distance, something she’d never heard. Her eyes turned to see a large winged shadow flying in her direction. As it grew closer Luna could make out the shape of the creature, it was a dragon. She could see the scales of the beast as it landed before her the thick black horns upon its head. The body was covered in black scales but the wings were a beautiful iridescent color that reminded her much of the Nether Tree. The dragon bowed down before her and growled lightly as it looked to her with huge glowing amber eyes. Luna stepped forward and she was whisked upon the dragon’s back. It took to the skies and twirled about as she screamed. It zipped in and our of caverns within the mountainous landscape until it flew into a city that was lively and full of people. Luna slid from the dragons back and her eyes gazed around, elves that had her skin tone, her icy eyes. Dragons moved about the city, flying or moving through the streets.

“Ah Luna.” A voice spoke from behind her. “It took you long enough to summon us.” A tall slender elf stood behind her. “Welcome to Hanali.” His voice was smooth and calm his own icy eyes gazed to the woman before him.

Luna drew her brows together slightly. “Hanali?” She questioned as she gazed around once again.

“I should elaborate.” He nodded as he led her through the city and into a temple that held white stone walls that jutted high into the sky. “Hanali is the name of our city, but it is also our people, our goddess.” He bowed deeply before a beautiful statue of a woman that held a single red rose within her fingertips. She had a bow strapped over her back with a quiver to match. “You are most likely one of the last...if not the last of the Hanali race, Luna.” The man looked to her his eyes serious now. “We are the dragon mages, the riders of dragons. We have a bond with the dragons that no human, no dwarf, no pixie, not even another race of elf could have. When you are born so is a dragon.”

“Dragon riders?” Luna questioned. “I’m no dragon mage.” She shook her head. “I am a Sol elf...I called upon my ancestors, I am not...”

“You were lost as a child, stowed away to be hidden.” The man stepped close to her he searched her eyes and gave a gentle smile. “The Hanali were hunted by demons and humans alike for our powers and our bond with the dragons. You were hidden from them so that you may grow into a strong mage. I see that has happened.” He grinned. “Your mother would be proud.” He lifted a silver gauntlet and held it toward her. “Drink.”

Luna shook her head as she took a step back from him. “My mother?” She questioned. “My mother died in birthing me.” Confusion crossed her expression. “My father is a high priest of Sol.”

“No. Luna, your mother and I...”

Luna’s eyes widened slightly as the man spoke, his next words she failed to hear as she analyzed his face, his features. His icy eyes, his blonde hair and high cheek bones. The more she looked at him the more she realized that the man that was the high priest that she called her father did not look anything like her. She’d always attributed it to her looking more like her mother which the high priest conveniently lacked images of.

“Are you listening?” He questioned with a smile upon his lips. “Drink this.” He pushed the silver gauntlet into her hands. “It is the life force of the Hanali elf. It will guide you.”

Luna lifted the gauntlet to her lips and let out a breath before she sipped from it slowly. As she lowered the gauntlet from her lips the world around her began to grow foggy. She found she couldn’t breathe. She held her hand to her chest and tried to make a noise only to find that her voice was gone. The world began to spin and darkness crowded in from every edge.

Suddenly Luna lifted her face from the bowl, water dripped from her chin and hair as she took in several quick breaths and she stumbled back. Her back pressed against the wall as she stared forward with wide eyes. “Did you know what I was to see?” She questioned. “Did you cause that?” She choked out as she stared to Ren water still dripping to the floor. “Hanali. Does that ring a bell for you?” She asked quickly. She’d never heard of the Hanali Elves before. She’d read books of a time that dragons roamed Orlais, but she’d never read of a specific sect of Elves that were bound to these dragons.

Luna rushed forward as Ren taunted her and began to walk away. She slammed against the door and turned with her back to it her icy eyes stared to Ren. She let out a chuckle and shook her head. “Look. Perhaps we got off on the wrong foot. Hm?” She questioned her brows drawn together. “I haven’t been very trusting since the humans tried to kill my people during the wars. So forgive me if I take time to warm up to you, I’ve been tricked many times over the years due to trust. But I imagine you know something don’t you?” She loosened her grip upon the door and her tense muscles loosened slightly. “I saw my ancestors.” She let out a laugh, her expression confused. “At least that is what the man claimed to be, he claimed to be my father. But...” She shook her head. “My father is a High Priest of Sol...my mother died in childbirth...but the man that I spoke with was not that man. There were dragons too.” She spoke very quickly as she stared at Ren. “Flying and walking about. The man spoke of the goddess Hanali...and the city that I was in was also called Hanali...he said I may be the last Hanali Elf alive...”

The elf paced slightly, she pinched the bridge of her nose. Everything as she knew it had just crashed down on top of her. Every step that she’d taken in her life, every prayer that she made. It was not to the god that she belonged to. She was given away for protection but at what cost? The rest of her people were dead? She was breathing rather rapidly as she stared to Ren on the verge of a panic. The council. What would they think? She was not a Sol elf. She did not belong to them. Would she be cast out? Tossed away? The Sol elves were egotistical beings, they thought that the land or Orlais owed them everything for the humans attacking them years ago. They did not take kindly to half-elves, or even elves of other races. She knew the council would not allow mages that flocked to Kal’Dom to stay. They would make sure that only those of Kal’Dom were allowed to remain on the island. Luna appeared distraught as she thought of all of this, all of the lies that she was fed as a child. Was her mother in fact dead? Or was that also a lie? The man that claimed to be her father stated that a dragon was born at the moment that she too was born...did that mean that her dragon had wandered Orlais looking for her and she’d never bonded with it? What would that do to the dragon? What if her dragon was dead? Or captured? The questions kept piling up in her mind until she glanced back to Ren with a pleading look.

Luna crossed her arms over her chest, “I’ll buy you more chocolate...I’ll give you coin or ale. What do you want, Ren? Please. Forgive me for my distrust in the world….if you know anything of the Hanali Elves...please...” She begged at the end her expression softened.

Luna let out a breath when Ren stepped back toward the living room. She followed her quietly. She’d never begged before. But this, this information. She knew the pixie must know something and such a history being slammed into her face, she couldn’t ignore it. Luna sat down across from Ren though she did not relax like Ren did, she sat forward with her elbows upon her knees, her chin cupped into her hands as she stared at the woman. The words flowed out of her mouth so quickly. It was hard to keep up. She might as well have poured the ocean over Luna’s head. Her brows quivered slightly as she tried to take in the information. Hinali created the dragons. The gods worked together not as one. Her species of elves was created by the goddess Hinali and the elves of Sol were gone from Orlais. Her jaw was loose as she listened. Everything that came out of Ren’s mouth sounded like a fairytale. It sounded unreal. She’d read of the destruction of the dragons in old books and the hunt that was made upon the pixies for their power. She’d thought pixies to be extinct until she’d met Lethandrial, whom offered her people salvation from the humans.

As Ren spoke of the dragon that Luna had, her brows raised. The idea of having a dragon was unreal. Would she even be able to bond with it after all of this time? Would the dragon even recognize her as a Hinali elf? Though Ren seemed to answer this quickly as well. Her power. Her magic. She’d always been one of the strongest elves even when she was a child. She easily performed spells and magics that the other children couldn’t even dream of performing. That is what caused her to rise into the High Council during the human wars when they began hunting the elves. She was a strong warrior with her magic that didn’t falter. She could protect the entire city, it was mainly her magic that had cloaked Kal’Dom 100 years ago. She’d fallen into a coma after the event that lasted for nearly a year. Her body was drained of energy. Though the council took her to the wells of the tree and treated her there. All hours of the day she was taken care of, prayed for. And alas she woke once again.

When Ren stopped speaking Luna sat in silence. Her hands fumbled in her lap as she sat there, thinking intently it seemed. Her eyes fell away from the woman and she glanced outside to the glorious city that she’d helped build. She closed her eyes for a moment, “This is a lot to take in.” She spoke finally as she rose to her feet. She paced slightly and ran her fingers over her face for a moment, pinching the bridge of her nose once again. “If I am truly a Hinali elf...what does that mean for me?” She questioned softly. She looked to Ren a moment before she paced again. “I do not know how to bond with a dragon and I don’t have anyone here to show me.” She laughed, “The dragon may as well rip me to shreds, hm?” She let out a heavy breath as she thought deeply. “I...” She collapsed into the chair and gazed at Ren a moment. “You seem entertained by all of this.” She spoke and shook her head, a small laugh escaped over her own lips. “I suppose at least I am a powerful elf, that could come in handy when facing the demons as we search for Lethandrial.” She nodded to herself.

Luna sat quietly for a moment, her eyes once again looked to the city, the blue aura that came from the structures. “I don’t even know what the world is like outside of Kal’Dom. 100 years is a long time to be locked away in isolation from the rest of the world.” She admitted with a slight frown. “Would you happen to know how to find a dragon?” She looked to her and a smile split her lips. “Since you were alive when the Hinali walked Orlais with their dragons….” She shifted back in her seat slightly in thought. The elf remained silent once again, “What do you propose then Ren? I will follow you, my only agenda is to stop the demons and keep Kal’Dom safe...oh and...” She stood and made her way into the kitchen then. She pulled open a drawer and then she pulled out a small wooden box. As she carried it over a few items shifted inside of it. Luna set the box on the side table next to Ren. “Chocolate.” She smiled, “What is it with your love of chocolate?” If Ren opened the box she would find several of the chocolates from the shop all in small bite sized individually wrapped pieces. “What sort of ale do I need to have packaged up for your crew on the ship?” She asked then, “And whatever coin you’d like I will provide.” She sat across from her once again watching the pixie.

As Ren spoke of the fragmented pieces of Luna’s soul she seemed to dive into thought once again. Was that what she’d always felt she was missing? She had been determined it was the lack of her mother in her life that caused an emptiness. Even the high priest spoke of the empty void that his daughter carried with her. He would tell her to open her soul to Sol and allow the benevolent god to fill her heart. Of course no matter how many times she’d sat in prayer, no matter how much she asked the god to fill her soul he did not. Now, it all seemed to make sense.

As Ren spoke of what chocolate did for pixies Luna chuckled softly. “Well, I will provide more chocolate and I will have a talk with Coreclo at the brewery, I’m certain he will part with his casks if I give him enough coin.” She gave a nod to the pixie, “We certainly have a deal, lucky for me I’ve found the one ship captain that can help me get to Hinali. Hm?” She stepped to the door and nodded to Ren as she stepped from the doorway. Luna retreated back into her home and sat down on the chair near the window with a heavy breath. Wrapping her head around everything was proving to be quite the feat. Eventually she stood and found her way into the kitchen where she poured herself a glass of gin and she mixed it with a few syrups and a bubbling water. It took on a blue color as she lifted the drink to her lips. She gazed out over the city as nightfall cascaded over the streets. Though the blue glow continued. She moved up the stairway of her home and into her bedroom where she pulled a small pack. All the while she continued to sip upon her beverage. Her mind eased the further she got into the drink as she tossed items into the leather bag.

Soon enough she was fully packed, Luna looked to her empty glass and sighed softly before she stepped quickly back down the stairs to mix another drink. She now stood at the oval window the glass to her lips as she gazed over the city. When would she see it again? Would she see it again? What would happen when she left? She’d been responsible for the wellbeing of these people for so long now she didn’t know what it was like to leave their side. There was a knock on her door which caused Luna to draw her brows together. “Just a minute.” She called as she walked toward the door, her steps weren’t entirely even as she laced her fingers around the cold door handle. As she pulled the door open she gazed into a set of icy eyes. “Ruger.” She spoke her expression unamused. “To what do I owe the pleasure?” She asked before she took a sip of her drink.

Ruger pushed into the home and chuckled softly as he glanced to her. He lifted her leather pack from the floor and held it in his hands. “Where are we off to then?” He looked to her curiously. “Were you going to inform the council?”

Luna leaned against the closed door as she looked to him. “Ruger of course, in the morning I planned to. We do meet in the morning, right? I found someone who can help with stopping the demons. She helped the mages in the past.” She took another drink then, her glass nearly empty once more.

Ruger stepped closer as he set the pack down on the floor his arms crossed over his chest. “The half pint?” He questioned with a raised brow. “One hit from a demon and that tiny creature will be dead.” He growled.

Luna tapped his cheek with a smile upon her lips. “No need to worry, Ruger.” She spoke as she pushed past him into her kitchen. She downed the rest of her drink. “Would you like one?” She asked as she prepared a third drink for herself.

Ruger stared to Luna, “You’re mad. Aren’t you? What if you die? How can you even trust that woman? I heard of you speaking to a tiny human in the chocolate shop today. They said she rode in on a pirate ship. A pirate ship Luna. What part of pirate ship is trustworthy?”

“This particular one is trustworthy.” She nodded. “Now, if you’d excuse me.” She took another drink. “I’m making preparations to leave tomorrow morning.” She nodded toward the door and set her drink down on the counter.

“Luna.” Ruger’s voice had softened significantly. “You must be careful. The last time you left the island the demons nearly killed you.”

“Well, good thing I won’t be alone, hm?” Luna had her hand on the doorknob then.

“As soon as you leave the island you leave the protection spell, the demons will know exactly where you are.” Ruger stared into her eyes. “I’m not certain that a pirate can protect you from that.”

“I’ll take my chances.” Luna opened the door and motioned for him to leave. “I’ll see you in the morning.” She closed her door and she made her way into the kitchen where she downed her drink before she headed up the stairs to her bedroom. Luna kicked her boots off before she lay down on the bed and was swiftly carried away into a restful sleep, thanks to the alcohol she’d had her worries were far in the back of her mind.

**

As the morning rays crested over the island Luna was already awake. She had her pack on her back and her bow and quiver slung over her shoulder. She wore her battle armor and a beautiful dark blue cloak over her shoulders. She stood in the brewery with a smile upon her lips. “As many casks as I can buy Coreclo.” She spoke as she set a bag of coin on the bar top.

The elf stood behind the bar with wide eyes. “Luna what do you aim to do with that much ale?” He questioned curiously.

“I want it all delivered to the ship at the docks, the Floatsam. Help the men load it.” Luna was already leaving the shop. She made her way to the chocolatier and gathered a fair amount of chocolate in another fine wooden box that the chocolatier hand crafted. She then soon stood before the council. Luna glanced around at the 6 elves and her eyes stopped upon Ruger whom looked to her expectantly. “I will be leaving, as I am certain you have heard.” She spoke, she was the only one standing at the table. “I am leaving the Captain Ren of Floatsam and we will begin our journey of putting an end to the demons that are trying to surface.” Her jaw was tight as she spoke. “I cannot tell you where we are going, for I do not even know. But, this woman helped the mages years ago and she has vowed to help us now in our time of need.” She took a step back. “Any objections?” She asked softly then. She allowed for several seconds of silence to fall over the table before she nodded. “Good. I will return and when I return I pray to Sol that it is because the demons have been vanquished.” She bowed her head slightly before she turned and stepped quickly from the room.

Luna climbed down the spiraling stairs of the Nether Tree. She made her way into the room with the pool of magic and she sat before it. She leaned down and splashed the magical essence over her face as she spoke a prayer in her language. Her voice was calm as she bowed deeply praying for the safety of those in Kal’Dom. After several minutes of prayer she stood and made her way through the city. The elf arrived at the docks just as the last cask was loaded on board the Floatsam. She climbed the ramp to the deck of the ship and she gazed around at the men.

“Good luck.” Coreclo pat her on her shoulder as he made his way passed her.

Luna glanced to him a moment before she looked back to the men of the ship. Her eyes looked over the weathered pirates a moment as she awaited Ren. She glanced around for the Captain a few times, in her hands she held the beautifully crafted box that held the chocolates that she’d promised Ren.