Prologue

An Invitation


My mind was racing as I plowed my way towards the sound of battle. I don't remember ever before running so quickly through the streets of my hometown of Raishan. Pressing against the throngs of people that were trying to escape the Goblin horde, my determination to protect the terrified citizens was strong.

We had been hearing reports for weeks that the goblins were overrunning villages like wildfire, getting ever closer to our city. We knew it was only a matter of time before we were next. The sound of women screaming pierced the air as the crashing of swords commenced.

The city was not going to be taken. Not if I had anything to do about it. I joined the soldiers in the fray, the thrill of battle filling my veins. They seemed surprised that a commoner woman was joining their forces, but did not object to the added hand.

We began to force them back, but our numbers were diminishing as well. My body was screaming, wanting to give in and let it all end.

A melodious voice rang out suddenly from inside the alley we were defending. The tune sang courage to our hearts, the vigor saving us and helping us push the goblins out of the city.

This was the first victory against the goblins. Had Raishan fallen, any hope the region had to hold them back would have been quashed. Fear and chaos would have ensued all over the nation. Joy and relief filled our hearts from our accomplishment.

I entered the alley to find the source of the invigorating music. I searched for several minutes with no luck before my fatigue demanded that I go home to rest. I had just been in a grueling battle, and I knew it.

The next morning I returned to find the source of the voice that had saved us. I had often seen an urchin in that area, and I had a feeling that it might have been her. I found the half-elf eyeing a fruit stand. She seemed to shrink and became skittish as I approached.

"Were you singing last night during the battle?" I asked. She nodded her head. Her face showed some concern, and she started as if she would leave.

"I want to thank you. You saved many lives, including my own. I am indebted to you and someday will repay my debt. What is your name?"

She smiled and replied in a meek, childlike voice, "Lem."

"Lem? My name is Gl?n." I felt a strange connection with this urchin, and used my childhood name. I didn't use it much anymore, only among very close associates. Though most elves would still have considered me a child, I chose my adult name, Tawariell, about eighteen years prior.

Lem started to eye the food cart again. She was noticeably thin, who knew the last time she had eaten? "I'll get you something to eat. What do you like?"

"Um, food?" She didn't seem to have any preference. I purchased a bright red apple from the nearest cart, then found a bakery and got her some good firm bread. She received these with glee and we parted.

A day later there was a celebration of the successful defense of the city. Those who fought were honored. I had been well known for some of my other deeds in nearby lands, and now it seemed everyone knew my name, the one citizen who had actively been fighting.

I was approached by a captain, who bid a moment aside. "I am impressed by your valor and skill that you showed in the battle against the goblins. I have a friend who is gathering a group together, and I think your qualities would be a great fit. Are you interested?"

I thought for a brief moment. I had been home for a few months and had been planning on leaving again soon to continue exploring nearby lands. "Yes. I think I would like that very much."

"Excellent. He is located in Emildan, the capital. We will meet in two days to travel there by carriage." Time and place were discussed, and we returned to the festivities.

The appointed morning arrived, and true to his word the captain was at the designated place with a carriage and other travelers. It seemed I would be riding with another elf, who was older and incredibly tall for an elf, and a gnome soldier.

The gnome and I held frequent conversation as we traveled, keeping each other company. He had a thick Gnomish accent, which I very much enjoyed. He introduced himself as Lorcan, which sounded more like "Larkin" through his accent.

The elf barely acknowledged us. His silvery hair and upward-pointing ears indicated that he was a high elf. While my father was a high elf, my mother was a wood elf, and I took more after her with copper skin and chocolate hair, though my golden eyes and upward ears denote my High Elven heritage.

Typically, the high elves are more snobbish and look down upon the wood elves, and the wood elves regard them as such. I was not raised among the elves, and had little interest in what bloodline one may have, both running in my own veins.

The horses pulling us were swift, we reached places I knew were a four days' journey in only two. We were not any less comfortable for it however, the carriage was finely crafted to minimize the effects of speedy traveling.

After a week we arrived in Emildan. The city grew on the horizon, growing wider and wider. Never had I imagined a city this large, it expanded for miles upon miles. It seemed to swallow us up as we entered the walls. The city was bustling with people, one could easily become lost if they did not know their way.

I felt closed in, it was too busy. This is part of the reason I became a ranger in the first place, wandering the forests and wildlands.

As we continued through the city, the buildings gradually grew further apart, the homes bigger and of a higher quality. We finally came to a wealthy area, with vast estates. We turned into one of these, and pulled up to a wide mansion before coming to a halt.