Arc 1: The Bard's Beginning

I grew up listening to the sound of swords clashing together, the smell of alkaline sweat, and the sight of blood staining the dirty grounds of the training complex. War was supposed to be nothing to me. The rush of battle was supposed to be something that I craved.

I didn't.

My feet swung lazily as I watched my two older brothers practice their swordsmanship. I held my flute to my lips, my fingers moving languidly as I played a small tune. My younger sister sat beside me, a scowl on her face as she wrapped the handle of her spear. 

"Do you have to play that thing all the time?" She huffed.

"I'm providing thrilling battle music."

"You're providing sleeping music."

I rolled my eyes and lowered my flute. "I provide whatever I feel is right."

"Are you really leaving us, Cahira?"

I stiffened. Here it was again. Whether it was my two older brothers or my three younger sisters, or my parents… it was a constant question. Of course I was leaving. My family, my whole village, are all warriors. I'm not. I wasn't born to be and everyone knew that. I was born with music flowing through my veins and stories playing in my brain. No matter how hard my parents tried, I was lured back to the thought of being a bard.

With a sigh, I put my flute into its slot on my belt. I stretched out my arms as my sister glared at me. "You could've been a great archer, you know. But you have to waste your potential playing music."

"I don't know." I said softly, resting my chin on my hand. "Besides, the kids love it. So do the elderly people."

"Oh, great. How amazing. Maybe you'll get a medal for your flute playing."

I giggled and gave her a playful push with my shoulder. "I see you singing along after a really good day in the tavern. Drunk, obviously."

She smirked back at me. "Obviously."

"Watch out!!"

A rogue sword suddenly flew towards us. I let out a yelp and dodged to the side. My sister, ever the warrior, swung her spear and knocked the sword down. I groaned as my body hit the ground with a thud. I sat up and rubbed my head. I could hear my siblings laugh at me. Typical. Truly typical.

"Oh, haha. Very funny, almost decapitating me."

Gaelin jogged over to grab his sword. He grinned and harshly slapped my back. "If you had better reflexes, you'd never have to worry about getting decapitated."

"Or…" Garrick hummed, coming up behind his twin. "You can be like Mom. Focus on strategy. She always likes talking about her poisons."

My nose scrunched. They would stop at nothing to try and get me to fit their mold. I tried. I really… kind of tried. But I just couldn't stay away from music and writing. My hand gently caressed the warm metal of my flute. I was leaving tomorrow morning for my journey. Everything would change. I could finally live the life I wanted.

"Lets spar. One last time."

I looked up at my siblings. They were all here, except for the twins who were probably searching for more poison plants. One last time. Normally, a normal war elf would say there's no harm. But there is harm. I'm much weaker than my siblings. I wasn't really proficient in any weapon. These spars usually ended with me bruised and my siblings laughing at me. Even though the thought made me cringe, the memory would be a fond one. So I nodded and took my flute out, placing it gently on the bench.

I always used a wooden sword during spars. After accidentally cutting the tip of Garrick's ear off, I wasn't really allowed sharp objects until I could handle them with finesse. Which I never got. The wooden sword was hefty. I swung it from side to side as my sibling surrounded me. I sighed and closed my eyes. 

"Alright, one at a time. Don't be so eager to beat my ass."

Elre went first. As a spear user, she's good at long range attacks. All those poking stabby movements were quick and hard to avoid. I let out a grunt as I hopped backwards, trying to dodge the blunt tip of her spear. She quickly swung to the side. The spear whacked my back. I let out a hiss of pain, stumbling.

Gaelin took it as a chance to get a couple swings in. I barely had time to lift my sword as he swung at me with his own. The pure force had me falling to the ground. At the same time I let out a curse, he let out a laugh. I grumbled to myself and sat on my knees, glaring up at him.

"Don't play dirty." I hissed.

"Then get better at fighting."

He grabbed my hand and hoisted me up. With firm hands, he pushed me towards Garrick. Unlike his brother, Garrick is a beast. He uses brute strength and a heavy metal club. Thankfully for me, he decided to use a wooden one. So it'll just hurt less. Garrick ran towards me with a yell. I squealed and rolled to the side to try and avoid him. This so wasn't fun. I hated this. With a yell, I threw the sword at him. He chuckled and easily hit it to the side with his club. Ahh, great. This is what I get for never training.

Before he could start whacking me, there were two shrill screams. My youngest siblings, Kylantha and Kythaela, ran over to me. The twins pounced on me and kept me grounded. I groaned as their light and playful giggles filled my ears. At least I wouldn't have to worry about their strength. They were too busy playing poison maker with Mother to pick up any weapons.

"Alright, alright. Leave Cahira alone." My parents trailed after the twins, arm in arm. Mother tried to wave away the twins. They obediently stood and went to bother the older set of twins.

Father smiled at me and helped me stand. "I see you tried sparring with your siblings again."

"They talked me into it."

"Glad we did. It's fun to beat her up." Elre giggled. 

Garrick groaned, picking up Kylantha in his arms. "I didn't get to beat her up."

"Can no one want to beat me up? It makes travel more difficult."

I leaned against Father's shoulder. It wasn't odd for war elves to be so close like this. At least, not in Asmar. We valued love and bonds. Of course, it was conditional. You had to be strong as well. I remembered the countless times Father had given me that look of disappointment that I wasn't following in the family's footsteps. But it all worked out. Because now I was starting my own life.

We all made our way back to our quarters. After a very exciting dinner filled with reminiscing memories, I sat in my room to finish packing. I didn't have much, knowing that if I did take too much, it would just weigh me down. Gaelin sat on my bed, sharpening one of his swords. I glared at a map that I definitely didn't know how to read. 

"Do you think Elfil Forest will be pretty?" I asked, my hand running over the map.

We lived on the western coast of Acros. Elfil Forest, also known as the Eternal Forest, spanned the majority of the continent until it reached the capital, Othesh. That's where I was heading. It was going to be a very long journey, but one that I was excited to make.

"I think the Fairy King would be pretty."

"Hmm?" I rolled the map up and tied it to my bag. "I think he'd be more… rugged."

Gaelin snorted. "I heard that he has the face of an angel. Pale skin that sparkles in the moonlight with sharp canines, perfect for biting."

"Gaelin, that's just a vampire."

"Yeah."

I smirked, crossing my arms. "But on the off chance that the Fairy king is hot…"

"You'd marry him." Gaelin said, rolling his eyes."

"Probably."

"No, not probably. The Fairy King is at least a thousand years old."

I whipped around to see Mother standing in the doorway. I gave her a sheepish smile. "But if he's hot?"

"Cahira!" She stomped over to me and slapped my arm.

"Okay, okay! I'm sorry!"

She clicked her tongue in disapproval. She took two vials out of her pocket. One was dark, almost blood red. The other was silver and glittered as she held it out to me. "Poison and an antidote."

"And an antidote?" I raised an eyebrow and reached for the vials. She pulled her hand back.

"In case you regret your choice or accidentally poison yourself. This is potent. You only need a drop to paralyze someone. Two to kill them. Same with the antidote. One and two. Do you swear to be careful?"

I looked into her eyes. Mother was always protective. She would get anxious whenever I went out, knowing I couldn't defend myself well. It took a lot of convincing to even let me make this life changing journey. I placed my hand over hers, smiling softly.

"Of course, Mother. You taught me enough. I can handle it."

She pursed her lips, turning her hand and placing the vials in my palm. "Alright. Be careful, okay? And no flirting with the Fairy King."

"No promises.