Scarlet Weather, thank you for your criticism. All three of us will take it to heart. Now, to start the show.
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Moonlight Cure
Chapter I: Shameful Hearts
The walls are thick ice, foggy and clear, yet for all their power they might as well have been glass. Music, high and low notes in perfect harmony, slid through the walls like water, echoing mournfully through the halls. It was not a rare occurrence but to sensitive ears such as those of an elf, it began to grate on the nerves after a while. So did loud footsteps, as a matter of fact.
A tall young woman strolled through the elegant hallway, wincing slightly. She had long black hair in a ponytail, which swished almost angrily as she walked. The woman muttered spitefully under her breath, somehow still managing to keep her outward indifference.
"How dare she play so loudly... that insufferable little half-breed! There are people with sensitive ears in this castle!" She sniffed audibly, continuing her furious stride.
"Is something the matter?" The quiet voice made her jump and whirl around. A nineteen year old man with plain brown hair and eyes stood there, watching her with a raised eyebrow. His ordinary white and beige clothing made him stand out from the others, as did his medium-height build.As such, he could look her in the eye, but could not do the same to any male adult elf. The woman glared.
"Oh, it's you Tarin. What do you want?" Tarin quirked an unconvincing smile.
"Just worrying over the health of my dearest cousin. Too much stress can kill you, after all. And none of us want that." There was a swift roll of the eyes.
"Don't you call me relative as if we are equal, you worthless slime. If our honored mother wasn't Queen, you would be out in the streets with the rest of your kind where you belong." Her indifference was cracking. Anger was more of her default setting anyway.
Tarin smiled again. "Your contempt of others amazes even me Mearn. Now I will take my leave, so as to keep you in good health. Good day, dearest Mearn." He walked past in the direction she had come from. Mearn watched for a moment, before letting out a huff and continuing on.
As soon as she was out of earshot, Tarin sighed with relief. The woman was such a pain to him, just because he was human. Just because her aunt had married his father after the first lord died and had a child, it gave her no right to do that. Her arrogance and selfish behavior constantly drove him up a wall. Idly, he wondered where his sweet sister got her patience from.
Must be from honored mother, he decided. Coming upon a plain red door, he knocked quietly. Tarin shivered slightly. No matter how many years he spent in Polarine's icy cold air as opposed to the warmth of Una Reilla, he would never adjust to it.
The gentle music faded slowly as the door opened. A head peeked out from the gap. Bright blue eyes glowed with delight. "Brother!" The door shot open and the girl waved at him. She had straight dark purple hair that reached halfway down her back and a heart-shaped face. Her skin was the customary pale skin and tapir-like ears of an elf but she was smaller than the rest of the females her age and her bones were thinner. She wore a pale blue dress with a darker pair of plain pants."Good morning!"
"Good morning sweet sister," he greeted, showing a true smile. Of all of the family, only his half-sister could make him happy. Kind, patient, loyal, and hardworking, the fourteen year old always found ways to amuse him. Even her honored mother could not hold a candle to it. "Why are you so hyper this morning Nerys?"
Nerys looked at him curiously. "Why...? Your tournament is today brother! Miss Lucia said I could watch."
Tarin felt a flutter of pleasure. Usually her mother would refuse to allow it, believing the girl had more work to do than watch a row of mock battles. "That's great. You'll get to watch me win!"
"I heard the other trainees are really good this year," she mumbled, looking nervous. "Do you think you can win?"
"They always look really good," he said dismissively. "I'm going to show those guys that humans are nothing to underestimate. I'll win for both of us!" He gently ruffled her hair. "So don't be nervous! I can do that on my own." Nerys giggled and moved away, moving to replace her instrument in her case.
"Oh I saw Miss Mearn walking away from this room a few minutes ago. Did she yell at you again?" Snapping the case shut, Nerys shook her head.
"She... Lady Mearn said that the Council has forbidden my inheritance of the throne or any rights befitting a princess of the ancient lines." Power passed maternally through the higher families. Lower in the ranks, it changed through the father.
"The Council did?" Tarin exclaimed. Even though the High Elves reign, it is the Council which makes all the final decisions. They are a group of elves set in their ways and determined to hold their thrones as long as they can. "How would she know?"
Nerys glanced at him. "Because in three years time, she will take the throne."
"Her? She isn't a direct cousin!"
The woman shook her head miserably. "You are the closest thing to the bloodline, but you are male. It wouldn't work."
"There isn't anyone else?" he asked desperately.
"She didn't say." Tarin clenched his fists.
"Bet the Council just wants a puppet," the man muttered bitterly. Brooding for a few moment, he was startled to see Nerys staring at him worriedly.
"Tarin..."
He hurriedly smiled. "Ah don't worry about it! Let's go down so you can watch me beat everybody!" Nerys giggled again and grabbed something from next to her bed. Tarin gave her a confused look. "You're bringing your quarterstaff?"
She twirled the wooden staff expertly. "Yep! I need some practice."
He shrugged. "If you say so then. Let's go!"
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He had to hurry. They were coming. His front left leg burned with pain in unison with his flank. Human weapons really hurt. Sniffing the air, a chill stole over his nose.
I'm really deep in Polarine. The elves were neutral in the skirmishes of werewolves and humans as of three years ago. Maybe he could rest and heal for a while. Another scent invaded his nostrils.
Centaur? Impossible, they were wiped out! Not knowing where the other stood, there was no choice.
The trees rushed past the werewolf as he ran, bolting past the startled animals. He could see sunlight and the imprint of a castle in his eyes. The werewolf leapt...
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Nerys let out a soft cry of amazement, clutching her quarterstaff with excitement. Tarin was fighting really hard, his face glistening with sweat. He slashed into his opponent with a wooden blade, knocking him to the floor. The boy stood, gritting his teeth. All around her people were cheering loudly.
Brother's really good... will I get that skilled with my staff? she wondered.
I hope so." A loud crash startled her.
Tarin's opponent was flat on his back, blade clattering to the ground a few feet away.
The referee called the victor and Tarin moved to help the other up. The elf accepted it gratefully.
"You're really good," he said warmly. "You're a lot younger than I am, but that was really hard. I can't believe I lost."
"You weren't exactly a pushover either," responded Tarin with a grin. "Hope we can fight again sometime."
"Oh please!" a voice drawled. Mearn strode forward, all the elegant lady-in-waiting. Tarin tensed and Nerys rose slowly. Mearn gazed at them all coolly before fixing her glare on Tarin's opponent.
"You should be ashamed of yourself, losing like that! To a human no less! Every single one of you is a shame to your blood. All of you obviously need more training and discipline! I will make certain that it is done."
"Why you..." Tarin looked outraged. Nerys hurried down from the place she had been sitting at and coolly stepped between them.
"That's enough Lady Mearn," she stated calmly. "They all fought well and there's no shame in losing to a better opponent. You can't fault them."
"Be silent girl!" the woman snapped. "They are weak to lose so easily."
"Then perhaps you'd like to take a turn?" the princess offered, swinging her bo and gently placing one of the metal tips against the lady's neck.
Lady Mearn scrambled away, muttering obscenities as she left. Tarin grinned and clapped a hand on Nerys' shoulder.
"Nice move sister," he congratulated as the pair of them exited together. Behind them, others were chattering with awe and surprise, whether over the latest spectacle or the tournament it was hard to tell.
The teen shook her head. "She was ruining it," the princess replied. "Everyone was smiling and happy and she was trying to ruin it with power she didn't have. It wasn't right. And after this morning..."
"Well it's too bad you didn't get to attack her. That would have been great."
"I don't know about that," she mumbled sadly. "I probably would have made things worse."
Tarin shrugged. "Oh well. Why don't you show me what you've got?" Nerys gazed at him doubtfully.
"Are you sure? You're still injured..." He waved her off.
"Aw it'll be fun! Trust me!"
"All right..."
Spinning her bo, the princess began to bounce lightly on both feet, placing her left hand behind her right, which was poised at the center.Tarin took the wooden blade in both hands and charged. She leapt nimbly out of the way and whirled around, switching hands and sweeping the tip into his ribcage. Tarin grimaced and sliced downward onto her arm. Nerys winced and swung upward, jabbing again. Tarin jumped, swinging down with one hand toward her head. Allowing it to hit, she twirled the bo straight into his chest, knocking the man upwards. He flew a few feet, landing hard on his back.
Worried, Nerys ran to check on her brother, but a shadow landed in front of her. It was a russet colored wolf, panting exhaustedly. There was blood oozing from two places on its left side. The dulled golden eyes were locked onto her blue ones and a male voice full of confusion pounced in her head.
"Who are you?"
Surprised, she answered,
"My name is Nerys. Nerys Gaia. Who are you?"
"I... am..." Suddenly the wolf let out a frightened bark and bolted away, blood leaving a small trail. The bushes rustled and a chestnut-colored female centaur burst from them, carrying a bag in one hand. She looked around and saw Nerys glancing between her brother and the direction the wolf had gone.
"Excuse me!" the centaur trotted over, limping slightly. She brushed her shoulder-length brown hair from her face. "Did you see an injured animal come this way? I'm trying to heal it but he keeps running off!"
Nerys nodded. "Yes I can take you to him. Follow me!" She bolted away, still clutching her staff in one hand.
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Chapter One end.