Aventurine Wings

Ⱥѵҽղէմɾìղҽ చìղցʂ
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This follows an original storyline by Lyra Stellar. It is currently under major editing as I prepare to publish it, so updates may be a little slow. If you notice anything you think I should work on before publishing, I'd appreciate the feedback! I'm not faint of heart, I can take it, I promise. On occasion, I might have multiple options for a chapter. If you have the time to read both, I'd love to know which option you prefer!
 Prologue<soundcloud url="https://soundcloud.com/ryantaubert/honor?in=agamidae/sets/instrumental" height="20" auto_play="true" color="#BDFFB0" theme_color="BDFFB0" width="20"></soundcloud>
𝕌𝕟𝕕𝕖𝕣 𝕔𝕠𝕟𝕤𝕥𝕣𝕦𝕔𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟. 𝔸𝕘𝕒𝕚𝕟. 𝕋𝕙𝕚𝕤 𝕚𝕤 𝕙𝕠𝕡𝕖𝕗𝕦𝕝𝕝𝕪 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕝𝕒𝕤𝕥 𝕥𝕚𝕞𝕖, 𝕓𝕦𝕥 𝕟𝕠 𝕡𝕣𝕠𝕞𝕚𝕤𝕖𝕤. 𝕀 𝕙𝕒𝕧𝕖 𝕥𝕣𝕠𝕦𝕓𝕝𝕖 𝕨𝕚𝕥𝕙 𝕡𝕣𝕠𝕝𝕠𝕘𝕦𝕖𝕤
 One<soundcloud url="https://soundcloud.com/dexterbritain/the-time-to-run-finale?in=anna-rudolecka/sets/contemporary-classical-music" height="20" auto_play="true" color="#BDFFB0" theme_color="BDFFB0" width="20"></soundcloud>Being telepathic is a pain. I can't say this from experience, of course- but I'm sure it would be. Just being able to know what's going through somebody else's mind, knowing their honest feelings, what they think of you, how they judge you- it wouldn't be pleasant.
As I scanned the faces of the Myrefallians that walked through the marketplace around me, I would notice little things. Eyes narrowing, jaws clenching- they recognized me, they knew me.
I didn't have to read their minds to know that they hated me with a passion.
Well, to be fair, it wasn't exactly me that they hated. It was my family's reputation. The women, in particular. We had been different from your everyday Myrefallians for years, all organizing quests to 'save Myrefall from a horrid fate,' and other such nonsense. People just assumed that I was going to be the same way, that I would bring my kingdom into danger while searching for some enchanted rocks or whatever.
Though I never had any sort of intention of doing so, I couldn't just change the minds of Myrefall's citizens. We were infamous for our stubbornness.
It didn't help that I was also an 'outcast,' having been banished from my hometown years back, after my mother passed away, and I had to be escorted everywhere by a palace guard anytime I was within the borders to make sure that I didn't get into anything stupid.
I looked at my escort for the day, who was staring at his feet. Eliott Mason- he was a newer recruit for the palace guard, and he often got stuck babysitting me. It was quite funny, seeing as he was only a month or two older than me, he didn't know quite how to be firm.
Oddly enough, Eliott didn't look like he despised me the same way most everyone else did. I liked that about him.
"Lyn, what a pleasant surprise!" A deep, sarcastic voice said, interrupting my thoughts. I raised an eyebrow, looking for who it was that had recognized me. "Ah, and good old Eli."
Nieko Immon stepped closer to Eliott and me, a grin spreading across his lips.
Eliott looked at me, obviously confused. I shook my head and shrugged, as if saying that I wasn't sure of what to do either.
Nieko stepped closer, eyeing me with his menacing hazel eyes. Eliott moved closer to me as well, hand on the hilt of his sword.
"Sir Eliott, I can handle this, it's fine," I assured him, hoping that the confidence in my tone was real.
He didn't move, his grip only tightening on his weapon.
"Sir," I whispered. He shot me a harsh glare, and, startled, I stepped back.
Eliott trained his gaze on Nieko. "I demand that you leave Miss Evelyn alone, sir."
"Hm," Nieko shifted his weight. "And why should I listen to you?"
"I am Sir Eliott, knight for the Palace Guard." Eliott took a step closer to Nieko, his tone threatening. "I don't suggest you disobey me."
For a moment, I almost thought I saw fear in Nieko's eyes. If it ever was there, though, he hid it quickly.
"Oh, but wouldn't it be nice to be rid of her? It must get so tedious, having trained for years only to be told that all you can do as a knight is babysit some irresponsible traitor," Nieko taunted.
Eliott's unwavering confidence remained. "She is my charge, my job is to keep her safe, not get her killed."
"Actually," Nieko sneered. "I think your job is to keep Myrefall safe from her. Isn't she the daughter of Lady Esma? You know, the one who got half the woods burned down? The one who got my parents killed? The one whose utter insanity nearly killed the King himself?"
"Indeed, she is the daughter of the elder Lady Sturlen. But that does not make her the same person. In my time with Evelyn, I've never found her to be a danger to any of those around her." Eliott replied. "Now, I have been assigned to keep her out of trouble, and you, sir, seem to be exactly what I'd call trouble. So if you'll excuse me, we really must be going."
"Wai-"
Eliott ignored Nieko's protests and shoved past him, grabbing my hand and pulling me with him. He hurried through crowds of people until we found a quieter spot, and he let go of my hand. "Are you okay, miss?"
I nodded. "Thanks for defending me, Sir Eliott. But you know I could've taken care of the issue myself."
"I don't doubt that you could have. But as you know, it is my job to keep you from breaking any sort of law that could make the people of Myrefall loathe you more. I just didn't want anything like that happening."
I gave him a half-smile. "Well, it's much appreciated."
"Anyhow," he cleared his throat. "Shall we?" He beckoned back towards the bustling marketplace.
A few minutes later, we neared the merchant who I'd been wanting to see for months now. "Come on!" I yelled to Eliott, who was carefully dodging the busy Myrefallians around him.
"I'm coming, Lady Evelyn," he said.
"Well, could you come any slower?" I taunted, rolling my eyes and grabbing his hand, yanking him forward and pulling him with me until we reached the merchant.
Eliott snickered when I squealed.
"Oh, shut up," I said, before turning to the merchant. I smiled at the beautiful set of arrows and a bow that I had been hoping to buy for months now.
"Ah, Evelyn my dear, it's nice to see you," Calin, the merchant, said.
"I got what you asked for!" I grinned and lifted my bag over my head, pulling out the meat I'd gotten. I'd been giving small amounts of food to him for a long time now, and I'd finally scored the last of the game he'd requested.
He nodded, pleased. "It's been nice working with you, Evelyn."
"You too, sir!" I took the bow and arrows, waving goodbye to Calin and turning to run back to the woods.
"Evelyn!" Eliott called from a ways back. "Wait up!"
"Catch me if you can!" I yelled back, picking up the pace and darting towards my home, a modest cabin just outside of Myrefall's borders.
I slowed my pace as we neared my home, stopping by a tree to catch my breath. "I win," I told Eliott, who ran in behind me.
He gave me a playful glare. "Yeah yeah, whatever." He eyes my new bow. " I hear you're a pretty good archeress," he grinned.
"I wouldn't say good," I replied. "I've just practiced. A lot."
"Let's see you in action, then,"
I nodded, and then readied my weapon, aiming for a tree several yards away. The arrow missed by a couple of inches when I shot the first time, and I sighed frustratedly, loading another arrow to try again. This time, the arrow lodged itself into the tree, a direct hit.
"Impressive." Eliott mused. "I've never been great at archery, but it could be a useful skill someday. Maybe, you could teach me?"
"Hm," I shifted my weight, giving him my most dubious look. "What would I get out of it?"
"The protection and loyalty of a very handsome knight," he ran his hand through his chocolaty brown hair.
"Oh? And who would that be?"
Eliott snorted. "What are you implying?"
I laughed. "Fine, fine. How about tomorrow? I'll be out pretty early to hunt, you could meet me right here."
"Sounds like a plan!" He replied with a smile a mile wide.
"Alright, well then, I'll see you tomorrow!" I waved, starting to walk away. Eliott hesitated for a moment, before speaking again.
"Evelyn, wait,"
"What is it?" I asked.
"I uh, I wasn't supposed to tell you this, but..." He paused, as if reevaluating his decision. "Prince Kian is hosting a challenge, and he invited Myrefall's hunters and huntresses to participate. Since you're not a normal Myrefallian, you weren't taken into consideration- but it's all for the good of the kingdom, and I think you have potential so-" He sighed. "Maybe you could consider joining?"
I blinked, not sure how to respond.
"The winner of the challenge would earn a higher rank in the hierarchy and a large fortune." He continued.
My mind flashed to an image that I'd been dreaming of ever since my mother had died- a place back in Myrefall, me and father allowed back, tolerated- even respected. Maybe this was my chance to make my dream come true.
"I'll think about it," I smiled.
Eliott did a fist pump, then cleared his throat. "Thank you, Lady Evelyn. I do hope to see you there. I'll provide the details tomorrow. For now, I bid you farewell." He waved and walked off.
A challenge. What an idea. My life had been quite mundane in recent weeks, a routine repeated each day. Maybe it could be good for me.
On the other hand, though, such a thing could have the potential to be dangerous. I had never feared losing my own life, but I never wanted to leave my father, Lofoten, alone. He wouldn't be able to bear another loss.
But then again, it could be the best thing for my father. If I somehow managed to win the challenge, he would be able to care for himself. Maybe then I wouldn't have to worry.
The last of the sunlight that shone of the woods began to fade, and I decided to go inside. I would sleep on the decision- there wasn't any rush. I would decide tomorrow, with Eliott.
Would I be risking my life for the sake of my father, or would I run away from the opportunity of a lifetime out of fear?
-𝔠𝔥𝔞𝔭𝔱𝔢𝔯 𝔱𝔬 𝔟𝔢 𝔠𝔬𝔫𝔱𝔦𝔫𝔲𝔢𝔡-
Category:Original Stories
Category:Original Stories (Unfinished)
Category:Fantasy