Monthly Archives: August 2020

TFAL: A Rude Awakening

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Written May 6th, 2020 2:22 PM

Ailith woke to the familiar sound of Xiv cussing. She blinked, eyes adjusting to the room, faintly lit by the moon outside the window. She could see the sleeping forms of Ace, Talus, and Feyra on the cots spread throughout their quarters. Xiv was missing from their cot. And cussing at someone. Which meant-

Ailith scrambled to her feet, kicking the tangle of blankets off as her body caught up to her mind. Shit shit shit! How did someone get into the queen’s fucking castle and all the way up to our room without anyone noticing? She whipped her head around, eyes frantically searching for any signs of the intruder. She couldn’t see anyone and she was sure whoever it was would have taken advantage of the fact that they were all sleeping and unprepared for battle.

“Hey! Wake up!” Xiv’s raspy yell came from the balcony. The others started stirring, wiping the sleep from their eyes. Ailith raced to the balcony, screeching to a halt when she saw Xiv standing on the railing, looking down towards the ground. She felt the rest of the party pull up behind her and heard their gasps of confusion. Xiv was still muttering curses, almost like they were talking to themselves. Ailith felt worry spike inside her at the precarious situation.

“Xiv.” Ailith forced a semblance of calm into her voice as she inched forward. “Xiv, buddy, get down from there. What are you doing?” She continued slowly moving forward, hoping to grab them around the waist and haul them back before they did something stupid. Xiv turned to face her and extended their hand, fingers almost brushing her own outstretched hand. Breathing a sigh of relief Ailith took one more step forward and Xiv leaned backwards off the balcony, plummeting seventy feet straight down. “Xiv!” Ailith screamed and threw herself after him, not stopping to think.

She watched as their body hit the ground with a dull thud, their skull bouncing harshly with the impact. She landed easily mere seconds later, rolling to absorb the force of the impact. “Xiv, Xiv oh gods!” Ailith scrambled over to Xiv’s prone form, hands flying as she assessed their injuries There was too much damage for her to deal with herself so she busied herself with stabilizing their neck, hands on either side of their skull. She never took her eyes off their face, even as the rest of the party arrived and Ace healed Xiv’s broken bones, the snapping sounds of them moving back into position setting Ailith’s teeth on edge.

She didn’t relax even after Xiv regained consciousness told them all about the force in their mind slowly taking over. When they got back to their room, Ailith took it upon herself to tie Xiv up as per their instructions. Xiv assured them that this would keep them from endangering themselves and others – at least until the force in their mind gained enough power to start using Xiv’s voice and manipulating the rest of the party. Ailith had a hard time going back to sleep afterwards. She kept her eyes on Xiv’s rigid form, sure that they were meeting her gaze until the adrenaline faded from her body and she gave into sleep.

TFAL: Stillness of Mind

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Written May 5th, 2020 1:03 AM

“Hold on. I should go first, I have better reflexes,” Ailith explained, pushing past her friends to peer into the pitch black magical darkness. She couldn’t see in the dark like her friends, but her other senses had adapted exceedingly well to make up for it. Feyra gave her shoulder a squeeze of encouragement, her non-magical eye closed to allow her to peer through the darkness  in front  of them. Taking a deep breath Ailith took a step into the room, swallowed by the inky blackness. Her ears picked up a sound coming from in front of her – stone grating on stone. She heard clothing rustling and whatever was in the room with her gave a small chuckle.

“Well well well. A  brave one, I see.” Ailith heard Feyra let out a gasp behind her but didn’t turn away from whoever was in front of her, eyes blind but wide. “Do me a favour, won’t you?” The voice was smooth and distinctly male, sounding highborn. “Go deal with your friends for me, dear.” Ailith froze as magic assailed her mind. She tried to fight it but she felt herself turning around, facing Feyra and her friends. She met Feyra’s gaze and clenched her fists, squeezing her eyes shut.

When she opened her eyes, Ailith was back in Sully’s tavern. Her friends were seated at her favourite table by the window, waiting for her. She sat down opposite Feyra, who was staring at her intently. “You’ve gotta snap out of it, Ailith. You can do this. We’re counting on you.” Feyra’s words sunk into Ailith’s mind. She found that she couldn’t reply, nodding her head instead. Feyra gave a small smile as Ailith closed her eyes once more.

This time when she opened them she was surrounded by darkness, facing Feyra who’s body was rigid with tension. Ailith winked at Feyra and was rewarded with a huff of laughter before turning back to face the void. “It was a good try,” she called out, “but I have a thing about taking orders – especially from men.” She stepped to the side of the entrance to the room, giving her friends room to make their attacks.

TFAL: Hesitant Beginnings

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Written August 30th, 2020 12:13 AM

Birds called cheerfully to each other as the sun shone through the tree canopy, spreading mottled shadows across the ground. It was a peaceful sound, one that had filled Ailith with a sense of calm when she first ventured into the forest two days ago.


But right now, Ailith hated the birds. She hated their chirping, the trees with their rustling leaves, the fresh air. She especially hated the sound of tiny woodland creatures scurrying through the underbrush finding all the edible plants Ailith wished she knew how to find. She was going to starve to death long before she made it to Gaal Alari at this rate. She had been a bit preoccupied when she had left Kaskaden a few nights before, which meant that the few pieces of dried fruit she had stuffed into her pockets were long gone.


Ailith wandered farther into the forest, eyeing up a cluster of bright red mushrooms that she was sure would almost certainly kill her if she ate them. “Well, it’s not like I have any other options,” she muttered to herself bitterly, hunger making her desperate as she bent down and reached for the small knife in her boot. A twig snapped behind her and she whirled around, grasping her staff and coming face to face with a nocked arrow.


Sliding her eyes away from the weapon aimed at her head, Ailith took in the person behind it. A young woman glared back at her, green eyes regarding her steadily. Judging by the hint of a pointed ear peeking out from beneath her red hair, Ailith assumed she was at least half-eleven. Letting go of her staff with one hand, Ailith spread her arms wide in a gesture of peace. When the woman’s demeanour didn’t change, Ailith eased out of her crouch, noticing as she drew up to her full height that she was a couple inches taller than her ambusher. Height would give her a slight advantage if this came to a fight, and Ailith doubted the woman was practiced in hand-to-hand combat.


Taking a breath, Ailith broke the silence. “I’m not going to hurt you,” she reassured the woman, pretending not to notice the scoff she gave at Ailith’s words. “I’m just trying to find some food and then I’ll be on my way.” Lowering her staff completely in a show of trust, Ailith waited, mapping out potential escape routes in her mind.


After a beat, the redhead let her drawstring relax. Still eyeing Ailith warily, she took a step forward, eyeing the mushrooms Ailith had been moments away from eating. “If you eat those you won’t have to worry about being hungry anymore.” She spoke in a quiet, measured voice. “Because you’ll be dead,” she clarified, pointing out what apparently should have been obvious to Ailith.


“Well at this point, dead might be preferable.” Ailith tried for a grin, but her stomach picked that moment to grumble fiercely, a sharp pain making her grimace. She saw the woman’s brow furrow slightly.


“Okay,” the redhead sighed. “I don’t want your starvation on my conscience, sit down.” She was taking pity on her, but Ailith’s pride didn’t care. Ailith immediately flopped to the ground, crossing her legs and laying her staff across her lap. She watched as her tentative companion took a seat across from her and produced several rations from her bag. Gesturing for Ailith to take some, she helped herself to some jerky. Ailith avoided the meat and picked out some dried fruit, groaning with happiness as she chewed. Could it be poisoned? Sure, but at least she wouldn’t die hungry.


“Gods, this is good,” Ailith mumbled, mouth full. “I can’t thank you enough, I mean it.” The other woman had a faint look of amusement on her face, watching the scene in front of her. “Oh! Where are my manners? I’m Ailith.” She wiped her hand on her pants and extended it towards the other woman.


“Feyra,” came the reply after a seconds hesitation, the handshake returned firmly. Feyra’s hand was soft, the calluses dotting her fingers matching the ones on Ailith’s palms.


“What are you doing out here, Feyra?” She seemed at ease in her surroundings, unlike Ailith.


“I’m heading to Gaal Alari. I have business there.” Feyra glanced away then, a look of unease on her face.


“What are the odds, I’m heading that way too! You wouldn’t happen to need a travel companion would you? Two sets of eyes are better than one.” And I do not want to deal with this cursed forest on my own, Ailith thought to herself.


“Two weapons are better than one as well,” Feyra pointed out, eyeing up Ailith’s staff. “You’re welcome to join me until we get to our destination.”


Ailith grinned, not believing her luck. “Deal,” she confirmed, taking another bite of dried fruit. Sitting in silence, Ailith took the opportunity to watch her new travel companion. Feyra was methodical, unhurried. Dressed in muted greens and browns, Ailith thought detachedly that she was quite pretty, if a little feral. More importantly, Feyra was clearly competent and a worthy fighter; she would make a fine ally indeed, for as long as they were together.

TFAL: Bittersweet Homecoming

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Written April 10th, 2020 11:24 PM

Ailith couldn’t help but feel a twinge of jealousy. She had been there when Feyra got her stolen memories back and found out that her parents had sacrificed themselves for her survival. Obviously, Ailith was happy that Feyra had closure, but there was part of her that wished they could both be orphans abandoned by their parents, nebver knowing them, never needing them. Now, Feyra was a lady. Actually, the capital “L” Lady of Dragontower, and Ailith was still just… Ailith.

She tried not to look at Feyra differently, but now that she knew the truth about Feyra’s past, she felt disconnected. Ailith remembered the girl who stumbled across her in the forest, aiming an arrow at her chest, ready to loose it without hesitation. The girl who taught Ailith how to forage for food and who watched her back as they took turns sleeping next to their fire on their journey south. That girl felt farther away now that Ailith knew who Feyra was supposed to be.

Shaking the lingering feeling away, she stood at Feyra’s shoulder as the latter delivered a guilty sentence to Melinda Corvus with a sombre grace. When the time came, Ailith stood stood in the crowd, one hand on Gregor’s shoulder, and watched with grim pride as Feyra delivered the justice herself, quickly and cleanly. For someone so used to a bow and arrow, her family’s ancestral sword suited her and she wielded it deftly. Ailith locked eyes with Feyra from across the room, Feyra’s eyes glistening slightly. Ailith gave her a small smile of encouragement and committed this version of Feyra to memory, slowly reconciling her with the girl from the forest. This was the moment that girl truly stepped into her role as Lady Amberwood of Dragontower with stunning finesse and poise.

TFAL: Roc and Roll

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Written April 10th, 2020 6:42 PM

This is absolutely insane. The thought repeated over ad over in Ailith’s head as she scaled the cliff, the end of a length of rope clutched between her teeth.

Across the canyon Talus was pulling himself up, the other end of the rope gripped in one large hand. Ailith heaved herself over the edge of the cliff, puling the rope between her and Talus taut once he made it to the top. She struggled to catch her breath – the climb had winded her a little, but mostly she was trying to keep from hyperventilating.

Looking down, Ailith could see Xiv, Ace, Feyra, and their three new giant friends getting into position. They had come up with some crazy plans during their time together, but gods if this wasn’t the craziest. Off to her right, Ailith could just make out the shape of a massive bird headed straight for them – a roc. Taking a deep, centering breath, she bounced on her toes, turning her attention to Talus across the way. She could see him rolling his shoulders in preparation.

The roc was closing in now. Fifty feet… forty feet… thirty feet. Ailith closed her eyes, relying on her heightened hearing to track the roc’s progress. Twenty feet… ten feet… now! Snapping her eyes open, she leapt off the ledge in sync with Talus. She only fell a few feet before the rope caught on the roc’s neck. Ailith started pulling herself up hand over hand, ignoring the rope burns on her palms. Once she was close enough, she grabbed onto the roc’s feathers to pull herself the rest of the way up and onto it’s body, a hundred feet in the air.

Opposite her Talus clambered up, a huge grin  splitting his face. As she rose to her feet, she couldn’t help but crack a smile of her own at the joy the goliath was getting out of their current situation. Focusing on the task at hand, Ailith pivoted to where the roc’s giant wing connected to it’s body. Gripping the rope tighter, she punched straight down onto the joint. The roc shrieked and twisted in the air, trying to both shake off it’s assailants and stay aloft. Ailith must have hit her target because the roc’s left wing fell limp and it plummeted towards the ground.

She dropped into a crouch, clutching at the roc’s feathers until her knuckles turned white. She heard Talus give a whoop over the rush of air in her ears. The roc crashed into the earth and Ailith used the sudden stop to launch herself forward, past the roc’s open beak.  She hit the ground and rolled onto one knee, mind and heart racing. Turning, she saw that her friends had started in on the bird, battering it with spells and arrows.  Running forward, Ailith delivered four blows in quick succession and heard the beast give a weak croak before it’s eyes closed and it went still.

Staggering back, she felt her heart lurch at the knowledge that they had just ambushed this poor, huge, definitely-would-have-killed-them creature. Her ears were roaring, but she could just make out Talus and Ace exclaiming with excitement, Feyra investigating the body, and Xiv asking if anyone minded if he took a talon or two. Ailith stumbled a few steps away before vomiting on the canyon wall.  Still listening to her friends excited chatter she sat heavily on the ground and laid down, closing her eyes and smirking shakily to herself. She just took down a roc, right out the sky, single-handedly. That was almost as cool as punching those dragons or that shark that one time. She laughed quietly to herself. If only Amos could see her now.

TFAL: The Light at the End of the River

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Written April 8th, 2020 10:12 PM

Ailith could just make out the outline of Xiv illuminated by the torch light at the end of the tunnel. She let the current of the river take her closer, clutching the rope that tethered her to the rest of her party like the life line it was.

If she stretched out her hand, fingers grasping desperately, she could almost grab Xiv by the back of their cloak. She surged forward, her fingers finding purchase, only for Xiv to jerk with the force of two crossbow bolts hitting them where their breast plate didn’t quite cover.  They went limp, their grip on the mouth of the tunnel going slack. Ailith heaved them towards her, looping her free arm around their narrow chest.

Frantically, Ailith gave three sharp tugs on the rope, praying to the gods Talus got the hint and started reeling them in.  They man with the crossbow was lining up to take another shot when a bolt of necrotic energy hit him square in the chest and two arrows flew past him into one of his companions. Ailith could only assume Ace and  Feyra were behind her, providing some much needed back up. The spell didn’t deter the man for long though, as he squared up and fired a bolt directly at Ailith.

Acting on instinct, she let go of the rope, her hand darting out to catch the bolt, quickly whipping it back towards its owner hitting him in the shoulder. Her hand found the rope again as she and Xiv started being carried away by the current, and she started kicking, trying to get them to Talus and safety before Xiv expired in her arms.

Ailith felt when Ace sent some of her healing energy towards Xiv – they started thrashing against her, clawing and hissing, trying to get back to the men who had ambushed them.

“Oh no you don’t” Ailith gritted out, tightening her hold on them. “Don’t be stupid.”

They finally reached the end of the tunnel where Talus was waiting, holding the other end of the rope. Ailith clambered out, soaking wet and dragging a drenched and still hissing Xiv with her.

As she emerged into the room, she saw that four men had beaten them there and were standing on the  opposite side of the room. She dumped Xiv on the ground unceremoniously.

“Stay. Here.” She said forcefully before running towards the men. she dropped into a defensive stance, swaying slightly on her feet, waiting for one of the men to make the first move.

The men advanced, swinging at her with their swords. She dodged the first swing but took the others full on. Ailith pulled out her cane and delivered a few blows herself, feeling the diamond at the tip pulse with energy before it released and shattered the chest of the man in front of her.

She whirled away, running to where Talus now stood, battling a couple more men. She took a deep breath as she stepped next to two of them, flanking one with Talus. The man in front of her hit her in the torso with his sword while the one to her right shredded her arm. Ailith saw Talus get hit by another assailant and knew even as he uttered a desperate “no, no, no!” that Talus’ attention was now elsewhere and she was alone.

The man in front her grinned before slicing into her rib cage. She stumbled, hands trying to stop the bleeding before blackness took her and she fell. After what felt like mere seconds, Ailith opened her eyes to find the man who felled her dead beside her. She winced as she pushed herself up, glancing over to where Xiv had their arm outstretched, the needle they had thrown her way still lodged in her arm. Feyra and Ace were keeping their distance as well, barraging the remaining men with spells and arrows.

Ailith turned her attention to the man next to her, obviously the leader of the group. Growling, she swung the cane, hitting him in his knee and causing him to stumble. She brought the cane up in the same motion, hitting him square in the jaw. She saw panic light his eyes as she dropped the cane and curled her hands into fists.

Ailith delivered a brutal blow to his right cheek followed by a vicious uppercut. “Don’t fucking touch me friends,” she snarled, her words punctuating each blow. The man fell to the ground as Ailith stood above him, bloodied and panting with effort. She looked around at her friends – all safe for now.