Abandoned Papers [Continued]

For weeks I traveled, stopping in small villages, visiting their filthiest taverns, listening to the old drunkards for clues. My anger towards Sov and my eagerness to prove him wrong was what propelled me forward above all. I'd never told him a lie. I'd never been brainwashed or led astray. I relied on my instincts. They'd never failed me before and so why would they fail me now?!

The sun was bright and burning hot on the back of my pale neck. I was tired, irritable and needed a brief rest in the shade. A thick glade of oak trees in the distance beckoned me invitingly and I was more than happy to spend time in their presence.

I approached the cluster of oaks and the tiny hairs on the back of my neck raised in alarm. It was silent here, but eerily so, as if there was another unknown presence here watching my every move. My body screamed for me to draw my blades and demand that this hidden entity reveal itself to me, but logic kicked in.

I eased my way deeper into the cluster of towering oaks, relying heavily on my predatorial movements and reflexes to support me in the case that this shadow became an adversary.

"Hello?" I asked the silent forest sentinels.

"Is anyone here?"

The minutes dragged on and just as I was about to ask again, a sleepy, annoyed voice rang out from the branches of a thick, large, oak tree.

"You happen to be standing in the lands of the Nightshade. I am Gitty, and I would like to know your purpose."

My heart leaped and my spirit sang in joy. The Nightshade at last! My thoughts immediately reverted back to Sov and I could barely contain a "HA!" of triumph.

My eyes roved the trees, searching for the speaker. I jumped a bit in surprise as my eyes landed on a pair of, white, pupiless eyes. Despite the eerie aura that those eyes exuded, I knew there was no harmful intent behind them. My muscles relaxed. I dropped my roguish exterior and tapped into the noble side of me that I had suppressed and ignored for years.

"And to think that he told me that my searching was pointless," I said with a small smirk. After a brief moment of pause to collect my thoughts I focused my attention on the unnerving eyes again. I grinned inwardly. It was time for a touch of exaggeration and flattery.

"I am Evelaina," I began, dropping my last name for I was not prepared to reveal it just yet.

"I have heard word of the Nightshade from quite a few on my travels. When bards would sing of it, it always seemed fantastical, legendary if you will. When poets would recite verse about it, my imagination painted a magnificent portrait that no artist could accurately portray."

"I suppose my imagination and curiosity got the better of me, for I set out to find this mysterious place for myself. And, as if by some stroke of luck, or perhaps some will of the Gods; I have found it."

I dropped my smirk, but kept it inside with an unheard chuckle. Oh yes, Evelaina Lavale, you've still got it in you.

Before the partially hidden creature could reply I shifted the rucksack on my shoulder, saying, "After searching for all this time my goal has changed. I no longer wish to only see the Nightshade with my own eyes, but I wish to become a part of it as well."

Yes, become a part of this and learn the secrets of my family, my fortune, and all that is rightfully mine.

The creature let out a long sigh, thinking what to do with me. Deeming it safe enough, he slowly climbed down to the ground. The silhouette walked out of the shadow of the huge oak, revealing the figure of an averagely built male elf, a scythe in his right hand. His white hair appeared to glow in the strong sunlight as he stopped to stand right in front of me.

"Evelaina," he said, smacking his tongue, as if tasting the sound of my name.

"Who are you?"

My fingers twitched slightly to my blades and my senses screamed for me to leap into action. Suppose my history of wicked deeds had escaped the walls of Randol? I was out of my element. Defending my thug reputation and life would be nearly impossible with this sorceror, who, obviously, was more than comfortable hidden in his forest. With a mental slap, I pushed all violent thoughts aside and embraced my nobility once more, laced with a touch of humility. (An ironic mix, but it worked like magic.)

"I'm simply a loner, an outcast that has grown weary of living alone. In this world where chaos currently rules supreme over law and order, a life of solitude is impossible to live to the fullest."

Flames. Screaming. Terror. Pain. All of these things hit me with full force that I couldn't avoid expressing through the flash of anger in my eyes as I prepared my next string of words.

"I've seen pain, suffering, death, blood, and tears everywhere I have gone. I'd very much like to surround myself with, what I think, is quite possibly one of the last places in this land where some sort of peace can be obtained."

To my surprise, my tone was much more somber and my expression solemn. In my mind I told myself that I was twisting my words, trying to appear humble, but in my heart I knew I was being honest; I just didn't want to admit it then.

The elf, Gitty, was silent for a few moments as he pondered my words.

"Very well," he said at last.

"You seem sincere enough. I will give you a chance to join us. However, if you are allowed to stay or not will rest completely on your shoulders."

Without another word, he turned around, walked to the base of the giant oak, moved to a comfortable spot between the roots and closed his eyes, the scythe leaning on his left shoulder.

I nodded my silent thanks to the sleeping elf and continued walking deeper into the mysterious and unknown.

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