abandoned-papers-continued

From my perch in the branches of a large oak I spotted Dumah's cloaked figure moving in the direction of a clearing in the forest.

"Greetings stranger," I heard him say.

"What brings you to the home of the Nightshade?"

I nearly fell out of the tree when I heard the response of the familiar gruff voice.

"I am Sov, adventurer and warrior. I have heard of the Nightshade from many."

I rolled my eyes. Only from me, you stupid lump of muscle.

"My friend came this way a day ago. She came to find you."

**** right I did, but WHO didn't believe me eh?

abandoned-papers-continued

Blood splattered on my grimy, sweat-streaked face as my blades sunk into the orc's neck. The sounds of battle echoing throughout the temple filled my ears as I twisted my body in strange ways, losing myself in the dangerous dance that I had come to love so much. I could die here. One wrong move, one slip, one failed flick of the wrist and my life could be taken. And what did I do as my face became stained with hot orc blood? I laughed.

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?!

abandoned-papers-continued

"The fortune is spread far and wide.
These riches belong to the last one alive.
Great wealth to the man who be the last one to ride
the golden road to the castle where the treasure is kept safely inside."

abandoned-papers-continued

Evelaina's pen pauses above a fifth, blank page. After chewing her bottom lip in thought, she resumes writing once more.

abandoned-papers-continued

How and when we arrived at Randol remains a blur in my mind and once again, reader, I hope you are not too angered by the lack of detail. But, I do know that it took us the better part of a year to acquire the gold needed to get there. (Being two, lost, penniless children in the middle of nowhere; I'm surprised it didn't take us longer.)

abandoned-papers-continued

I traveled with Sov and the rogue knights for about a month or two until...

" BLOODY BASTARDS!!!!"

I awoke with a start, rubbing the sleep from my eyes and focusing on a pacing, livid Sov.

"So-?"

"YE GOD****ED BASTARDS!!!!" he roared again and stormed out of the small tent, tearing the flap as he flung it aside.

abandoned-papers-continued

A sharp sting on my left cheek. Then, my back. Legs. Arms. Feet.

My eyes snapped open and focused on a burly Titan boy, attacking the frozen ground with a shovel and flinging the loose pellets wildly.

"Hey!" I exclaimed and scrambled to my feet.

"Watch where you're throwing that dirt!"

"Sorry; thought ye were dead," he mumbled and continued his grueling task without a moment's pause.

the-abandoned-papers-continued

I can see the flames. I can hear the screaming. I can taste and smell the fear. The memory is so strong, so vivid, that I wish I cannot feel the pain that it brings to me. And yet, I recall it now and shift the story of my early life from my mind to this paper for reasons I myself am not quite sure of.