Adventures of La-Shena

“You can’t do this to me I’m a Sorceress!!” 1

You could hear her screams across the valleys. Before a huge castle seemingly made of glass stood a small woman who appeared to be in her early twenties with long red hair and green eyes. She looked to be pale and fragile and judging from the silken clothes she was of a high class standing. She stood there with nothing but a staff and a small knapsack. She growls and huffs before storming off through the valley heading toward the town just below. She soon made it to the small town that seemed worse for wear. She slowly walked down the dirt path looking at the seemingly deserted town. She sighs sadly before walking into the IronTail Tavern. She stops suddenly as she walked in seeing everyone in the bar turn to stare at her. There were big men with bulging muscles and other men holding swords and various weapons. She grips her staff tightly while surveying the tavern before sitting down at a apparently empty table in a dark corner. She was unaware there was already someone sitting at the table in the shadows. The sorceress sat there quietly as the owner of the tavern came forward.2

“Young lass I’m afraid we don’t take your kind here”3

She turns on him, “Oh really and what kind would that be?”4

“You magic folk, always bringing trouble around here. Now leave my tavern before I make you!”5

She sighs softly, “I am no magic user. So sorry to disappoint”6

She smiles as the Owner finally walks back to mind the counter and leaves her be. She jumps and her breath hitches as a large hand lands on her shoulder. She turns quickly jerking up her staff only to have it caught by a hooded man. She quickly backs up becoming wary of the things around her. The cloaked man stalks towards her and lowered his hood to show the face of a man. He was large and grotesque. His right eye was covered by a roll of ugly red flesh that had large black warts oozing a sickly green puss. The hand that had once been on her shoulder now looked red and decayed with the skin peeled from the muscle and bone. She recoiled just from the smell of decaying flesh, sweat, and urine that seemed to surround the man like an expensive perfume. She whimpered lightly unsure of what to do with her magic gone she had no way to defend herself. 7

The man advanced upon her smiling to show large green teeth, as she backed up against the table till she was laying flat against it. The man laughed and advanced on her quickly. She opened her mouth to scream when a dark shadow passed over her and collided with the sickening man. She gasped and sat up on the table to see a tall, well-built man shoving the grotesque thing into an occupied table. Fighting broke out, but she did not see anything due to the mysterious man dragging her from the Tavern. 8

Her rescuer then shoved her away, and he walked off without another word. She was shocked and puzzled at the man’s behavior. With staff and knapsack in hand, she took off after him. She walked quickly beside him, having to hustle to keep up with his long strides. She took in the man’s long black hair and shining blue eyes. That was when she saw the delicately pointed ears that adorned him and she gasped in surprise.9

“You’re an elf!”10

He quickly turned on her as his face twisted into a mask of anger and disgust.11

“What do you think you’re doing wench? Do not follow me.”12

“But I have to!” she cried and quickly followed after him once more.13

He growled and stoped once more turning to look at her.14

“Stop it and go away wench!”15

“No I will not!”16

He seemed to be shocked by her persistence and finally growled in exasperation. The Elf gave in turning back and continued walking out of town as the woman quickly followed while chatting up a storm.17

“Hi, my name is La-Shena. And you are?”18

“Tolroid”19

“I’m only 23 how old are you? Are you really old or young? Don’t you live a really long time?”20

Only silence answered her.21

She sighs and looks at the elf, Tolroid. His silence and cold demeanor made her feel uneasy, but his presence made her feel safe. Even at the Guild she had never felt so secure. She sighed and followed behind him. After several hours and she wondered if he was ever going to stop. It was finally beginning to get dark when Tolroid paused and turned to look at her.22

“We shall rest here”23

She sighed happily and quickly sat down on a nearby rock. Her feet ached with over use for she was not meant for this kind of travel. Her skin was already raw and red from the sun, and Tolroid’s eyes scanned her body.24

“You are burned. The sun is harsh on you.”25

She nodded and looked at her burnt skin before taking off the lightly padded shoes while her feet hissed in pain. They were also red and blistered terribly. She turned to look at Tolroid who grunted slightly before he walked over to her. He took her ankle into his hand and examined her beaten feet.26

“No walking. This is bad. Your feet may get infected.”27

La-Shena pouted slightly at this but slowly nodded her head in agreement. She didn’t know what was going to happen. Would the elf leave her out here in the middle of no where or wait until her feet calloused over to prevent further damage.28

“In the next town we get you proper shoes. Good shoes for traveling. Yes deer hide boots are good for traveling though you might want to get something more strong and durable. After all you are a female.”29

He turned away once more and collected wood to build a small fire. While he began to make something that looked strangely like a soup or stew, she caught him singing a sweet and gentle song under his breath.30

"I search the universe for a human being made for me, 31

a lover true who will prove be, 32

the person with whom I was meant to be. 33

The string unravels and so does the time, 34

At the end of the thread lengthen 3 times 3, 35

Stands my love waiting for me. 36

I reach to touch the fairy ring. 37

Give me a heart that's dragon eyed and angel winged, 38

I set my prayer up on a pyre, 39

Like angel fire, rise higher and higher. 40

Up to the heavens and across the sky, 41

Fate do your work don't pass me by. 42

Send me someone with gentle eyes and delicate tone; 43

I was never made to stand alone.”44

Her eyes widened at the song as it drifted along her ears. She stared at him with her unblinking eyes. He looked up at her his face completely emotionless. 45

“What wench?”46

“That song it was beautiful”47

“You understand my tongue?”48

“I don’t understand”49

He looked at her curiously before speaking a small sentence.50

“Can you understand me?”51

“Of course I can. I’m not stupid!”52

“We are speaking Elvish girl! That is not normal for a human wench such as you!”53

“I’m speaking another language?”54

“Yes, girl you are. How curious for one to speak in a language and not know it. You are a very strange child.”55

“I’m not a child.”56

“I will determine that.”57

“You’re rude”58

“Yes, I’m sure it would sound like it to a child. You know this would come in handy since we can speak privately and not worry about being over heard.”59

He turns to her slowly returning to human language, “So, what are you doing out here anyways? You seem like a girl of a very high ranking society.”60

She looked down saddened, “I was to be the next Water Sorceress but a few days ago I…I lost my ability to wield magic. No one knows why this happened, so they threw me out.”61

“That’s a little harsh on a girl don’t you think?”62

“Well, they run the place, so it is not really my choice now is it?”, She stated sarcastically as she accepted the stew when he handed it to her. Even though she did not like stew she ate it and surprisingly liked it. After they had both eaten, he quickly forced her to get some sleep while promising not to leave. The whole night he sat there thinking of the things that had come to pass. Here he was a warrior, an outcast elf hanging out with a human girl who looked to be just about mating age. Why she was by herself in a world like this he did not know. It looked as if she came from a very wealthy home. She seemed to be brought up to be worshipped and adored so why was she now an outcast? What had she done that was so dreadful to be thrown into this world of pain and loss? He sighed and waited for sunrise before awakening La-Shena. She moved slightly while rubbing the sleep from her eyes, and rising.63

He smiled down at her as nicely as he can before handing her an apple to eat while planting a very daring kiss upon her cheek.64

“Eat quickly as we must get to the next town before night fall.”65

She nodded and put on her shoes, and quickly ate the apple. She winced as she stood and felt her bare skin was sore from the harsh beating it had taken yesterday. He frowned slightly he knew she would have to endure the pain till they could reach a town. He did not have many supplies supporting both of them made it difficult. He did not know how to care for two people and was not prepared if they came upon trouble. 66

He knew that she could tell, this was a new situation for him, and was not bothered by it. All he knew was that they had to make it to town by nightfall, or La-Shena would be in more trouble than they could both handle. Her feet could become infected and her skin looked even worse than a blood-soaked carcass. So now it was time to go the closest town many miles away with an injured woman so he knew this would take forever. Tolroid feared the worse. He walked calmly and quickly while being cautious and careful. 67

Unaware the thick green slime creeping down towards them from an over hanging branch. It melted the bark from the branch as it oozed forward. It dripped on to the back of an unsuspecting elf, and he spun around as it hit his flesh. He growled out a warning before returning to La-Shena's side. The green slime crept closer leaving its leafy camouflage behind it as it dropped down to consume its prey. La-Shena turned back to Tolroid screaming when she saw the slime begin to drip onto Tolroid. She was helpless as she watched the slime slowly begin to consume her friend in the thick acidic goop that made up its boneless body. She closed her eyes and threw her arms out in front of her hoping for a miracle. She heard the surprising yelp of her companion and turned back to see him untouched by the slime. She blinked and looked around seeing no sign of their slimy enemy. However she did see was a very angered elf was singed from head to toe.68

“I thought you said you lost your powers!”69

“I…I did I don’t know what happened!”70

“I’ll tell you what happened! You set my ass on fire!”71

“I’m sorry but it’s better than getting eaten by some disgusting piece of goo!!!”72

He simply growled and continued down the forest path with La-Shena limping slightly behind him. She was completely unaware of what she had done but wasn’t about to question it. They slowly walked down the path being even more cautious than before, and Tolroid seemed to be very wary of what would happen. They traveled down the path till they reached a small town that seemed forsaken and ominous. Entering the town was far easier than they had originally planned, but Tolroid did not like it at all. La-Shena glanced at Tolroid and tapped him on the shoulder.73

“Tolroid what’s wrong. Do you sense something?”74

“This place is a ghost town. Tell me La-Shena, can you feel any magic here?”75

“I told you I lost my magic. I don’t know what happened to it!”76

“Just shut up and concentrate you insufferable wench.”77

La-Shena huffed and closed her eyes as Tolroid drew his sword. She gasped and opened her eyes as evil engulfed her scenes. It was incredible and over powering. She whimpered and sunk to the ground clutching her head in pain. Tolroid growled knowing evil was impending. Fog begins to consume the town, rolling toward them with the growing sense of darkness. Tolroid growls and steps in front of La-Shena giving her a some what protective shield against the coming evil. Out of the fog a man walked towards them and La-Shena gasped as she saw him. It was the man that had attacked her in the bar. She thought he was dead. He stood towering well over seven feet still looking as disgusting as before. From behind him a woman stepped forward. She was the embodiment of beauty. She was tall, slim and held herself a way royalty would. Her long black hair flowed behind her blending in with the black dress that she wore. Her eyes glowed a blood red as she glared down upon Tolroid and La-Shena. In her hand was a black scepter coiled like a snake ready to strike. Within the mouth of the black serpent staff was a crystal that thrummed with magical power. La-Shena gasped and whispered to Tolroid.78

“My magic. She has my magic!”79

“What do you mean she has your magic?”80

“She stole my magic. It’s in the gem of her staff!!”81

“You are correct”, the two turned to face the woman as she spoke. “This is your magic. I took it from you since you were so unguarded. I must say you are one of the most powerful sources I’ve ever seen. I thank you for your contribution.”82

La-Shena screamed hatefully and lunged for the woman. Tolroid yelled at her to stop but, it was too late. The man grabbed her tightly. La-Shena kicked and fought against him while the woman just laughed.83

“I think your time is up little sorceress!” she laughed and raised a knife to penetrate her heart. She cackled evilly, and thrust the knife deep into La-Shana’s chest cavity and heart. La-Shena’s eyes widen and her screams died in her throat. A small whimper escaped her lips and the man let her body fall to the ground. Tolroid screamed in fury and charged at the woman as she vanished with the fog. He collapsed next to La-Shena’s body as tears threatened to slip from his eyes. 84

“La-Shena…please don’t be dead. Come on please wake up! La-Shena please!”85

His mask broke and he screamed in anger and sadness. It shook the earth as he held the body close to his chest tears falling down his face and into the hair of the lifeless woman in his arms. He buried his face into her soft fiery tresses and his heartbreaking sobs could be heard through out the deserted town. Tolroid sat there clutching her now pale, cold frame not wanting to let go. Night soon fell before he laid her down onto the ground and he laid one last kiss upon her dry and broken lips. He stood with his eyes glowing in anger and hate. 86

Tolroid raised his sword and yelled, “I will find you woman. When I do, I will put your head on a pike for the whole world to see you creature from Hell!!!”87

He roared out his fury and began to dig a grave for his long lost friend but as he turned to pick her up he found no body. He found no trace of her what so ever. He screamed his fury and set upon his hunt for the woman who had taken La-Shena’s life.