and second birthday—seventeen in human comparison—she retrieved the bow which her great-grandfather wielded many centuries ago and devised a plan to escape. Once Neelan’s parents left for the temple, she made her escape at nightfall to the kingdom sewers. She stealthily crept through the alleyways, remaining cautious and hidden within the shadows cast by the full moon. With ease, she slipped past the guards who kept their focus on the surrounding landscape outside the kingdom. Neelan swiftly dropped down into the dark tunnel of the sewer. She silently took each step upon a narrow brick walkway that kept her feet dry and away from the horridly putrid water. Finally, a stream of moonlight shone down above her head and she knew she had made it out—she was free. Her father’s control had caused her to flee from her former life, to desire an alternate life among humans. She longed to be treated as an equal among human-kind, and so, for the past months she had lived as one.
Kale’s blue eyes met hers. He hadn’t expected such an elaborate story, nor did he anticipate the hardships she had endured.
“What about you?” She sniffled, still tucking back the urge to sob. “I’ve told you about my past, now it’s your turn to share something with me about yours.” Neelan regained her composure as she sat upright. “I hope you don’t assume I’m that naïve. I find it very odd that a young and ordinary man is traveling alongside a sorcerer, secretly, through the forest.”
Kale was taken aback by the sudden reverse interrogation. “I’m really tired right now, Neelan.” It was the only response he could muster. He lifted his arms above his head, wiggling his fingers toward the sky as he faked a loud yawn. “Maybe tomorrow.” He leaned back, staring upward. “Besides, my story isn’t nearly as interesting as yours.” He felt slightly guilty about hiding the truth from her, but he knew the risks were still too great.
Kale tried to convince himself that he owed Neelan no explanations, having only met her earlier in the day. It wasn’t his fault she had spilled her entire life story to them. Still, he couldn’t shake the sympathetic feeling he got when looking into her glassy violet eyes. She looked so sad—so alone.
Kale bit his lower lip, chewing gently as he thought about the situation. He had finally met a new acquaintance; as irritating as she was, he found himself enjoying her quick-witted personality. Kale wanted to share his secrets—he wanted to release the weight he bore and find if she too would accept him for what he truly was. For now, he knew it would have to wait.
“All right,” she finally replied, glancing toward Thomas who had fallen asleep and was softly snoring. “I suppose I’ll sleep as well, then.”
“Smart decision,” Kale softly laughed. “Thomas is obnoxiously cranky when woken.”
Neelan caught Kale by surprise as she removed the brown hat, allowing her long brunette hair to flow freely around her long elven ears. She set it next to her bow as she positioned herself onto the ground which was uncomfortably covered with scattered twigs, pebbles, and leaves.
“Goodnight, Kale,” she whispered. “And don’t even think about touching me while I sle—” Before she could finish, a white shirt flew down upon her head, muffling out the remainder of her warning.
“Before you scold me, I’ll save us both the aggravation by saying that the clothing is for you to use beneath your head. I know the ground isn’t pleasant to lie upon.” He turned, facing his back to her. “I’m used to sleeping on hard surfaces; it doesn’t bother me as it does most. Just be sure to return it when you wake. I wouldn’t want you to go into hiding again because I am indecent.” He laughed.
Neelan remained silent as she tucked the shirt beneath her head. She closed her eyes, allowing her body to finally relax. “Thank you, Kale,” she whispered.
Kale laid on his back as tiny beads of
Kale’s blue eyes met hers. He hadn’t expected such an elaborate story, nor did he anticipate the hardships she had endured.
“What about you?” She sniffled, still tucking back the urge to sob. “I’ve told you about my past, now it’s your turn to share something with me about yours.” Neelan regained her composure as she sat upright. “I hope you don’t assume I’m that naïve. I find it very odd that a young and ordinary man is traveling alongside a sorcerer, secretly, through the forest.”
Kale was taken aback by the sudden reverse interrogation. “I’m really tired right now, Neelan.” It was the only response he could muster. He lifted his arms above his head, wiggling his fingers toward the sky as he faked a loud yawn. “Maybe tomorrow.” He leaned back, staring upward. “Besides, my story isn’t nearly as interesting as yours.” He felt slightly guilty about hiding the truth from her, but he knew the risks were still too great.
Kale tried to convince himself that he owed Neelan no explanations, having only met her earlier in the day. It wasn’t his fault she had spilled her entire life story to them. Still, he couldn’t shake the sympathetic feeling he got when looking into her glassy violet eyes. She looked so sad—so alone.
Kale bit his lower lip, chewing gently as he thought about the situation. He had finally met a new acquaintance; as irritating as she was, he found himself enjoying her quick-witted personality. Kale wanted to share his secrets—he wanted to release the weight he bore and find if she too would accept him for what he truly was. For now, he knew it would have to wait.
“All right,” she finally replied, glancing toward Thomas who had fallen asleep and was softly snoring. “I suppose I’ll sleep as well, then.”
“Smart decision,” Kale softly laughed. “Thomas is obnoxiously cranky when woken.”
Neelan caught Kale by surprise as she removed the brown hat, allowing her long brunette hair to flow freely around her long elven ears. She set it next to her bow as she positioned herself onto the ground which was uncomfortably covered with scattered twigs, pebbles, and leaves.
“Goodnight, Kale,” she whispered. “And don’t even think about touching me while I sle—” Before she could finish, a white shirt flew down upon her head, muffling out the remainder of her warning.
“Before you scold me, I’ll save us both the aggravation by saying that the clothing is for you to use beneath your head. I know the ground isn’t pleasant to lie upon.” He turned, facing his back to her. “I’m used to sleeping on hard surfaces; it doesn’t bother me as it does most. Just be sure to return it when you wake. I wouldn’t want you to go into hiding again because I am indecent.” He laughed.
Neelan remained silent as she tucked the shirt beneath her head. She closed her eyes, allowing her body to finally relax. “Thank you, Kale,” she whispered.
Kale laid on his back as tiny beads of
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