Moonlight Ridge

16

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Leo stood with Glarald and Tsarra as they introduced her to the many other elves. There were so many that she had trouble remembering them all with the exception of a male elf, Orrian, that would be helping Glarald and Tsarra to oversee her training. After discussing the best way to condense years of training into mere months, her elf mentors decided to have her train in three subjects. Magic, swordsmanship, and archery. Glarald took the reins on overseeing her magic training as he was the most experienced in that aspect.

Glarald had her start with the basics. The very first was to find her magic within. He took her to the top of a mountain. He had her sit with her legs crossed on a large flat rock. Then close her eyes and try to grasp her magic while he sat with her to keep her company.

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It was almost sundown. She had tried as hard as she could but nothing seemed to work. She was beyond mentally exhausted. She opened her eyes with a sigh.

"Glarald. I am sorry to disappoint you but I do not know how to reach my magic." She said quietly.

Glarald smiled at her and shook his head.

"You do, aranel. We will try again tomorrow. Come with me and have a meal with our people." He said as he stuck his hand out to her.

"The elves consider me one of them? What of Mallelis saying that I am a mongrel?" She asked as he helped her stand.

All warmth faded from Glarald's features. He looked at her seriously.

"Do not take to heart what the Master Shifter said. He has a grievance that he has held on to for centuries. One against humans and bloodless ones alike. Normally, I would not speak on another's past but you are his true mate. If you would like to know, I will tell you." He said as he began to lead her down the mountain.

Leo took a moment to think about it. Whatever was in his past that made him hate humans so was bound to be very personal. On the other hand, he didn't even bother to tell her why he had refused her. He had simply disregarded her like rubbish.

"I'd like to know, Glarald."

Glarald took a deep breath before beginning.

"Long ago, there was a Master Shifter by the name Malek. He had his true mate, Gelelis. She was a beautiful shifter. They would come to have a son. The next Master Shifter, Mallelis. Mallelis was shown the wonders of Athrea and taught by his father how to be an honorable man. When Mallelis was a young boy, his father had started to hear the first stirrings of the bloodless one's revenge. King Theodre sent elven spies. It was the first time that elves had returned to Earth. The spies saw a weakened Cassius. He had somehow been captured by humans and appeared starved in a cell. They reported this information to the king. The king, in turn, requested something very important and dangerous of the Master Shifter. He asked him to go into Earth realm and kill Cassius.

Malek went into the human realm and found the local village that Cassius was said to be held in. It was there that the courage of man failed yet again. The humans had laid a trap for Malek on Cassius' behalf. For Cassius had promised them wealth and immortality. Malek was given a drink at a feast that caused him to fall into a stupor.

Cassius, knowing that the Master Shifter was weak, used that moment to strike. It is said that Gelelis' cries of anguish could be heard far and long that day. Mallelis' mother became a shell of the woman she once was. Barely functioning until she passed when Mallelis was a young man. Mallelis learned of the human involvement in his father's death and came to despise all humans. Mallelis is the only being until recently that regularly traveled between the realms. He is known to kill any humans on sight if he encounters them." Glarald finished as they neared the gates of the pack grounds.

Leo faltered in her steps and stopped. Causing Glarald to stop and look at her.

"What of the humans that had helped Cassius?"

Glarald frowned slightly as if remembering a bad memory.

"Cassius and his 'children' slaughtered the whole village. The bloodless ones are not to be trusted." Glarald said firmly.

"It is a sad thing that happened to Mallelis, but I have nothing to do with those villagers. I hope he does not let his bias blind him to the work we must do." Leo said.

Glarald gave her a broad smile.

"You do not know it yet, but you sound so much like the king." His said with amusement.

Leo snorted and shook her head. As she followed him through the pack grounds, she asked him another question that was pressing her mind.

"The master shifter mentioned that another group of beings from Athrea are coming. Who are they?" She asked in a quiet voice.

"They are a vital part of this operation, like you and the Master Shifter. They are powerful mages that will be ready to open a portal to let an army through from Athrea should we require it. That army is consisted of shifters and elven mages. I still believe that Cassius' army of bloodless outnumber us and that is why it is imperative that you and Mallelis destroy Cassius. But enough of that, let us fill our stomachs." Glarald said as he ushered her into a house that was full of elves.

The elves were busy running around preparing food and rooms. As they walked by, elves would look at Leo and bow their heads. Leo couldn't help the blush that creeped onto her face. She would never be used to how they treated her.

Glarald guided her to grabbing a steaming bowl of rice, meats, and veggies. He then led her to a table that Tsarra and Orrian were sitting at. Orrian gave Leo a nod while Tsarra greeted her. They ate for a while in silence.

"You have his features." Orrian said.

Leo looked up in surprise.

"Pardon?"

"King Theodre. That is why the elves never required a test. You bear his pale hair and ice eyes." Orrian explained.

"Oh. I always wondered why I looked so different than my mum and dad." She confessed.

"Cousin. Will you stay here with us?" Tsarra asked hopefully.

"I apologize, but I cannot. I should be getting back." She said.

She stood. The elves stopped eating and stood too.

"We can escort you." Glarald told her.

"No need. I can find my way back. Please sit and enjoy your meal. Thank you." She said as she turned.

The walk back was quiet for the most part and she was almost to the main pack house when she caught his scent. Her eyes darted around cautiously as she slowed. Thinking that it would be safer to go through the back door, she rushed around a stone wall and smacked into a hard body.

Large, rough hands caught her. She lifted her face to thank them when her eyes locked with stormy orbs. He let her go as if she was something distasteful to touch and his expression showed his annoyance. Anger fueled her tongue before she could stop herself.

"Pardon me, sir. I will make an effort to watch where I am going. For I can assure you that the last thing I want is to touch you, much less be near you." She stated in an icy tone.

She turned quickly and rushed into the house without waiting for a reply.

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A/N: Picture of Orrian at the top.