The air was warm and sweet as Ember swayed her way between the trees with ease. It had started out as a normal day for her of foraging food for the clan until the stranger appeared. He had passed by her as she was searching for small berries from the line of bushes that designated the boarder of land provided to the clan. She had frozen like a young fawn when sensing danger as she heard him coming. He didn't seem to notice the small girl crouching in the bushes.
Her feet moved quickly on the moss floor to keep up with the hooded person. His stride was swift and each step was about twice that of Ember's. Holding her purse close to her body as she dashed behind him keeping a safe distance so not to be seen she watched him step onto a gravel pathway leading to town.
Sticking to the forest to conceal her footsteps she followed him until he stepped into the busy square. Taking a deep breath she lifted her large hood over herself and quickly stepped out from the forest into the bustle of people. The sun sunk below the horizon laying a sheet of darkness over the town making it difficult to keep track of the stranger without getting too close.
The sound of chatter filled her thin elfish ears as she strode down the road. The man took an alley way behind the old tavern then slipped in through a backdoor. A shiver ran through her body making her body immovable as she stared at the tavern. A large man bumped into her shoulder forcing her body back into reality. Inhaling sharply she spun around apologizing to the man and willed her feet to turn herself around. Stepping in front of the tavern she shook out her hands and stepped inside.
Her eyes darted around the dimly light room as the scent of wood and spices engulfed her. The floor boards creaking with each step she took towards the long bar at the end of the room. Glancing up at the tall man behind the bar she asked for a drink then pushed herself up on the barrel to sit. Her bare feet dangling under the bar as the gruff man handed her a mug.
Suddenly he appeared. The hooded stranger pushed through the tavern doors separating the kitchen from the bar. Sliding down his hood revealed a young elven creature with golden hair and bright green eyes a distinct contrast to the all black attire he dawned. Narrowing her eyes she spied what she had suspected around his neck. A small key on a chain swung gently as he stepped over to the gruff man and whispered something in his ear. The tall man nodded and told him to take off for the night and leave the rest up to him. The golden haired boy seemed pleased at the ability to leave as fast as he came in and slipped back through the kitchen door.
Ember left a few coins on the bar and hopped down from the barrel and out the door. Making her way into the alley she stood beside the door hidden by the darkness. Reaching under her dress she drew the small knife that was strapped to her thigh and waited. Breathing deep she let the sounds of the people on the street spill into the alley and bounce around making it impossible to hear the footsteps come up behind her. With a swift motion a hand gripped her wrist that grasp the knife from behind and spun her small body slamming it into the wall of the tavern. The sound of her knife hitting the ground echoed in the alley as the hand tightened its grip forcing her to drop it. Leaning close the shadowy figure let out a small laugh,
"You think I'm stupid?" His tone was warm but slightly gravely.
Blinking rapidly Ember tried to adjust her eyes to the darkness as she was too stunned to speak. She felt a finger gently run up her ear and the voice spoke again,
"Do your ears not work? I asked if you thought I was stupid?"
"I-" her eyes shot down to the key swaying in the small gap between their chests, "no?"
"Seems like it," his tone softened he pull off her hood seeing that she was just a frightened girl, "Why are you following me then?"
Her eyes never left the key as she spoke, "Y-y-you were in the forest- I.."
Quickly she pulled her knee driving it into his stomach and his grasp on her wrist loosened just enough for her to yank the arm free and snatch the key breaking the chain and grabbing her knife. Before he could collect himself she dashed further into the alley and took a left. Holding the key in her mouth metal scrapped as she climbed a drain to a nearby rooftop. He drew a breath to regain his standing and sprinted after her but he was too big to gain access to the roof as she had. Glancing down at him she called to him,
"I don't think your stupid I think your careless!"
"We'll see about that shroomy," he shouted up as he pryed open a window climbing inside making his way up the stairs to the rooftop. Once he threw open the door to the roof she was standing on the edge of the building staring down at the busy street. Turning back to him, her hair blew across her face as a breeze picked up causing her to loose her footing and slip. A shriek escaped her lips as she desperately reached for the edge of the roof only to grab nothing. Closing her eyes she braced herself for the impact but it never came.
"Careless huh? That stings Shroomy," he voice was laced with sarcasm.
Slowly opening her eyes she was met with his. A small smile spread across his face as he peered down at her. His gloved hands held tightly onto her pale arm keeping her from going any further.
His eyes sparkled as he spoke, "All that for a key huh?"
She kept her mouth shut keeping the key safe in her teeth she felt her neck grow hot from staring so deeply into his eyes. She hoped it was too dark for him to tell.
"Oh come on, now that we're..hanging out..why don't you tell me why it's so important hm?" He seemed far too pleased with his joke.
She weighed her options, "I'll tell you once you lift me up."
A small laugh came from him, "I don't really think you have the authority here Shroomy do you?" He cocked his head and gave her a pointed look, "plus my arms are getting tired so make it quick."
Swallowing hard she took the key from her mouth with her free hand, "You stole it!"
"Not good enough Shroomyyy" he practically sang out.
She glared at him, he was enjoying this but she knew she had to just tell him.
"You stole it, I know it because it belonged to the Elven clan near ours and I was going to steal it first!" She shouted.
She felt her body begin to be lifted and she rolled over the edge of the roof and laid on her back on it. She would have kissed it if she wasn't frozen still with fear.
"And why would a good little shroom like you want to steal a little old key huh?" He stood beside her.
She weighed not saying anything but didn't want to risk being thrown over the edge once more, "First off it's not Shroomy it's Ember. And second it may or may not unlock a door to the over-world."
The mention the over-world caused his point ears to shift, "Your lying!"
"No I'm not! Why do you think I want it so badly? Why did you have it huh?" She still gasped for air from recovering.
"A client wanted it and I needed to be payed."
Back in the day many searched for the door to the over-world but searching for it was out lawed after it turned into a war among creatures on who would find it first. The war ended in the division of species land separating creatures to help prevent history from repeating itself. The over-world was only ever spoken now in hushed tones or in old stories told to small children to scare them into eating their vegetables or cleaning their rooms. But a few fantastical creatures still searched for it.
A small spark ignited in his eyes as he reached out to help her up pulling her close to his face. A wild look filled his eyes, "But I think we might need it more huh?"
"We??" Her voice swarmed with confusion.
"Well I can't have Shroomy here going off on her own now can I what if you encounter another rooftop?" He smirked and winked at her as he turned and began walking to the door back into the house pulling her behind him.
