An Elvin Fog

Chapter 1

Beatrix took a sip of the warm, milky, drink with hints of cinnamon and butterscotch, and milk foam floating at the top. Cinnascotch was her favourite on a cold autumn day. She savoured every moment in the small tavern that was hidden behind large willow trees near the edge of the village, but sometimes she wondered what lies outside her home.

"Hey, Beatrix! Might want to keep a better track of the time, it's almost curfew." Dareth, the bartender, called from behind the counter.

Quickly Beatrix finished her drink, grabbed her satchel, and rushed home. As she ran, she looked at the sky, it had a deep amber color, speckled with stars. She looked at the houses lining the dirt path, most of them were 2 story houses with mossy roofs, made out of white bricks and had small balconies, others were one story with the same roofing and walls with quaint porches and bay windows, and all of them had chimneys that were currently in use. Some had vegetable or flower gardens, others didn't. Some were older than others, but just as strong.

Just then she arrived at her home, it was a two-story house that looked just like the rest, with the exception of her mothers garden, as it grew taller than any of the others. Beatrix went inside and immediately smelled her Fathers cooking, heard the sound of her mother humming to calming melodies. and saw her older sister chasing after her little brother, who seemed to be holding a black book with the symbol of shadow magic on the front.

"Get back here you little tramp!" Amara screamed at Quinton reaching out for her book and tripping over the rug. Then Quinton raced around the sofa again, Amara sat up and grabbed his ear at the last moment.

Quinton screamed in protest, kicking at his significantly older sister. "MOM!!" he yelled "Amara's being mean to me again!"

"Now now kids" their mother said walking in "what's going on- Oh i see? Beatrix, would you mind grabbing the spell book from Quinton for me and put it back on the bookshelf? Amara let go of your brother's ear. He's still growing so his ears are sensitive, remember how yours were?" "Yes mom." the girls said at the same time, with totally different attitudes.

Beatrix pried the book out of Quintons hand and put it in the only empty spot on the bookshelf. Then she went out into the kitchen to see her father, wearing his loose linen tunic in a light beige color complementing his deep complexion. Everest spun around and looked at his daughter through thin glasses.

"Hey kiddo! Want cabbage rolls for dinner?" He said

"Uhm do dragons have wings?! Duh!" Beatrix responded, when she heard a knock at the door. They weren't expecting anybody. Quickly she went to see who it was.

When she got to the living room, she saw her mother standing in the doorway, being crowded by Quinton and Amara.

"Hello Chief Verda, what can we do for you?" her mother asked, sounding slightly worried. The chief hardly ever visited with elves outside her own family, so her coming to Beatrix's house was a huge surprise.

"Hello Evilin, may we come in?" The chief said, emphasizing the word "we".

Evilin caught the word as well and asked "We?"

"Yes, 'we', I'd like to introduce you to Harriet.

Beatrix gasped when she shoved through her siblings to see a girl about her age, wearing an oversized green tunic, with light skin, big eyes, and shockingly round ears.