This is a story of five strangers brought together by chance and fate. Can they stay together long enough to keep each other alive....and possibly save the world?
ONE
It was hard to walk away, but he had no other choice. He was willing to leave behind the only life he knew for the opportunity of a fresh start. Azernan was well aware of having no guarantee of success. After all, he was not human. Azernan was an Elf…..well, make that half-Elf. Whether he was full blood or half-blood, Humans had a low tolerance for anything Non-Human.
No, Azernan was determined to make his way into the world. Since the day he was born, life had not been easy. He was the product of a forbidden union between an Elf and a Human, Azernan’s mother, Azalla, came upon a wounded human male while searching for medicinal herbs in the Forest. Azalla was a well respected healer among the Elves of Valos and felt it her duty to save this human.
Azalla could not bring the human back to the city of the Elves, for it was forbidden for any human to step foot in the Elven homeland. Although not enemies, there was a tentative peace between the humans and Elves, as long as it served the greater good for both sides.
Azalla decided to take the human to a nearby cabin in the forest, one that was used by Herbalists and Elven Rangers who were out foraging in the forrest. Within a week, Azalla healed the human enough for him to travel on his own and leave Valos. The man was immediately smitten by Azalla’s beauty and fell deeply in love with her. Once Azalla told him he was healthy enough to leave, the man professed his love for her and begged her to come with him. Taken aback by his professed love, Azalla calmly and politely declined the human’s request.
Not taking no for an answer, the human continued to pressure Azalla. He advanced on her, pressing her into a corner of the small cabin. Azalla placed her hands firmly on his chest and shoved him back onto the cot he had been laying on. Enraged at her rejection, the human attacked Azalla. He knocked her to the floor of the cabin and began raping her.
Elven Rangers arrived at the cabin, returning from a routine patrol and saved Azalla from the human. The human fought the Elves, but was quickly killed. Azalla was taken back to Valos where she was tended to by healers. Weeks later Azalla discovered she was pregnant. She was not recovered from the trauma of the human’s attack, but the knowledge that she was carrying his seed further deepened her despair. Her family was horrified at the notion of her carrying a human’s seed within her. Azalla knew a child born of this union would not be accepted by Elven society. Her shame led her to believe the only choice she had was to take her own life.
Unknown to her family and friends, Azalla prepared to end her life, but could not do it. Elves revered life and everything surrounding it. They were children of nature, the very essence of life itself. The concept of taking their life was anathema to Elven society. Azalla knew she would have to carry and give birth to this child despite her deep shame. She withdrew from public view, secluding herself in her family’s home for the duration of her pregnancy.
Six months later, the babe was born. It was a boy. Azalla’s heart was stolen at first glance of the new born. She knew instinctively that she would love this infant no matter his blood line. The child bore strong Elven features, fair skin, almond shaped eyes that were the color of amethyst and silver-gold hair crowned his head. Azalla named her son Azernan, after her paternal grandmother Azerna.
Life for Azernan was not easy. His mother was the only one who truly accepted him despite his mixed heritage. Azalla’s father, Myrathel, grudgingly accepted Azernan only because he looked like an Elf, but never expressed his full love as he would toward anyone else in the family. Azernan was tutored by his mother and maternal grandmother, Bythea, in academics and herbal lore.
He was kept away from formal schooling due to Azalla’s wish to shield Azernan from the scrutiny and rejection of other Elves. He would experience the prejudice all Elves had for “half breeds” as he matured enough to enter Elven society. Azernan did not have many friends while growing up due to his being sheltered by his mother.
Growing up, Azernan did not have many friends. He was a solitary and contemplative child. He learned quickly when it came to his studies and showed an aptitude for advanced teachings. The Druids of the sacred grove were a fascination for him. He often trailed after them, watching them perform their daily duties of tending the grove and surrounding forest. He showed a natural affinity for nature. The elemental spirits and fey creatures of the forest were drawn to him. Azernan was often found playing with wood sprites. One particular Wood Sprite took a liking to him and followed him everywhere he went.
Bythea recognized that Azernan held great potential in the arcane arts and would greatly benefit by attending the Ars Magica, the Elven college of Magic. Azalla wanted nothing more than for her son to grow into a productive and accepted member of Elven society, but feared for him being out right rejected by the Elves he would interact with. Bythea eventually convinced Azalla that it would be for the best. She could not continue to shelter her son for the rest of his life. He must learn to deal with the prejudice and earn his place in society. Bythea had a saying, “Nothing is easy. Everything comes at a cost.”
So, it came to pass that Azernan applied to the Ars Magica and was accepted. He was made to feel welcomed by the various teachers and senior students conducting first year student orientation, but soon was met with stand-offish attitudes and mild prejudices from the junior and first year students as word of his mixed heritage got around. Azernan took it all in stride and applied himself to his studies. The arcane world held many mysteries for him and he wanted to delve into each and every one.
One teacher in particular took a strong liking to Azernan. His name was Othellus and he was the Senior Scalia Arcana of Elemental Magic. Azernan’s inquisitive nature and hunger for knowledge garnered Othellus’ attention and admiration. He did not care whether Azernan was a full blooded Elf or not. He was beyond such prejudices.
