Follow the Arrow

Chapter 1

"Once upon a time-"

"Is this going to be one of those stories again?" complains Lillah.

I sigh. "Can I please tell the story in peace tonight?"

She folds her arms. "Well, fine then."

"Thank you." I pause and take a deep breath, trying to concentrate. "Once upon a time, the world use to be ruled by humans. Ordinary, weak-"

"Hey, I'm a human!" interjects my sister. Well, adoptive sister.

"I know, Lovella. But I'm trying to set the mood of the story."

"Well, you don't have to be that convincing."

"Yes, I do." I rub my temples with my index finger and thumb. "That's the whole point of telling a good story."

"Ugh, fine. Continue." And she brushes back her white braid and slouches.

"Thank you." I huff out a breath, again trying to concentrate at the story, then repeat, "Once upon a time, the world use to be ruled by humans. Ordinary, weak, powerless, mortal humans." I hear a muffled comment, but ignore it. "The closest humans -during that time- got to actual power was all superficial things. It was all based on fear... and wealth, of course. Kings, queens, and lords of the human race used intimidation and armies to keep this so-called power of theirs, and tried to show off how much power they had to other kings, queens and lords.

"But... did they really have power?" I hear some negate and scoff the idea, and others merely shake their heads, and I smile at the response. This is the response I wanted. "Well, the answer to this is... yes. Yes, they did have power."

The audience immediately begins to question my sanity for such a statement, asking me if this would turn into some joke, and I try to calm them down, but they continue to argue. I immediately start to regret my wording and shrink in my seat. I don't want them to hate me over a story. Maybe I should tell another, one less... controversial.

That's until someone comes to my aide. "Just let her get on with the story, will you? You asked for a story and she's giving you one, now pipe down." Of course, they listen to him. He turns to me. "They're all yours now."

I blush, smile appreciatively and nod shyly. "Thanks, Leif."

He winks at me. "No problem." And he sits back down.

A tad flustered, I clasp my hands and pick up where I left off. "Yes, humans did have power. As afore mentioned, they had the power of intimidation. They learned to use it very well. They had such expertise in this weapon of sorts, they kept the people with real power beneath them. Us. They had us scared to show our faces. And why, you may ask? Because when we did, we were persecuted and discriminated against. And not just by not allowing us to live in their towns, we were burned at the stake, convicted of heresy for the acts we could commit. We were shunned and shed under a bad light. Humans made up lies about us and told everyone to fear us, not necessarily because we were dangerous, but because we didn't fit into to what they considered 'normal'.

"So for centuries, we stayed in hiding. Living in the woods, forests, or where ever humans didn't inhabit. It grew tiring and bothersome after some time, and our ancestors wished to do something about their predicament. As some of us know, the ancestors of our land and nearby lands weren't always in peace with another. But they decided to put differences and rivalries aside to take down a common oppressor. Though they were greatly outnumbered, plans of a rebellion were being made in the forests. Wizards, elves, fairies, giants, wood nymphs, shape shifters, ogres, any magical being was involved in the process for over a year. Everything had to be strategic and swift in order for the people of our minor population to do any damage.