The Name of Names

~1: Between Friends~

Vanya knelt one knee to the ground, pressing her hand to the damp earth. She let down the barriers in her mind and extended tendrils of thought outwards, feeling the lives of thousands. Insects, birds, forest creatures, trees, plants; She lived through them as her own body was stock still, not entirely present.

When she withdrew back into her own mind, time had passed, and she stood up. Being an elf, she did not need to stretch her legs, but instead started running lightly. The sunlight leaked through the trees, and the wind blew softly. Birds chirped lively in the trees, announcing the arrival of the new day.

As she came closer to her destination, the ground slanted upwards into a hill. At the top, the hill flattened out, and Vanya stopped, searching for a specific tree.

Her eyes fell upon a tree looped around itself, and Vanya recognized the flower growing at the base of it. The grass felt soft beneath her feet as she walked over to it, singing softly in the ancient language. The tree moved as she sang, revealing a cylinder case tucked away inside of it. It was a tan color, with runes of the ancient language inscribed over it.

Vanya pried it out of the tree with relative ease and sat down, her back against the rough bark. After a quick word in the ancient language, the cylinder lid popped off. Vanya snatched it out of the air and placed it on the soft grass beside her.

Reaching her hand inside the case, she pulled out a rolled up sheet of parchment, laying it out on the ground. An unfinished map was drawn on it in delicate designs. She trailed her fingertip across it, tracing the path she had come today. The map was of Elesmera, although it was not yet complete, and Vanya went there every day to add more to it.

Taking off the fabric satchel on her back, she set it on the ground and opened it up, and took a closed bottle of ink and a feather quill out. She set them on the grass and closed the satchel, focusing on the map again.

As she dipped her quill into the ink, it occurred to her that this could go faster if she used magic to do it. She smiled softly as the thought occurred to her, and she kept drawing individual trees. This was a labor she would like to do manually.

Every so often, Vanya paused, feeling all the life around her, and searching for any potential dangers. One such time she did so, she felt a larger life force, and grinned as she recognized it as Vanir, the dragon egg carrier. Uncrossing her legs, she dried the ink with a quick word of magic, and then rolled the scroll up. Vanya stuck it back into the case and closed the lid, sealing it with another word of magic.

Working efficiently, she put the ink and quill in her satchel, swinging it over her shoulder. Picking up the case with the unfinished map inside, she walked quickly over to the tree, sticking it inside, and singing the tree back into shape with words of the ancient language.

Once the case was completely hidden and safe, Vanya swung the satchel on her back and again, felt around mentally for Vanir's presence. He had moved considerably since when she had last sensed his presence, and she moved quickly toward his current location.

Knowing he had probably already sensed her, she didn't bother to hide her movement or be quieter. Sprinting to catch up with him, she burst out into the path just ahead of him and the escort.

"Vanya," Vanir commented, and suddenly a mental dagger stabbed into her mind, scattering her thoughts.

Gasping at the sudden attack, Vanya started to chant smoothly under her breath a type of poem she had learned from when she was a youngling. Unbidden, a flashback overrode her senses, filling her mind's eye.

Her father, kneeling down to look her in the eyes. His gentle hand wiped her tears away before holding her close, "It's going to be fine. We'll be right back. While we are gone, I want you to learn this poem. It's extremely useful for mind-defense. Do you remember when we practiced that?"

Vanya let out a choked sob, hugging her father tightly, "Don't go away."

Her father stroked her dark brown hair, and slowly began to sing, "Far to the east, in the land of dragons, a destiny lies for you to claim. Claim it well, fulfill it well, it will be your guide in coming times."

Resting both hands on her small shoulders, he held her at arm's length, "Learn that for me, and then you can show me when I get back."

The memory ended, but that sudden slip was all that was needed for Vanir to slip inside of her mind, and search shortly before leaving.

Vanya got up from where she had fallen to her knees, and dashed away a stray tear that had fallen.

Accusingly, she looked at Vanir, whose face was sorrowful at what he had seen inside her mind.

"Vanya—" he started, before she cut him off.

"What the wyrda was that for?" Her emerald eyes sparked with anger.

"Security measures have been tightened after the attempted egg raid last fall." Vanir dismounted his horse, going over to Vanya and resting a hand on her shoulder. "I apologize, friend." Vanir hesitated before going on, "I...saw what was in your mind." He started tentatively, and Vanya stiffened.

"You must control your mind better. I could have easily taken control of you, completely immobilizing you, simply because a painful memory broke your concentration." Vanir spoke quickly, adding, "I only say this because you are my friend."

Vanya smacked Vanir's hand off her shoulder, "it's none of your concern what is in my mind. You have spent too much time among the humans, and forget even common courtesy."

Vanir's face hardened. "Forgive me. I only meant to help."

Vanya inclined her head slightly, but said nothing more, starting to walk with them towards Elesmera. After a moment's silence, when the matter seemed to be dropped, Vanir spoke. "Are you coming tonight?" for security measures, the two dropped back between the two elven escort.

"I'm not sure." Vanya looked around the forest, subconsciously reaching out to graze over all the thrumming life forms. "Most likely."

"I will look forward to seeing you there, then." Vanir glanced over at her, and Vanya gave a hint of a smile.

Silence elapsed among the group until they reached the great elven city, where Vanya left them after taking a look at the two dragon eggs which sat on the horse, secured well.

GUYS THE FIRST CHAPTER IS HERE!!!! EEEEEEEEEEE!!!

So, what did you all think?? I'm curious to know your thoughts about the first chapter! Also, if there are any errors, please feel free to point them out to me, and I'll fix them!

Also, how long do you guys like chapter lengths? this one was a little over 1,000 words, but I'm wondering if I might start making them smaller so they're easier to read....

<>Evara<>