Felicia couldn’t sleep. It was like the forest was calling to her. Everything was so alive around her. She realized that being locked up in the city was not where an elf belonged. The forest was what she needed to explore.
Slipping out of the bed roll, she glanced around at her sleeping friends. Thereriss and Lessien had just recently took the watch. She hoped that had been enough time for Septima and Valandil to fall asleep.
Sneaking into the forest, Felicia took a quick peek to see no one staring at her. With a smile on her face, she slipped into the forest and walked amongst the tall trees that were bathed in the white moonlight. An owl could be heard somewhere off in the forest. The leaves rustled in the warm breeze that blew her dress around her feet. With her mind wandering, Felicia didn’t realize how far she had wandered from the camp.
“Hello,” a voice greeted from the trees. Felicia spun around to find a woman staring down at her from a branch. She leant against a trunk while balancing precariously on the slim branch under her feet. Her red and black corset, with a red skirt that fell just to her feet, matched the bright red lips that smiled in the moonlight that illuminated them. Black hair was braided down her back.
“Who are you?” Felicia asked, pulling out the dagger and holding it out in front of her. The women let out a loud laugh.
“You can’t beat me with a flimsy dagger,” the woman scoffed, walking out of the tree and landing on the ground with a soft thud. “Especially one made from such weak iron.”
“Who are you?” Felicia restated, stepping back.
“They refer to me as an ‘imp’,” the woman said. “My name is Malkay if you mean to know my name.”
“I thought imps were small, like fairies,” Felicia replied.
“We’re more like demons,” Malkay winked. “This is my human form.”
“Why are you here?” She asked, now fearing the woman more than before. The idea a demon stood before her, with the power to kill her at any moment, left her unable to run or scream.
“I’m not here to hurt you so relax,” Malkay smiled. “I’m looking to make deals with people.”
“Deals?” Felicia repeated, “What do you mean by deals?”
“I do something for them,” explained Malkay, “they do something like me. It’s not that hard.”
“Do you take their soul?” Felicia wondered, thinking of stories she had heard. This received another loud laugh from Malkay.
“No, no,” she waved. “I only ask for favors in return.”
“What exactly can you do?” Felicia questioned, “Just how powerful are you?”
“The extent of my powers can go as far as resurrecting the dead,” she informed, her smile seeming to grow crueler a she spoke. “Perhaps there is a deal you would like to make with me, no?”
“I don’t think I need to be making any deals with demons,” Felicia replied, curtly. “I should be going now.”
“Wait!” Malkay stopped, “I have something for you. When you decide you’re ready to make a deal, call on me.”
The demon pulled a ring from their pocket. It was a silver band with a jewel placed in it. Felicia caught it as Malkay tossed it to her. Upon closer inspection, Felicia could identify the stone to be a small opal. Looking up, Malkay was gone.
“Felicia!” Zanian’s voice called through the forest. “Felicia where are you!”
“I’m over here!” She called back, slipping the piece of jewelry on her right ring finger.
YOU ARE READING
Champion
FantasyFelicia, a sixteen year old elven girl, has grown up in the city slums for most of her life. She has no idea what it's like to be an actual elf. One day, she runs into two travellers, one of which is sent to be executed with her, who change her life...
