1. A Secret of Snow and Ruin

Chapter XI

Elysia Wolfe

The carnage from Roguerock was paralyzing. As I shot my last arrow in the head of the crazed Lycan I felt relief. Relief that this was over for now. I look to my right to see Cade dropping the body of a Lycan that he had slayed to pieces. He was covered in blood and I too felt the sticky scent of death clinging onto my hair and cheeks.

Jasper, Damian, and Ries were bathed in blood. They walked over to me and Cade with dread in their steps. "We need to gather our ships for departure. Elysia, get the civilians on board now!" Ries commanded with authority. I nodded my head and went to help those in need.

I looked around to see scared civilians unsheath themselves from their hiding places. All of their collective faces masking a fear that I haven't seen before from the residents in Voreia. I shudder as they crowd towards me with thanks and gratitude. Some with tears in their eyes. After assisting families, children...everyone our ships were set for sail.

Our sail back to The Aurora Den is quiet but mighty. The silence spoke for itself as each face of the survivors showed what they each truly wanted to say.

In the crowd on the ship, I notice a small woman that's at least 5'3. She comforts those who have seemingly lost someone in the fight. She checks for wounds and cares for them with a caring touch. She has warm brown skin that's slightly lighter than my own and kaleidoscopic eyes that shimmer different colors under the setting sun. She has auburn red locks and elven ears that have different earrings along her lobe. I'd guess she was a nature elf.

In fact Moonbourne consisted of different nature faeries.  Nymphs, Elves, and Lycans were the three ruling creatures of Moonbourne. After years of ongoing wars between shifers, elemental fae, nymphs, witches and more creatures alike; our home was finally intergrated with equality. But witches were the ones who wanted to disrupt that peace. For years they've tried to divide our united home and seize kingdoms they thought creatures like Nymphs or Lycans didn't deserve.

I smile and walk up to her in hopes to make an acquaintance through this heavy tragedy.

"Head Delta Elysia Wolfe of Silver Fields" I introduce with a steady hand out.

"Healer Blythe Lunnir of Autumncrest" She shakes my hand. Her hand is cold and shaking with slight fear. Yet through this, she was willing to help others instead of herself. Remarkable.

"Is everything okay Healer Lunnir?"

"My home is ruined. Friends turned to beasts...I'm just shocked and angry I guess. I almost died out there if that ruggish man with the beard didn't step in" She says pointing towards Cade who was drinking from a flask. He was watching the frozen ocean with a far away look on his face. "Today was a sad day"

"Yeah it was. By the way the man that saved you would be Lord Cadell Moonchild. Legacy of Voreia Clan and the younger brother of Alpha Ries"

"He's cute" She says with blush on her cheeks.

I laugh and shrug before saying, "I guess...but I have a question. What is an elf from the West doing in The Northern Reach?"

"Good question...I um just wanted a change of scenery and well...Lycans are very under represented with their medical care." She says.

"That sounds like generous work. An elf who cares for Lycan health care, never though I'd see the day"

"Yeah well...I try my best Elysia" She says with a tight smile. "My family is pretty against my work but I think it's making quite the change"