The Sanctuary

Prologue

The blade sliced through the air with a sharp whistle, only to meet another stationary blade with a clang. Birds scattered from their flocks in the trees as the sound resonated through the still atmosphere. A soft grunt emitted as the small hands struggled to keep the blade within their grasp.

"Keep it steady, Nov!" A voice bellowed as another metallic clang emitted. This one was followed by a soft gasp of pain. The small hands couldn't keep it up, the blade dropped to the ground, skidding across the rubble. The child panted as the sword came to a stop a couple feet past her.

"You're dead." The voice said softly. Her eyes peered at the sharp metal inches away from her throat. The opponent lowered his sword and sighed softly, "You cannot call yourself an Evnath if you aren't proficient in swordsmanship." The man stared down at the child who was simply staring at her hands, there were blisters forming from her tight grip around the hilt. He clicked his tongue and nodded, "That's enough for today, young one."

The child looked up quickly and protested immediately, "Father, I can practice more." He immediately shook his head and walked past her, picking up the small blade.

"Give your body a rest, Nov." He retorted, not wanting her to over exert her body. He walked off towards the hut off in the distance.

Nov stared at the blades in his hands and sighed, following after him. Her eyes wandered across the rubble as she walked beside him. He sensed the child's discouragement and glanced over. "You'll get there one day, lass. You just need more practice." He gave her a small smile as he nodded. "After all young one, you're an Evnath." Her eyes lit up as she stared up at him, though just a small conversation, it was very uplifting for the kid. The father looked back towards the hut, a woman was standing outside the entrance, watching them as they approached.

"How did she do, dear?" The woman's voice was soft, and to the child very calming. Novrel glanced up at her mother and smiled wide.

"Father taught me to protect myself." She felt proud to share this with her mother. The woman cast a soft glare towards the father before looking back down at Nov.

"That's great to hear, dear. You should always know how to protect yourself, especially in these parts." Her hand brushed across the girl's cheek before gesturing towards the door. "Dinner is ready, dear, go serve yourself and your father." The child ran off inside, while the two parents stayed outside.

Nov glanced at the fire burning under the pot, her mother had made stew from yesterday's venture to the capital. She poured a bowl for her father, then for herself. She set the bowls down on the table before taking a seat and awaiting her parents arrival. Her pale blue eyes wandered around the small hut, it wasn't much but she didn't mind. The fire cast a dim light across the table and the two beds. There were no rooms, just separated spaces for each activity. She had been sitting at the table for about five minutes now, she had grown impatient. Nov slid out of the chair and walked back to the door. The wooden door was slightly ajar, she peered out through the crack, her parents were just outside.

"Victor, you can't be training her with a sword. Are you insane?" She was staring at the man, expecting him to apologize.

He groaned and pointed towards the woods in the distance. "Elaine, it isn't safe out there. For anyone." He raised the two swords, "Would you rather her know and not need to protect herself or not know and can't protect herself." Elaine shook her head and was about to protest before he interrupted her, "And on top of that she's a refugee, we can't keep her safe her whole life. There will be a point when someone comes for her. You think it isn't noticeable? Look at her ears. She can be identified as an elf no matter where she goes."

Elaine sighed and turned towards the door, "Just... make sure she doesn't get hurt." Nov noticed her turn and ran back towards the table. She slid into the chair as the door opened. Her eyes fixated on her mother who was smiling at her, as if the argument hadn't happened a few moments ago. "Thank you dear, for serving your father." She said softly. Nov nodded and looked down at the stew. Her father came in shortly after, he had put the swords up. He closed the wooden door behind him and walked to the table, taking a seat next to Novrel. He watched Elaine as she served herself some of the stew. She took a seat and began to eat, the table was silent. Usually they would talk about the events unfolding with the capital. Lately there had been an uprising between the capital and some unknown extremists.