Untold Tales

Kids These Days

Zorlon just about finished unloading the last bit of magical items in his collection to his new study in the stronghold. He quickly summoned a clipboard, double checking to see if everything was accounted for.

Arcane objects: check

Ingredients for reverse spells: check

Books of known beasts: check

Souvenirs from-

Zorlon's thoughts were abruptly cut short as he winced at the sound of certain young elf.

"EEEEEEEEKKKKK!" THIS STUFF IS AWESOME!"

That loud, high pitched voice was enough to wake up the dead, nevermind make the mage's ears bleed. Opening one eye, he saw Piper looking at all the magical items he brought in.

"Shouldn't you be in bed right now, Piper?" Zorlon inquired, not all too thrilled about his peace and quiet disrupted. "It's almost midnight."

"Meh, couldn't sleep." Piper said. "It's one of the downsides to being an elf, we're just too full of energy." She giggled, looking around the room full of magic items. "Sooo, whatcha doin'?"

"I just finished unloading that last bit of my magical items." Zorlon said firmly, still looking at his clipboard. "Just need quickly double check before calling it a night."

"How fun." Piper said, her attention locked on what appeared to be a treasure chest. It appeared to be locked tight. "What's in here? Lost treasure?" She was about to touch it until Zorlon Intervened.

"Those are spare zombie parts, ingredients to cure zombification should an outbreak occur."

Piper then stepped back a little, a little unnerved by the undead content in the chest. "Has an outbreak occurred?"

"One hundred times within the last century, as a matter of fact."  As an added precaution, Zorlon summoned some chains, so no one, particularly the immature elf before him, could open it.

"Wooooowie", Piper Whispered in awe. She turned to look around some more. "What about this one?" She pointed at what appeared to be a mere talisman. She picked it up and it glowed a bright purple color, which she was awed by.

"Don't touch that!" Zorlon quickly snatched away the talisman, placing back in place. "That is the talisman of Xalazar. Useful artifact in the right hands, can easily teleport the handler to another of the eight realms."

"There are seven other realms other than our own?! Awesome! What are they?" Piper grabbed Zorlon's coat and started tugging it, wanting to know.

"A lesson for another time." he started, pulling his coat away then turning his attention back to his clipboard. "In the meantime, you need to vacate my study; these are powerful magical artifacts, not toys. Besides, you and the others have a full session of training tomo-"

Zorlon then winced at the sudden sound of an explosion behind him, dropping his clipboard in the process. He did not want to look and see what happened, but he had to know. He turned to see the aftermath, only to find Piper comically covered in soot, holding a magical scepter, with her pigtails frenzied. On the whole, she seemed unharmed, blinking several times.

Zorlon gave a very stern look, standing tall and crossing his arms. He turned his back for two seconds, and this happened. Piper smiled innocently, placing the scepter back to its rightful place. After a quick look in a mirror, she couldn't help but laugh at how ridiculous she looked under the soot.

Zorlon couldn't help but shake his head a little. Note to self, child proof everything in this study. After picking up his clipboard, he quickly read through it.

"Perfect, everything is accounted for." He then approached his desk, to which he put away his clipboard and pulled a book from said desk, reading it intently. After shaking off all the soot, Piper decided to be nosy and see what the seemingly gruff mage was reading.

After seeing the title, the exuberant elf's eyes were so wide, as was her smile. "Oh my gods! Is that Larry Botter and The Mage's Stone?!"

"No!" Zorlon tried to hide the book, not wanting to admit he was kind of a geek. As soon as he saw the smug look in Piper's face, he sighed in defeat. "Okay, yes."

"Eeeeek! I love that book!" After a moment of excitement, she spoke a bit more softly. "It was always my favorite when I was younger." That was when Piper sounded a bit more shy, placing her arms behind her bashfully. Should I ask? No, he wouldn't do it... would he? "Um, could you... read it out loud to me?"

Zorlon raised his eyebrow curiously. She seemed a little old for bedtime stories, considering she was a preteen. He was almost inclined to say no, yet something about those big, puppy dog eyes made it very hard to do so.

"Umm... sure?" Zorlon said, a bit unsure.

"Yay!"Piper then sat on the floor, waiting with anticipation. Clearing his throat. Zorlon began reading the chapter he left off on.

***

It had been a full hour since Zorlon started reading. He managed to get in a good four chapters in, usually he would read no more than two chapters per night. Yet, he knew Piper was very invested, with such excitement in her eyes. He didn't seem to mind reading a little longer. In fact, he was actually enjoying this kind of story time.

"With his magic wand, young Botter chanted the spell which..."

Zorlon trailed off as soon as he heard Piper lightly snoring. He turned to see her sleeping on the floor, her head resting on her hands. Either his voice made it sound boring or the young elf was finally tuckered out. Either way, he couldn't just let her lay there. At the same time, he didn't want to wake her; she seemed so peaceful.

Gently as he could, Zorlon carried Piper in his arms, then proceeded to carry her to her room. Onced he entered, he placed her on her elevated bed. Then, as if paternal instinct took over, he placed a blanket over her. As he levitated down, Zorlon couldn't help but smile. Sure, Piper was a bit hyper, but she was still a sweet elf, plus she was still young. He was just about to leave her room, until...

"Don't go, dad." Piper muttered in her sleep, making Zorlon stop in his tracks. He turned to look up. "You know it's dangerous at night. You could..." she then trailed off into a deep sleep before she could finish that sentence.

As Zorlon quietly left Piper's room, he took time to analyze Piper's words. If he had to guess, it was a repressed memory, before she was an orphan. Curious as he was, he decided to let it go; intuition told him it was a very sensitive subject. All things considered, he could probably guess what happened.

He then wore a sad expression. Hearing the word "dad" just reminded him of his past. He took out the locket
that he had been keeping in his coat, gazing at his late daughter and wife. He then shed a small tear in his left eye. Why are the innocents always the ones who suffer?

Zorlon then wiped away his one tear, wearing a firm expression as he walked off.