For Everly & other D&d collections

Family

I was sitting in a corner under something like a desk or a table I couldn't tell what. I was young I could tell that much and I was holding a sleeping baby. We were hiding from something. The door in the room opens I freeze in terror. Footsteps get closer and closer. I hold the baby tighter or a tight as possible with child arms. I want to cry I can feel tears coming.

"Dewdrop." A familiar voice greets. I'm not sure who it is but I know the voice. I see a pair of brown boots with gold detailing, and black trousers.

"Mama?" I say in a soft whisper.

The woman squats down to my level. I can't make out her features but I can make out her black hair. Hair that looks just like mine and just like the tuft on the baby's head. She pats my head lovingly then strokes my cheek. I can feel my heart warm through the fear. All my worried melted as she stroked my cheek.

"You need to protect her. Daphne needs you." She stands back up and encourages me to my feet. I get up as best I can holding a baby but I'm definitely to small. She walks us over to the door she came in. " go out the back and run. Papa and I will find you but you keep going until you're safe."

A crash comes from the other end of the building. I feel myself jump and cling to my mothers legs. She brushes me off then gives me a loving hug.

"Be safe dewdrop." She kisses my forehead "run" she shoves me out of the door.

I don't waste a second before running into the woods. I hear yelling, arguing, magic, I cling to the baby in my arms. I was too small, she was slipping from my grip. I didn't stop for a second I just kept going. I ran until I couldn't hear yelling, I ran until I could hear animals. Animals stayed where it's safe. It's cold I can see my breath but there isn't any snow. I feel my face burning from the cold but I just keep going through the thick forest on my tiny legs struggling to keep a grip on the baby.

I sit straight up in my head a cold sweat all over my body. It was a dream. I feel my face, tears were streaking my cheeks. No this was a memory. I swing my legs over the side of my bed and stand up. I just need a glass of water then I'll calm down. I look down on my bed and see a thin layer of frost, My magic. I hadn't lost control of my magic since I was adopted. Sure it happened at the orphanage but since I've learned control.... never.

"Honey are you ok?" Dad says

"Everly?" Pera calls after him

Dad and Pera come running into my room. They both look really concerned.

"Yeah I had a bad dream." I pull my covers up so they can't see the frost.

"Ridiculous." Pera walks over to me and pulls the covers off again "how long has this been happening?" They give me the look I hate. Dead eyes, one eyebrow raised and crossed arms.

"This is the first time." I say defensively.

"And what were your trying to accomplish by hiding?"

"I'm not a kid if I want to tell you about a problem I will. My magic is in control. I had a nightmare and my control slipped." I start to walk past them

"This is why you can't leave the castle you're not ready." Pare says in an exasperated tone.

"No!" I feel my temper snap. My temper never snaps but I was sick and tired of being told I'm not ready. "I'm not allowed out of the castle because then you wouldn't be able to control me! You'd lose your Heir and then you'd have wasted all that time raising me!" I grab my satchel

"Honey where are you going?" Dad grabs my arm

"For a walk." I shimmy my arm free. "I'll be back in a bit." I give him a soft smile. He pats my head.

"Take your time." He watched me walk down the hall.

I make my way out of the castle and to the stable. I saddle my horse and head off toward the woods. I had no real plans for this ride but I think my heart knew it was time. I needed to leave, I needed to find myself, and I needed to know what my dream was about. I ride my horse north to the sea. And slowly we trot along the beach. The waves have always eased my soul

"Dewdrop." I say to myself and brush my hand along my cheek. That was my mom why don't I remember her? Or why I haven't until now.

"I'm not really one for pet names but if that's what you want to call me I can learn to live it." A familiar voice calls to me from 10 or 20 feet away.

"Please leave me alone." I start to turn my horse around. The last think I need is a cocky dragon on my life especially now.

"Not a chance Everly!" He hops down from his boat and runs over to me. "I know that look. You're up to something." He grabs the reigns and for a second I'm actually glad to have him here though I wasn't sure why I felt that way. I assume I wanted someone to talk to and he would do."Now I want to hear what you're up to. I owe you one and this is how I'll help you."

I climb down from my horse and follow him back up to the boat. He sits me at a table in the captains quarters and then gives me a glass of tea.

"I'm the princess." I sigh and take the tea.

"This I'm aware of" he takes the seat across from mine.

"But I'm adopted. I don't know where I'm from or who I am." I sip at the tea and avoid eye contact "and I had this dream that I know is a memory from when I little..... I woke up before I really know what it meant.... and I lost control of my magic."

"So you want answers?" He laughs.

"I don't think it's funny." I say quietly and somewhat embarrassed

"No it's not but why do you think anyone goes to sea? For answers." He smiles "you have the spirit of a pirate!"

"You can't possibly think I'll throw way my family for you?" I stand up and start to leave

"Everly I'm not asking you to throw away your family. I offering to help you find your family. This isn't for me this is for you." I finally look at him and not a inch of him is kidding. He has the same look he did when he was talking to Pare. I like that look, determined.

"We'll be hunted down." I walk back toward him.

"We won't be caught."

"I've never sailed before."

"I'm a good teacher and you're a smart girl."

"This is worth way more than a couple silver." I hold out my had to him

"I'm sure you'll make it up to me." He takes it.

I help him raise anchor and we set off. We head east toward the far end of Pare's territory. And before day break we were far gone. There was no going back.