The Frost Phoenix

Chapter 1

Norril was eighteen now ten years had passed since her parents had been killed Valkarn was so similar to her father being both caring and stubborn. She was always amused by how much they were alike she supposed it was because of that she ended up attaching herself to him. However, over time she had seemed to grow distant and somewhat cold yet she refused to say the reason why despite both Valkarn and Mashina's persistence. Today she was sitting alone on a hill after leaving Telmox, which became more of a town after she was twelve. She refused to tell anyone that while she was studying in school she was being mocked and picked on for actually being a crossdressing female. No one could tell that she was a female anymore unless someone told them because at the age of sixteen her voice became somewhat masculine. Those who knew however were relentless enough so that she had left the town more days than not. She felt bad for causing her adoptive father to worry but she didn't want to make him upset so she would lie to him. Saying things like 'I went outside to speak with the fae I've been learning their language that's why I'm gone more times than not.'

She sighed as she picked up a piece of wood she was carving for about a week now mumbling to herself" I hate them. I wish they would just leave me alone. It's not like I've done anything wrong by wearing different clothes. I'm not weird, stupid, or have some kind of scar so they shouldn't be staring at me." She leaned back as she was finishing her carving, smiling at it seeing it was like nothing like it before. It was a quarterstaff she was training and studying to become a druid however this staff was like no other. The top of it was sorta like a trident with three points however that's as far as it was similar. The longest point, being the left side, curved backward leaving about an inch gap from the second-largest point, being the right side. The center point was the shortest however in the center there was a carved inwards slot as if it were meant for a gem of some sort. At the opposite end was sharpened to a point it looked more like a melee weapon rather than just a normal staff. She didn't care though as soon as she would get back to the town she was going to paint it and get an elemental gem for the center. Her ears twitched slightly though they weren't able to move like a feline; they still would twitch at any sudden noise.

She whirled around her dark blue eyes scanning the treeline for anything that would have caused a twig to snap. Norril inherited darkvision from her father which came in handy at times this being one of them. Her heart started racing as she saw three beings waiting in silence. The half-elf didn't waste even a moment after spotting them before she got to her feet picking up the handcrafted staff. The group went to grab her however before they had a chance she had taken off sprinting. The rogue a halfling took up the chase he was taken aback however when the half-elf turned sharply impaling the halfling's arm with the two points. Despite what most thought her father taught her how to defend herself so not a moment after she kicked the halfling away from her. She entered Telmox while the rogue was recovering Valkarn and Mashina spotted Norril along with several guards with them. Blood dripped off her staff as Norril spotted the group she ran over to them panting as the three beings came into sight looking pissed. The halfling was holding his arm behind him, the other two were an elf and tiefling.

Valkarn pulled Norril behind him as he took his sword out of its sheath that was strapped two his side as he demanded" just who do you three think you are?!" The three were taken aback by the threat now in front of them. Valkarn shouted at them with the promise of harm in his eyes if they didn't comply" answer the question!"

The elf spoke up his eyes watching the half-elf hidden behind the human" I am not required to do so I am to be rid of that half-elf that is all." Norril's heart was racing as she gripped her father's shirt.

Mashina said, moving close as did the guards making a living shield between them" you shall not touch even a hair or Norril's head or you will lose your own. She is protected by the town of Telmox you mess with her and you mess with all of us. So why have you come here to kill her?!" Her amber eyes seemed to be almost like embers with how fearsome her gaze was.

The tiefling said" you don't scare us, none of you do. I find it amusing that you're protecting the elven traitor's child. What a pity to kill any of you that's such a waste really." That got confused looks from everyone in the town in which the tiefling whistled saying" well you tell them since the traitor was of your species."

The elf narrowed those green eyes with golden flecks in them before speaking in a harsh tone" Yindan abandoned his post as the guardian of the temple of knowledge, a sanctuary for all species who come from all over. The elven race is guardians there; we are to protect both the history inside it and the council located three floors above it. Yindan soiled the elven's reputation by abandoning everything just to follow some- some filthy human! He is a disgrace, a traitor even in death he mocks us with his impure kin running around!" Norril flinched at the bite in those words however Valkarn looked enraged by that.

He spoke up anger and protectiveness entering his words" I don't care what her father has done in the past, Norril has done nothing and I will not stand aside and let you kill my daughter." That shocked them seeing as Norril acted and looked nothing like a female he said" take this back to your fucking council you damn elf I will not allow my anyone to harm her." The elf moved forwards however before anyone could fully comprehend anything Norril had enough of the insults. She lunged at the elf her staff aimed at his midsection, her heart racing when the tiefling took the blow instead her hands were shaking as she held the staff before pulling back the points impaled the tiefling in the back.

She tightened her grip, gritting her teeth before shouting" what right do you think you have! I was never a part of the elven community. My only relation to it is my father and he's dead! I'm not my father nor will I ever be like him. I may be in his bloodline however I won't just abandon anything! So fuck off before we make you regret ever showing your face here!"

The elf glared at her fury in those green eyes before he said" in time you will regret choosing to attack us. You shall find out exactly why that blasted father of yours is a traitor you impure half breed." With that, the three left Norril fell to her knees her hands quaking in fear recalling the first time she had ever witnessed bloodshed the day her parents died.

Valkarn ran over to her pulling her into a hug saying" that was the most reckless and dumbest thing you've ever done!" She looked up at him fear in her gaze as he held her tight letting out a sigh of relief saying" I'm so glad you didn't get hurt." He pulled her away meeting her gaze with a stern one saying" never do that again. If you do that again I don't think my heart could take it." She gave a small smile before he turned his gaze to her staff asking" is that what you were working on for the last week?"

Norril rubbed the back of her neck blushing slightly in embarrassment as she said" ya I was making it when I got back here I was going to try to find an elemental gem and get it painted." She was helped to her feet before she said:" I'm going now I won't leave the town a swear dad." He looked reluctant at first before agreeing to let her do as she wanted as long as she didn't leave the town. She smiled hugging him before rushing off to find an elemental gem excited now that the situation had been replaced by the idea of finishing her staff. She had found a fire elemental gem that she fitted the gem into the carved out spot. After cleaning off the stained wood she coated it in black before using orange paint to paint a jagged line going down the body of it. She also painted the orange to follow the points ending before the end of the points. After studying it for a moment she gave a small nod liking the design.

A week had passed by without another incident before Valkarn asked, putting a hand on Norril's shoulder" are you certain you want to leave? This could be the only place truly safe for you." She gave him a kind smile, a small sack next to her with three days worth of food, a map, and a canteen of water laid at her feet while her staff laid against the wall of a nearby house.

She said, pulling him into a hug" dad I'll be fine I promise after all you raised me taught me how to defend myself so I promise I'll be alright." The blonde-haired man let out a sigh before the short black haired half-elf said" I know you're worried but really I'll be okay. You have to let me go. I'll be back someday however I want to explore and you know I can't do that stuck here in Telmox."

Valkarn said though it was easy to tell he was upset at the idea" alright you win however you must stop by when you're passing by." Norril chuckled a bit before agreeing he let her go saying" be safe Norril." She picked up the bag and the staff while she gave a wave setting off with a small grin despite the small heartache she got when leaving her home behind. What drove her now was the words the elf had told them all she was determined to find out why her real father was marked a traitor to his species. That and why they were so determined to kill her for being his kin.