The Frost Phoenix

Chapter 2

The young half-elf druid stuck to the shadows knowing that she could still be getting hunted down. After walking for half a day without being spotted she sat down under the shade. She wore a navy blue cloak with a grey belt and interior of the cloak. It was given to her the night before she left to help her keep hidden from the elves. She had the hood up as it hung low enough to cover the upper part of her face from those passing by. Her adoptive father told her it was a gift from Mashina, the town's leader, however, she was told she must wear it anytime she isn't in her room at an inn. Though the half-elf found it somewhat amusing she knew why he had told her to wear and she had to agree with his reasoning. After eating a piece of bread and some dried deer she got up continuing on her way. It wasn't until the next day where she had to leave the hill covered planes and go through the forest did she feel as if she were being watched. However she couldn't tell if it was because of her exhaustion or not, she hadn't taken any breaks besides to eat. She stopped at an oak tree letting out a sigh she looked up upon spotting two sturdy looking branches next to each other she smirked. The half-elf took a couple steps back before tossing her staff up the curved edges barely managing to keep it from falling. Great now all I have to do is get up there then I can sleep before traveling the rest of the way.

Norril scaled the tree carefully keeping most of her weight off the weaker branches knowing she couldn't afford to even slip or it would hinder her progress so far. When she finally got to the branches she secured her sack and staff before stretching out across the branches. It wasn't the most comfortable thing however it would keep others from noticing her right away and keep most wild animals from attacking. She stared up at the sky through a gap between the clusters of leaves, a small smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. Closing her eyes she drifted off as slumber dragged her down into a dream she hated far more than anything in her life.

She was back when her father and mother were killed. She was hiding under the hut they lived in when the group had attacked. She watched in terror as the half-orc broke down the door while her mother was cooking supper. Her mother turned to the group before demanding" who are you, why are you here?!"

One of the dwarfs spoke in a rough voice" the elven council put a bounty out for Yindan's death along with his family. It's a shame really you are quite a beautiful woman to bad you choose the wrong elf to be with." The tiefling lunged forwards, his sword slicing down her mother's back when she went to grab a sword they always kept up out of Norril's reach. Her mother let out a scream of pain however it didn't last long before she fell into a pool of her own blood Norril flinched violently covering her mouth holding back a scream for her mother. The group trashed the hut looking for her; she knew they were most likely having been told the two had a child. The reason why she came to the conclusion was that they didn't take anything of value. Just as they were leaving Yindan stabbed the human through the chest fury in his eyes she could barely see through the gaps in the floor. She put a hand against the floor, her heart racing as tears fell from her eyes.

Yindan snarled at them venom in every word" you dare enter my place and kill my wife you won't live to see another day!" He yanked the sword out just as the group ran towards him Norril moved silently over to a hole that led to her hiding spot. Looking out as she heard the sounds of swords clashing and her father's battlecry something he would use when they would play sword fighting with sticks when they would be gathering wood. Looking out with terrified blue eyes she saw her father had already taken out the human and a dwarf. He didn't look it however he was rather strong and a skilled shortsword dual wielder. At this moment he was blocking the tiefling and half-orc struggling with a gash in his side. The dwarf ran forwards knocking Yindan's leg out from under him just as the two were about to strike he used the fall to his advantage rolling forwards. The tiefling and half-orc ended up striking each other, the tiefling wincing as the half-orc let out several curses. The elf lunged at the two as they were trying to recover enough to focus. He struck down the tiefling before he was sent stumbling back with a gash across his chest staining the white fabric. He dropped one of the short swords clutching the wound as he was taking in shallow shaking breaths. During the fight Norril had snuck out of her hiding spot and into the hut.