Year 73

  *As the months go by, Emma spends more time with Arthur, going from him belittling her constantly to ignoring her as she waits in the corner, watching him play.*

  Arthur: When is my Dad coming to visit?

  Emma: I’m sure the master will stop by later today. He has been joining us every other night, hasn't he?

  Arthur: Yeah…

  *A knock comes from the door, and Arthur runs to his father. Argon hugs Arthur before sitting down, his face dripping in sweat, he smiles and looks at Arthur, taking a breath between words.*

  Argon: How. Was. Your. Day?

  *Arthur starts going on about what he has been doing all day. Emma looks at he master with confusion. After a while, Arthur quiets down as he falls asleep leaning against his father.*

  Emma: Master, are you okay?

  Argon: How? Is. He?

  Emma: He doesn’t glare at me as much. Only when he doesn’t like something.

  Argon: *Smiles* Good.

  Emma: Master. Are you okay? You seem more tired than usual.

  Argon: Busy day. Here.

  *Argon hands Emma some papers.*

  Argon: Those are his documentation. His new Legal name will be Doil. I decided to forgo a last name. I never had one, so he’ll be fine. I don’t want him to see me waste away. So I’m going to get a situation going on where he will think he needs to run. I’ll stay to “Help.”

  *Argon coughs for a moment, and Emma notices blood.*

  Argon: I’ll let you know more later. For now, just keep up your normal duties. I’ll have a ride for you two waiting, but he doesn’t know how to ride.

  Emma: Understood, master.

  Argon: When I die, the bracelet won’t work anymore. It is linked to my health. So I’m going to ask you something. Not as your master. But as a father. Please protect my boy.

  Emma: I’ll pass it on to him as a keepsake when that day comes.

  Argon: Good.

  *Emma helps her master stand up. He leaves the room, and Emma lays a blanket over Arthur.*

  Emma: Goodnight, Doil. I promise. I’ll keep your father's promise to see the world soon.

  *That night Emma has a dream, she sees the child's chair, but without her memories, she just watches in confusion as the letters that make up his name take the shape of common lettering and writes out Doil on the name plate before it. Emma wakes up the next morning with no memory of the dream.*

  —--------------------------------

  *One evening, a large explosion can be heard coming from down the way. Emma quickly grabs Arthur, and they run out of the room like she had been instructed.*

  Arthur: What about Dad?!

  Emma: He told me in the event of an attack to meet with him in a safe location with you later. I promise.

  *Emma feels her magic return, and the bracelet glows for a moment. Lily appears in her smaller form, unconscious and unharmed. Emma freezes, in shock at everything happening at once.*

  Arthur: I don’t want to leave without Dad!

  *Emma regains her focus and scoops up Lily before using her stealth to escape with Arthur. After a few days, they reach a small cabin in the woods. Arthur quickly falls asleep inside, and Emma sits outside with Lily in her lap. She hums to herself and begins to cry while petting Lily. She still rests unconscious, but with a smile on her face.*

  *Emma lifts her arm and looks at the bracelet.*

  Emma: Master… Are you there?

  *With no response, she holds Lily tightly as she cries. With no previous memories and her only mission being to protect Arthur. Morning starts to rise, and Emma hears Arthur waking up as a door opens. She walks inside, and he looks at her with tears in his eyes.*

  Arthur: Where’s Dad?

  Emma: *Smiles* You just missed him. He has to go meet with some people in Aronton.

  *Arthur sniffs and wipes away his tears.*

  Arthur: Okay.

  Emma: Where is somewhere you have always wanted to go?

  Arthur: Ummmm.

  *Arthur pokes his forehead as he thinks.*

  Arthur: I can’t remember what it was called.

  Emma: That’s fine.

  *Arthur sits next to Emma and pets Lily. He smiles as he forgets about the situation for a moment.*

  Emma: What was special about this place?

  Arthur: Mom met Dad there.

  Emma: Did they ever tell you anything about it?

  Arthur: They said they went swimming, and that’s why I like water.

  Emma thinking: Why did you never tell me where to take him, Master?

  Emma: Where else do you want to go? We can make a list and go to all of them, until Master catches up to us.

  *Arthur nods and stands up. He walks inside, and Emma soon follows. Arthur sits at a table with Spike, talking to him softly, making faces in response. Emma makes a bed for Lily as she prepares food. After a week passes, Emma and Arthur head out. She dresses Arthur to hide most of his scales. Lily rests inside a sling wrapped around Emma. She swaps her hair and eye color to avoid anyone recognizing her. She looks down at Arthur and smiles.*

  Emma: I’m so grateful you don’t have a tail. I can’t imagine hiding that.

  Arthur: Dad said I had a tail when I was born, and they cut it off before I could remember.

  Emma: Does that make you sad?

  Arthur: Sometimes. Because when I grow up and go on adventures, I want to use it to whip people.

  Emma: *Giggles* Well, we are already on an adventure.

  *Arthur gasps at the realization. He smiles and grabs Spike from his bag. He holds him tightly as he walks.*

  Arthur: We’re on our first adventure, Spike!

  *Emma smiles as Arthur bounces around happily.*

  Emma: Remember. You have to go by Doil from now on.

  Doil: I know. *Disappointed* But why do you get to keep your name?

  Emma: Well. What do you want to call me?

  *Doil looks at Emma and thinks hard.*

  Doil: I don’t know.

  Emma: That’s fine. You can decide later. For now, I’ll address myself as just your trusted guardian. It’s not unheard of for nobles to hire Nanny Slaves.

  Doil: You keep saying that word.

  Emma: What word?

  Doil: The bad word.

  *Emma looks at Doil in confusion.*

  Doil: The Sl-word.

  Emma: Oh? I didn’t know.

  Doil: Dad said it once, and when I asked him about it, he told me it was a bad word. Like when he smells funny and calls me “Little Sh.”

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  *Emma looks at Doil, too stunned for words.*

  Emma: Do you know what I am?

  Doil: Yeah. An Elf. Dad works with them.

  Emma: Buddy…

  *Doil turns around, his innocent smile makes her pause.*

  Doil: Yeah?

  Emma: *Slow smile* You’re so smart.

  *As they get closer to the town of Dueark, a small village. As they enter the village, Emma finds signs posted about her Master. She notices some writing below.*

  “Any information on the alleged child of the Traitorous Argon Buckgut is to be brought to a guard immediately.”

  *Emma takes Doil into a nearby store. The bell rings as the door opens. The owner is an elderly Human. He makes a face of disappointment upon seeing Emma. The general store looks fairly stocked. Doil notices some candy, and Emma lays her hand on his back, speaking to him telepathically.*

  Emma(T): Focus, Doil. We need to ask for directions.

  *The man speaks with a bitterness, as if mad at the world.*

  Man: Elves need to stay outside.

  Doil: We just needed directions to Humston.

  Man: Humston? Never heard of it.

  *Emma holds onto Doil and uses telepathy.*

  Emma: What about Wallshburg?

  *Doil repeats*

  Man: Wallshburg? From here? Your best bet is to head east and catch a ferry from the Greycoast. I hear that takes people to a town just east of there. Can’t say I’ve heard the name of it, though. Never been interested myself. *Pause* But what business does a young boy such as yourself have so far away?

  Doil: I’m looking for my lost sister. We received a letter of news she was located in Humston, a town near Wallshburg.

  Man: Well, be careful. They’re looking for a boy about your age.

  Doil: Who is?

  Man: Lord Vern. People are saying he poisoned the Lady of the house.

  *Emma uses magic to confuse Doil. As he stumbles, she catches him.*

  Man: Oh, she’s a nursing elf. Why didn’t you say so, boy?

  Emma: I apologize for our rudeness, but I should get him a place to lie down.

  Man: You can lay him down in the back.

  Emma: Thank you.

  *Emma takes Doil to the back, where she lays him down on a couch next to some chairs and a coffee table and casts a spell.*

  Man: He’s doing pretty well for someone with newborn disease.

  Emma: This is his first trip. He normally likes toy play at home.

  *The man leaves and comes back with some drinks. He sits one down for Emma before sitting down himself.*

  Devin: Names Devin Chapmin.

  Emma: He goes by Doil Tufano.

  Devin: Interesting last name.

  Emma: Yeah, I never was told where it came from. The Mistress is normally on business, so I only ever met her once or twice in passing.

  Devin: Well, it definitely sounds southern. *Store bell dings* Oh. I have to go out front. If he wakes up, let me say goodbye before you two leave.

  *As Doil wakes up, Devin returns.*

  Devin: Oh, good. I know you have a long way. So I grabbed some grounding crystals.

  *Devin hands them to Doil, and he looks at them with a puzzled look. *

  Devin: They’ll help keep you centered. I get them from a beastkin once a month.

  Doil: What do I do with it?

  Devin: I hear some adventurers use them to cast earth magic. Dwarves can use it to strengthen their magic. But for someone with newborns, it can help you stay awake.

  *Emma pats Doil on the back.*

  Doil: Thank you.

  Devin: *Smiles* Of course.

  *The two leave, Doil waves happily with his new crystal in hand, smiling. As the walk down the road, Doil pulls Spike out from his bag and begins playing with him.*

  Emma: *Giggles* Does Spike like your new crystal?

  Doil: Uh-huh. *Nods* But. *Emma looks at him.* How is a fairy going to get us to where we’re going?

  Emma: What do you mean?

  Doil: I thought fairies were those small flying things.

  Emma: Oooohhh. Not a fairy, a ferry.

  *Emma chuckles as Doil looks at her in confusion.*

  Emma: You are correct. Those fairies won’t be of any use. The ferry we will go on is a giant boat.

  Doil: Have you ever seen a fairy?

  Emma: My memories are all fuzzy because of the bad people, before your father rescued me.

  Doil: Can you still remember your Mom and Dad?

  *Emma makes a smirk as she tries to hide a frown.*

  Emma: No. But I did manage to read that spirits can’t lose memories. *Looks down* So when Lily wakes up, she’ll be able to help me remember it all.

  Doil: Do all spirits sleep so long?

  Emma: Well, she’s been locked away for a few years.

  Doil: Maybe she can’t wake up.

  Emma: She will. Because I can still feel her. *smiles*

  *As they reach the road between Howthorn and Kathaton, a scream is heard. The two notice a trade caravan under attack.*

  Doil: You’re gonna save them, right?

  Emma: If that is your wish.

  *As a guard is cut down, a small girl is heard screaming again. Behind a man wearing Merchant robes. Emma lifts Lily in the sling and places her with Doil. Doil places Spike with her and looks up to her.*

  Emma: Keep her safe. Okay?

  *Doil nods and Emma disappears from view.*

  *As the bandits close in on the caravan, one reaches for the child. The bandit's hand flies in the air. Emma places the girl away from the bandits. The girl screams again as Emma places her down.*

  Emma: Follow the road.

  *The girl speaks in human, Emma is unable to understand except for the word. “Papa”. Emma smiles and nods to the girl before turning to the bandits. Most of them turn their attention to Emma and the girl.*

  Bandit: Tell you what, Elf. You surrender, and we’ll let the girl run.

  *Emma smiles as she turns to the men. Her eyes turn green, and one of the bandits yells out.*

  Bandit2: She’s not Argon’s girl, is she?

  Bandit3: If she is, that just means our paycheck just got a lot bigger.

  *A bandit whistles to alert everyone.*

  Leader: Change of plans! Grab the elf!

  *The bandits surround Emma. She stands still. Waiting. *

  Leader: Why don’t you bring us to his child while you're at it?

  *He reaches out to grab Emma, and she disappears; A clone. The bandits look around in a panic, and screams come from near the caravan as Emma helps the merchant down from his cart. Before the Leader can make a move, he watches as half his men drop to the ground. Emma glares at the bandits as the merchant runs past them.*

  Emma: You were saying? From the sounds of things. You know something of what happened to my master.

  *The Leader is isolated in a dark space; to everyone else, he just looks empty. Some of the bandits try to leave, but as they reach the woods, Emma’s knives slit their throats. With only the leader left. Emma releases her hold on him. He drops to his knees and looks at her with fear in his eyes.*

  Emma: What do you know?

  Leader: Li-Li-Listen, I-I wasn’t there. I-I just heard about the raid.

  Emma: Who organized the raid?

  Leader: Probably a noble who was mad that his bet fell through.

  *Emma starts to walk away from the Man. He starts to stand.*

  Leader: Can- Can I go now?

  Emma: What’s your name?

  Leader: Rodney.

  Emma: How well do you know the Human territories?

  Rodney: *Confused* You mean the kingdoms?

  Emma: I don’t know what you call them.

  Rodney: I know all the roads from Erbesh to Loswor.

  Emma: Good. Wait for me in Loswor. I have needs for someone who knows the area.

  Rodney: To Loswor. I’ve never gone to the Greycoast.

  *The merchant cautiously approaches Emma and Rodney. Emma turns her head toward him, and she rolls her eyes.*

  Emma: I told you to wait!

  *The merchant looks confused as Doil walks out with the girl.*

  Merchant: E-Excuse me. I’m confused. Are you helping us?

  Doil: She was scared, and you stopped fighting.

  Emma: Because Rodney here might be able to help us.

  *As everyone stands around Rodney. The merchant begins checking his goods. Returning with his daughter hiding behind him after a moment.*

  Merchant: I’d like to thank you. My name is Gregory Walker. I’m not sure what's going on, but I heard you need help with directions. I’d be willing to offer you a map. It’s a little hard to read, though.

  Rodney: I can read a map.

  Emma: Good. You can come with us then. And if you give us trouble. I’ll just kill you.

  *The merchant brings out a map and hands it to Rodney hesitantly.*

  Gregory: Listen. *Looks to Emma.* I’m in need of a new guard after his men killed my last ones. I’m going to Hawthorn. I can pay you what I was going to pay them.

  Emma: I’m already a guard. *Looks to Doil*

  Gregory: Damn. Well. If you’re ever in the Quailst region, check out one of my stores, Gregory’s Generals.

  Emma: *Smiles* I’ll be sure to check it out.

  *As Gregory leaves, Doil walks over to Emma, hands her Lily, then runs over to Rodney.*

  Doil: Who are you?

  *Doil looks up at Rodney as he looks down at Doil with a confused look on his face.*

  Rodney: So, where are you two heading?

  *Before Emma can respond, Doil blurts out.*

  Doil: We’re looking for my Dad.

  Rodney: Okay? So you are Argon’s kid?

  *Doil's face lights up. Rodney begins to realize the potential of the situation when he locks eyes with Emma. Using her magic, she makes herself look larger and her eyes almost begin to glow. *

  Doil: You know my Dad?! *Smile*

  *Emma stands back and waits.*

  Rodney: I’ve never met him. *Squats* I’ve heard a lot, though. *side eyes Emma.* If you’d like, we can take the river and reach Loswor just before winter.

  Doil: How do you take a river?

  Rodney: *Smiles* We’d walk along it or use a boat. Come on. It’s not very crowded until you get to Tea Lake.

  *As Rodney starts to walk, Doil happily follows. Emma walks behind. Watching Rodney’s every move. His breath. His mannerisms. His intention. Doil starts asking question after question, while Rodney occasionally peeks back and swiftly looks away from her glare. As they get further into the forest, they eventually reach a brown river. Emma looks at it in disgust. Rodney turns to Emma.*

  Rodney: It’s from the tea plants that grow along the river. The town around Tea Lake is the world's largest exporter of tea.

  Doil: I don’t like tea.

  *Doil sticks out his tongue.*

  Rodney: Have you tried adding sugar?

  Doil: I like milk and sugar.

  *Emma smiles, holding back laughing.*

  Rodney: I enjoy the bitterness. I find it helps wake me up. What about you, elf?

  *Rodney looks back toward Emma.*

  Emma: First off. He doesn’t mean with tea. Second. I don’t care for human drinks. They taste like I’m eating the forest.

  Rodney: Don’t you just eat salads?

  Emma: *Offended* Why, because I’m an elf? I don’t know who started that stereotype, but no.

  Rodney: Well, every elf I’ve ever met has been either some noble's teacher. Or a… Well.

  *Doil looks at him in confusion. Emma grabs him softly and pulls him close and squats down so she can whisper in his ear.*

  Emma: The ‘S’ word.

  *Doil covers his mouth. Emma stands up and looks at Rodney.*

  Emma: How long until we reach town?

  Rodney: A fortnight, and with any luck, the summer heat would’ve lowered the water enough to cross easily enough. Otherwise, it’ll take at least a month because of the terrain.

  Emma: Then lead the way…

  *Doil looks up at Emma. She looks down at him and smiles as their eyes meet.*

  Doil: I like him. He has fun stories.

  Emma: That’s good. Just don’t get too attached. He’ll probably have things to get back to after helping us.

  Rodney: Not since you ki– I mean. *Clears throat* Yeah, I have to find some people to work for me.

  Doil: Okay…

  *Doil looks down and Emma rubs his head as they start walking along the river.*