Year 75.2

  *Emma reaches a small village on a lake. An older Grey Demon fishes off the dock. Emma approaches him.*

  Emma: Excuse me.

  Demon: I keep telling you people. I don’t care who you send. I don’t know any damned elves. I avoid your race as much as possible.

  Emma: I was going to ask if you knew about the Cockatrice in the window?

  Demon: Yeah. It shows up at noon but only if the trees block the windows.

  *Emma nods and walks away. She stops in front of a house with two tall, thin trees on the north side of town. She knocks on the door, and a Female Human answers.*

  Emma: I’m here about the pest request.

  Human: Yes. Yes. Come in. Come in.

  *Emma steps inside, and Arthur runs up, hugging her. She looks down in shock as Elwin walks out from around the corner.*

  Arthur: Emma!

  *Arthur cries as he holds her tightly.*

  Emma: *Smiles* I told you I’d be back, didn’t I?

  Arthur:*Sniff* Yeah, but.

  Elwin: We need to head south.

  Emma: *Confused* I don’t understand. Marieanne said the Ficus was still safe.

  *Wendy walks out holding a wanted poster for one Emma Silvashade.*

  Wendy: Not when you’re the most wanted elf in Loswor.

  *Emma rolls her eyes.*

  Emma: Well, they just want me. What about you all?

  Elwin: We can take sanctuary with the Ficus’s, but we’ll need to head west.

  Emma: Okay.

  Elwin: Emma. You’re my only family. I know I’m not a fighter, but I can’t leave you.

  Emma: But Wendy and Holly?

  *Elwin looks back at his wife and daughter. Holly runs over to Elwin. Wendy makes an attempt to hide sadness behind a smile*

  Wendy: Elwin and I have decided we need some time apart. At least until this all dies down.

  *An awkward silence is broken as a male human and an older woman walk out.*

  Male: Which of you is Emma Silvashade?

  Woman: Emma. *Smiles* It’s good to see you again.

  Emma: *Confused* I’m sorry, I’m recovering…

  *Emma’s time with the ficus flashes before her.*

  Emma: Susan. It’s been way too long.

  Susan: *Chuckles* Just a couple of decades for you elves. *Smiles* I heard you were at the Glade before the fog.

  *Emma looks at Susan in confusion.*

  Susan: It’s not well known, but.

  Elwin: A thick fog surrounds the core of what was Sylvyndor.

  Emma: Was? All reports I found said.

  Wendy: It’s not put in any reports.

  Elwin: *Sighs* I need to explain why I panicked that day.

  “ You see. I happened to stumble upon James and Duke Alabaster discussing it not too long before you moved in.

  I walked out, realizing it was meant to be held in secret. I apologized for eavesdropping in an attempt to avoid hearing more crucial information. Alabasterd *Arthur snorts* seemed to be panicking, but James was completely calm. I thought it was suspicious. I lost some documents that discussed this topic. Later, hearing something about similar papers, I discovered them in a noble's home.

  Which could result in loss of title if the information gets out to the public.

  Honestly, Emma, I assumed you read them and figured it out that way.”

  Emma: I had an idea, but nothing as extreme as that. But what’s the fog?

  Susan: About four years ago, a thick fog has taken space in Sylvyndor. Anyone who enters has never been heard from again.

  Emma: Any elves?

  Susan: They don’t want any of you to know for fear they’ll lose their slaves.

  Emma: *Turns to Holly.* Are you sure? It’s going to be very dangerous for a long time.

  Holly: I’ve never been good at housework.

  Elwin: We read Keya’s adventures to her as a child.

  Emma: Okay. Well, I left a trap up the road, so we should be able to sleep here.

  *Susan turns to the man, and he shares her eyes. His hair has a white spiral throughout it.*

  Susan: Richard. Could you go get the keys?

  Richard: Of course, Mother.

  *Richard leaves, returning with a key, followed by Gemma, Emma, and Elwin’s Grandmother.*

  Emma: Grandma?!

  Gemma: Hi Emma.

  *Gemma smiles. Before she can continue talking, Emma embraces her, and a stack of papers flies loosely through the air.*

  Emma: I’m sorry.

  *Emma begins to shiver in tears, her legs giving out. Gemma sits down, holding Emma tightly.*

  Gemma: You have nothing to apologize for.

  Emma: But Dad. And Keya.

  Gemma: Emma. Look at me.

  *Gemma turns Emma’s head to face hers.*

  Gemma: Your father would never allow you to take the blame for something like this, now would he?

  *Emma sniffs and shakes her head.*

  Emma: *Softly* No.

  Susan: Gemma, come.

  *Gemma stands up and approaches Susan.*

  Susan: You helped this family through some of our hardest times, and we’re eternally grateful for your service.

  *Richard steps behind Gemma and places the key up to the collar; it slowly begins to fade away.*

  Susan: May Luna guide you to the brightest of futures.

  Gemma: Thank you, Madam Ficus.

  *Gemma turns to Emma and takes in a deep breath.*

  Emma: Wait. Are you joining us, Grandma?

  Gemma: Yes, and please call me Maggie.

  *Emma nods joyfully, smiling from ear to ear.*

  Emma: Okay, Maggie.

  Elwin: Not that I don’t want you to join us, Grandma.

  Maggie: Maggie

  Elin: *Pause* Maggie. But why now? It’s not exactly going to be safe on the road.

  Maggie: The same reason you’re on the run now. Emma made anyone with this Silvashade name a wanted criminal in all of Valoria.

  Elwin: What about my mom and dad?

  Maggie: They already left their home, they’re going to meet us in an elven village to the south.

  Elwin: They found it?!

  *Emma watches her cousin get extremely excited.*

  Elwin: The Veiled Frost. The last known elven settlement.

  Maggie: It was in an abandoned fortress. Apparently,. They have a group of blue mages creating a permanent blizzard to deter other races.

  Emma: Okay. So we’ll head out tomorrow.

  Maggie: I thought Emma would be more excited.

  Emma: Why?

  Maggie: Who else would think to create a frozen shield?

  *Emma looks to Elwin and Wendy, who both shrug.*

  Holly: The Queen?

  This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

  Maggie: Close.

  Emma: I still don’t remember much before coming to Valoria. Who are we talking about?

  Maggie: The princess. The one they called the Frozen Archer. Even if you don’t remember her yet, I’m sure she’ll be excited to see you.

  Emma: I’m more than happy to learn more about my past. *Smiles*

  Maggie: You two were best friends before. I wonder what happened.

  Emma: I’d love to know as well.

  *In the middle of the night, Richard wakes up the family, covering his mouth to make them understand to stay quiet. He leads them out through an array of tunnels throughout the house's walls. As Emma passes the door, she hears the voice of one of the Guards.*

  Guard: I came because I trust you still, Susan. The Ficus family is already not doing the greatest publicly.

  Susan: *Laughs* Do you know why my father built the Ficus family here?

  *Susan gestures toward a giant spirit tree growing in the center of the property.*

  Susan: That’s the only place in all of Valoria that grows spirit energy. As long as that tree stands, we will never need a public face.

  Guard: Yes, but.

  *Another guard storms in, Emma stops as she hears a loud smack. Her eyes sparkle, and Richard whispers*

  Richard: Grandma’s stronger than she looks.*

  Guard: Captain!

  Captain: Susan Ficus. The current oldest Ficus family member. By order of the King of Lushurst, are to be handed over for background checks. If you have any who are related to those elves. All your properties will be forfeited in the event one is discovered. Unless you want to do this peacefully, that is.

  Susan: Wendy, here is the newest elf we have. She said she was left behind by someone with a matching family name.

  Captain: Wendy Silverwind? How did someone like you become a slave? *Scoffs* Suits you right for stiffing me all those times. Hey Susan. How much for that one?

  Susan: You know I don’t sell my family, Captain. Or do I need to send your mother another letter?

  *The captain goes silent, Emma and the others continue moving, eventually reaching an exit leading to the forest.*

  Richard: Just heard that way. You’ll be good until you reach the clearing.

  Maggie: Thank you, Richard. Just like your great-grandfather, you’re an amazing, caring, kind young man.

  Richard: *Smiles* Thank you, Maggie. If things ever die down, our doors will once again be open for you all.

  *The elves and company head out, Arthur and Holly play I spy as they travel through the empty lands of Valoria, making sure to avoid any humans. After a few months pass, they make it to a large rocky plateau and set the camp in a cave on the side. In the distance, they can see the city of Quailst.*

  Elwin: You don’t think we’re too close, do you?

  *Elwin paces through the camp, the kids sleep while Maggie makes makeshift arrows with some sticks and a knife. She answers his questions without breaking her concentration.*

  Maggie: Because Emma is scouting for us. And I know you’ve heard how good she is at Sensing.

  *A scream comes from the north. And Maggie stands up, creating a staff out of stone using her Orange magic.*

  Maggie: Stay here. I’ll go check it out.

  *Elwin nods and turns to look at Holly and Arthur, but Holly is missing. *

  Holly: *Whispers* Dad.

  *Elwin lets out a shrill scream, covering his mouth to stay quiet.

  Emma: Real cool. *chuckles* Where’s Grandma?

  Elwin: She went north to investigate a scream.

  Emma: *Confused.* I just checked the entire area. There was no one that I could find.

  *Arthur stirs awake, and her looks at the elves while struggling to keep his eyes open.*

  Arthur: Is it time to go already?

  Emma: *Looks to Elwin.* I’m going to get Grandma, then we can get moving.

  *Another scream comes from the north. Emma looks up with a panicked expression.*

  Elwin: That! That was the noise.

  *Emma runs north without explaining herself. As she runs through the woods, she starts to hear the sounds of a battle. Reaching the opening, she notices Maggie struggling against the beast, a large Earth Puma, whose roar occasionally sounds like a scream as it keeps its distance from Maggie. Emma throws one of her knives.*

  Maggie: Let me fight it!

  *A short stone wall blocks Emma from moving forward, so she steps back and watches as her Grandmother takes on the giant feline. It stands up on its hind legs, standing just below the trees. As the Puma slams its paws down, the ground shakes like a stone dropped in water. Maggie stands steadily, breathing heavily. She blocks the Puma as it swipes at her, but falls back, using her quarterstaff, she holds the cat back by its teeth. Its body becomes encased in earth while Maggie keeps her grip; its body rotates until a loud crack silences the area. Emma runs over to check on Maggie as she stands up and dusts herself off..*

  Emma: Grandma! That was Awesome!

  *Maggie smacks Emma on the head with her staff.*

  Emma: OW! *Rubs head*

  Maggie: What did I say about calling me that?

  Emma: Maggie, sorry. It just seems weird.

  Maggie: It would be less “Weird” if you used it around your niece.

  *Emma stops herself from speaking, looks away quickly, and hums to herself. *

  Emma: Still, I’ve been meaning to ask. What kind of weapon do you prefer?

  Maggie: Like every other orange, I have a love for hammers. *Smiles*

  *As summer begins, they reach the edge of a tundra. In the distance, a small group of mountains can be seen with a blizzard reaching up to the skies above.*

  Holly: Whoa!

  *Arthur yawns.*

  Emma: Let’s set up camp here.

  Maggie: Here? It’s kind of in the open.

  Emma: And Arthur is half Demon.

  *Maggie looks at Arthur.*

  Maggie: I’ll be honest, I kind of forgot he’s not just another elf.

  *Emma scouts up ahead like usual. She returns to the camp with a ball of snow, and he sneaks behind Elwin and throws it down his shirt while he talks to Holly by the fire.*

  Elwin: And once with have the spell under control!!

  *Elwin jumps up and down trying to get the snow out while everyone laughs.*

  Emma: You needed to cool off.

  Elwin: *Glare* I’ll get you back.

  Emma: *Sarcastically.* Oh no, the babysitter is gonna get me.

  *Maggie struggles to keep herself from laughing.*

  Elwin: Fine, I’ll go scout then.

  Holly: Why? Emma just went.

  Maggie: Elwin, don’t take offense to it. Greens are masters of manipulation.

  Elwin: I know. I just wish I could help more. “Keep the fire going, will you?”

  Emma: Okay. We have a Demon who needs to travel into a blizzard. How are we keeping him safe? He doesn’t have the heat glands of a full blooded Demon.

  Maggie: He can hold onto Sally.

  *Maggie calls her spirit forward, a bright red, glowing salamander. Its body almost resembles magma as it produces a slime.*

  Sally: HI YA!

  *Maggie giggles and starts to say something.*

  Emma: Hi. You sound super happy. *Smiles*

  *Emma picks up Sally and holds her at arm's length.*

  Emma: I’d hug you, but I don’t know how your mucus will respond to leather.

  Maggie and Sally: *Confused* Can you understand me/her?

  Emma: Yeah? I thought of all the people I would’ve told you. As a Seer, I can speak to all spirits.

  Maggie: *Shakes head.* You might have. It’s hard to remember things when living with the Ficus. *Giggles* Young Richard was the most interesting child growing up.

  *In the middle of the night, Emma and Elwin sit around the fire discussing.*

  Elwin: Holly can block a sprinkle at most right now.

  Emma: Realistically speaking, they’re going to be heading this way looking for me. *Sighs* Maybe I should have her teach me the basics.

  Elwin: That's a good idea. If we’re going to be stuck anyway.

  *Emma reaches her arm out to stop Elwin from talking. *

  Elwin: *Whispers*What is it?

  Emma: *Loud* You can come out.

  *A male elf with green eyes steps forward. Elwin can barely notice their presence as they stay invisible across from them. Emma looks directly at them.*

  Emma: Can I help you?

  Elf: How many are with you?

  Emma: five.

  Elf: Wait. Are you Emma Silvashade? Is Elwin with you?

  Elwin: That sounds like. Daniel?

  *Daniel drops his spell; he has a scar across his right cheek. *

  Daniel: Thank the moons. What about Wendy and Holly?

  Elwin: Holly is staying with the Ficuses. Holly is sleeping.

  *Daniel turns to Emma and clears his throat.*

  Daniel: Emma Silvashade. Under the orders of the council of the snow elves. You’re under arrest. You and your party are to be brought before Ariella the Blue for judgment.

  Elwin: What for? She’s only ever helped people.

  Daniel: She is a Seer, is she not?

  *Emma nods and looks at him in annoyance.*

  Emma: So that’s how it is? It’s fine. At least this means you four will be safe. Elwin, stay with Arthur while I’m gone.

  Daniel: I think you misunderstood.

  *Emma and Elwin look at Daniel in confusion. Maggie responds by crossing her arms.*

  Maggie: *Irritated* He said you and your party.

  Daniel: From what I’ve heard, they used to be old friends. I can’t imagine anything bad happening.

  *Daniel leads them through the blizzard, his chest glows, and Holly looks closely at him. Arthur tightly holds onto Sally with Elwin staying close to help disguise him.*

  Daniel: *Laughs* It’s a pendant that allows me to pass back into the storm. It doesn’t keep us completely safe.

  *Daniel points to a glowing light barely visible in the distance.*

  Daniel: That light there is only visible to elves. Without it, we would be lost.

  Emma: What light?

  Daniel: *Smiles* It can only be seen by normal elves.

  *Emma rolls her eyes.*

  *As they reach the gates, A group of guards comes to escort Emma.*

  Daniel: I was informed she wanted to see all of them.

  Elf: Plans changed. Her party is free to go after a routine check. *Looks at Emma.* Where is your spirit?

  *Elwin Hands Lily to Emma.*

  Elf: *Confused* What’s wrong with them?

  Emma: She’s been stuck in a slumber ever since.

  Elf: Save the rest for her.

  *Emma is brought to a stone tower where she is brought before a group of elves, one of each moon; the floor is colored to represent the corresponding elf's seat. From left to right: A large bald male green-eyed elf, Ariella sits in the blue chair, A shorter elf with short green hair and Orange eyes, and A thinner male purple elf with straight, long lavender hair .*

  Elf: I’ve brought the Seer Emma Silvashade as requested.

  *As the shorter elf talks, it’s unclear if they’re a young boy or a girl.*

  Short: I thought you said the Seers were terrifying, Arie?

  Ariella: Emma was always a kind-hearted being.

  Emma: Listen, I don’t remember anything.

  *Ariella interrupts Emma with a very stern tone.*

  Ariella: We did not say you could speak Seer.

  *Emma goes silent, even more confused than before.*

  Emma thinking: I thought she was supposed to be an old friend.

  Green: Well, now. She mentioned something about memories. Shouldn’t we listen? We’ve got no record of her since you lost her.

  Orange: Why would we listen to anything she says? She’s a Seer born under a green moon. I don’t trust anything they say to begin with.

  *The three turn to the purple elf, and he sighs before responding, sounding tired as he speaks.*

  Purple: We can at least hear them out.

  *Ariella dismisses the elf who escorted Emma.*

  Ariella: Now, Emma. It’s been a while. We’re willing to listen to your lies. They can be used to evaluate your punishment. Is that good with you, Jaden?

  *The orange-eyed elf sits down with their arms crossed.*

  Jaden: Fine.

  *Ariella looks to the Green elf.*

  Ariella: Hector? *Turns to purple.* Dvalinn?

  Hector: Sounds good to me.

  Dvalinn: *Sigh* Fine.

  *They all turn to Emma. She tells them all she can remember, and the events up until now.*

  Hector: So you expect us to believe you regained memories after a Brain Rot potion?

  Dvalinn: Why not? We know the Seers are almost like another subspecies of elves.

  Ariella: And what about Lily? Spirits can’t lie. How convenient she is asleep still.

  Hector: Does that apply to Seers as well?

  Ariella: We didn’t think so at first, but unless all Seers are in on it. *Stares at Emma.*

  Hector: Huh. Whelp. I’ve made my decision.

  Jaden: If it’s letting her live, I’m against it.

  Ariella: Hector, would you mind?

  *Hector creates a privacy bubble where they discuss what to do with her. The ground shakes occasionally at what can only be assumed as arguments within. After some time passes, the spell fades, revealing multiple bruises on Jaden and Hector.*

  Ariella: Emma Silvashade. We have agreed to shelter the three elves for you. You and the Halfling will be escorted safely out of the area. Until your spirit awakens to attest to what you're saying is true.

  *Daniel allows Elwin, Maggie, and Holly to say goodbye.*

  Maggie: And he’ll be warm enough?

  Daniel: Yes, the necklace also produces cold-resistance so he can where it while we cross.

  *Maggie turns to Emma.*

  Maggie: Take this. If you ever find a place and get your hands on some Magic letters. Write me.

  *Maggie hands some strands of her hair to Emma. She tears up as she hugs her with a smile.*

  Maggie: Stay strong. Suppose there is an elf in this crazy world that can survive. It’s you.

  Emma: I will, Maggie.

  *Maggie shakes her head. Emma smiles with tears in her eyes.*

  Emma: Bye, Grandma. I hope we meet again.