::Forests of Damili::

Chapter 2

The walk home was silent through the dark woods. Noise emerged only from animals amongst the trees or the jingle of the bloodied rings that sat in Solvin’s gloved hands. The crimson haired boy fixed his eyes upon the ground before him; his mothers death had not hit him yet but a glance forward would have confirmed that for him. Before long, they finally reached the village but still, not a word from his father. From the roof of their house, a tiger whose coat was matched only by the moon raised it’s head, twitching it’s ears. Ivallios stopped walking suddenly and glanced back at his son who bumped into him with surprise. The elf’s emerald eyes seemed hallow as he surveyed his son momentarily.
“Go inside.” He spoke quietly than turned his eyes towards the forest beyond their village. Solvin eyed him before glancing at his mother’s still form. It would have been easy to say she was only asleep in the arms of her husband aside from crimson that coated the front of her chest. “Solvin.” His father’s voice startled him and without hesitation, he darted into their home.

A loud slam echoed the home as Solvin leaned against the thick front door. His heart pounded heavily but quickly as he began to realize what had happened that night. Wood creaked somewhere in the house followed by his older brother’s voice.
“Solvin? Did ya have to be so loud ” His brothers form emerged from the shadows of the house. Only leather pants covered him while his hair was tied back into a small ponytail. Tattoos similar to Solvin’s covered his chest and arms. He rubbed his forehead with a loud yawn. “Where’s mom and pop?” Solvin closed his eyes and laid his head against the door. There was a silence that stood between the both of them. Evan blinked his eyes for a moment until he eventually frowned. “Solvin...?” The younger elf ran his hands through his spiked hair.
“He’s outside...burying mother.” As soon as the words left his lips, Solvin knew he had made a mistake. Even though over 60 years had passed since he was socially labeled as a man, Evan had the emotional stability closer to that of a woman. Evan stared at Solvin with a slack jaw. His eyes searched the room nervously, as if trying to find the answers somewhere in this room.
“W-what...what.....” Solvin avoided the eyes of his older brother and held his tongue. “Solvin...what are you talking about? ” Panic spread across Evan’s face quickly and in an instant, he was at the door, prying Solvin out of the way.
“Evan ” Solvin gripped the frame of the door and planted his boots firmly into the stone floor. “Just wait...he didn’t want me following so I doubt he wants to be bothered ” An annoyed growl rumbled in Evan’s throat.
“You can’t just hint at the fact our mothers dead than not do anything about it ” Solvin pressed his arm against his brother’s chest and with a first shove, the druids form was thrust to the floor. Evan stared up at his brother in awe, catching his breath from the impact. Above him, Solvin sighed and wiped his brow.
“We’re not the only ones who are grieving Evan...he lost his wife..you claim to know so much about girls..than why can’t you understand how he feels right now ?” Silence simmered between them for a moment before Evan frowned.
“Yeah, and we lost our mother ” He pushed himself back onto his feet and frowned. “Now move, I’m going to see what’s going on.” Before he could step forward, Solvin reacted; pushing himself from the door, he thrust a punch into his brother’s thin nose. The grief of the two boys quickly turned into blind frustration and anger; poorly laid punches flew into their chests and faces, curse words slid from lips and all was a mess.
“ENOUGH ” A shout echoed the house as a pair of hands gripped Evan, ripping him off his brother. Ivallios tossed Evan into a chair and snatched the front of Solvin’s armor as he tried to chase after him. “My house will not turn to chaos ” The anger in their father’s voice instantly subdued the two siblings. Evan leaned back into the chair, wiping the blood that ran from his nose. “I’m not going to pretend that this is easy...but I will not allow you two to act so foolishly...” He slid his hand from gripping Solvin’s collar to holding his shoulder. “I’ve talked to Dy’ln...your mother rests in the forest now. Her animal companion will guard her grave...we will hold the official burial ceremony tommorrow..” A hollow sigh escaped his heavy chest while Ivallios addressed his son. “I will not tolerate you two fighting again......” He slid his hand off Solvin’s shoulder and avoided the eyes of both his sons. “Clean and go to sleep...don’t disturb me tonight..” With that, he disappeared into the bedroom he once shared with his wife.








The sun filtered through the window, flickering across the tanned face of the sleeping Gylth. A groan escaped the boys throat as he swatted the air before his face. An intoxicating scent struck his nostrils and stirred his eyes. As he fully opened his eyes, a heavy form landed on his legs and instantly covered them with a warm fluid. Gylth sat up with a jolt and stared at the decapitated body of the very buck he had chased the night before.
“Look familiar? It should..because this should have been here last night...” The strong scent of blood clogged Gylth’s senses and stole any words he could muster. His father stood at the foot of his bed, the antlers from the buck were hung from his leather belt. Hanging from his clawed hand was the head that belonged to the buck. The taste of bile coated the young man’s tongue as he forced his eyes from the corpse that rested on his shins.
“I-I’m sorry father..” A dangerous chuckle emitted from Tyhr as he dropped the head of the buck on top of a near by dresser.
“You’re sorry?” His fierce eyes widened as he circled around towards Gylth. “Sorry..funny...how such a little word is supposed to be so powerful...” Ignoring the wince of his child, Tyhr tightly gripped the back of Gylth’s hair and pulled him from the bed. “I never saw the power of words...spoken language..never had the strength that we have...and I don’t think it will.” With that, he let go of his son and shoved him from his own room.
“W-what to you..mean..” Gylth rubbed the back of his head and turned towards his father who picked the deer head back up.
“What do I mean..? I’ll show you.” Pushing his son out of the way, he tossed the deer head to the table. With a crude knife, Tyhr gruesomely carved the meat from the deer’s skull. “There’s a reason I collect the skulls of my enemies...when you strip a man of everything he has..all his material values...all he has left is the strength of his own body. That is our true power. I personally believe that the skull is the epitome of organic power. It protects us. It protects our brain, it supports our eyes so they may see, without our skull we could not speak powerful words.” Gylth grimaced as he watched his father massacre the deer skull.   
“So...you..keep them?” His father laughed and looked to his son, raising a thin eyebrow.
“Yes. One day. I will have yours.” Muscles clenched as Gylth was caught off guard; he had grown comfortable in this non-threatening environment his father was temporarily in. Panic took over his body as he stared at his father who carved gray matter from the skull, as if everything was normal. “I will get yours...or you will get mine.” With a quick survey of his father’s enormous muscles, Gylth grew very worried about the length of his young life. Tyhr turned to eye his son, laughing loudly. “It is a tradition. I have the skulls of both my father and my brother. In a family of barbarians..there is only survival..nothing else.” With a plop, the final chunk of brain was pried from the skull. “I will teach these to you...the power of fighting with only trust in your blade and the rage that drives your heart.”
“Fighting..with only a blade..so..no armor? Is that safe?” Gylth questioned as he avoiding noticing the mess created on the table. The knife twirled between Tyhr’s rough fingers and in an instant the blade drove into Gylth’s shoulder. A cry escaped the boy as he doubled over, instantly ripping the knife from himself. He grimaced and let his head fall on the bloodied table.
“Don’t want that happening again? Do you? Without armor, you will do what you can to avoid that..wouldn’t you?” Tears stung at Gylth’s eyes as his arm seared with pain from the crude blade. Rage quickened his heart and for that moment, loosened his tongue.
“Why do you do this to me?  I don’t want anything to do with this stupid tradition  I just want a normal father  ” He shouted, louder than he knew he needed to but at the time it didn’t matter. The only sound he heard was the clink of the skull as it was placed on the wood.
“....a normal father...? Like who...Ivallios?” Dangerous anger coated his words causing Gylth to wince where he stood. “THAT’S WHAT YOU WERE THINKING? ” Tyhr grabbed the back of Gylth’s neck and lifted him from the table. “WASN’T IT? ” His son struggled against the grip that wrapped around his throat.
“F-fath-er ” He let out a gasped word, trying to get himself free. Behind them the front door opened.
“Tyhr ” Sareen stared at her husband as he choked their only child. Beside her stood a badger roughly the size of a large dog. Sensing the anger of it’s master, the monster creature charged forward. In a swift crunch, the jaws of the badger clenched to the man’s thigh. A raw scream escaped Tyhr’s lips as he dropped Gylth to the floor.
“You bitch ” He ripped the beast from his thigh than turned his eyes towards his wife. “How dare you-“ Sareen held up her hand, stopping her husband as he charged at her.
“Ivallios wife is dead.” Tyhr cocked an eyebrow as a vicious sneer covered his face.
“Really...?” Gylth covered his mouth as he watched his parents.
“That’s awful  How can you smile at that?” Sareen eyed her son and shook her head as she held a hand out.
“Quiet boy..this doesn’t involve you.” She grabbed Tyhr’s face and turned him to look at her. “That pleases you, doesn’t it? He is pained now..” A smile curled from her lips but upon seeing that, Tyhr’s sneer disappeared.
“Don’t trick me woman...I know why you smile...” He grasped Sareen’s wrist and squeezed it. The woman’s smile didn’t fate but instead grew stronger.
“Good..I’m glad you know..” She slid her hand up Tyhr’s chest and chuckled softly. “I’m through with you Tyhr.”  Gylth gripped the table leg as he stared in fear for his mother now. A snarl escaped Tyhr’s throat as threw his wife into the table. Sareen growled and tried to push away from Tyhr.
“I won’t let you go to him, Sareen.” Gylth averted his eyes from the struggle as his mother let out a furious scream.
“Get off me  Stop it ” His eyes closed tightly and his head burned from beneath his skull. Before his mind could stop him, Gylth grasped the crude knife from the floor. With a fierce roar, the elf drove the knife into the ankle of his father. The muscle of Tyhr’s leg gave way and caused the man to fall away from the woman beneath him. Tyhr screamed in a mix of pain and anger, grasping his leg. Collapsing to the floor, Tyhr reached and clawed his fingers into Gylth’s hair.
“YOU BRAT ” Gylth cried out as his father tried to yank him toward him. The young man stabbed the knife into his father’s arm multiple times. Tyhr gritted his teeth and let go of the boy, blood dripping from his forearm. Sareen walked over and pulled Gylth away, glaring down at Tyhr. Gylth shoved his mother away from him, frowning at her.
“I don’t want you helping me either...you’re just as bad as him..” Stabbing the knife into the wood of the table, Gylth stormed out of the house and into the village.


The pain from his shoulder had died away but rage still flowed through Gylth’s blood. Sadly, the interaction that had occurred between him and his father was probably the closest his father could ever get to being caring. The village square was busy this morning; people were gossiping, giving prayers for the Surion’s loss, trading food and enjoying themselves. His eyes traveled through the people and took notice that none of the Surion’s were present. Avoiding the villagers, Gylth cut around the houses and head into the dense forest. The forest was silent as he walked through, his hands rested in the dark locks of his hair. He stopped and let his hands slide from his head, rolling his head towards the sky. His mouth opened and a roaring scream echoed through the trees. His frustration filtered through his cry and sent birds flying from their homes. The panicked neigh of a horse snapped Gylth from his anger, turning him towards a large chestnut horse. It’s ears folded flat against its head as it stared at Gylth; it however it not flee like a regular horse would have.
“Having a rough morning, aren’t we Gylth?” The boy gasped and jumped back as his eyes found Ivallios who sat on a fallen log nearly in front of the horse. A chuckle escaped the man at Gylth’s surprise. “Seems I am a bit too good at what I do..” He brushed some leaves from the log and nodded, inviting Gylth to join him. The younger elf walked over quietly, slightly embarrassed Ivallios saw his display.
“Yes sir..” Awkwardly, he took the spot next to the older elf. “I’m..I’m um..sorry to hear about Mrs. Galdril..” Gylth turned to eye the man after he spoke. The older elf’s angular face was still held strong: chin up, brow relaxed and hair brushed neatly out of his eyes, braids handing over his ears. However, his emerald eyes rippled with the sadness he did not want to be seen.
“Thank you..she is resting peacefully now. I am grateful she had a good life although a short one.”  Silence grew between them while only the forest echoed with creatures scurrying through the leaves.
“Why does my father hate you?” The question gave Ivallios a shock, breaking his stoic and stiff posture. A dry laugh escaped him as he ran a gloved hand through his hair.
“That is a very long story-“
”I don’t have anything else to do.” Cutting off the older man’s words, Gylth eyed the older elf for a moment.
“Well, since you seem so interested than you shall know...” Ivallios rubbed his bare chin, looking past the tree tops to the sky. “When I was a young elf, your mother and myself courted. At this time, your father had nothing to do with your mother. In fact, he was in love with Galdril..but he was rather disturbed. His father treated him as he treats you. All his attempts to woo Galdril failed. Things between Sareen and myself grew sour: she became needy and bitter. As soon as Sareen left my arms, Galdril came into them. She spoke of dreaming to be my wife she since she was a young girl. Tyhr was furious that I had succeeded where he failed and Sareen refused to except I would go with another woman. Of course, the two of them got together. Over time, Tyhr’s love of Galdril faded but his hate for me remained strong.” Ivallios wiped his brow before looking to Gylth.
“So..he..just hates you and my mom just wants to have your child?” The man nodded softly.
“She told me many times when you were first born that she wishes you had been born from my seed.” A laugh escaped Ivallios. “And you can only imagine how that makes your father feel.” Gylth started at the grass beneath his feet.
“I wish you had fathered me too...” Ivallios stopped and looked to the boy in amazement, unsure of what to say.
“Gylth...that-“ The boy gripped tje jog and shook his head roughly.
“Don’t tell me things about destiny and being proud of my family  If I was destined to be in this family than I scorn the gods for doing this to me  I’m so jealous of your sons. I wish I knew how it felt to have a safe home that you don’t fear  To wake up to a father you can make proud...not one who’s mind set is I take his skull or he takes mine  We almost has what they call a ‘father-son’ moment but it ended with him stabbing me ” A frustrated growl echoed Gylth throat as he gripped his wounded shoulder. Ivallios eyed the boy with pity and laid a hand on his good shoulder.
“I will admit, the goods are cruel for cursing you with this life but don’t lose heart. You will grow strong from this as you already have. In 15 years, you will be labeled a man and after more intensive training, you are free to leave.” Gylth raised his head to eye the elf beside him. “Until then, do not fear coming to me for sanctuary. I will look upon you as a son as long as you act like one.”



A hearing a loud knock, Sareen pulled open the door that lead into her home. Ivallios smiled at her as Gylth stood quietly beside him.
“Hello Sareen.” The man spoke cooly as the woman grinned, almost dangerously.
“Ivallios  What on earth brings you here?” She rested against the opening of the door, grinning at Ivallios. Pushing her son forward, Ivallios remained calm and collected.
“Your son was wondering the woods with quite some knife wound.” Sareen’s grin feel quickly as her eyes glanced to Gylth.
“You think I did it?” The elf shook his head as he eyed behind Sareen as Tyhr emerged.
“It’s not you I am accusing Sareen..” The eyes of the two men meet for a moment, turning Tyhr’s attention towards the door. “Good afternoon Tyhr.” The man limped towards the door, his arm and leg bandaged from Gylth earlier that morning.
“Ivallios..”His eyes glanced to Gylth who averted the gaze. Ivallios’s hand slid onto Gylth’s shoulder, staring into Tyhr’s blank eyes.
“Don’t think your walls stay silent of what happens between them, Tyhr.” A glare burned between the two elven men as a smirk grew across Tyhr’s face.
“Alright, than next time I will make sure they stay silent  ” Quickly, he snatched Gylth and in a fluid moment, pulled him into the house before slamming the door. Gylth pulled away from his father and laughed.
“You can’t touch me  Ivallios knows ” Tyhr growled furiously, grabbing the front of his sons tunic.
“Let him ”





The season’s changed, warping the world’s warmth into a blanket of crisp, fallen leaves. Trees were stripping themselves slowly, awaiting the snow that was months away. The Surion family had buried the mourning for their mother under the falling leaves. Evan had refused to return to his own home after his mother’s death and now stayed to help watch over his brother.
Meanwhile, out in the woods the youngest son of Ivallios cursed under his breath. The two arrows he had fired flew awkwardly past their target and into the soft soil. One of the trees had the silhouette of a human roughly painted onto its bark. Only a few arrows pierced this tree; It’s neighboring trees, however, were coated with the majority of the young man’s quiver.
“Let’s hope your enemy will stand to the left of where you aim.” Solvin glanced over to his father with a nervous smile.
“I can only hope.” Ivallios walked over and took his son’s bow.
“Watch me.” He pulled two of the arrows out and gracefully shot them into the targeted tree. “There is extra weight from the second arrow and you must put that into the drawing of your string.” Handing Solvin back the bow, he helped adjust the boys stance. “You plant your feet too heavy. You must always be prepared to move, even if your weapon requires you to be still. Focus more on firming your grip on your bow and string so your arrow will always shoot straight.” He lifted two more arrows from the quiver and handed them to Solvin. “Now you try.” His son nodded as he did as his father suggested; his leg’s grew light while his hands tightened around the sculpted wood. The stone heads of the arrows rested above Solvin’s fingers as he eyed the target. With a loud twang, the arrows shot off and landed into the blackened bark of what would have been the silhouette’s hips. “Much better ”
“Thanks ” Solvin’s face flushed with pride as he grinned at his father. “How’d the trade with the signet rings go?” Ivallios stared away from his son, his face stoic.
“Things did not go as planned..I had to pull some strings but in the end got the money I demanded as well as a new job. They knew I’d want to take it due to the circumstances of the summer.” His eyes glanced to his son who waited patiently for him to continue. “They got wind of an underground salve ring that has spread around this area. Some men will go around and get children from villages and sell them on the slave market. They will soon be in our forest and no doubt will attempt to abduct our children.” Ivallios glanced to Solvin and smiled warmly. “I want you to come with me. There’s only going to be 3 men. It will be a simple task.” Solvin’s face paled as a frown grew from his smile.
“But...” His eyes glanced around nervously. “It’s my fault mom got killed that time I went with you...” Before his thought could complete, his father’s hand struck the side of his face powerfully.
“Don’t you ever say that again ” Solvin held his cheek in shook, staring up at his furious father. “That was not your fault and I don’t ever want to hear that you think it was ever again..” His son nodded quickly than collected himself, looking to his father. For a moment there was a silent apology between them.  
“When will the dealers pass through?”





A few days past before Ivallios was finally informed of his nearing prey. The multi-colored leaves now coated the ground as the sun sat on top of the sky.
“Solvin ” Ivallios called for his son as he stormed into his home, laying out the parchment.  “They informed me that the men left their encampment a few hours ago and will be passing into our forest before the sun shifts.” He looked to his son who smiled and nodded.
“Yes sir.” He darted off into his room where he strapped his newly made leather armor on. Ivallios chuckled as he belted on his own armor and weapons.


The forest’s silence was disrupted as the two elves galloped through the trees on the back of Ivallios’s horse companion, Vi’ran. Solvin gripped onto his father’s cloak as the trees zoomed bast on both sides.
“Solvin, there.” His father nodded up to a large evergreen tree that retained it’s leaves. “Get into the tree, we’ll ambush them in this area.” As Vi’ran slowed to a trot, Solvin jumped off his rump and into the tree. Ivallios watched his son as he jumped off his horse. With a simple hand gesture, Ivallios sent his horse galloping into the ticket of trees. Ivallios glanced through the trees, his elf ears prickling at the distance sounds of common speech. With that, he lifted his hood and faded perfect into the leaves around him. Solvin tied the mask around his mouth, hoping to hide his heavy breathing. His heart was beating heavily inside his chest as his eyes focused on the clearing beneath him. The noon sun poured through the treetops and warmed this area. It was a perfect resting spot; the trees that were around had good shade and a stream was not but 3 feet behind Solvin. His ears prickled with the sound of human’s talking and leaves crushing under feet. After a few minutes, some heavy set men came into view. Their clothes was ratty, their hair matted and skin dark with tans. Leather wrapped scimitars were tied to their aged belts. Behind them, a line of children were shackled together. There were two young humans, a black haired elf girl who didn’t look much younger than Solvin as well as a troglodyte, and two half-orc children. The men glanced around the clearing as they passed.
“Sir.” The men stopped and glanced back at the elf girl who eyed them fearlessly. “May we rest for a moment?” One of the men, whose long hair was tied back, eyed her than looked to his comrades.
“Let the brats rest. We need our strength too. They warned me that the village is pretty tough.” Solvin crouched silently in the tree, carefully pulling two arrows from his quiver. The child sat in the leaves as the men continued discussing some business matter. The elf girl eyed one of the men than glanced around the area; in an instant, Solvin knew she had spotted his father earlier and was now trying to find him again.
“What’s wrong with you ?” The one blonde of the ground walked over, scowling down at her. “Looking for somewhere to escape?” The elf shook her head quickly as she sunk back into her seat.
“No sir..I..I was looking at the trees  They’re so pretty this time of..” She gasped as the man drew his scimitar.
“Liar  You was lookin’ to run, weren’t you girl? ” The man raised the sword but stopped suddenly, his eyes wide. His companions panicked as the man fell sideways, two arrows cleanly sticking from the back of his skull. As the others panicked, Ivallios rose and thrust his swords through the men’s chest. Assassin’s poison hit their blood quickly and they both died as they slid from his swords. The half-orc children laughed and shook their chains in the excitement. Ivallios removed his hood and glanced at the children. The elf girl smiled up at him while the troglodyte was frightened along with the humans. Solvin slid from the tree, putting his bow away.
“Everyone okay?” He pulled his mask off and glanced at the children; the elf girl blinked at him curiously with a small smile. Ivallios removed his mask off and quickly began to remove the chains.
“They’re fine. Alright..I am going to let all of you go. Take these man’s weapons and leave this forest. Return to your home. Your mother’s will be missing you.” The orcs instantly grabbed the scimitars and took off through the woods. The troglodyte and the humans took the last sword and followed after the orcs but the elf remained. She pushed herself up and walked past Ivallios over to Solvin.
“Thank you.” A red blush traveled across Solvin’s face as the girl approached him.
“Oh..um..you-you’re welcome...” He glanced over to his father who raised and eyebrow, chuckling.
“What’s your name girl?” The girl turned to Ivallios and shook her shaggy black hair from her eyes.
“Keziah.” Solvin rubbed his red nose as his father nodded softly.
“Keziah...how old are you?”
“55, sir.” She glanced back at Solvin who smiled nervously, his ears turning red. “I have a home..I just don’t want to go back..” Ivallios eyed her, nodding gently before glancing to Solvin who was keeping busy by looking around the woods, his cheeks still tinted crimson.
“Hmm...well my doors are open to you Keziah. Solvin here is only 75 so you won’t be lonely. I will take care of you as if you were my daughter.” The ebony headed girl smiled widely and bowed her head.
“Thank you”




Vi’ran’s hooves echoed through the forest as he carried Solvin and Keziah to their home. Solvin gripped the reins, glancing nervously at the arms wrapped around his waist. His stomach tightened as his ears turned red once again. “So...um..”
“Solvin, right?” Keziah glanced at him from where her chin rested against his shoulder blade. “Thank you for saving me..” An awkward chuckle escaped the boy as he slowed the horse as it trotted to the village.
“Um, no problem ” He hopped off the horse and helped the younger girl down. “Welcome to the Damili village...since my father has to catch up, I can go introduce you to my brother...cause..well..yeah..” Solvin rubbed his nose, hiding his small blush as he waved Keziah after him. “His name is Evan..he’s kinda weird...but you’ll probably like him..girls always do.” Keziah followed Solvin into the house, looking around silently. Turning down a hallway, Solvin knocked on Evan’s door before walking into his brother’s old room. Evan was laid out on the cot backwards, resting his feet on the headboard. Rahkr, his white tiger, laid on the floor lazily. “Evan?” The man’s head rolled back, blinking at his brother.
“Hmm?” His eyes turned to Keziah and his eyebrows arched. “Oh?” He rolled over and jumped to his feet. “Who’s this?” He rested his hands on his hips, looking at the two elves before him.
“This is Keziah...she’s uh..gunna be living with us now...Father’s going to talk to the chief. Evan tapped his chin as he eyed the younger girl, tapping his chin.
“I see, well nice to meet you Kezi ” He patted her back than blinked as she eyed Rahkr. “Oh, that’s Rahkr. He’s big but he won’t hurt you.” The tigers large head lifted up, his ears flickering at the sound of his masters voice. Keziah kneeled down and pet his silky white fur.
“Hello Rahkr.” The tiger’s large golden eyes fixated on her as a rumbling purr grew from his throat. The girl grinned broadly as the tiger rolled his head against her, purring loudly. Evan watched her closely, smiling warmly.
“Have you trained as a druid? He’s lovin’ ya.” The ebony haired girl looked up to the druid, smiling slightly,
“No, I’ve actually trained as a barbarian.” Her crimson tinted eyes glanced between the two shocked elves. “What..?” Her smiled faded as Rahkr’s head laid on her lap. Solvin smiled at her, waving his hands.
“It’s not bad  You just don’t look like you’d be that kind of fighter ” Evan agreed with his brother with a smile.
“If anything it’s a compliment: you don’t look filthy or smell like a barbarian.” He brushed some hair from his face, looking over to Solvin. “Maybe we should introduce her to the Oronar family ” Solvin’s smile faded as he glared at his brother.
“Why? So she can get beaten everyday too?” Evan sat on his bed, smiling at the confused Keziah.
“They’re a family of barbarians..and they’re very..what’s the word...barbaric. They have a son, very nice kid. A little bit older than you..his manhood ceremony is coming up in like 15 years..” Evan counted on his fingers quickly than nodded. “Yeah, that’s right. Cause he was born when I had my ceremony.” Keziah continued running her hands through the tiger’s thick coat as she listened to Evan.
“What’s that? The manhood ceremony..” Flexing his biceps, Evan pointed to the tattoos around his muscle and his forearms.
“At age 75, all the boys in this tribe get tribal tattoos all over their body to mark their transfer from boyhood to manhood. It’s also a way to show family history. Our family doesn’t tattoos as much as other, like the Oronar for example. They get A LOT of tattoos because they want to prove their threshold for pain.” Keziah glanced back to Solvin, glancing him over quickly.
“You got them too?” Solvin’s cheeks flushed once again as he nodded.
“Ugh..yeah..I did. Only a few months ago.” Evan giggled, eyeing his brothers reaction.
“He fainted after he had it done. It was funny.” Solvin frowned heavily, folded his arms.
“So did you..and you freaked out when father tattooed your face..I at least took it like a man.”  Keziah giggled at the siblings, covering her mouth. Evan pouted and crossed his leather clad legs.
“I didn’t like needles on my lovely face, it was fair for me to scream.”
“It was more a screech really.” The three turned to face Ivallios who stood in the doorway, removing his leather gloves. “Like a boiling kettle..loud and high-pitched.” Solvin grinned at his brother who pouted once more. Ivallios looked down at Keziah who was still wrapped up with Rahkr. “Getting comfortable already, aren’t we?” She smiled and nodded, brushing her hair back. “Good, the Chief is allowing you to stay. He’ll meet with you tommorrow.” The older man glanced around for a moment, obviously thinking. “Now..where are we going to keep you....Evan’s room is not place for a young woman..we have no spare bedrooms...” Kicking his feet onto his bed, Evan folded his arms behind his head.
“She can stay in Solvin’s room. He’s got enough room for an extra cot.” Solvin’s mouth dropped as his cheeks flushed brightly, words failing to form as he tried to respond.
“Ah..bu- ah..uh...mm..” Ivallios lifted a thin eyebrow as he watched his son stumble over his words.  
“Well, no problems then. Keziah. You’ll stay in Solvin’s room until we can clear you out a room of your own.” Keziah nodded small than glanced up at Solvin who stared at his feet, the color of his face melding into his hair.  



Weeks passed as Keziah made the Surion house into her new home; Evan had left to check up on his own home and left Solvin as the young girl’s only companion. The two grew close and trained hard with Ivallios; Solvin was tedious with practicing his archery and learning to become a rogue. Keziah trained with Ivallios to swing her blade with precision like a fighter but with the strength she had of a barbarian. The forest echoed with the sounds of training as Keziah dueled Ivallios amongst the trees. The girl fell to the floor as Ivallios overpowered her.
“Come now Kezi, you have the strength..use it ” The man pulled her up to her feet with a chuckle. “Go get a drink, wake yourself up than we’ll continue.” Keziah nodded and sliced her sword into the ground before jogging off into forest. The dying leaves crunched under her boots as she walked towards the creek that curved through the trees. She stopped, noticing a form that crouched by the stream. A broadsword was strapped to the young man’s back as he filled his water pack. She glanced around nervously, suddenly aware she was unarmed and had no where to run to without making noise. A twig snapped beneath her heal, snapping the young man up from the stream and facing her. His black hair hung over his tattoo less face as he stared in shock. Gylth glanced around the area before looking to Keziah.
“Who..who are you?” His hand rested on the sword that was tied to his back. Keziah shook her hands, stepping forward.
“Don’t worry  I’m from the Damili village..I am out here training..I was coming for water.” The two were silent as Gylth pulled his hand away from his weapon.
“You’re from the village...I don’t think I’ve ever seen you...what family are you?” He closed his water skin than handed it to Keziah as she walked closer.
“Well..I’m not from the village..but I’m living with the Surions.” She took a drink than handed it back to Gylth with a smile. “I’m Keziah by the way, you can call me Kezi.” She extended a hand which the boy firmly shook.
“Gylth Oronar.” She blinked at the name she remembered the boys mentioning.
“You’re a barbarian, aren’t you?” She grinned and took his hand. “You can help me train ” She dragged Gylth from the stream and towards where Ivallios awaited her. Gylth felt his face flush as her soft hand wrapped around his rough fingers. “Ivallios ” The older elf looked over towards the two, raising an eyebrow in confusion.
“Gylth? What are you doing here?” He stood from his resting spot and folding his arms. Pulling his hand from Kezi, Gylth rubbed the back of his ebony hair.
“I was just getting out...but..are you training?” His eyes glanced to Ivallios who glanced between the two young elves before him.
“We are. You have good timing Gylth..I could use your help.” He smiled warmly, resting an arm on Gylth’s shoulder. “It’s hard to train a barbarian fighter when I lack the techniques of a barbarian. Care to help us?” The ebony haired boy nodded happily, pulling his sword from its sheath strapped to his shoulder blades.
“Yes sir!” He flipped the sword and offered the handle towards Keziah. “First you need a barbarians weapons. Smaller swords will be easier to use once you can handle this.” Her small hands wrapped around the handle as Gylth released the blade. A yelp escaped her as the sword instantly slid into the ground, yanking her forward.
“It’s so heavy!!” Gylth laughed as she shakily lifted the sword up, trying to balance with it.
“This sword is weighted so the tip is heavy..you have to balance it with you upper body strength to make up for it’s unevenness.” Gylth rested his hands on Kezi’s forearms, guiding her to angle the sword so it’s weight would shift. “It is a very hard weapon to learn to use but it is very powerful.” Gylth’s focus shifted as Keziah’s hair brushed his neck while she nodded. A small smile curled up the boys smile as he slowly let go of her arms. “Can you hold it?”
“I..think so.” She flexed her muscles, trying to steady the heavy sword in her palms. “I got it!” She grinned as she wavered, the sword shaking in the air.
“Careful.” His hand rested on her back, his eyes steady on the blade.
“Kezi?” A new voice snapped the elves from their training, turning to eye Solvin who walked over, his archery needs strapped to his back. The girl smiled brightly as the sight of the redhead.
“Solvin! Look! I’m-ah!” She gasped as the sword’s weight lunged forward. Quickly, Gylth snatched the sword before it could fall into anyone but Keziah tumbled down with a laugh. “Well..I was..” Solvin trotted over towards her as Gylth sheathed his sword.
“You okay Kezi?” Both the boys echoed as they leaned towards to help her; Solvin’s hand planted into Gylth’s chest and shoved him away. He took Keziah’s hand and pulled her up, glancing towards Gylth. Their eyes meet and a fierce glare flowed from Solvin. Keziah laughed and embraced Solvin once he had pulled her to her feet.
“I’m fine! I’m glad you came.” She took his hands and looked over to Gylth who was looking somber. “You know Gylth, right?”
“We’ve met..” Solvin hissed as his emerald eyes thinned at the younger man. “Isn’t that sword a little too much for a boy?” A frown wrinkled across the barbarian’s lips.
“I’d like to see you handle it.” Solvin let out a laugh as he pulled one of his hands from Keziah’s to brush hair from his face.
“I don’t need to. What need to I have to follow in the foots of a berserker?” This statement struck Gylth like one of Solvin’s arrows. His eyes shot towards the ground as anger burned through his veins.
“I’m not a berserker..” Keziah blinked at Gylth than glanced at Solvin who smirked cruelly.
“Not yet..no matter how nice you try to play, your blood will always catch up with you.”
“Solvin!” Keziah pushed away from him and frowned. “Stop it! You’re upsetting him! What’s wrong with being a berserker?” She rubbed her hands together and looked towards Gylth who eyed her from under his shagging hair. “I mean..it’s um..”
“You do know what a berserker is..right?” Solvin raised an eyebrow as he chuckled, folding his arms. The look on Keziah’s face answered the question for him. “A berserker is the worst form of barbarian and lucky Gylth here has it running in his blood. They lose control and destroy all that is in their way. Not an honorable style of battle at all. All they long for is the spilling of blood and carnage.” A growl escaped Gylth as he clenched his fists.
“SHUT UP! What do you know about anything?! You have a simple life and get everything you want! What do you know about having it rough so that using that sort of strength is what you need to survive?!” Ivallios eyed the two boys as they argue, his hand resting on his hand-axe.. His mind told him to allow them to resolve this but now the threat of Gylth raging brimmed. Solvin slid his hand around Keziah and pulled her towards him.
“Here’s your new buddy’s true colors, Kezi. This is a berserker. No thoughts, only violence.” Gylth’s face darkened with anger as he swiftly pulled his sword from his back.
“Than allow me to back up those words for you, Solvin.” Ivallios rolled his eyes and shook his head.
“Keziah, come here.” He waved over the girl who nodded and immediately darted over to him.
“Why aren’t you stopping this?!” She sat next to the man who chuckled.
“Solvin needs to learn..why even though I am not a fan of Tyhr..there is a reason I do not fight him.” His eyes turned back to Solvin who picked up the bastard sword that Kezi had been practicing with earlier that day.
“Please do, let’s show the world the truth behind my statements!” With that, Gylth let out an angered cry as he charged Solvin, his heavy sword swirling a cloud of dust as he swung it towards Solvin. The taller elf leapt up, dodging the blade as it thrust into the ground. He sliced his sword across Gylth’s arm as he landed and side stepped. The barbarian snarled and turned, slicing the sword heavily through the air. Solvin skillfully dodged and tumbled across the ground, thrusting his sword up into Gylth’s shoulder. A snarl echoed the boy’s throat as he grabbed the thin blade, not allowing Solvin to move away. The redhead’s eyes widened as Gylth raised his sword. The blade hacked heavily next to Solvin’s neck, sending the man into the dusty ground. A heavy moan rumbled in his throat as he gripped the freely bleeding wound. Gylth turned to the now prone elf and raised his sword once more. Before he could move, the hand-axe that rested on Ivallios’s hip now flung into Gylth’s hip. The boy instantly fell to the ground like a bag of sand, his body limp. Keziah sat, her mouth covered by her hand at the state of both boys.
“Don’t worry, Gylth is only stunned. It’s an assassin’s trick to get people we don’t need dead.” He walked over and pulled the axe from the boy, pulling a vial out of his belt pack. “Solvin, are you alright?” His eyes turned to his son as he poured a healing liquid on Gylth’s wound. The redhead panted heavily as his armor was now drenched with his own blood.
“Solvin!” Keziah ran to his side, kneeling by him. The wound was not a mortal danger but was great source of pain for the boy. “I told you to leave him alone..” She chewed her lip as she ran her hands through the young man’s hair. Ivallios stood, heaving Gylth’s unconscious form onto his shoulders.  
“Get up boy, if you plan on starting such a relationship with Gylth, you should grow used to these wounds while your body is young.” Keziah glanced to Ivallios, worried for Gylth as much as the boy laid next to her but knew now was not the time to express her concern. Carefully, Solvin got to his feet and grimaced as his shoulder ached from the torn muscles that bleed under his skin. A worried Keziah rose with him, her thin arm around his waist so he could not fall. “Get him to a cleric, I will return Gylth to his home.” Solvin watched as his father disappeared through the trees, the limp form of the smaller elf hanging from his shoulders.
“Solvin..that wasn’t your wisest choice..” Keziah looked to the boy that rested against her, his eyes firmly on the ground.
“I know...but I don’t care..I don’t trust him near you Kez..” His eyes turned away from her once more as his cheeks flushed. The girl smiled warmly and kissed the boys red cheek.
“I didn’t think you had enough blood left to blush.” His face now grew more flushed as Keziah’s kiss lingered on his cheekbone. “Thank you Solvin..but I trust him..” The two of them began to make their way towards the village. “And he’s only a friend..don’t worry about it!”