Longing for Adventure

Taraxzaval may be large, but his mind was simple. Distance's heart swelled at his kindness. His description was odd, yet sounded familiar. She smiled. "You found honey." She considered his offer for a moment.

"You're hungry, you should eat. But I... I have to find the fairy."She gently removed a branch out of his thick hair. "Shall we meet here again by morning?"

Distance walked through the forest, towards the graveyard. She had an odd feeling that she would find the fairy there. The bloodied ribbon she found reinforced this. The closer she got to the cemetary, the stronger the smell got. The smell of nature surrounded her but it united at one strong point, along with the scent of earth and sweet smelling flowers and life. The smell of life was so strong in the fairy it made Distance's heart pang with longing. It was hard to concentrate, but she had to stay focused.

Distance stopped. And yet, the smell grew stronger. Distance's eyes widened as she realized the fairy was coming towards her. She had been expecting the fairy to be flying and so had picked a low hiding space, but regreted her decision as the soft sound of grass underfoot was heard. She normally took the opposite ground of her prey, or in this case, her predator she supposed, as she seemed to be the one being tracked.

She waited for the fairy to cross her path before creeping out quietly 5 feet behind her.

"Are you looking for me?" She quickly ran up a tree the left in a flash, reach the top in less that a second. "You can not catch me." She ran to the base of an oak to the right. "I do not mean to harm you." She appeared before the fairy. "I simply wish to give you the truth." She waited for the fairy's reaction. Distance stayed on her toes, prepared to flee if the fairy attempted to harm her. Nothing, not even a magical fairy, could keep pace with a vampire. She subtley proved this point with her previous movements, hoping the fairy would realize that if the vampire had wanted to kill her, she'd already be dead.

Distance saw the look in the fairy's eyes, not of a predator withholding an attack, but a lost soul seeking answers. She sat so as to make the fairy feel less threatened. Even sitting, Distance would be able to retreat to safety if the fairy attempted to inflict any harm.

"I came just as you were leaving. I watched the rabbit all day. I watched as she stayed by herself behind the oak tree, even after all the other bunnies had gone home, and how she.... she hurt herself. And I didn't even realize what she'd done. I just couldn't understand how someone could do that to themselves. She came towards me, all covered in blood. I tried to save her. But it was too late. There was so much blood and she was such a small animal. I tried to save her but she didn't want me to. When I told her that it was too late; that's when she... when she... asked me to... I'm so sorry." Tears began rolling down her cheeks, wetting her dress and arms. And once they began to flow she couldn't stop them.

The tears started to flow less steadily, then they stopped all together. She took slow breaths as the fairy had done.

"I saw you just as you were leaving. I-I never saw a fairy before. You are so beautiful. I watched you for a moment, but then you left. I was intrigued by the bunny you had talked to. She seemed... different. I noticed the gashes along her front legs and wondered how she had gotten them. When she noticed me, she didn't run away. She knew I was a vampire. She wanted me to be there. She asked me to..." Distance couldn't bring herself to say it, "To do what vampires do."

She wiped at her mouth nervously.

What did Distance just say? Alysia asked herself, She’s a-a-…vampire? Alysia could feel her stomach churning at the thought. Vampires were cruel, Alysia knew that. Distance didn’t seem cruel, however. The irony confused Alysia and made her feel light headed. Her mind felt miles away, and it was as if she wasn’t really there, sitting on the forest floor with a vampire. Alysia knew she should say something. Distance was probably awaiting her response, but no words came to Alysia’s mouth. She had tried so hard to be as kind as possible. But the more she knew about who Distance was, the more she felt the flames of anger ignite inside of her.
Alysia looked up at the sky, realizing the sun was about to break the night with its morning rays of beauty. Alysia felt more powerful in the sunlight. Perhaps the energy of the day will give her strength to talk to this bloodsucking girl and figure something out. Alysia didn’t know what she would do, though. She thought maybe something would come along if she befriended the vampire. Maybe Distance would trust her enough to let her in, hopefully not suck her dry of blood, and Alysia could get her revenge somehow.
Alysia inwardly slapped herself. How dare she think such an evil thought? Back home, everyone would be so disappointed in her, but Alysia didn’t care at that moment what anyone would say if they found out her plans. She had to get payback, not only for Rita, but for another loved one as well.
“You killed my mother,” she whispered softly, a tear slipping down her cheek, “You vampires. You killed her."

The tragic events of the early morning did not leave her for her entire voyage home. Even the sight of her favourite place in her village-the docks- could not distract her from the horrific memories. She could not believe that she had once looked up to men and women who would kill first and ask questions later in these situations. It was not logical to her. Once she passed by the bustling shoreline she turned north to get to her home. The world continued as normal around her; storekeepers selling, people bartering and children playing and helping their mothers. The familiarity of her surroundings comforted her, but at the same time it made her connection to humanity and therefore Taraxzavl’s murder that much stronger. Thoughts whipped and buzzed through her head like busy bees. They occupied so much of her attention that she did not realize where she was going and ended up hitting a fencepost. She lost her balance and fell like a lead weight to the floor. Finally disengaged with her thoughts she looked around and realized that she had made it home (well, almost home). The fenced in front yard enclosed multiple allotment patches. These were fruit and vegetable patches that her mother rented out to villagers without yard space of their own to grow things. They could come over and tend to the plants themselves or she would tend to them for an extra fee. She had her own garden in the back, filled with not only food but beautiful flowers and other plants. As a child Ronia would sit out in this garden and read. It was very peaceful. Suddenly she heard footsteps; her mother was walking her way
“Ronia darling! Are you alright?” her mother said kneeling down towards her daughter.
“Yes mother, I was just lost in thought.” She replied rubbing her head.
“Obviously; you were never a clumsy child. Come inside now.” Her mother struggled to rise from her position. Ronia quickly got up and helped her. Her mother was growing older and weaker. She wondered how she was able to maintain the lush gardens while walking so slowly. They made their way into their little cottage. There were only two rooms; the common room and her parent’s chambers. Ronia made her way to the kitchen table and sat down. Her mother sat down as well; her worn brown eyes stared right into Ronia’s as she spoke softly.
“What is the matter dear? Usually at this moment you would start bludgeoning me with questions and asking to help with dinner .”
Her mother could read her all too well. Just as she was about to speak the front door sprang open.
“Sylvana my love!” father said his voice loud as thunder. He walked right in and embraced her mother tightly, kissing her just as he let go. She giggled softly into her palm and blushed. They were an odd couple; her father still had a young face and spirit, looking closer to Ronia’s age than her mother’s. He was in fact 5 years older than her mother; they waited almost 10 years before marrying and having Ronia. Such is the life of an elf; they barely show signs of aging
“Ronia my sweet angel you’re home at last. I have missed you terribly.” He walked over to her and kissed her forehead. Ronia’s expression did not change. He noticed.
“My angel is sitting under a dark cloud!” he said kneeling down in front of her chair.
“Yes Meris I noticed, I was inquiring about it when you burst through the door.” Her mother told him
“Oh do continue my dear! I shall listen as intently as possible.”
Ronia’s lips started to quiver. “I...I...witnessed a tragic death in the forest!”
Both her parents gasped, eyes widening.
“When was this? Who committed the foul deed?” Her mother said softly but with fear. Ronia’s words came out in a big jumble
“It was this morning! I was awoken by an adventurer and he said there was danger so I followed him up a tree and he and his two friends came out of nowhere and killed the poor troll! They said it was to protect me but the troll hadn’t done anything wrong; he was only tired from scavenging for food and he was just...just tired that’s all! He was curious! It was all my fault!”
Ronia burst into furious tears. Her father went behind her and rubbed her shoulders, which would normally calm her down but she could not be comforted. Her mother began to speak
“Darling, how could you have been in danger? Weren’t you lodging in the village? If the troll had wondered into the village he would be a threat.”
“No mother!” she said with a scream. “He was a threat to no one. He wouldn’t dare go near a village full of noisy humans!”
“So, you were sleeping in the forest then, against our wishes.” Said her father -still attempting to soothe her.
“Yes! I’m sorry I’m sorry! I shouldn’t have because it led to the death of an innocent creature at the hands of murderous, nasty human men! I hate that they feel they are allowed to kill anyone they want”
Her parents were taken aback by this outburst. She had never voiced displeasure towards people before.
“I thought you admired them Ronia.” Said her father “the open air, the nature, the ability to help those in need...”
She stopped crying when her father said this. He was right of course; she wanted something more than her provincial life. She wanted the freedom and the responsibility. Then again, she didn’t want to be associated with humans; those who kill without thinking anything through like those men in the forest. There was only one race she knew of who shared both her love of the outdoors and her need for thought before action. Ronia dried her face with her sleeves and looked up at her mother, still sitting across from her.
“I do, but not human adventurers; elven adventurers.”

Distance kept her expression blank but inside she was in shock. How could something so beautiful be so filled with hate? she wondered. She knew she was walking on fragile ground.

"But I-I don't know who killed my family. Do you?"