Scribbler
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Not really looking for advice, mostly just posting because I'm too impatient to wait until I finish the chapter to post it.
The forest was overgrown; nary a dirt trail could be scene; covered with fallen branches and ferns was the ground; atop the stones and up the trees did the moss grow. The surrounding was so green, at this time of midmorning, that the encroaching light refracted, causing the air itself to appear green. And along with the dapples of light that spotted the ground, and the shafts of light that pierced through the overhang, it all seemed serenely beautiful and unique.
One could visit this forest again, and see a similar sight, but it would not be the same as the one in this moment. That was what Aldin thought. And for that he was thankful.
But there was something else as well. The forest was rich with magic, more so than any other forest he had been in before. Druids took in magic from their surroundings called aether, while wizards used and built up magic from within called mana, and clerics used the magic given to them by their god called divinity. Wizards and clerics could detect magic from outside of themselves as well, but they required the use of spells to do so, while druids did not. So Aldin was particularly sensitive to this change.
He wondered why this was and tried recalling his lessons. Druids were a nomadic people who coveted knowledge and the balance above all else. However, to ensure that none could ever use their knowledge to upset the balance, all of it was recorded not in any written documents, but through the mouths and ears of every generation.
There should be a cause for this level of aether, thought Aldin, usually it signifies the presence of - .
Suddenly, he heard the distant shouts of, “Get Her!”, “You’ll not get away with it!”, and, “May the hound bite yer wings off!” over each other.
Aldin looked over in the direction to see a veritable mob, with pitchforks and torches and many other manner of handheld weaponry.
And what were they chasing but a tiny, near imperceptible little thing in comparison and at that flitting speed, why, it was only 3 inches (7.5 cm) tall, with a wingspan of 6 (15). It was a fairy!
It laughed joyously and with a touch of malevolence at her would-be captors.
Aldin recalled that fairies were prone to pranks, but not to such a degree that it would cause this much outcry. More often than not, they were a fair and benevolent folk.
The druid looked on as the fairy and chasing mob passed him by, not noticing him at all, as preoccupied as they already were, along with the distance and density of trees.
Aldin continued continued his way, eventually exiting the forest, where many a tree stump were, and finding a town seated in a shallow valley. It was fairly large, with cobble roads and streetlamps. Few of the buildings were stone, most being of the wood frame, mud walls, and hay roof variation.
He made his way into town and went to find an inn for the night. It had been days since Aldin had a proper rest in a warm bed, so he was looking forward to it a great deal.
30 minutes passed and he had just finished his lunch when a large group of men took up about most all the free tables. They were disheveled and sweat-drenched.
“We almost had ‘er.“
“Are you blind? We weren’t even close.“
“It’s called being optimistic, Asshole!“
“What’d you call me!?“ The second man then stood from the seat he took only moments ago and grabbed at the other’s shirt.
“Quit it! I’ll hear no end of it from the wife if ya tear me shirt!” And the two proceeded to tussle and wrestle on the floor.
None of the others seemed to notice or care, silently eating their food or muttering to themselves. Aye, the mood was a sorry one.
Aldin rose from his seat, went up to one of these men, and asked about why they were chasing that fairy earlier. Apparently, the fairy claimed cause for many an inconvenience, such as stealing the blacksmith’s hammer, or the well’s bucket. At first it was just a small thing that they thought naught of, they would go grab a spare and the day would continue, but things were growing out of hand, to the point that so many things were lost that the town couldn’t function. And when the fairy took credit for these misdeeds in the town square, well, that was the last straw. “Why, the baker can’t even grab his bread from his oven without his paddle!” he finished.
This was all strange to Aldin, especially the fairy’s proclamation. Fairies were generally a reclusive race, sure, they liked to give a boon or play a prank on the odd man or woman, but hardly would they show themselves to so many.
The man looked on at Aldin with his green cloak, and tall walking stick in hand, and said, “Say, you’re an elf, right?”
Aldin nodded.
“You know magic, right?”
He nodded again, this time slower.
“Can’t you put up some kind a barrier that won’t let in no fairies? Or make some traps that’ll catch ‘em.”
“I’ll do you one better,” replied Aldin in a sure tone.
The druid spent the rest of the day visiting various townspeople who had missing miscellany, explaining to them that fairies are physically weak and magically strong, so when possible, they will use spells instead. That the fairy likely didn’t in fact take them away but was simply hiding them.
He asked where they normally stored their tools. Once there, he would uncork a vial and sprinkle the contents over the area, and there it would be.
When he gave them the recipe for the revealing dust, they were so thankful and full of glee that they instantly asked what they could give in return. And he would reply, “Any spare coin you’ve got would be great.” By the end of the day, he made more than usual.
That night, he sank snugly in his bed.
This was the life of a druid, wandering from town to city to village, using their knowledge to help who they could, and surviving off of not only the land, but the charity of same people he would give to. It’s a simple life, but a good one, thought Aldin as he drifted into sleep.
From the outside the window beside Aldin’s bed, a knocking came. He was still half asleep when he heard, “Wake up elf-man!”
He raised his heavy head in the direction and saw the fairy from earlier up-close, only a foot (30 cm) away.
She had the same pointy ears as Aldin. Sparkles spotted across her nose and tapered under her eyes. Her wings had the dimensions and color of a birdwing butterfly, but also the transparency and web-like pattern of a dragonfly. She had long wavy red hair, wore a dress that looked to be made of white daffodil petals, and sandals with straps that went up her calves.
But the most noticeable thing about her of all was that the she glowed like a jarful of fireflies, accentuating her already radiant beauty. Falling from her, as she flitted this way and that, was pixie dust.
When she noticed Aldin’s noticing of her, her knocks and urgent whispers became more intense. Aldin was annoyed, reminded of his alarm spell that acted much the same, and opened the window.
She flitted in as soon as she was able and threw herself in Aldin’s face, saying, “What do you think you’re doing? Undoing everything?! Did you think it was just a joke?” She then crossed her arms and said more to herself than to Aldin, “Stupid tall folk!”
He replied, “I’m very sorry,” and proceeded to lie back down and pull his blanket over his head.
She flitted over to the opening in between the blanket and bed, near his head, and said,“Gah, you can’t go to sleep, the fairy queen herself calls upon you!”
“Do I have to go now?”
“Well, no, but it would be rude to not respond as quickly as you can.” Aldin grudgingly agreed.
“Why now? Why not in the morning?”
“Less people about.”
“Can’t you turn invisible?”
“It’s easier to show you the way if you can see me and others can’t, happy?”
Aldin sighed and got out of bed.
One could visit this forest again, and see a similar sight, but it would not be the same as the one in this moment. That was what Aldin thought. And for that he was thankful.
But there was something else as well. The forest was rich with magic, more so than any other forest he had been in before. Druids took in magic from their surroundings called aether, while wizards used and built up magic from within called mana, and clerics used the magic given to them by their god called divinity. Wizards and clerics could detect magic from outside of themselves as well, but they required the use of spells to do so, while druids did not. So Aldin was particularly sensitive to this change.
He wondered why this was and tried recalling his lessons. Druids were a nomadic people who coveted knowledge and the balance above all else. However, to ensure that none could ever use their knowledge to upset the balance, all of it was recorded not in any written documents, but through the mouths and ears of every generation.
There should be a cause for this level of aether, thought Aldin, usually it signifies the presence of - .
Suddenly, he heard the distant shouts of, “Get Her!”, “You’ll not get away with it!”, and, “May the hound bite yer wings off!” over each other.
Aldin looked over in the direction to see a veritable mob, with pitchforks and torches and many other manner of handheld weaponry.
And what were they chasing but a tiny, near imperceptible little thing in comparison and at that flitting speed, why, it was only 3 inches (7.5 cm) tall, with a wingspan of 6 (15). It was a fairy!
It laughed joyously and with a touch of malevolence at her would-be captors.
Aldin recalled that fairies were prone to pranks, but not to such a degree that it would cause this much outcry. More often than not, they were a fair and benevolent folk.
The druid looked on as the fairy and chasing mob passed him by, not noticing him at all, as preoccupied as they already were, along with the distance and density of trees.
Aldin continued continued his way, eventually exiting the forest, where many a tree stump were, and finding a town seated in a shallow valley. It was fairly large, with cobble roads and streetlamps. Few of the buildings were stone, most being of the wood frame, mud walls, and hay roof variation.
He made his way into town and went to find an inn for the night. It had been days since Aldin had a proper rest in a warm bed, so he was looking forward to it a great deal.
30 minutes passed and he had just finished his lunch when a large group of men took up about most all the free tables. They were disheveled and sweat-drenched.
“We almost had ‘er.“
“Are you blind? We weren’t even close.“
“It’s called being optimistic, Asshole!“
“What’d you call me!?“ The second man then stood from the seat he took only moments ago and grabbed at the other’s shirt.
“Quit it! I’ll hear no end of it from the wife if ya tear me shirt!” And the two proceeded to tussle and wrestle on the floor.
None of the others seemed to notice or care, silently eating their food or muttering to themselves. Aye, the mood was a sorry one.
Aldin rose from his seat, went up to one of these men, and asked about why they were chasing that fairy earlier. Apparently, the fairy claimed cause for many an inconvenience, such as stealing the blacksmith’s hammer, or the well’s bucket. At first it was just a small thing that they thought naught of, they would go grab a spare and the day would continue, but things were growing out of hand, to the point that so many things were lost that the town couldn’t function. And when the fairy took credit for these misdeeds in the town square, well, that was the last straw. “Why, the baker can’t even grab his bread from his oven without his paddle!” he finished.
This was all strange to Aldin, especially the fairy’s proclamation. Fairies were generally a reclusive race, sure, they liked to give a boon or play a prank on the odd man or woman, but hardly would they show themselves to so many.
The man looked on at Aldin with his green cloak, and tall walking stick in hand, and said, “Say, you’re an elf, right?”
Aldin nodded.
“You know magic, right?”
He nodded again, this time slower.
“Can’t you put up some kind a barrier that won’t let in no fairies? Or make some traps that’ll catch ‘em.”
“I’ll do you one better,” replied Aldin in a sure tone.
The druid spent the rest of the day visiting various townspeople who had missing miscellany, explaining to them that fairies are physically weak and magically strong, so when possible, they will use spells instead. That the fairy likely didn’t in fact take them away but was simply hiding them.
He asked where they normally stored their tools. Once there, he would uncork a vial and sprinkle the contents over the area, and there it would be.
When he gave them the recipe for the revealing dust, they were so thankful and full of glee that they instantly asked what they could give in return. And he would reply, “Any spare coin you’ve got would be great.” By the end of the day, he made more than usual.
That night, he sank snugly in his bed.
This was the life of a druid, wandering from town to city to village, using their knowledge to help who they could, and surviving off of not only the land, but the charity of same people he would give to. It’s a simple life, but a good one, thought Aldin as he drifted into sleep.
From the outside the window beside Aldin’s bed, a knocking came. He was still half asleep when he heard, “Wake up elf-man!”
He raised his heavy head in the direction and saw the fairy from earlier up-close, only a foot (30 cm) away.
She had the same pointy ears as Aldin. Sparkles spotted across her nose and tapered under her eyes. Her wings had the dimensions and color of a birdwing butterfly, but also the transparency and web-like pattern of a dragonfly. She had long wavy red hair, wore a dress that looked to be made of white daffodil petals, and sandals with straps that went up her calves.
But the most noticeable thing about her of all was that the she glowed like a jarful of fireflies, accentuating her already radiant beauty. Falling from her, as she flitted this way and that, was pixie dust.
When she noticed Aldin’s noticing of her, her knocks and urgent whispers became more intense. Aldin was annoyed, reminded of his alarm spell that acted much the same, and opened the window.
She flitted in as soon as she was able and threw herself in Aldin’s face, saying, “What do you think you’re doing? Undoing everything?! Did you think it was just a joke?” She then crossed her arms and said more to herself than to Aldin, “Stupid tall folk!”
He replied, “I’m very sorry,” and proceeded to lie back down and pull his blanket over his head.
She flitted over to the opening in between the blanket and bed, near his head, and said,“Gah, you can’t go to sleep, the fairy queen herself calls upon you!”
“Do I have to go now?”
“Well, no, but it would be rude to not respond as quickly as you can.” Aldin grudgingly agreed.
“Why now? Why not in the morning?”
“Less people about.”
“Can’t you turn invisible?”
“It’s easier to show you the way if you can see me and others can’t, happy?”
Aldin sighed and got out of bed.
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