Infernal Brotherhood An Everneverlyon Tale

Intro 

In the days before the time of written history , five beings were each fleeing a war that had spread across Quartzite Mountain . Death and destruction encompassing the whole of the North Eastern continent. A continent covered entirely by a mountain of Quartz .Very little grew on the mountain's peaks. Wayward pines and dogwoods and a single beech tree .  Fleeing the war that had spread over all of Everneverlyon , five tieflings :  twin tiefling sisters Demona and Mythra , Half brothers Crack and Bloodright , and Rolsis the tiefling ranger leading them all , would embark on a mission to find answers. Each searching the spires of the world for something ,love , Faith , healing , family

    And revenge .

 

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Prologue  

All she had ever had was her sister and a lute .  She couldn’t remember her parents . They didn't matter. What did matter was her and Demona . It was always Mythra and Demona . That happens when you share a womb . As the twins would say to each other , from the womb to the tomb .  No one mattered more than the two of them . They were always moving. None of the humans really trusted Mona ,but they always came to her for herbal remedies, Mona always said that they went where they were needed . Whatever that meant . She thought they were running away. Away from the pain, away from the taunts and misunderstandings . She was so tired. Tired of the humans that demonized her and her sister for the crime of their birth . She was  tired of the long exhausting days with no home or family in sight . tired of going to bed hungry . She was just tired. She wanted friends , family , food and a good fuck. Not particularly in that order . She was relatively adept at picking pockets , she could throw an insult as hard as a punch ,witty and charming, she had an ease about her . She preferred to be clean and was always well cut .Her smile is so bright  .So chipper nothing ever seemed to bring her spirit down . What she lacked in intelligence she made up in charisma and skill . Mythra loved to sing .  She loved the looks she got when she performed . The cheers , the clapping, everything about telling a story . There was absolutely nothing sweeter . Mythra loved performing for the children in villages . She would set up her All inclusive  attraction :

“ Make a wish come true “  

a shadow puppet show which had stories , songs , and a fair amount  of dancing light shows. complete with  tumbling ,acrobatics , a few feats of strength  and what she felt was her crowning achievement to date . a portable sensory garden to which the twins  would invite the most needy of all the children .They loved to include  the sick children Mona administered to . All children regardless of race , creed , color , or birth title ANY child  could touch and feel the puppets . They could smell and even lick the things in the  sensory garden. There were charms to create sounds and noises . so the children could see , hear , feel and even taste all the different textures, sights, objects , and sounds . as well as a few things that they could make noises with themselves . They could simply be their authentic selves . no expectations or judgments they just got to be themselves .mythra loved the interactive portion of her show the most . The children that came to the show never judged the twins . they were not afraid of them .   She and her sister would be so involved in the interactive portion that they allowed the children to grab their horns or pull on their clothes or pull on and touch any of the hanging bubbles all over their performing gear . 

 Wraith lets kids ride him , Owliver and all the other familiars would let the children climb all over them and every now and again Owliver would give flights .  Wraith's favorite thing was giving rides . especially when the kids held on tight so he could go fast .Their group was so much stronger with bloodrite a male tiefling warlock  and his wolf familiar Wraith  joining them .  She and Mona had met Bloodrite While in Alorious deep in the onyx desert of the black spire. She was just setting up her stage and equipment for tonight's show . This was the last night she would perform in the Mantisquition , Annual Spring Faire . Her and Mona would still be around for about 2-3 days . they needed to buy provisions before they left , And if she was being honest with herself , she had not yet booked their next gig . She really didn't know what she was going to do or how she was going to tell Mona that she didn't know where to go or what to do . The twins sorta relied on her plans . She loved mapping out their trips and   learning  the  area,  finding out what towns and villages had the most need . the ones that were the poorest or were without a cleric or a teacher of any kind . These were the towns they would most frequent .  

                                                 Part 1 The Twins

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                                                           Chapter 1 

                    ATrick Riding Lesson  

 Mona was gathering herbs for her spells today . So she asked Mythra to care for her horse while she was busy . Mona always said that collecting herbs was easier without melancholy nipping at her heels or eating things she wanted to collect. Melicholly , Mona’s horse would not be saddled and acted like a child barely weaned from the tit when she was gone . Usually She could put melancholy in the same stall as her horse John bon Pony or Johnny boy and things would be fine and she could get her chores for the day done . but today felt different . something felt memorable about today . She couldn't quite put her finger on it.So instead of putting Melicholly into the stall with Jonny, she decided to take him for a run. Just outside of their camp Mythra practiced her running stride as she called it . In days past she would look up at Mona from the flat of her back as she had failed to land the maneuver  yet again. She thought to herself , this day feels different , it did from the moment i crawled from my bedroll . I think I am going to land this today .  Most horses were skittish around Mythra and Demona but Melancholy and John were cut from a different cloth altogether . Both hated saddles and being ridden and liked just being around . They not only tolerated and loved the  tiefling sisters, but it felt as though they were connected spiritually. Hopping deftly off melancholy and keeping herself focused on the horse she backed up slowly and went to run and hop up , when suddenly , “ you're doing it wrong “ a low gentle voice broke the near silence .  

Turning to respond with a roundhouse kick to the person speaking ; Just as her leg went to connect, the person talking caught her by the ankle . “ nice ankle  “   “thanks, can I have it back ? “ She looked over at her teacher. Standing before her was the tallest tiefling she had ever seen . Athletic build and such muscular arms .  He was Dressed head to toe in leather. Leaf and earth tones . Strapped to the teeth . Giving her a  smile that radiated  through her  ; just as brightly as his weapons showed. His jet black horns folding back and out his hood . Strong chin and a muscular build this was not just the tallest tiefling she ever met, this was the most attractive one as well . How could she be attracted to someone this; Struggling to find the word ; cocky ? Lost in her thoughts she did her best to focus so this stranger didn't distract her .  “ oh yeah .” he said,  suddenly realizing he was clearly staring at this vision of a tiefling woman in front of him releasing her leg. “ I’m Ralsis , nice form ,and yeah that is not how you do that . Ideally for practice you want 2 horses or 2 riders . “  “I don't recall asking for your help . "  she snapped at this perfect stranger  "Ok fine . don't listen to me and you’ll end up on the flat of your back then .  What's your name?“ he shot back . Was this man reading her thoughts ? Was he watching her ? each time in the last week she had ended up on the flat of her back while practicing  .  How much did he know about her? “ Well go on, let's see you try then .” she said sarcastically .” You succeed?  She quipped “ we’ll see if you are Mr right and I might just give you  my name and let you stop and smell the roses   “ she said with a wink and a fair amount of cockyness she didn't own . fake it till you make it i guess . she thought to herself . “Ok I will . Trust me Minx , you'll tell me your name . Do you know why ? “ he said , low and slow . so she had to lean in to hear him . his breath on her neck . “Because I'm the one. '' he said  .Then looking her in the eye , delicately  tucking an errant hair back behind her ear  “ I'm Mr. Right here . right  now . '' Articulating his words and holding her gaze , So she understood him very clearly , Rolsis continued   “ That's not a boast, minx , thats'' he spoke  in his deep and firm voice looking directly into her amethyst eyes ``just” he paused  her focus completely on him his lips centimeters from hers `` fact “ He turned away just before their lips touched . Teasing her . egging her on . Her sparkling eyes closed, as she savored his every breathy word . All he could see was her contented expression . Her head leaning back into his hands savoring their touch. Damn it she was getting to him. fuck if he didnt want to just bend her over his horse and take her right then and there.  Under the eyes of the gods and anyone else lucky enough to pass by . Mythras eyes were still  closed and her breath quickened  as she continued to savor the touch of this absolute stranger .Her  quickened  breathing caused her breasts to heave as she attempted to calm herself . telling herself to breathe in through her nose and out through her mouth . Collecting herself and reluctantly releasing herself from the grasp of a man she  hardly knew . she thought , there was something to the way he said she would tell him her name . She knew no matter what , somehow , even though she had only met this attractive tiefling she did trust him . somehow she knew she would tell him her name .Ralsis continued to watch the sexy little tiefling . She looked about 5’1 perhaps 5’2 standing on the tips of her  hoofs .   She was short for a tiefling . She wore skin tight leather pants and a white equestrian blouse, with a vest that looked dwarven in make, designed to accent her “assets'' .  Her long black hair was trimmed into a mohawk . She wore round spectacles . She had a never ending smile a mile wide . Her horns curved around her ears like a ram . All over her horns were jewelry , and her arms had intricate dwarven tattoos. She in fact looked as though she  had several intricate tattoos that disappeared beneath her clothes . Following the stem of a large  rose tattoo posed right between her heaving breasts  as it disappeared under her shirt and down her cleavage. When her hand moved he noted that  the stem just kept going . He looked away real quick to try to clear his head so he could think straight . That didn't seem to help because he kept imagining where the tattoo ended . well he thought to himself i think I'll try my hand at botany . Noticing Ralsis staring intensely at her breasts , she let the tip of her ;long fingernail trail down from her neck to the top of her blouse . Grabbing a cloth tucked deftly in a hidden pocket on her waist coat , she pulled down slowly on her blouse , dabbing at each of the petals of her tattoo wiping the sweat away , showing more and more the stems of her “roses' ' so that's what she meant by smelling the roses . 

 Once he could form rational thought he began to study her .   Was she undressing him with her eyes ? He shot her a half cocked grin that made her stumble a little .  Those eyes ,those glistening stars . yup . it almost looked like she was drooling . If he didn't know any better he would say her spectacles were all fogged up while she was lost in thought of him , he hoped . Finally able to put one word in front of the other , let alone one foot ,he started to do his best to win her over . Turning quickly and taking P by the reins, putting his face close to hers . Rolsis stood in the clearing, his eyes darting between Penelope and Mythra, who leaned against a tree, a bemused smile playing on her lips. He took a deep breath, crouching down to his horse’s level.

"Alright, Penelope," he began, his voice dripping with mock seriousness. "We need to talk about strategy. That Minx is watching, and I need to impress her with our amazing tricks. Think you can pull through for me?"

He paused, giving Penelope an expectant look, as if she might actually respond. "I know you’ve got the skills. Remember that time we leaped over the stream and made it look effortless? We need that level of flair today!"

Penelope snorted softly, flicking her tail, and Rolsis chuckled. "I can practically hear you saying, 'But Rolsis, I’m just a horse!' I know you’re just a horse, but you’re my horse, and together we can win her over !"

With a twinkle in his eye, Rolsis gestured grandly. "What do you say? A little gallop, a spin, maybe a little  rear? Show off that grace of yours!"

He mimicked a horse’s whinny, trying to capture Penelope’s attention. "C’mon, partner! Let’s show her that we’re the best team in the land!"

Penelope pawed the ground, as if considering his words, and Rolsis grinned. "That’s the spirit! Just remember: if we nail this, I owe you a whole barrel of apples."

As he climbed onto her back, he gave one last look over at the tiefling girl and noticed she had moved to the front of penny and as he looked down he thought 

 Was she talking to Penny ? yeah , yeah she was . Her voice reminded him of the coo of a dove and why did he feel as though he could sit and listen to her talk about nothing for hours . She was almost too soft to hear . she was soothing Penny, whispering to her  and nuzzling Penny with her forehead . Why did he long for her to talk to him like that? “ Yes, pretty girl, it is a pleasure to meet you . Will you be my friend Penny ? I think my horse Johnny would really like you“. She continued in a sultry voice . “ See, Johnny is like me, Penny. Just like I'm hoping this sexy man is like you . I would gather that if you enjoyed my touch this much my new friend and “teacher” She said even putting her fingers up and making quote marks as she said the teacher “ is going to love it . “  Wow . He was blown away . How could she be real ?  She was actually thinking the exact same thing as him . Did he imagine her ? Damn , he had to get to know her better .  Just coming out of his own thoughts He turned , caught her attention and held her gaze with his enchanting  smile , “do you trust me ?” he asked, his eyes shining with pleasure un able to hide his growing attraction . Shifting the front of his pants to the side he hoped she was watching. His back to her now he could  only hear her  ,  “ trust you ?” she questioned “ How can i trust you ? I literally just met you ! “ she said.  slightly cocking his head to the right as he thought “ fair point “ he turned and looked into the diamonds that were her eyes and replied “then trust this”.  all joking gone from his face Ralsis shouted  “GO!!!!”    With a swift kick, Penelope took off, galloping into the open space, and Rolsis felt a rush of exhilaration. Together, they would dazzle this Minx and win her heart—one trick at a time . As the speeding horse moved along Rolsis deftly jumped up on his saddle. Grasping the reins he balanced himself . as Penny approached a branch on a tree just on the inside of the clearing, reaching up with his left hand ,releasing the reins and  landing on the ground with agility . Pivoting on his feet and turning so  Penny got closer Ralsis then reached out his hand . Suddenly,  like it was nothing to him , he deftly threw  his hand around  Penelope's saddle horn,  then drawing his leg up and over , Ralsis landed lightly in the saddle. As he reigned  Penny in and slowed her to a trot , he  came up to Mythra. Looking down on her with the sun to his back made Ralsis look more angelic then infernal. He asked her  again gently and kindly “ what is your name ?”  “Fuck !” she thought to herself he was so hot , gods all she wanted to do was pull every article of clothing off of him and slowly lick him from head to head …..” hey , hey minx.” snapping his fingers in front of her face.  “Did you hear me ? you looked 50 miles away .” he said  “oh yeah” she replied, her cheeks flushing at the idea of having him for a snack . she looked right into his eyes   “Mythra.” she replied smiling .Her words barely more than a whisper ,It was that moment she knew , This wasn't mr right or mr right now . This was mr forever and always . “My name is Mythra.” Rolsis nodded, a look of passion  passing between them as he hopped off Peny. She eagerly rushed toward him  "Mythra. A beautiful name for a beautiful soul," he murmured, his lips  brushing hers in a fleeting touch. “ Can I smell your roses now? “ She  could  stand the sexual tension no longer . She Knew she had only just met Rolsis . she knew she should be more selective and all that but damn it if he wasn't sexy  as hell . Leaning in hard to the kiss, opening her mouth to Rolsis’s exploring tongue . Mythra only stopped the kiss as Rolsis began to explore her neck . closing her eyes and savoring the moment . Rolsis was teasing her, touching her everywhere and caressing her body. Sticking his face right into the five full blooming Roses that were tattooed , nestled between her perky breasts , Smelling her musty aroma and nibbling on her nipples, she cried out in pleasure as he thrust his hand in her pants and into her sex . wiggling and thrusting with his hand till she was a waterfall on his hand. Turning her around and bending her over Penny just as he had imagined , he thrust inside of her till he was ready to explode then bending backwards giving him enough leverage to grab both her horns. Pulling her the rest of the way off penny putting one hand just under her throat the other under her breasts they both climaxed in heat and passion . Laying  her gently  on the ground, their tails wrapped around one another and entwined, Ralssis was careful not to put all his weight onto Mythra . he  pulled her hair back and looked her in the eyes directly , “now that i have your name i never want to let it go .”  looking back into his eyes she said “ i feel the same exact way . '' What do you feel about meeting my twin sister and figuring out what we are all about? We travel all over Everneverlyon . " He was quiet for several minutes . Mythra was concerned she had scared him off , seeing as this was the first time they had met and not only did she fuck him but she wanted him to meet the family . running his hands through her hair and kissing the tip of her nose, Ralsis finally gave her his answer “ Minx “ he said looking deeply into the eyes of a woman he now knew he loved ,   “ hold me love till morning , stay till the sun goes down . Just hold me for now .Please  play me a song of the life you found ?  ""at your command my love  '' she said  with  joy in her eyes. “ at your command  ”   pressing her lips to his she reached around him deftly and grabbed her  lyre . plucking the seven strings she played for rolsis  a piece she had not shared with anyone .she wrapped herself in his leathers as she played

the Lady of the  Lyer .

The lady of the lyre has got  a lot upon her mind 

Traveling across the land with seven strings combined 

And where she going next  no one knows - OH 

Her name was Rosalinda but right now she goes by rose 

And the lady of the Lyre has got to leave her home behind 

Betrothed to a nobleman her  father had designed And 

though her protest was strong and clear  

He made it pretty known her home was anywhere here 

And though the road she fallows Lead her to nowhere she wanted to stay 

 Mythra didn't stop playing her lyre . She did stop singing . As she continued to play she spoke to rolsis and looked him in his eyes directly while speaking , she said I never knew where the song was going . then you said what you said . i can't stop thinking about you and what you said so i put it to song 

And though the road she fallows Lead her to nowhere she wanted to stay 

And all along she swallowed the burden of not having someone to say 

Hold me love till morning and stay till the suns go down and play

me A song of the life you found

 Mythra pressed the flat of her palm to the seven strings of her lyre  and immediately stopped singing “So that's all I have for now, it's not very guu……Looking up from her lyre Rolsis cut her off with the most passionate kiss that Mythra had ever had .

“It's amazing Just like you “ Rolsis said as he cut her off . “Now I was sure you mentioned something about meeting your sister and the rest of your Performing  troupe? “ Unable to form a coherent sentence all she could do was nod her aquaessence .  "Well it just happens that was why I was meeting you in the first place . I wanted to audition for your troup . I'm no performer . I'm a Ranger. I’m a cook . nothing more nothing less . Mythra  my sexy little minx , I don't say I love you  right away . But I will say this,  I care  for you so deeply . yeah I know we just met and I should be more selective and all that . But you are sexy as hell . All of you . The way you think , what do you do with the troupe , Doing what you can to ease the pain of war ? All of it .  Will you let me cook for you , for as long as you'll have me ? '' tears of joy welled in Mythras eyes . " You really are reading my thoughts aren't you ? I never thought it was possible to feel like this . I would love for you to join our troupe and travel with us . We really are a ship without a rudder. "  Pressing their horns together they shared an intimate few moments then packed up Penelope and Melancholy ,and rode down the mountain side by side.As they descended from the peak, Mythra led Rolsis to the secluded glade where her twin sister, Demona,  their friend and warlock Bloodright and his brother Crack were all  waiting for her to return. The druid greeted Rolsis with a warm smile, her emerald eyes twinkling with mischief as she sized him up.

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                                        CH2

                                   Help of a druid

Demona always kept all her tools on her . It was foolish  not to . Even though the humans in the area did not trust her or her sister , they still came to her when they needed help. The baby was crying from fever , so they asked demona to help . Broken bone ? They asked Demona to help . It never failed . No matter how poorly they were treated by the humans, Demona always wanted to help . That is how their adopted mother raised them . to look out for those less fortunate than yourself .  Today was no different than any other day . In order to help the Winthrops' colic -ridden child , Demona needed a few more herbs for her healing spell .  The milkthistle , bay leaf and basil could all be found at the base of Quartzite mountain , no need to question why it was named such , the Mistletoe she had to climb to the very top . The only mistletoe grew on the only tree at the top of the mountain's highest peak . It was a good thing the druid had been best friends with the dryad that protected the tree since she was very small. 

 The entire mountain was quarts .  Next to nothing grew or lived on the glistening white surface. Demona absolutely loved Quartzite Mountain. There were rumors that dwarfs lived in the mountains . Demona and Mythra knew that there in fact were drugar Living beneath the surface of Quartzite mountain , because their Adopted  mother was the Clan chieftains high priestess and spiritual advisor. Their mother was firm , kind , and fair . she had already raised 4 of her own children with her lifemate steppenwolf . Growing up adopted wasn't easy . the drugar children could be cruel .  well all children could be cruel . It was the nature of children to be cruel . 

Mythra was finishing setting up the stage and performing area for their last show . she hadn't said what their next town would be yet , and Demona guessed that Mythra was still working that out as she usually did . Though today did have a different feel. The day felt lighter somehow .Lighter but important.  She kept dancing around the pain of lying to her sister . She wasn't collecting herbs . Mythra didn't ask her what she was doing when she asked her to take care of melancholy .  she just let Mythra assume she was collecting herbs as she usually did this time of day.A human had come from the barbarian village . deep in the heart of Ackland  the red spire.  The humans that sent the letter were some that her mother was trying to help overcome severe prejudice. Most of these old hatreds from the warrior's war  were hard for even the most peaceful to overcome . Her adopted parents had both done their part during the war to bring about swift peace .  To be honest demona had not thought about the war or whose side one should be on. Demona preferred to be on the side of trees . no one was ever on the side of trees . though when she had to deal with the clans of humans she really only liked helping those  that the other humans thought of as beneath them or not worth help . She often heard and never repeated the word savage tossed around flagrantly by the humans . She did not see savages or barbarians or brutes . She saw people . people who deserved love and respect just like everyone else in this often gods forsaken world . This human had come with an urgent letter for her mother asking for help her mother was busy in the green Spire  helping a tribe of mud people and there was nothing she could do and her mother couldn't help and the letter made it sound as though help was needed quickly the letter said

 

          To whoever can help . I need a healer. Our clan was attacked by goblins hab many wounded . Ples help and come as quickly as you can . there i one who i fear won't make it through the night, 

Send Beronar cleric 

                                Crack  S . Cudgel

 

    so she packed a backpack with everything she could think of to help . her mum had said she was not ready for a home hearth bag just yet . so she brought what she could . The barbarian clan was in the blood red spire . As she walked out to the border of the White sand spire where the Drugar lived it was about 400 meters from the base of the white spire to the base of the red spire so she had a pretty decent walk in the bite of the early White sun before the red sun rose. She couldn't help but notice that  The sand of the center spire began muddying and going pink as it  continued on into red until it all became red all  around it. the pink light of the second sun now just cresting the black peak the crunch of the gravel beneath her feet as she gained ground everything began inclining as the Spire began to get higher and higher slowing a little in her travel taking a few desperate sips of water she almost tripped over her own two feet . Nearly dropping everything in her hands the feathers and bubbles on her outfit jingling and rustling with the tussle she really wished she'd brought melancholy with her but her sister would have suspected something if she had so making it to the barbarians camping area was a challenge she made pretty decent time the midday sun was just cresting in the mountain peak when she spotted The village grabbing her flask and taking a sip of some liquid courage she hurried along and  entered the village demona noticed first that  most of the tents were close together in a circle though many were very badly damaged big holes and tears, some still smoldering from fire broken tent posts scattered fire pits weeping women a tragedy had happened here.  The largest tent was in the center most of the circle .It  appeared to be intact though a good half of it was completely collapsed, shredded and smoldering. This was where she assumed everyone was meeting. knowing she was invited  she went to enter the circle of tents . Nearly as soon as her feet crossed the border of the Ring of tents demona felt a magic circle in place. Using her own Druid magic she was able to detect a circle of protection from evil around the tents; this must have been what allowed the main tent to remain intact and most of the tents to remain for the most part undamaged.

But  just as she was entering this circle she was abruptly stopped  and gruffly shoved away from the makeshift entrance  . The person pushing her away was  a very tall barbarian man whom she couldn't tell where the dirt ended and the dark skin began. He  shoved her away so hard she  fell over  he spoke at her 

" you go away demon " he said  "I'm not a demon " she replied "my name is Mona", she often told the white lie that her name was Mona especially when humans and other races called her a demon  referring to herself as Demona often would reinforce their idea she was a demon and she chose and preferred to avoid that at all costs. This gruff and abrupt barbarian told her that the wounded tent was just to the left.After she stood up he began to take measure of her He looked her up and down and judging her with his eyes and finding her to be a sinful tieflingHe said “the blessed members of the tribe tent no no go near true clan members. You demon, you only help Tug, a jug  member of the clan .”“What or who is this person? “She asked  “Have a Baby evil like you have a son like you . Where is Cleric Steppenwolf?”Demona replied “ my teacher . . . . “  , if the humans knew she was the adopted daughter of Elara they would never trust her mother again.“ She is  healing a clan of humans in the green spire and couldn't be reached.”     These humans were really frustrating her . 

“She is  busy .” she said realizing her voice had dropped a few octaves  and it was dripping with sarcasm collecting herself and trying to sound kind she said “your letter  sounded urgent and so i came with haste to do what i can .” His response was gruff .” We did not send for you think crack send for you to help Mom but we send for cleric bruner to heal true member of clan where burner cleric You only help one person . gods cursed “ he spat on the ground “has a demon son like you . is the only one you can go near. You find one  end village . Do you have a way to contact clerics? Tell the cleric ,help the true member clan thug  a jug . The goblins had got to the tent first  . Son not there to stop them .  He was too busy stopping  cave trolls from killing true members of the clan he spoke true true  . Still she is part of the clan.” 

 Demona really was trying to pay attention to the barbarian as he spoke but the more and more he spoke the more she didn't want to help these humans . She didn't want to feed their belief that people like her were evil. Practically ignoring what he said she began looking around for the tent he described .Fuck helping these asshole humans . he had told her that the  womans name was thug a jug . She looked around and there were a few small children . she pulled out a sweet honeycomb in a small jar .” this is yours “she said handing the treat to the closest human child to her

 “ If you can please tell me where to find Tug a jug . “    

    Taking her hand the child led demona all the way to Tug- a-jug ‘s  tent.  She stepped forward pulling the flap to find  Tug a jug  laying in her own mess and crying in pain and shame . The first thing Mona noticed was the tent was dark and smelled of festering wounds .Reaching into her bag she pulled out dried herb bundles and began hanging them around, set up an incense block and lit it and began checking  over Tug a jug and addressing her immediate needs . casting dancing lights creating a soft ambiance in the room she knew she was not going to be able to save this woman from the afterlife Into the room crashed A Tall Blood red skinned Tiefling . The tallest Demona had ever seen , shirtless and glistening a little more than a loin cloth covering his most intimate of body parts   who  demona could only assume was Tug a jug's son He said nothing and went directly to his mothers side. “ I knew that death would take her; “  

    she told him not knowing or caring if he heard her or even was listening . She knew what nonverbal looked like . what it felt like . She experienced it often . So she simply continued . “And so I did what I could to make her more comfortable and ease her passing into the next life.“ He looked at her. She did not know if he had understood what she had just said . He turned and walked out the tent saying nothing as he went . demona went back to administering to Tug a jug . There were a few times Tug a jug was able to open her eyes and just briefly smile at her . Demona was unsure whether or not she knew who she was or if she possibly thought she was her son but she was gladfor was that she could give this woman even a moment of peace and bring a smile to her beautiful face Just as she was getting ready to administer more oils and salves  to ease Thug-a- jugs passing, the curtain flap came open and in walked her son. 

This time crack spoke. “Are you a cleric?” in a very intelligent voice much clearer and more intelligent than the other barbarian she had been speaking to, “ Yes,” she said, “though I am not a cleric of Burenor . the one who had been sent for .  I'm her student and I'm a druid . Unfortunately I was unable to heal your mother. I can only ease her passing.“ I see you've placed are they dried scented herbs” he asked 

“ yes they help eliminate some of the difficult smell of the passing and I've cleaned all of her wounds she is quite comfortable but unfortunately healing her is beyond my capabilities” she finished “ I understand” he said as knelt next to his mother and took her hand in his she leaned her head lightly to the left looked up into his eyes she held his hand her right hand went up next to his face and she said “crack my sweet son, stay safe. every time you see a flower and feel the breath of the wind  you will know it's me and that I love you my sweet bubby . “and she closed her eyes and peacefully passed away into the next life . 

Demona cast gentle repose , preserving tug-a-jug from decay and protecting her from being risen from the dead as a zombie or other undead.  crack she explained” This spell can preserve your mother . possibly till a proper cleric can get here . “  demona watched as crack went through a myriad of emotions and then after shaking his head he let out an ear piercing wail. The sound that one's heart makes when it's breaking. crack began to tear the tent that they were once living in down  to shred it using it for the wrap to incase his mother's body  cutting off his two long braids  he tied them around his mothers wrists so his spirit would be with her in the next life . demona removed a few precious gems and tucked into the folds of thug-a-jugs funeral wrap she helped crack carry his mother's body to the funeral pyre he had already begun to build as they placed her body upon the pyre and she allowed crack his moment of peace to mourn his mother in private she then turned using her Druid magic pulled earth and stones and created a caern  around Tug a jug and her burning funeral body as the rocks surrounded the fire that was her the smoke escaping through small cracks giving the carn that encased her and ethereal since before demona began her Trek home she turned to crack and said I'm sorry I could not save your mother I wish I had been better trained or prepared and could better have helped you and her “crack turned to her and said “demona you're being here was helpful thank you I hope you have a lovely life and thank you for helping"

" I hope to see you around Demona"  " and I you crack" she said  "If you ever need help look me up at the white quartspire in the middle of quartzite mountain at high tower my mother and the dwarven clan she is part of  live there  . My sister and I have a  traveling troop. It's myself , her and  this other tiefling named bloodright . We are all tieflings . Since we are so uncommon we felt sticking together was the best idea . We hope to eventually add more but we are a traveling troupe . We go all over Everneverlyon . You are welcome to join our clan and hopefully we'll see you" turning and heading out the tent Demona avoided all the other humans , and practically ran out of the village . tears rimming her eyes  she reached into her bag and pulled out a sending stone . She was so glad she had thought to bring it . She knew her mother would be upset but she also knewThe humans needed help . fast :Mother ? Mother, can you hear me ?  Yes I can hear you . Mona ? Is that you ? Yes mother . I intercepted a message from the Auckland barbarians asking for your aid . I know how racist the Auckland humans are but I still felt I needed to help . I could only aid a woman in her passing to the summerland her son is a tiefling . The whole village was attacked by goblins and a cave troll . can you come quickly please they need you No worries, I can afford a teleport spell . i'll be there in a matter of minutes mona , thank you for telling me the truth .  you have paid enough for your mistake my dear . I'll see you soon. 

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                                              Chapter  3  : A mothers kiss 

Administering to small and needy villages and towns on the inside of the red spires border , Elara headed  green spire and the home to the main Stronghold  of the Obidhigh rangers. She went straight to Choir-Agriease walking right up to the counter thankfully there was not anyone else waiting . Choir , can I purchase a teleport spell please . What is your destination and purpose for travel? My destination is Canerak Village just inside of the Ruby Spire Auckland . My purpose is personal though I don't care that you know that I am going to correct a mistake one of my children made . 

Chuckling to herself and probably thinking of her own children the Choir said “ my price is elvin shooting star wine and 50 gp”Elara hated enabling bad habits and Agrieas was a part of the Alcoholics guild . A group of people who came together to help  one another  give up the vice of alcohol. Handing the bottle over and the gold pieces , Elara said to Agrieas “ contact your sponsor , Sir Robert Mahogany. “ Elara couldn’t keep the concern for her friend out of her voice “ Please ?  He’ll   remind you of your priorities Choir“ Accepting payment and casting the teleport spell Choir Agrieas said “judge me all you want to . i dont give a shit what you or anyone else  thinks of me“ Agrieas said  using the back of her hand as a handkerchief talking through her tears of  self perceived pain and hurt  . “ please go talk to your sponsor Agrieas .I promise you will feel better . I have to go right now or I would  walk  you there myself .  As it stands I'm already way behind”, she said, turning back just before she stepped through the shimmering spears and was transported to the village, Elara looked her friend in the eye directly “Agrieas, you're bigger than the drink.It doesn't control you . you control it“ 

                       Suddenly she was within 20 feet of the Village . Almost falling over as she materialized in the center of the road . She would never be able to get used to that . She only used teleport spells when they were 100% necessary . This was a necessary  moment .  Demona did all she could . Elara walked right into the tiny village of Canerak . Not one of the humans stopped the dwarf cleric . She walked right up to her daughter and the young tiefling a Male , she was pretty sure his name was crack .  “Hello crack .” she said, nodding his acknowledgement ,   “ I am so sorry I couldn't help your mother . Thuqua deserved so much better than what she got .  She was one of the kindest ,most understanding and accepting humans I have ever known in my lifetime . You and your mother are good people . my daughter said that she offered a place for you in her and her sisters traveling troupe ? I would suggest you take it . you might be able to look for the man who sired you . “ 

“What do you know of that ? “ he asked . She thought about her response for a long time .  

“ not much . What I do know I offer you freely , Crack , the man who sired you , we  , the Obidhigh rangers that is , believe his name is Lord Jeffery Foullinx . He made his way across the land for more then 20 years Raping and Pillaging . Calling this massacre a holy war . Using his god to justify acts of abomination.  Taking what and who he wanted .He is devil blooded and vile . Please do not think we judge you Crack .  Many humans of the northern expanse have fled him and his murderous ways . Most of the tieflings of the world like you , are  here because Jeffrey .Meny found their way to the woods of  Obidhigh . You should too . Crack Jeffry only wants one thing from a woman. His absolute pleasure , and a tool to siring offspring. Ruling the known world is his goal .   A tortuous and vile human . The crystal war pushed him back into his own frozen spire . Meny who helped us create the Obidhigh rangers fled his tyranny . If you want to confront your father, that's where I would start.”

 Giving crack a kind and comforting smile  Elara turned and greeted her daughter . As she got a quick run down of the situation , she headed to the wounded tent. By the looks of  everything there was only one thing she could do . Pray to her god and cast mass healing . Elara began her prayers . She repeatedly told herself this would work . it had to work . Putting her hand into her home hearth bag she said “ GLITCH !” “ Yes Ma’am " The sentient bag said "what can I get for you ? “ '' I need my  spell component bag , glitch . And a stiff drink   “ "Right Away madam " Glitch replied instantly she pulled out another bag, opened it and reached all the way up to her shoulder . the opening of the bag resting on her chest as she dug around for what she wanted .  “There you are," she said to herself and she pulled out a bag with willow bark , white cotton strips , a vial of blessed salt , and a small vial of alcohol . setting all this down in her lap she then picked up a glitch and thanked the sentient bag . pulling put a small bottle and a lovely cup Elara poured herself a drink . Pouring the drink briskly down her throat, stealing her for the task ahead . Grabbing first the salt she began her prayers and sprinkled the salt all around the outside and inside of the hospital . If the derelict wounded tent could be called that .  In the process of  watching her mother's spell prep Demona noticed what her Adopted mother had to work with . she couldn't stand it any more . Moving  close enough to the makeshift Hospital that it wouldn't be much of an effort , Demona reached into her bag of holding and pulled out a small box labeled “ moms  spaghetti '' holding the box above her head she began her own spell . saying her chant “ Mama , mama , you took me in i've seen the sunshine in your face a thousand times . mama .... mama i'm coming home “ repeating this three times while walking in a circle then placing the box on the ground , a crack of sound like thunder ,  all around her the earth rose to form a red dome made from the quartz around them . The villagers and crack all looked on in fear and awe. Once she was done she reached out telepathically , Mother ? I am just outside your door . I cast tiny hut . Please bring out the most wounded that need the cleanest and safest surgical conditions.Using her sending stone,one of three simple stones , Elara had blessedThree stones  with communication, each one of the other three communicating with the other two  .  Elara replied “ excellent . ill shift the mass healing spell to include both locations . “Shortly after , using mage hands , Elara and Demona made seven comfortable in the hut and the rest in the tent hospital . After several hours of prayers and healing Elara was exhausted and ready to call it a night . She didn't need to teleport home . She and  Demona both walked back to their respective camps . Elara in the white spire while Demona ,her sister and their troop camped just inside of the red spire . 

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                                                                                 Chapter 4

                                                                         A mothers memories 

It would be a long walk back home and Elara's mind wandered to the moment she found her girls .   Like most tieflings Mythra and Demona were born from humans that had devil blood in them . And like most humans they feared what they did not know or understand . When their human mother gave birth to not only one tiefling child but twins, well this prompted the town to riot . Their mother was put on trial for being a witch . Maritanis lake. This was where they took her. The lake was well known. A destination for all would be religious zealots . On the surface the lake was beautiful . Pristine. A real picturesque  painting if you will . But just underneath the surface was a current so violent it would drag you down ,  down into its depths .No hand or foot holds just a watery grave . Maritanis lake that  was where they drowned her for the crime of bringing life into the world . their father could only watch as the town murdered his wife and the love of his life . He did the only thing he could think of . For the only people who still mattered in this world ; His daughters . He ran . He ran till his lungs burned and his feet were numb . He could smell the smoke of their torches as he found the moist cave . He could hear the barking of the hounds as he drew the rioters away from the only legacy of their love . What mattered was that the girls lived . that they made a life for themselves . that they were happy . He could just see the fire of the torch the drugar female was holding ,  who found the girls .  He could see the kind smile on her face as she picked up the girls and began to mother them . Just as the fire consumed him his last thoughts were of the smiles on his daughters faces and  the hoot of an owl . 

Drugar as a people  did not trust the surface dwellers. But Elara Quartspite Steppenwolf believed that it was the duty of all living beings to help those in need .  She would chant her personal mantra as she walked about the surface close to her  mountain home  , she never went far .  Just coming out of the cave entrance to her subterranean home she heard the shouts  of  humans .  Crouching in the shadows Elara  watched and listened . The words of the human magistrate were quite clear :  MIKAH DORNSIFE you and your wife Michelle have been charged and found guilty of witchcraft , conspiring with demons to bring further evil into the world , and bring about the apocalypse.  Your wife has already been put to death by drowning . you sir will receive no such luxury .You shall be burned until dead . 

Then suddenly Elara's attention was grabbed with the coo of a small animal . whipping tears from her eyes as she looked down she couldn't quite tell what had made that noise . She could smell the smoke and burning flesh . Trying desperately not to think about how long it would take for the human to expire , She heard a soft sound like the grunt of a new born piglet . searching the cave floor for what exactly made that noise . With a flash of perception  she saw them. hidden in the shadows where only those who lived underground would see , two little tiefling babies . twins . She knew that was their father and the humans had already killed the mother for bringing life into the world . how dreadful for these sweet angels who did nothing wrong but be born . There was no question in her mind the gods wanted these babies to live . Who was she to dispute the will of the gods? Being a  Cleric of Berronar  she carried a home and hearth bag . An All white bag with a silken gold drawstring . On the outside it looked small . but this simple white bag Was Sentient . Each bag revealed its name and gender to its creator . Every home hearth bag had a permanent vortex manipulation spell on it as well as a few other little tricks making her bag bigger on the inside . She kept several days rations for various races , a few tents , several changes of clothes in various sizes and gender options , multiple bead rolls in different sizes for winter and summer, healing potions , mana potions , and scrolls , holy symbols of various gods , food as well for infants and companions of various types , birthing tools , repair kits , various odds and ends , weapons and armor if that was what was needed . The bag held all this  and so much more. Her bag in particular , Glitch Was her Best friend . They had been together through everything  .When she needed her friend all she had to do was hold the bag open and speak his name , and then just talk to him and he would help you . All one had to do was Know the bag well enough to speak its name and it would help you.   Berronar, the dwarf goddess of home and hearth , the mother of all dwarf kinds  , meant for her to have children . She knew she needed to act fast . reaching in her bag she said  “ glitch" "yes Ma'am" g;itch said " 2 infants dressings “  " Right away madam " 

    Pulling the clean nappies out she began to address the children's immediate needs. She and her mate had Lovingly raised 4 Children  for many many years . Her oldest Destiny was out making her own life and discovering who they were . Now three years to  the day after their Youngest left home these two  angels came into their life and she suddenly felt whole. as though her empty cave syndrome was finally abetted. These babies needed immediate Clerical attention . She had to help these innocents without inciting the mob that murdered their parents.  She knew she needed to get them someplace safe so she could really help them . Picking up the twins , one in each arm and looking around , her eyes for just a moment  met  Mikah’s,  these sweet babies' father . As her dire owl familiar Owlectta shooted her dis taste of the situation , She Knew exactly what to do. she knew she wanted this man to know without saying it that these children would be so loved . that he had not died in vain. That the love that the parents these children had was the greatest love of all . the unconditional love of a parent . She hoped that  As the flames grew white hot and the fire began to consume him, the smile  she saw and the  gratitude on the face of the dying man was for the care that his daughters would unequivocally receive .  She then called to her familiar and had her take Mikahs body away . The humans did not deserve it and he deserved to be treated with respect . As her familiar owluceeta  flew away after ripping the human mob to shreds , she delicately took mikahs body in both her talons  with reverence and  grace. Owlecetta hooted as she  flew off into the full moon to place his body within the hatching grounds and safe nest . this way he would live on in the life cycle of the hatchlings growing up there.  Elara looked down on the girls both smiling in their innocence, completely oblivious to the tragedy that had befallen them that night . As she walked into the mouth of the cave she talked to the girls mothering them already .

              Assessing their immediate  needs and makeshifting caring  slings for each . The trek back was a challenge and in some spots Elara would need both of her hands . “ glitch 10 yards of white cotton cloth “ Taking out her dager and making a few deft cuts and slipknots she fashioned the two slings she would need . “ Glitch  goats milk and two more small strips of white cloth” Dipping the cloths in the milk  Elara began to suckle the babes as she walked . “Hmm “ she mused aloud talking to the girls because she knew they could hear and could learn from her voice “well my sweet lasses , what shall i call ye , your ma and da had names that start with M . what was  that the humans said . Micah? Your Da had a strong Dwarvin name ,and  Michelle ? Your mum clearly was an equally impressive human female with a name to match  , and Dornsife ,that's a Strong surname . For humans it was a surprise because it sounded  like a dwarf clan name . We shall do your names and blessings now then . I’m taking you to the sacred cave. “ 

 Her mind set Elara plotted her course for the sacred cave of Berronar. Once inside the safety of the glowing white quartz cave she rested the sleeping babies on the white cloths of their slings . In the center of the cave of Berronar was a  sacred spring . Inside the sacred spring the clear quartz crystal . Home to the babies breath flowers that would bloom when in the presence of the one the mountain had chosen to rule the Morrileanne .  Most of the higher dwarven families had access to the spring that fed the lake in White spire’s sacred cave.  She Knew that there was no leader at the moment . The mountain to her knowledge had never bloomed and the white spire had never had a leader . Not caring what her fellow dwarfs thought of her , nine hells , not caring what anyone ever thought of her was how Elara lived every second of her life . She intended to raise these  girls to do the same. she would provide unconditional love and care to these wonderful beings .  The twins may be a victim of their birth , but they would be survivors and would thrive on Elaras  watch. For the remainder of the trek , at least to the sacred cave , she was silent. Out of respect for the crystal and sacred flowers  beneath the mountain . Safely Inside the sacred cave she began Removing her gear and putting on her sacred vestments  picking up the first child in her arms letting her tail lazily and lovingly wrap around her waist as she entered the warm lake . not noticing the crystal and the flowers beginning to shift and stern .  then picking up the other as her tail did the same in the opposite direction .  still not noticing the state of the crystal in front of her not seeing that the plant inside was beginning to bloom . Elara was so distracted by blessing and Cleansing the twins in the  sacred waters . Dipping the tip of her finger in the holy water  marking symbols of peace, love protection and growth across the girl's foreheads. As she touched each girl's forehead the flowers only stirred .   One of the girls' tails landed in the water and a single white baby's breath bloomed on the plant inside the crystal. Still focused on the girls, Elara continued .   Mythra Quartsdornsife and Demona Quartsdornsife . For you are of both the surface and the subterranean . you are mine and you are theirs .  They brought you into my life and I am so happy you are here . Mythra grabbed her sister's horn nub and started gnawing on it. Demona slept with her thumb and the milk rag while her sister gnawed on her nub . After she cleaned up  her girls slept peacefully and dressed herself before settling  and bedding down in the sacred cave . A few hours later she was walking into Nova Scotia  and up to Princess Beech’s hut and knocking . Princess Beech The young Michanid Princess of  Novas - co -tias  A small Michanid village in the forests of Ohbidhigh.“GO AWAY ! I  don't want any well wishers , distant relatives, or seventh day evangelical illithids knocking on my door !!! "" Ok “ she said '' but what about your best friend ? Could I come in ? '' Lane? Is that you ? Elara Quartspite you fat bearded bitch ! “ The Michanid Princess said, smiling and hugging her dear friend .''What's this ? Did you find another bulette pup  abandoned by its mother? buried in the black sand? you know they do that to all their young right ? you will never find a loving and maternal bulette . they just don't exist . “ “ Well no not exactly” she replied“ I found twin tiefling girls .”Shocked Beech’s mouth hung open  the only thing she could say was “ i have no words uh Lane, “  The princesses words barley more than a whisper “Lane i , i care for you deeply but “Elara put her hand up, cutting off her longest and dearest friend .“I came here wondering if you would help me. I finished their names and blessing rituals , and  now they need a godmother. I can think of no one better than you .Still too stunned to speak, the princess sat. The very mushrooms around her  sprouting and taking the form of a tiny simple throne rimed with spore producing mushrooms  . 

Putting her head in her hands , and breathing out an exhausted sigh . It took Beech several moments but finally she looked at her dearest friend , with nothing but love on her face she said “ i can't be the godmother to both . I only can give one blessing per lifeline. but I can be the godmother to one . you should ask  Milkthistle  my Dryad cousin ?  Do you remember her Lane ? the one who protects the only dogwood tree? “yeah i do, is she still putting on massive and elaborate plays ?”“ well Yeah from time to time . Her real objective is Leading the Dryads , and opening a Bards college  ““Did she ever get the Druids on her side for opening the school ?“Oh you know how secretive druids are . Don't try to tell them that though.”“ It's not a secret it's sacred “   they said in unison “she is still your best bet for a godmother to help you with their path . you know that ? right ? '' she saidKnowing her best friend was right she reached into the  front of her tunic where a special pocket was sewn into her garment with a  protection and concealment charm .The pocket hidden away  she untucked the sleeping lass from the sling . taking the wee lass in her arms, Beech looked her over . What a sweet thing she was . Her umbilical stub was still wet , and Beech could smell that this welp had never once tasted its own mothers milk .No worries , she would also nurse her as part of the ritual of parenting . 

Her mind set, Beech woke the little one to prepare her for the blessing she was about to receive . one blue and one purple eye starred up into the eyes of the myconid princess . pressing the little one to her breast, she ran her fingers through her hair and helped the little one discover how to settle her own emotions . As the little one began to nurse her telepathic voice began . all Babbling and laughter with a little simple word she had heard .   michanids communicate telepathically to those within their  pods and this little one would know nothing less . As demona continued to nurse Beeche asked  Does my New fungus have a name Demona Quartzdornsife Elara answered smiling knowing that after Beaches last crop of myconid had not survived the harsh summers on Everneverlyon . While still nursing the baby, Beech looked over and said to her best frind in this life and the next , “ you know this is OUR child right ?  '' the princess shot her friend a look that said . “Take her from me . I dare you . '' Continuing with the ritual Beech said Your name in myconid is Mutonus Elagans , it means devil horned and  dangerous . as your godmother i will be proud if you are both she said telepathically Watching protectively , Elara quartspite Steppenwolf was once again misty eyed and proud . As the base of Princess Beech legs formed a lovely and poisonous skirt her delicate spoor body made her almost look humanoid . her cap was bright pink with white spots . Due to the red sun the light of day always looked pink . Her white spots looked rosy In the sun's glow.Grown from a piece of the only Beech tree in existence . The tree was home to a dryad named Milkthistle . Milkthistle had always been a part of the tree . She was a protector and godmother to the myconid Royal family . Milkthystle was a part of the mountain . She knew the mountain peaks and all the mythic beings that called each peak home better than any being in the world .  Besides Beech, Milkthistle was Elara's best friend . Though she did not think she was milkthistles best friend . As Elara was bedding down in her own warm bed  next to her wonderful husband her thoughts now in the present . Just before falling into a dreamless sleep, Elara's final Thoughts were that she was so lucky to have Demona and Mythra in her life . 

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        Chapter 5

      The Ranger finds his place

    As Demona Sized up their newest misfit member , she said “ Well I'll have to see where we can fit you in . “ pulling out a long piece of bark , a writing tool ,and parchment she said well  “ Mythra says you are a phenomenal rider and that you are a very skilled performer . And that you are an excellent teacher  who cares about everyone . Would you consider teaching us all a few tricks “  “NO” Mthra and Rolsis shouted together . Giving a weak smile mythras eyes met Rolsis . In that small span no words were spoken but the two of them understood one another perfectly well  “No thanks though “ Rolsis said kindly “ I have retired from teaching . I Take on only one pupil at a time and your sister is the only pupil i will ever need “ with a shake of her head not understanding that remark she said confused “ well then perhaps you wouldn't care to show us all some of what you know ? Wraith and Bloodright do a magic show , Crack here is the resident strong man , my sister Mythra  is the musical and entertainment for all ages , And a wide variety of performances from acrobatics to a touch sensory garden we call make a wish come true “  bending down to be on her high level Rolsis looked demona in the eyes . Demona however looked at the tree 10 yards to the east of Rolsis  “ so while everyone is doing that demona , what is little acorn  like you doing ? “ Rolsis could tell the way this adorable Druid spoke this was something she took special interest in . Realizing that someone actually wanted to listen to her info drop and not telling her to stop talking or to shut up or that they didn't care Demona just let the word vomit flow unimpeded .  With a huge grin on her face Demona answered “ I am so glad you asked me Rolsis . As you know i'm a druid . I am caring for all the plant life in the areas we visit. I am the making sure that local people have the knowledge and the skills to sustain themselves . I am also having the warlock helping me with my Familiar / companion  healing clinic.Want to hear about it Rolsis?  “ barely pausing to catch her breath, nearly stumbling over her own words Demona pressed on “See Bloodright and I do what we can to heal anyone. with this war raging, I just feel  if we can do nothing to stop it then we will ease the pain of those who are experiencing its cruel hand. We hold classes and teach the poor and needy to care for themselves and how to find work and pay without contributing to the death and destruction around us. Tapping her writing tool on the side of her head , then horns , then her own nose she paused. Looking down at her paper trying to find inspiration, she offered Rolsis a place in the animal clinic . Rolsis smiled at Demona and said “  as much as I love animals and I am a ranger , I have skills you will find far more useful than my knowledge of animal husbandry . Demona , where is your cooking area ? '' Rolsis asked  

    “ oh! she said over there . “She pointed to a small fire pit next to the wagon. A small waterfall with a calming pool of water beside the hole that the troupe called a fire pit . Though Rolsis Knew that all surface fresh water was hazardous and not to put his hand in the water . He knew with the right tools water could be collected for cooking . No, not the travesty bloodright called cooking. REAL cooking “ is it just that little fire pit ? "he said with a look of concern on his face . Bloodright was the one to answer . '' Yeah, we really only know how to warm field rations and burn fish we caught .we still can't figure out how to get all the bones out . '' Mythra cut him off. “Yeah I am still pulling trout bones out the back of my throat , and demona stopped letting you burn her vegetables . '' Demona chimed in '' how did you burn water bloodright ? ITS WATER !!!! "" Hey don't judge me, I'm a tiefling ! I burn EVERYTHING ""sure sure”said Mythra “ And while you were cleaning your tent and playing with wraith it didn't see you burn a thing . So what's your excuse ? “   Having heard enough, Rolsis decided to let them tire themselves out with their playful banter. Mythra and Bloodrite were preparing for what looked like a battle on the stage . but there were no weapons . just a stage with bloodrite and Wraith on one side and Mythra and a python draped over her delicate shoulders . Mythra turned to blood rite " this is a duel to the pain. The first one to back off loses and has to do all the mess chores. I won the last battle . I get to choose who goes first . Bloodrite , you may begin , she leaned in whispering to bloodrite , Do you want me to provide musical accompaniment ? " He leaned in and said “ thanks. No . I got it this time. Crack knows what to do . Mythra looked to the crowd that was only there in her mind " first up in the battle of song BLOODRITE "Sitting on a stool was Bloodrite . a dancing lights spell casting a focused point of light directly on bloodrite . He was sitting cross legged on an enormous wooden box . Bloodrite had a stone in his hands . He began to rhythmically strike the box with his stone .

    BANG BANG BANG BANG Bloodrite and demona joined in in time clapping . Rolsis got drawn in with the spectacle of it all and began clapping along Bloodright began to sing in time with his strikes ``Well my daddy left home when i was three he didn't leave much for ma and me just this old Lyre and an empty cask of booze , I don't blame him because he ran and hid But the meanest thing he did before he left that old man made a tiefling outta me . A Tiefling boy, a Tiefling boy, tell me what's a tiefling boy to do ? I'll tell you one thing for sure: life is hard for a tiefling boy . I grew up quick I grew up mean my fists got hard and my wits got keen I roamed from town to town all alone to hide my shame because of this a solem vow I made to the moons and back Id search the ports id search the bars i would Find and kill that man the aweful man who made a tiefling outa me .Twas in Lostquarling Port i came to dock Id hit the shore my throat was dry i thought id stop to find a lass and have myself a brew in a tavern dark , before my eyes there while rolling cups in liars dice armed from tooth to nail was the man who gave me deamon blood Deamons blood deamons blood tell me whats a tiefling to do One thing i can tell you sure life is hard for a tiefling boy I took this dog for my own sweet dad From a painting that my muder had I saw the sar she gave to him and that shifty wooden eye His back was bent his hair grey and old I looked at him my tiefling blood ran cold I said How dod you do Salune sent me for your soul now your condemed to die I hit with a eldrich blast firm and hard betwitxt the eyes He went down hard but to my suprise he pulled a knife out his boot and off came my left ear I took a knee and grabbed my fallen flesh when what do my wandering eyes should appear but my brother crack With a wooden chair hitting him hard across his teeth he crshed through the wall into the street The three of us kicking gouging throwing hands through blood and mud and tears , Tiefilg boy a tiefling boy whats a tiefling boy to do ill tell you one thing i know for sure life is hard for a tiefling boy I tell you ive fought tougher men I cannot remember when the man i fought was so distraught he bit like a crocodile Crack heard him laugh i heard him cuss He went to use a spell when his head came up he looked at me said son fought one helluva fight now i know you have the right to fire your spell hit me with the blasts until i am done there is no blame if you do but a thank you would do Before i die for the salt in your heart and the spit in your eye cuz im the one that scurvy dog the man that gave you tiefling blood tiefling boy a tiefling boy tell me what's a tiefling boy to do one thing i for true true life is hard for a Tiefling boy I looked at him hard said now's the time to beg salune for your soul With both my hands i choked his throat with tears in my eyes and as i saw his life drain off i said that's for tug a jug and all the mothers you in life a tiefling boy a tiefling boy what's a tiefling boy to do life is hard for a tiefling boy. "

Demona was the Master of ceremony" Wow ! that was amazing Bloodright ! some pretty hard hits .  next up is my twin and your bard MYTHRA"

    Mythra stepped to the center of the stage they had set up , she pulled out her canaith mandolin her performing gear already on covered head to toe in black skin tight leather Casting a glamor on herself turning her hair platinum white and adding a faerie fire spell to her eyes , Mythra looked like a storm god . as she walked past Rolsis and stepped up onto the stage she blew him a flirty kiss . Turning to face everyone else she said "I've been working on this for a while now , so here goes standing in the center of the stage, the light of the fairy fire making her glow ethereal , the candath mandolin playing on its own a steady jounty upbeat tune ." yes sir , " the thinking of a piano could be heard "Stroll up in the game time to take and plunder ,you gonna know my name and the grace im under Ima keep it real keep it bout a hundred your musics in the mud and i'm the shovel droppin bodies now i ain't met my quota I ain't gonna stop till i'm ten feet unda if you know what good you'll get off your high horse , thunda come on dont yah hear the thunda dontcha feel that rumble , thunda , watch yeh tower crumble . thunda , doncha hear that thunda '' and then her words went so fast Rolsis couldn't keep up . everytime she said the word thunder her hair blew in the wind that came from nowhere ,v Nija Her snake family just slithered around her body " Im a keep it real witcha matta fact no ima make a deal which , scratch that bro ima get a meal witcha , " Then Mythras voice grew and echoed throughout the once peaceful grove " I WILL BREAK YOU I WILL BRING THE STORM UPON YOU TRY YOUR LUCK AND I'LL DESTROY YOU rock the boat i can emote My words will toss you out the boat in the water outcha go With my lyrics i will devote all my time to making sure that you decompose I'll bring the storm you will pray for peace i am the one and only holy ghost thunda don't cha hear the rumble thunda watch your towa crumble thunda don't cha hear the thunda '' her spell done . Everyone looked on . Demona said All those for bloodrite ? Crack , Rolsis and Demona All raised their hands All IN favor of Mythra ? Only Mythras hand went up . Demona Said " Well It looks like you lost sissy , You'll have to do all the dishes and clean up in the mess aria . " Mythra looked over at the mess aria Rolsis was Busy Cutting Vegetables and didn't notice her staring " I'll have to work in the kitchen? " She Said "yes" Demona replied "With Rolsis ? " Mythra asked ? Picturing Rolsis fucking her by the fire in the light of the Goddesses eye . " yes' ' Replied Demona Completely oblivious to her sister's sexual promiscuity "I'm sure Rolsis will show you around the kitchen so you do things his way and I'm sure he won't be too hard on you . " I'm hoping he is sister " Mythra Replied Winking at her sister, all sarcasm and joking totally lost on Demona Mythra WAlked toward Rolsis and the cooking area. Mythra stood back in the shadows choosing to watch Rolsis and learn more about the man she already loved . Rolsis had found his way over to what demona had called a cooking aria .  A Small patch of ground that had a fire started . a long table with a spattering of rusty dirty cooking tools. the fire pit had no form of containment just a fire . a few logs placed in a semicircle around and some dirty cooking and fishing tools scattered to the side . Rolsis walked over and rolled up his sleeves showing off what could only be described as cooking tattoos . There were measurements , temperatures , and spices all intricately tattooed on his skin . herbs and THEIR properties and how to find them different techniques and the proper ways to do things all written into his skin . sitting on one of the logs by the fire was a familiar face . having a conversation with himself it seemed . Rolsis got his friends attention  “ Crack , my Friend and ally   so good to see you!"  clasping wrists and pulling each other into a hug the two reminisced for a bit . " What brings you to this troup ? " Crack asked Rolsis . If Rolsis had been human he would have blushed here . He said " well , I had hoped to have a job interview with lady Rosalinda . though I just found out that's a stage name. " he said with a big cheesy grin on his face . unable to contain his growing attraction . " Demona wanted  to have me be an animal caregiver . But you Know you can take the cook out of the kitchen but you can never take the kitchen out of the cook . What about you ? "  Crack looked solum he turned so his back was to Rolsis. " did I tell you we lost my mother in the last attack ? " " No  you didn't  Tuga was amazing I know you loved her a lot " " I did . " he said " wiping his face with the back of his hand he spoke " My mother was badly injured in the last battle like I said . the tribe had pushed her to the edge. She was on the outskirts and the first attacked . Demona came when it was over and saw to it my mother past with dignity . she was a true true . "  placing his hand on his heart Rolsis said "She was true true . "  YES  said crack .  " she helped my mother in her crossing . I couldn't stay and these tieflings were performing in a village near my mothers home . I'm trying to convince them to go to Lostquarling . I'm on a mission to seek the man responsible for all the death and destruction and wipe him out . " Not at all surprised," Rolsis said   "  that is a noble pursuit. However, could you do me a favor? Before i help you track down your greatest enemy i need you to help me gather a few things .  I heed to find 22 Flat stones , several round stones ,  clay as much as you can find , some wood , a bit of sand , and some long mettle pieces . "  giving it a moment of thought Crack answered " Yeah . I can do that . when do you want them ? "crack asked “ As quickly as possible . " rolsis replied. looking over at the rest of this misfit troupe . Smiling and feeling content Rolsis went about the work he so loved .  Pulling out his folding shovel , dug a 3 foot deep 3ft by 3ft square pit . Just as he was finishing his physical task,  Crack came over with large pieces of stone , some clay and some wood all on a large piece of tanned hide meant to move just such items . Rolsis and Crack went about their work in silence . rolsis laid a stone then clay and Crack came behind doing the same . They made a Stone box , wood lined .  nearby a molten red quartz mire  Provided the seal needed to finish the box . Before the liquid quarts cooled , he placed the 4 sword blades crack brought flat side up and horizontally . letting the box cool he got to work on his next task . properly circling and digging a deep well lined fire pit , prepping a spit and hot coals to cook the meat evenly. pulling pans and tools from his packs on Penelope he made a spectacular feast with a rare roast Brullet and His personal speciality Tiefling chili. potatoes and ground greens . Upon demonas request he didn't cook any mushrooms . Her Godmother was a myconid Demona explained and it felt too close to home for her .

                                                                             As they all sat around the fire that evening the conversation was light as they all got to know one another . Speaking to her hands as she fidgeted with her tail Demona said " Rolsis , crack and bloodright vouch for you and my sister has had very little to say , but she said she doesn't kiss and tell , whatever that means . " realizing she was going off on a tangent Denmona regulated her self and forced herself to make eye contact with Rolsis , no matter how difficult it was for her . " so Rolsis " she said " tell us something about yourself ." pausing to think about what to say Rolsis decided to start his session with a question . " let me ask this . What do you know of our world of the 100 year war and the prophecy ?The Moriliannin and the 1000 year peace ? do you know anything ?  " not giving anyone else really any chance to talk Demona spoke again " well yeah . We know the prophecy about the Radiant Citadel  and the crystal and the baby's breath and all that . " Pausing only to take a small breath Demona continued to word vomit , as Mythra called it . " I love flowers . I can list all the flowers that grow on the mountain . There's baby's breath , Lilly.  I also heard some travelers the other day who said there is an island without a name that has no mountains . I have a crystal I found the other day and " Demona suddenly stopped . Staring at her hands , Her mouth was moving but no words were coming from her lips. Demona began gasping for air like she was being choked . She looked at Mythra and tapped a small stone that looked like it had been fused to Demonas skin . As she did this a voice could be heard “ Demona its mama are you ok hunny ?”  tears welled up in Demon's eyes Mythra replied for her sister . “ mother , she is choking nonverbal . Did she smoke or drink her tea ? “ No, I don't think she did . But i will ask her  The brothers crack and bloodright could see the pain that Demona was in ,they waited patiently while Myther began aiding her sister

 "  We know a bit about each of the spires too . At least we know enough ."  said Mythra, taking her sister's hand , mythra made a valiant effort to calm her sister . she could tell when she got like this there was no stopping her . Mythra  could see her sister was in pain . Mythra spoke to Rolsis while maintaining eye contact and distracting Mona . " I never properly thanked you for being here . You have more than passed the audition" Mythra then Placed both her hands one on either side of her head and asked gently  "shh shh , BREATHE. In through your nose out through your mouth .   Did you drink your tea this morning ?"  After thinking a second she shook her head left to right . " "Ok " one problem discovered, " without Breaking eye contact Mythra spoke to Rolsis , " My love would you reach into my bag of holding there is a leather pouch with the words   LAVENDER GRYPHON   embossed on it, Inside a  kettle , with a scrap of paper , would you mind " Rolsis cut her off finishing her sentence eager to help "Mind  following the recipe in the bag  And could I please brew the tea while you continue to help your sister ? and would I stay and be a part of your life I mean troupe ? " with a spark in his eyes and a huge grin on his face Rolis said 

                                                                  at your command minx .

    stunned the silence for a moment  Mythra gathered her thoughts then continued " I was going to offer you a job in the troupe , and tell you if you didn't plan on staying for all the noble reasons we stand for , could you stay and love me and "  Rolsis Cut her off once more  Looking directly at Mythra slowly and  lovingly "At Your command "  and this time he said it matter of factly . She smiled and she understood completely . He stood , kissed Mythra on the forehead , turned and  got started brewing his girlfriend's sister some tea . Mouth agape , It was all Bloodright and Crack could do but Stare. 

"Is that what she meant by don't kiss and tell and why you both shouted no when Mona Suggested  that Rolsis  teach riding lessons' ' said bloodrite' ' what did you really do during your audition that you cant or wont tell your friends ? Crack and I always brag and tell our conquests . "Annoyed to the point of yelling at his friends, Rolsis said,'' Yes , and you know what a private person I am ,Bloodrite so can we please be adults about this? Drop it and  help our friend ? Or are you going to stand there and just mock me? "

 "I was only kidding . I didn't know it would hurt you . I was just curious what your limits were when it came to camp fire guys talking. I am sorry . " While preparing the tea Rolsis Replied   

 "Curiosity is a virtue that if tended to carefully , can bring a lifetime of adventure and discovery if tended to with care . But there is negative Reciprocity  nascent in those who dare thoughtlessly . " Seeing crack and bloodright struggle over whether what Rolsis said was negative or positive , he continued to watch them react, all hope of finishing his task abandoned temporarily . In an attempt to help them comprehend Rolsis continued  its the "Prophecy of idiocy " which honestly Is an insidious but a necessary evil nevertheless because there can never less stupidity without a form of education that's enforced on individuals who failed to prepare of their education" Bloodrite knew his friend was right . " I'm truly sorry . I promise I won't make the same mistake twice . Rolsis knew his friend spoke true. 

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    Chapter 6 

    from the womb to the tomb   

            

crack and bloodright went back to Demonas  tent to get her things . Rolsis went to move the baking box and changed his mind . He reached into his bag and remembered that he had some old rusty clamores that the leather had long since worn off . He stabbed either side of the fire pit and grabbed out an old short sword . Putting the blade of the sword through the handle of the kettle he then filled it with water from his drinking skin  . When his task was finished he watched mythra as she lovingly and kindly tended to her sister. No judgment or malice . Just love .  Keeping her hands firmly in Place she pressed a little more firmly on her sister's head Asking simple yes and no questions so mythra could calm Mona out of her breakdown  when mona tried to look around or her eyes began to wander mythra would snap her fingers or clap her hands  and refocus her attention . speaking again this time to crack and Bloodright she said " Gentile men , you know what to do , Where she keeps it and thank you " still locked into her twin sister she patiently waited for Bloodright and crack to come back . Bloodrite with a medicinal tool Rolsis had only seen once was a remedy that veterans of the 1000 year war smoked to calm them down. a rare thing indeed . Mythra placed the long white herb filled paper in  Demona mouth , and snapped her fingers fire spring from mythras pointed finger . "Inhale " Mythra continued to ask questions of Mona she could answer . "where did you put your safespace ? Is it in your backpack ? pulling the smoldering paper roll out of her mouth with it between her middle and forefinger holding in her smoke before breathing out releasing the smoke to the side so she did not blow directly into Mythras face . Demona said " yes to your second question and the answer to the first question can be found by answering your second  question ." smiling at her twin mythra said I see you are starting to feel somewhat better , your sarcasm After a while   Crack came back and handed mythra a beautiful small Green Quartz owl  and a shimmering piece of folded up cloth . Mythra hummed a tune and handed the figure to Mona who put it to her lips kissed it saying a single word and the figure disappeared and  on the horizon a dire owl could be heard hooting as it got closer to camp 

Mythra continued where her sister left off . "We, like most people, want to help end the war in any way we can . Just one alone can not  end this war . So what we  offer is a chance to think of something else and have fun . a distraction really . Owliver , my sisters familiar, is on his way. I suggest you lay low around her while he's summoned . "  Having cracked, picked up a now sleeping Demona  and took her to her tent ,mythra Felt she could move freely without having to check on Mona. looking in her bag real fast Mythra pulled out Demona’s tea cup and saucer . Both in hand she walked over to Rolsis . The tea kettle was whistling and Mythra  Placed the cup and saucer on a tray with some crackers and a small flask of melted Blue ice from Lostquarling . Rosis went to put the kettle on the try and stopped before setting it down . He asked Mythra  ``Do feel confident about leaving the hot kettle on the tray ?" She didn't take any time to answer . "No I do not at all . I love my sister. I just know what her limits are, especially in a meltdown like this . "Rolsis nodded understanding . "Well then  I have a gift for my little acorn friend. '' He reached into his pouch and pulled out a wooden sphere with a small one inch round hole at the top . It had a cork that rolsis pulled out and poured the hot Lavender tea into the hole . Before placing the barrel on the tray he poured a small amount in the cup, and he placed cork in the hole and the barrel on the tray right next to her sister, Mythra smiled at Rolsis watching as he tended to her sister's needs with the same care she did . Mythra  walked  over and placed a comforting hand on Rolsis’s back , Thanking him  As he gently lifted her sister's  head and poured a small amount of tea into Mona’s mouth. Patiently waiting for Demona to swallow the tea . Then when she was finished he Laid her head softly on the ground and Rolsis covered her sister and her tray  in Demonas  robe of stars . Transporting her and all her belongings to the astral plane . Crack and bloodright had just come over to Rolsis and Mythra talking. " thank you" she told Rolsis . “ thank you for not judging my sister . '' Mythra said “You are most welcome minx . At your command . “ Rolsis said, kissing her forehead then her nose , then her lips . '' I‘ve Decided to  give you an amuse bouche . " he said with a sly smile.  " i have no idea what that means'' Mythra said smiling back and wrapping her arms around Rolsis ,resting her head on his chest   "well " he explained “you gave me a lesson in botany therefore it's only fair for me to return the favor and give you a cooking lesson" she could take a hint   "well I do have to finish writing my song for our next gig .  I know I can make the time to eat . '' she said slowly "Rolsis smiled he was enjoying this casual flirtation.   "ok I'll stay, you pulled my arm . '' Rolsis jokes "So what's my pay " mythra smiled joking right back "oh 1-4 gold per gig based on performance and adhering to our sleeping stage managers strict expectations '' Crack could hear all of this through the fog of his ale and  coughed into his cupped hand . Mythra and Rolsis jumped a little surprised they forgot they weren't alone. Bloodright standing next to his brother petting wraith said  '' yup still here " sarcasm dripping from his voice " not to interrupt this , whatever it is  but owliver is landing in the only spot not  mountainous . I know I need not remind you what owliver did to your last sexual conquest ."  sighing and resting her forehead to Rolsis forehead while keeping her eyes closed she said  "we'll talk later ." leaning in she whispered, " If you don't have a tent I have a tiny hut cast .you can sleep with me . though i doubt we will be doing much sleeping . " kissing Rolsis both of them leaning hard and passionately into one another . separating after several moments .  then her sister on the forehead she headed to her own tent .  Watching his girlfriend walk away Rolsis said "At your command "minx then under his breath he said I "wouldn't have it any other way" 

    Late that night while Owliver was hunting  ,and the others had all gone to sleep . Mythra and Rosis got to know each other  " i didn't want to give you any information  you didn't already have" Rolsis said Late that same night , while they lay in mythras fir's , tails once again intertwined with nothing between them with witch to trouble wandering hands . Rolsis hand cupped mythras breast , his lips finding each tattoo and kissing it reverently . I didn't want you to think for even a second I was controlling you .  I have been looking for what we have between us for a very long time . and when I  wasn't looking for it it fell right in my lap . I want to love you for a very long time Rolsis Told Mythra . I want us both to grow in that love . people grow when they are loved well . When I was younger I was abused .I gained the keen ability to see truth and to know my fears . I was lucky enough to stand before one of those abusers and face that fear . One other of those abusers once said something to me that changed me to my core . He said "You want to help others and heal people ? Love them without and agenda" I was so shocked that those words stuck with me over my years alone . I  have been mistreated by almost everyone in my life  . I guess that's what comes of being a Tiefling .  It made me promise myself i would never ever treat another living being any other way then exactly as i want to be treated .I created a  code of honor for myself I live by. that code is this : never look away from other people's pain .don't look away ,don't look down. don't pretend not to see hurt in their eyes. look people directly in the eye even when their pain is overwhelming for you and when you are in pain find the people who can look you in the eye . I think we need to know we're not alone, especially when we're hurting . At those words Rolsis  looked into Mithras Eyes , those beautiful Lavender eyes , so different then anyones eyes he had ever seen . They had a crystal like shine to them and had a white smokiness that was enchanting . Over the next several days Rolsis watched as The Tieflings Practiced for their last show. After a long conversation with Mythra they both agreed the troupe would go to the furthest reaches of Lostquarling. Knowing that they were tieflings and the humans would only let them in to perform , it didn't take much to convince the others they needed to go. As they were packing up the wagon after the last show , Crack stopped Rolsis as he was heading to the tiny hut he and Mythra called their own  “ Hey I didn't thank you for helping to convince the twins we needed to go to Lostquarling . I know the idea of tracking down my father isn't something that everyone would want to do . But i have to stop him Rolsis . I have to make him pay for what he did to my mother and Bloodrights mother. Make him pay for murdering mothers and creating  every sibling I have. Rolsis , mothers , they deserve a voice . I will be that voice. “ 

Rolsis looked at his friend and the sincerity in his eyes and said 

  "Lostquarling sounds nice .I think Mythra and I can use the cover of needing a priest ." Chuckling together  and just laughing , crack was glad his friend was here .                                    

        ---------------------------

    Chapter 7 

    Amuse Bouche

"Time for your cooking lesson Rolsis said not getting up or moving, just sliding his hand around mythras waist and down the front of her belly . His fingers quickly found her clit massaging it till it was swollen and red . Whispering in Mythras ear while he fingered her dripping wet pussy. 

 "The wayward pine forest in Obidhigh is called the Tiefling way station or forest of sanctuary . Because young children, toddlers and infant Tieflings all are abandoned there by their human , dwarf, and elf parents . We Tieflings have abandoned all of us for the crime of our birth . something not one of us can control .  " He could be talking about knitting a  cloak. It wouldn't matter as long as he could keep touching her. That's all that mattered to him . He continued to talk about mindless things so he could prolong both of their pleasure . 

"As a youth I raised myself . I've had kind of a personal" Thrusting his fingers in and out quickly fingering   pulling his fingers out quickly licking them off , kneeling in front of mythrache rubbed his hard cock all over the outside of Mythras pussy as he continued exploring mythras body he continued to talk about his background and where he came from to distract himself and prolong his worship of her body 

  "relationship with the forest . A wayward Pine was the best place to sleep . That was the first thing I discovered.  the trunk of a wayward pine was hollow " placed and rubbed his head right on the outside of her pussy not going in just yet "  a hole could easily be carved out of the tender trunk without taking the life of the tree " as he said Each word he slid his cock deeper and deeper into Mythras sopping wet pussy ." "Another hole could be added for ventilation if needed and '' he said pulling out of her pussy and sliding into her relaxed ass  she let out a long moan of pleasure nearly as loud as his growl as he thrust back and forth balls deep in Mythras ass . He quickly pulled out before he came , he wanted to hear her scream with pleasure and ecstasy .He flipped her over putting her on the flat of her back ,  his two fingers moving in and out slowly as he talked grabbing her by the pussy kneeling just right he opened his  thirsty mouth as wide as he could sucking hard on Mythras cunt savering her dripping juices . Coming up for air he said"often these vents and doorways would form on their own; no cutting is needed . That was how the pine had gotten its name; many a wayward traveler would keep shelter in its bark. ". grabbing Mythra one hand on either side of her hips he slid her into place right in front of him about to thrust into her unable to control his desire to feel her from the inside . She said " I want to play a little game . I am going to suck your cock while you talk about anything .” Sliding him in between her lips and into her mouth slowly going only a centimeter or two at a time . “ anything at all “ taking her time and enjoying every inch of him. 

Rolsis did his best to talk as pleasure and ecstasy wracked his body . Breathing in and out he started to talk again

" oh ,oh ,okay . Yes oh "  he could not stand it. He wanted her so bad , but he was prepared to win this particular game .

" My earliest memory is of a kind elf ranger who took pity on me while I was stealing bread in the capital cities open air market . " lost in his thoughts for a moment Rolsis continued  " I was dirty and half starved. The elf was a ranger . Like druids rangers are secretive . they are very selective as to who they initiate into their ranks.  Giving me the few tools i needed to take care of myself ..... oh yeah " sucking air in through his teeth " yeah suck it baby right there , fuck yeah I like it when you go balls deep " holding her hair back moving her head up and down his rigged shaft "the ranger didnt give me his name and I didnt ask , Oh yeah  right there. The ranger oh god yes  suck my cock. You’re a dirty little slut , oh yeah “ continuing w He  never spoke . He  simply showed me how to find a wayward pine and showed me  that forest would treat me better then the city . oh gods yes suck it oh yeah , that's so fucking good ." Pushing her up he flipped her off and said "I want a snack too"   He started with wide circles all over her clit sucking on it and thrusting his fingers into her twat so quickly rubbing her cunt at the same time he said " that ranger ? he kept a quiet watch over me throughout the  years making sure I kept my impetus self in line and stayed alive ."he went down on her again thrusting his tongue and fingers in and out of her sex .  " oh oh oh yes Rolsis yes suck on my cunt . oh yeah oh oh god oh my god yes baby work that fuckin toungue  " he intervening only if 100% necessary .  Teaching me  that you could care for yourself when others let you down . Yum you taste so good baby . do you want my cock ? " he asked rubbing his stiff member all over her tiny pusy as he spoke . " you want me to ..... He pinched her pussy lips together with one hand and taking his rock hard dick rubbing the head up and down her pinched lips . " do you want me ? " he asked her . " yes " her response barely heard between her loud moaning " you want this massive cock ? "  "Oh "" SLAP"oh SLAP"Yes " SLAP" what was that ? I couldn't quite hear you . " smack , smack ,smack ,smack ,smack "YES she said through gritted teeth .

"AH AH AH , no no no i want to hear you say it sexy i want the words to come from your beautiful mouth he said sliding his fingers in and out of her mouth rubbing his thick member then slipping his cock right between her eyes she looked up at him with his massive cock in her hands . Spit going down her chin dripping onto his cock. Moving her hand up and down his cock while she choked on every inch of him . She grabbed her tits ahd started titty fucking Rolsis . Not breaking eye contact, rubbing her tits quickly up and down his shaft she held his gaze with her mesmerizingly beautiful blue eyes . " she said "Fuck me Rolsis. Let me slide up and down your cock . I need you inside me. I want to feel you coming hard in my pussy . I am so wet thinking about your cock going in . and . out, " slowing with each word being whispered quieter than the last .  all ready he was a seel rod fucking her as she devoured a pillow from her pile "I wont ask again if you say no I respect you and I do not expect my friends to understand what I find attractive . but that's just some of it , can I slide my cock in and and out of your pussy ? beg me . I want to hear from you . Say my name and beg me to fuck you . 

oh fuck yes fuck me Rolsis . Pound my tight little pussy . Please please please fuck me rolsis please . Both Mithras and Rolsis were past  the chance to turn back now . Lifting Mythra into his lap , Rolsis pushed his steel rod into Mythra, this time all inhibitions gone . slamming her up and down on his dick with one hard slam to the back if her hole he Said " say it minx say my fucking name   he thrust quickly this time every time her tits  bounced she said his name "yes ROLSIS fuck ROLSIS me ROLSIS fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck YES she screamed as she climaxed again .this time white hot jizz filled mythras cunt as Rolsis came repeatedly inside of her . not wanting to move they laid there in eachothers arms legs and tails intertwined Roslis's dick was still deep inside Mythra and just as they were both falling into a peaceful sleep , Mythra said I love you Rolsis . And I you . said replied Rolsis I love you too . They drifted to sleep, tails intertwined.

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PART 2 Two Brothers

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                                                    Chapter 1 Reminiscing                                                            

The road through Auckland was long and hot . Because of this They  traveled and practiced at night . Avoiding the main roads . They chose a path that was very direct . Late this night it was Bloodrite and Rolsis who were on watch . Sitting and driving the wagon, having already traveled for hours in peaceful quiet , it was Rolsis who broke the silence  . " How've you been ? He asked '' Putting his finger to his pipe and lighting it Bloodrite could see his friend very clearly in the lights of the moons . " I have been

better and i have been worse " Rolsis sighed pinched the bridge of his nose chucked slightly to himself  " by Salune do you ever speak in anything other than riddles ? " Bloodright smiled at his goal of seeing his friend's smile accomplished , " Yes . When it suits me , it just doesn't often suit me ." continuing to talk about what they had been doing In the last year . Bloodright went on " I searched and searched for my parents , found some records in the abandoned orphanage I grew up in , followed several cold leads

Then I came across Tug a jug and I met Crack.  We were on our way to Lostquarling when we met the sisters . '' Pondering his words to himself Rolsis said “well I am glad to give you and crack some piece of mind it isn't all together to unfeasible to go to Lostquarling.'' Bloodright, excited to get any info out of his friend, decided to press him for some. “So I have told you of  myself  how about you my friend what happened between you and Mythra? That is  If you feel comfortable with sharing. I genuinely don't want to press you for the information you're not comfortable with giving. '' Looking at the eye of the goddess  ,Rolsis replied “ no it isn't too much for you to ask. I am not shy to say  I love her. I've never said that about another woman .  I love her deeply . Even though it's only

It's been a few weeks , I love her.  Is that enough for you?” Taking a drag off his pipe and smiling Bloodright replied “more than enough my friend thank you I'm glad you're happy . I'm glad you make each other happy” noticing pain in Bloodrights eyes Rolsis asked “ What about you ? I know you were looking for a family. You sorta found it . I remember you wanted to find love, have you found it?”    

FIVE YEARS AGO :

    White no that was just wishful thinking. Right. Think. Is it day? Is it night? Confused, disoriented and cold, bloodright often wished it wasn't so hot in his classes. Searing and blinding the pink light of the two suns one red and searingly hot the other large bright and white they're combined rays casting a pink light on the world beneath them a warm and welcoming light even if searing. The night was short but welcome. He loved the three moons, one white and huge , one blue and large and one right between the two . its light nearly overshadowed by its bigger sisters . but still bright its purple light shining so bright it appeared black to the naked eye. the violet  light of night, the coolest temperatures always coming when the sun's were down the moons always held Bloodrights attention they garnered his trust. He would tell them his secrets.

 his vision slowly becoming clear he patted himself down with a dry towel. The black dust and sand clung to his Bloodred  skin and in all the worst places the sands that surrounded his home were black deep onix like the quartz spire at the mouth of this region . Alorius was home to a variety of races. The most predominant in the region being dwarfs and elfs .  patting himself down in a useless attempt to rid himself of the dust everything came from the black sand. The glass for which his country was known for making, the buildings, brick and mortar even. The paper was made of cloth covered with it. Her blue accolade robes now look smudged and dirty from  sweat and black dust making her hands filthy and muddy with it thinking to himself why was Master Jordan's class always so long?

 Lost in his thoughts Bloodright let his mind wander. 

        thoughts of skipping his next classes we're sounding pretty good to him. Bloodright couldn't think clearly  frustration and exhaustion from his days in the school of magic were wearing him thin . His classrooms were stuffy and suffocating. Perspiration often formed on the faces of the humans who attended the school . He suffered none of these effects as he was a tiefling and heat, even fire did not affect him the same as traditional humans . raising his hand bloodright asked to be excused . 

Fine said master jordan we will end a little early today and we’ll pick up where we left off tomorrow . class dismissed 

Yeah and we will have the exact same lesson tomorrow because you're a senile old moron past his prime bloodright thought to himself as he gathered up his notes from the classes lecture 

  He jogged to the Cool springs. A lovely canopy of cloth tents and cooled seating areas  surrounded the fresh vast water springs pools  that were the life of Auckland. the very water his country thrived on. The springs were vastly expanding over several miles all going back to quartzite mountain. All manner of chores were being done on the onyx shores the college of magic was the center of this city where dragon riders, mages wizards, sorcerer's paladins and clerics alike all lived coexisted learned and taught in harmony here they were trained and did the day-to-day business . in every classroom was a hearth and in every heart a forever burning fire spell permanently cast on a log the hearth located in the center of every classroom this made the days stuffy and hot forcing the college to look like a forge it was a forge of people producing the greatest elven people the everion had ever known 

Everyone bathed in between classes. The heat was so oppressive it often made students fall asleep and incur the wrath of the teachers causing them to wrap their heads with their wands forcing the dregs of sleep away with rapid pain. His professor  Master Jordan had a monotone voice that rang through the heat. He preserved its use for open lectures to the staff he considered his equals. Master Jordan viewed the teachers and staff as his equal. When he would teach  his classes he would use written words and spells to communicate . Master Jordan always took longer to explain anything than any of the other teachers. He taught universal magic; mandatory, dry , and very boring.how many times does he have to explain Arcane mark. His memory might be going . bloodright could have sworn he had just communicated  that sentence 10 minutes ago . Alorius was in the black spire  , and the school of magic was the heart of Alorius . Deep Sandy quartz hills of the black desert of Alorius poured around the city an Oasis in a sea of onyx colored  sand. the college of magic was immensely large on its own capable of housing up to 15 dragons and 600 magical students at its fullest capacity 

School and the city surrounding it were built in the most remote part of the country of Alorius in the hottest and most desolate part of the country

 the belief of the Auckland people: be trained in the hottest part in the worst conditions so you'll be better prepared to defeat your enemy .

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  Chapter 2 

          what dreams may come

I had to watch out for myself to be my own family in Alorius  everyone served a mandatory two year 

military service every major life choice made for you by the military your life mapped out by birth In tattoos on your skin . 

being an orphan I had no parents to map My Life for me in tattoos as the other children did I had to do it on my own no surprise I wanted out of that country .i hate sand it always gets everywhere all i want to do was see trees and maybe some  rain that lasted for more than 5 seconds . Was that so hard to ask ? The only thing that's even remotely beautiful about my desert home is the rare Royal purple desert rose. A rose so purple it appeared black .  Surrounded by a clear vitreous smoky quartz in the center of the sacred spring of water the flower would only bloom in the presence of Morri the leader of Alorius .

 last Bloom his mother was still alive and things were normal well as normal as they can be when you live in a militant country this rare flower was what brought most elves to this part of the country the rose was the symbol of the Alorius people well that wasn't fair All of the 5 major countries had a flower and all of them bloomed when in the presence of the one the mountain had chosen to lead . The flowers would wilt and fall to the bottom of the crystal and new buds would form . then the cycle would start again . in Alorius  Every 90 years one elf among all the others is set to witness. Witness Bloom and partake in the magic. The magical properties the rose gives the moment that it blooms are astounding . The chosen one is considered the leader of the magical community . for the last three blooms in a row the flower has chosen the same mage. Lord F . Foullinx his  benefactor and his mother's Husband a man so protective of him it was stifling bloodrights hair was cut short cropped to a long Mohawk growing down his back the sides shaved off completely so is to be able to show off his tattoos his eyes deep pools a blue crystal just like his mother's his clothes the loose-fitting robe like coverings in black and pink colors to blend in with the sand and countryside like all other militant elves in Alorius Bloodright kept the tradition of self tattooing painstakingly crafting his art on his skin and Infusing  it with magic mapping his life out upon his skin and placing his spells into the very fabric of his being as a lessons of magic and warfare continued the test and trials of a young elves life press on the rights and rituals of passage they soon require the elf to express the completion of the right of age with a tattoo given to yourself being able to complete this tattoo with the peaceful heart and mind is itself a test. Bloodright hoped that Salune would find him worthy when dedicating his life to the deity .He continued his run out of the open air market and into the main courtyard of the collage . getting into the right headspace as he prepped for his next class The cobblestone Courtyard was full of elves of various ages in between classes. Slowing his run to a jog as he sort of stumbled about he rushed toward the young man's Tower realizing he was late again master Fulcrum would yell at him if he felt he was worth his time,

 Entering into the passageway that would lead to his next class 

    all the sudden out of nowhere bam white light and pain lots and lots and lots of pain what in the world is wrong with you? A gruff and frustrated voice broke the awkward silence. Bloodrights Hand , moving like a net expertly capturing his floating paperwork. What ? oh I'm sorry are you all right headmaster ?he asked did I hurt you? somehow feeling worse than before  no actually I have a tougher hide than you might think . It takes more than a tiefling bumbling into me to hurt me .The headmaster looked him over as he watched the young tiefling gather his senses and began to pick up his papers books and spell components the headmaster knelt down so that he was eye to eye with the young tiefling meeting him on his level . studying his mannerisms and facial expressions Segarrnthiouss the ancient worm could not help but be concerned for this young one 

hatchling are you okay?”

“Segarr” he said l'm alright I'm just  frazzled I don't know what I'm doing to be honest Segarr I'm planning something can we talk I have two more classes today would you mind meeting me at the top of the arcane Tower at sunset no problem hatchling . Anything to ease this pain I see in your eyes . 

    actually the college had two main towers the arcane Tower and the Divine Tower the arcane Tower , where the teachers for the school of arcane magic lived and taught  and the Divine Tower where the teachers of  Divine magic lived and taught  eight smaller towers contained classrooms where each of the other eight specializations were taught 

The towers were aberration conjuring divination enchantment evocation illusion necromancy transmutation and universal running to his next class he bumped into his best friend Six. Six was just leaving her physical specialization class; everyone was required to be both fit mentally and physically. In the last few years of training Six chose to dedicate herself to the study of physical arts Their goal was to dedicate Their life to Bauchi and become a monk in his name hey lion tamer what are you up to ? “ Bloodright hated and loved the nickname . On one hand he hated being teased and on the other hand he  liked feeling like someone was a friend .  Bloodright had a soft spot for stray cats on the grounds .  He hated when the other students found reason to tease him. Bloodright  looked at his tormentor . I've got to leave Six. I cannot bear to be here any longer, he said. Feeling like he needed to tell at least one person he thought, What would it hurt to act friendly ?  Everyone judges you for being a tiefling . I've watched  all the shunning and the bullying . I never did it either, but I never stopped . It makes me just as guilty as everyone else. I'm sorry . I Know  You have that evil blood in you . I just want you to know something “ Licking his lips and salivating at the young tieflings pain the psychic vampire couldn't help feeding on the pain , as he watched him  sort out his emotions . Six asked Bloodright “ what's going on tell me about your pain “ putting a comforting hand on his  shoulder and immediately  shrugging Sixes hand off bloodright said “Way to remind me everyone hates me Six .” 

Bloodrights mother had been  the realms most famous battle wizard and general in the third civil war she had been raped by Sir Jeffry Foulinx of the Saphire spire , the frozen tundra of Lostquarling during a battle . She was captured and later returned to the Alorius  army barely alive and pregnant with a tiefling son.  bloodrite .  She healed but never fully recovered . When Bloodrite was 44 she took her own life throwing herself off the top of the highest peak of the Onyx spire . She had been the most respected and highest ranking elf in the whole of the Alorious army and a single human man destroyed that for her. creating Bloodrite was something the elves of Alorius  couldn't ever bear to forgive the humans of Lost Quarreling for.

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Chapter 3 

The Lion Tamer 

 Bloodrite was an Outkast all the elves thought of him as even worse than human. He was a tiefling. And not just any tiefling , but a tiefling born of the destruction of their favorite and Golden General.  all they saw when they looked at him was the man who stole that idol away from them when six looked at him however it was as if Bloodrite was a living being not just a tiefling.all the sudden snapping his fingers in front of bloodright  catching  his attention hey hey can you hear me ? Bloodrite ? Six was so concerned for his friend . Bloodrite looked into her eyes, into Sixes eyes and said  sorry I was lost in thought gods and goddesses Six cursed lion tamer you looked at me like a blink owl I've been talking about going away to the monastery for the last hour that was the one thing you always made me change the subject for what's on your mind ?What's wrong ? Digging the most intimate and painful thoughts out of blooright Feeding on his pain  like a leech on an open wound blooright yelled at the closest thing to a friend he had in the world . okay fine he shouted barking his reply I'm running away and leaving tonight  Six let out a terrified and surprised squeak . A short one but a scream nonetheless. Sudden shock to bloodrite when his best friend Six turned and kissed him full on the lips . Bloodrites lips lightly kissed back  , but he didn't feel anything he said looking into Sixes eyes I love you too Six but you know it would never work out for us I'm a tiefling Six tried cutting him off it doesn't matter to me your birth she said  you being a tiefling and me being an elf . Bloodright cut him off  it does however matter to the high Council of elves they would never allow us to be together think about it not only are they too close minded to see past two men loving each other , but the fight you have for your family to see you as more than just a man that you are you , that you are a woman , a man , a being that loves . Bloodrite  watched as Six cursed under her breath and he thought to himself why did it always have to come back to the circumstances of his birth in a desperate effort to keep bloodrite  from leaving Six turned  to him and demanded an answer to this right now. Why are you leaving? Six bloodright  said you'll never know what I feel like . what Six had asked  was hard for Bloodrite to admit to himself but he had a certain level of pride and self respect he pressed on trying to desperately hide the frustration in his voice Six I do love you and what hurts is to love you knowing that you will return this love yet never act on it simply for the sake of my birth and what the high Council of elves would think of the warrior elf who dated or who gods forbid married a tiefling and not just any tiefling NO it had to be the one tiefling whose mother was Saint Liliana and is The offspring of the vile  human who  spoiled her . Pressing his hands into his temples he was so done with these self righteous elfs Six unfortunately we can't be  together but please please Bloodrite please  Six pleaded with him cutting him off again  please bloodrite  Don't leave please , don't leave me . I'll make them understand . you are my lion tamer Bloodrite cut  her off no don't you ever call me that again angrily dropping his hands to his side so six could no longer hold on to them do not ever call me anything again goodbye Six Again for the second time today bloodrite ran away from his problems . he ran till  his lungs burned and tears  filled his eyes blinding his path. He ran till he could no longer run. He had grown up in college though and knew every single step , every cobblestone. back doors? He knew exactly where they were and had known it for years as he headed up a hidden stairwell behind the ancient books of elvish etiquette all the way to the top he ran without  stopping Then suddenly a voice rang out to him , bloodright!bloodright STOP! Hatchling ! 

That sounded like Sagarr. Did he see him ? Did he know he was taking this secret passage ? Bloodrite Burst  through the door and basked himself in the light of the three moons. As he went to make himself a little more comfortable  a voice called from behind him what in the name of our Lord God Bahamut do you think you're doing? You had me so worried hatchling . did i just see you kissing an elvish monk ?  he froze , he always felt as though Sagarr was his true guardian. He certainly acted like his  father. No Saggar  you saw the only being here besides you to treat me with any semblance of kindness , besides you and my 1 ⁄ 2 uncle ,who happens to be becoming a monk, kiss me and beg me not to leave .  He thought of Sagar as a warm and loving uncle . always there to protect and defend him even if he was  wrong . the aged dragon never once let him feel like he was different or less then . Can we stop with the  inquisition ? The gold dragon  and his 1 ⁄ 2 uncle Lord Benjamin Foullinx had fought together in the war . yeah fought is a nice way to say mass Genocide . Wiping an entire race of halflings. Not one Exists in any location in the world because a few elves and humans didn't know what something was so they killed what they did not understand he courtyard was in the center of the college of magic being the only garden in the whole of the college grounds the vast cold water spring ran for miles outside of the college a small pool of water from the sacred springs beneath weld up by magic in A perfect circle 

Black grass grew around the smoky quartz crystal that was home to the sacred black Rose bush that was the source of all magic energy for the whole of a Nation, the most sacred  place in all of Alorius  . Elfs would line up and camp out for days hoping beyond all hope that the Rose would bloom for them . In his 90 years of life Bloodright had not presented himself before the rose as all other elfs did . He knew going into the sacred grotto was considered sacrilege for a tiefling but he had to see the crystal before he left. He felt drawn to it . Pulled to it . Before entering the sacred cave Bloodright removed his shoes . Taking a few Deep breaths he walked into the cavern of the rose .

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Chapter 4

A mothers Memories 

 The soft red grass felt so good under Thuaqua’s feet . Raising Crack Alone had been so hard for Thuaqua. The villagers would have shunned her after giving birth to a tiefling. Though thankfully The Canerack People would not shun Their spiritual leader . At least she thought that at first . It wasn't her spiritual self they were shunning .  She had thought her being the Chiefs daughter would have made a difference .When it came to her shame  it did not. She had made her vows. She was a cleric of the goddess Burranar. She was in love with Snap Crudgle . He had won her heart a long time ago . Literally won the right to be her mate in single combat . The clan's Tradition held the “true true “, the cleric could only mate the physically strongest member of the clan .  The Gods would accept no less . It was love that had led her to the outskirts of the battlefield . It was love that had caused her to follow Snap And try to protect him . Love was  why she was on the battlefield that day .

It was love that had driven Snap to a bloodrage watching the leader of the Blue spires Armed forces Murder and Pillage his friends family and loved ones .  It was love that had caused snap to kill 18 men, 4 orks , and 15 goblins trying to get to the leader who  was mounting thuaqua like she was a Bitch  . Her hands were tied together and bolted to the ground  . Her  Feet were bound each to a pole mounted spread wide just for this torturous purpose . a mount attached to a mask and collar she was wearing were in place to keep her looking forward and preventing her from using her teeth as a weapon. The look of anger on the love of his life's face . Tears and curse words falling equally from her mouth . she was screaming for him to stop . The leader kept Thuaqua tied and continued to mate with her, taking pleasure in her protests as he commanded his troops. Out in the open air in the eye s Of everyone , he and his whole village  watching the vile leader of the invading humans Rape his mate thier Cleric and spiritual leader the daughter of the chief  . Something SNAPPED in Snap . He was driven mad with rage.  Snap went to stop the torture Anger clouding his judgment  he missed the rangers who had trained eyes on him . He walked toward  Thuaqua . He was hit by 4 arrows .His hands reached out as 7 arrows found their way to his arms, legs and chest ,  Her eyes pleading, tears streaming down her face , 3 arrows .  1 in his cheek , 1 in his shoulder , 1 in his crotch . If it weren't for the arrow in his ear he could have heard the laughter . But his mother  had taught him other people's opinions of him were none of his business.  so he never cared what others thought of him .  He is so close to her . He is hit with  8 more arrows . Tears are streaming down her face and she is begging him to stop .  I love you  Snap . His bloody hand finds her cheek and the archers aim well and hit him with 8 more arrows . Yanking an arrow out of his cheek as he is hit with 6 more arrows in the back . he kisses her , tells her he loves her and the leader of the invading army slices his head clean off as he spills his seed into thuaqua 

Her memories are always the same, the nightmares always come and Thuaqua always remembers what happened to her the night that Crack was made, the night she lost the love of her life, the night she was removed from the village and was no longer welcome with people she had known her entire life. All it took was an invading armies leader despoiling her and beheading her husband for her to lose everything and gain a child that she refused to eliminate . she refused ,she would raise this child to know only love ,she would  make Jeffrey  suffer for his crimes. her child would be the living proof that he had done what he had to her, and to her  husband . so she gave her son The only name she could imagine.  the best, most wonderful name for him . She gave him the first name of crack for that was what she hoped he would do to Lord Jeffrey Foullinx skull . Then she gave him the middle name of the father he deserved Snap Credul. Crack Snap Credul. Her sweet Bubby . Standing  in the center of their Home Thuaqua  set a hearth fire burning as she prayed to salune to protect her son , to send the help that she knew their tribe needed. She could hear the screams of Samantha and the other clerics  Of the  the tribe , there was the smell of burning flesh and the sound of boots stomping in tiny heads . she hoped in her heart that when she opened the flaps the sounds would somehow be from something else . as she walked out of her domicile she prayed to salune for all their souls a hope that they would find the light . a power began to well in her fingertips she pointed at the nearest goblin and A Blast of energy destroyed the nearest . She fired again and hit another goblin. Were the humans attacking again ? She continued to pray and fight hoping that help would come . It did not feel like it was going to come in time so Thuaqua Decided to take as many out with her as she died and honorable death.  Crack !! Send word to the lady Elara , ask for her aid there's too many . 

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Chapter 5 Night Flight

He walked from the sacred grotto . Only Salune and he know what was said .  As he left the great Gold dragon Saggar was waiting for him 

The dragon leapt to the air . As his wings thrust him forward he could feel the wind in his hair and the sun on his face. As they soared through the air he told him of how he and the wizard had found him as a baby in his dead mothers arms . He described every detail down to the color of her mothers eyes and even the amount of blood that was pooled at her feet . He never mentioned her killer ,and he never asked. he just figured that it was too bad of a memory .the old one and his mother were famed to be the best Dragon and Rider in the fleet .None of this unnerved him however .For he had heard it many times before . he missed his mother so. How strange that you could miss someone you have never met . If only he could have met her. None of that mattered now . All that mattered was his magic. Learning it and letting it quench the fire that burned forever in his soul.

The flight home to the keep was quiet. Silence saying more than words already spoken.The ground came up fast, too fast. He knew the figure standing in the landing yard was .he did not relish the lecture he knew was coming. " Just what in the abyss do you think you were doing ? The screaming had begun. He knew that the wizard meant well but this time he had gone too far .He was with Saggar , forget that he was planning to leave , this proved his half uncle did not trust him even in the slightest . Saggar was too often away on business for the eccentric old wizard." Your studies are all that matter. Nothing and Irepeat nothing is more important than the magic ." He scolded him . "Well, are you going to answer me or not ?" Bloodright would not give him the benefit of the fight he wished to have. He was in a great mood . He was leaving and nothing his uncle could do was going to stop him. " Well shalaphia I was contemplating my existence in deep meditation study ." oh the gods give you grace for lying" he spat " .that bird over the wall story doesn't work on me any longer and you know it . " Now Bloodrite does not make me ask as yourteacher ,I am still asking as your Uncle. What were you doing? "he had had enough of his mothering. He was an adult and would not take it any longer " I wanted to ask Saggarabout my mother ! Ok? Or is that wrong ?So I can't have feelings. I can't wonder what she might have been like? Gods I don't even truly know what it is to be an elf!!" I will teach you."He had cut him off for the last time. " I know the ways of elves better than you think." Do you human ?” He yelled , it felt good to tell his elders all the things he had been holding back ” lets not forget that I am a TIEFLING " he had turned the table on him and used his own weapons against him ." Can you teach me to be me ? He realized that he was yelling and gods did it feel good to get it off his chest. "NO!!" he continued in his rant . "So do not profess to know me, you child stealing hypocrite . "

"Now ,now ,young one we are only trying to help and teach you" Saggar had cut in ,trying to divert the Child's anger from his old friend …Before he could go on his angered words had cut him off. "And you Saggar! A dragon should know better than to meddle in the affairs of humans and the lying and thieving they do .I hope you all rot in the tomb of Geoffrey the betrayer and are never granted the glory of gracing Slune's side . "She took a deep breath and just before lord Foulinx could interrupt him he began again. '' You will never see me again . I will flee this place as quickly as I can . I ask only that you not follow me and you do not attempt to stop me . Or by all I hold wholly and dear I will kill you both ." The look in his eyes told the two old friends that if he could not follow through with his threat he would give his life trying .

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                                                                          Chapter 6

      a letter of truth

Two Friends Discussed what to do with this Tiefling boy . "Well ,this was not unexpected .He was going to flee at some point Fulcrum ,it was only a matter of time ." SH! Do not mention that name around here . If he heard you and started asking questions …well I do not know what we would do. he can never find out that I am lord fulcrum and you are really Saggruff .she can never associate us with Geoffrey the betrayer Jeffery Foulinx .Great Godsmust his deeds and choices always haunt me? " No fulcrum "Saggar said contently "your lies are what hunt you not the deeds of others. '' The look in the old dragon's face bore through his soul worse than Melf's acid arrow . " Your choices and your actions fill you .Do not blame your friend for your misguided mistakes ,tell your nephew the truth about you and him .Tell him what you did to his mother. Tell him everything .Confess and free your soul." Fulcrum let out an exasperated sigh "well that's just not going to happen he will just have to find out the truth for himself. I will not be the one to hurt him. "

"But you already have with all your lies . Can you not see past your own nose far enough to tell that he would be less hurt if it came from you. Are you that stupid or is it that you are that selfish to believe that he wont be mad at you either way?" His answer came in such a quiet voice that if Saggar had been anything other than a dragon he would have to have asked him to speak up .

" I know that you are right Saggruff …or do you prefer Saggar?" he smiled to himself and continued "I will write him a letter today and I will sneak it in heis pack before he leaves. I will tell him the truth about everything ,heis mother ,his father ,and his brother, all of it . Thank you for helping me to see past this stupid human mind that I am currently stuck with." Later sitting in his private office ,Fulcrum began to pen the letter that could very well have been his own doom. He began 

My Clever ,caring and thoughtful nephew Bloodright,

    How do I begin to express all that needs to be said to you ? Let me begin by telling you I

love you I need to start with my heritage .Bloodright I am the brother of

Grephononthalossa the elf or Lord Jeffery Foullinx when he was with the humans

your father. Yes this means that I am myself an elf , But you want your

mothers killer .

well you need not look any further than this very letter . I am her killer. I will tell you that

what was done to her was done justly . She was a whore and a tramp. She was selling her

self to any race of men as long as they could pay she gave them what they wanted. She

was very delusional and she was violent. I killed her to save your life . She tried on more

then more than one occasion to kill you and that last time if I had not stopped her she would

have succeeded in her vile task. I know this goes against everything you were ever taught

about your mother . We covered it all up for your sake and hers. We placed you in an

orphanage to give you the best hope of gaining a life for yourself . In the end I couldn't

bash your head in I just couldn't . Do not take this letter for care or acknowledgement .

if you show it at the border of Lostquarling they will call it a forgery . I will deny you exist .

But if you come to me in humility I will give you the chance to be my servant.

Perhaps one day one of my bastards will make you his battle wizard.

All my love

Uncle Fulcrum Foullinx 

guardian and ruler of Alorious

         Fulcrum knew that the letter would only pose more questions than answers .At least he would have some of the answers he wished for. He finished the letter with his personal seal ,a falcon flying abreast with a Snowy owl . Showing hisAlligance to Rangers of Obidhigh .The Alliance with Rangers stood unmatched for 200 years .no other elf or member of Lostquarlings Royal Family was as trusted by the Rangers then he .Yet he knew deep in his heart that this was a trust that teetered on a razors edge.He had for the last 50 years been moonlighting under the name of lord Belinoph to train young knights .Helping them with they're magic and fighting skills and homing them in to true fighting tools .Tools that Jeffery himself would be proud to use.Though this letter could blow the cover that the girdle of humankind had provided him ,he had to tell Bloodrite the truth of who he truly was .He had to know . That fact was all that mattered . He rushed down the cold and quiet stairs of his writing palace retreat .He found the room that Bloodright always used empty and bare but for his open pack.he must have gone to the kitchen for provisions .he quickly suck the letter that he just wrote in the pack and at the last minute before leavening reached out onto the terrace and plucked a single lavender rose from his window sill bush . Taking the bloom in his hand Fulcrum took a hollow Smoky quartz crystal sphere and placed the Rose bloom inside the sphere .Then using a round crystal quartz bowl , water from the sacred spring and a simple clear orb surrounding it all with a preservation spell woven in place . The bowl is full of the water with the sphere containing the rose inside resting and spinning of its own will on the water . Placed On a Wayward pine board and covered in a glass dome. The object was a masterpiece to behold . He shrank it down to fit best in the pack and blew out the candle and walked away .

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Chapter 7 Illumination 

       The night was Illuminated  with the blue light of the full moons . the white , the blue , and the black all full tonight .  When they were full and in alignment they looked like an eye . When they lined up with the suns It created an eye that bathed the world in purple light . called the eye of god or Suil de , a rare event that was said to bring forth the Morilennen, the one chosen by the gods to rule all of Everneverelyon .  No need for created light this night ,the Eye of the goddess, or Suil an bhandia could easily be seen  in the center of the crystal clear sky . The Tiarna Fulcrum , the Tairna was spiritual leader and voice of the one true god , had sent word that Suil an Bhandia was a sign that god had blessed the crusade to save Tia . That if they hoped to win back their prize cattle now was the time to act. So Jeffery sent for  his greatest general. An Abyssal demon Named Murngaine Blackhawk.

   This was the last town. The Last defense of the Alchemist Trade school and NecroDruid Fellowship. Of course the schools had their own defenses but Canerack village had made a pact . To be  honorable and  true true . To Protect the Gnomes, humans  and Elves who called Auckland home. TheLast time the human general and leader  Jeffrey Foullinx had Attacked this village 18 years ago  on his way to over take the capital city .The human  had failed . He a demon would not. Jeffrey had simply went Riding into the village on a pure white horse. It was said  his polished silver armor was truly a sight to behold. In his home country Lostquarling He was honored , revered the people named him Saint Jeffrey . The other countries Called him simply Jeffrey Foullinx or Jeff the betrayer .Murndaine thought to himself the name betrayer was accurate. He had betrayed the Obidhigh rangers . No matter what way you look at it he betrayed the people who taught him what he needed to know in order to survive . He had his way with the spiritual leader of the village . His General Marcus Nightwiind was his best. He had been  His right hand man. Loyal to the end . It was said that Markus Nightwind and Murngaine Blackhawk were the true born and bastard born . Cut of the same cloth . If only the humans knew just how controlled they were . there were so many more of them then there were of the demons that controlled them . Even more so of the dwarves , elves and other magical races the world held . The humans were so closed minded that if they knew the magic and power they could hold their minds would shatter at the sheer depth of it all. Their brains are incapable of believing in anything that wasn't right in front of their noses . 

The humans had only brought 50 men that day . no cave trolls . The village defeated him with 10 men , though the casualties were catastrophic they held him at bay . This time Murngaine came 1000 men strong . Four cave trolls ,and 10 goblin spell casters . He knew the village had 10 men each worth 20 , and no spell casters . It would be simple. He would flank the village on both sides and then crush it under the weight of his onslaught . Like a hammer striking an anvil , they would have nowhere to go . It would be bloody , violent , and chaotic . It would be glorious . 

              Eighteen years ago When the humans had first raged war against the heathens ;  Though successful in defeating the armed and magical forces protecting the village , the Raging barbarians had kidnapped General Nightwinds niece, Tia Nightwind .  Murngaine had been charged by his commanding officer to bring her home to LostQuarling . Jeffery Foullinx’s victory had been a failure . The young delicate flower had been plucked before its time .

               Jeffrey had been teaching His General and right hand man Markus Nightwind the ways of grooming . The Royal family raised its females as breeding stock . Nothing more .  In Lostquarling Queens and Princesses have only as much power as the number of children they can bear . Men may take as many wives as they desire and can financially support them . Tia was going to be her Uncle’s second bride; his first Marrie Niceic-Nightwind had only bore one female child in five years . From the age of bloodening to five years after , a female , especially a royal Breedmare, had five years to produce 2-4 children and 3 out of 4 must be male or they are not considered worth breeding and are sent to the nurseries to be milk mothers and nurse maids . Now that Markuses  Niece Tia was surely despoiled that would be the best she could hope for .   Markus Nightwind would never mount his niece if any other cock had found its home in her folds. Tia was ten and two  when she was taken it was 7 years later . surly tia would have been used by now . Surely the men in the village would have had their way with her many times over as was the custom in LostQuarling . He took the orders the humans insisted on writing down out of the pocket of his beastfold just under his right beast plate in his armor, and read them again .  His orders were simple : 

 Wipe the Canerack village off the face of Everneverleyon , and return Tia Nightwind to her Uncle and husband who shall decide if she is spoiled or not .

Tiarna Fulcrum Spiritual leader of Lostquarling , Mouth of the one true god , Protector of Sliabh Athiar , leader of Alorius , And the spiritual guide to the world

 Murngaine Blackhawk looked down from the Abyssal coloured nightmare he rode . The flames of Tine Ifreann igniting everything in his path . He Had failed the last battle  he and Nightwind had fought at this village . They had failed . The barbarians had taken Tia Nightwind captive . Jeffrey’s right hand man and Fulcrum's general Markus Nightwind had been very specific . He would not fail .

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Chapter 8 

My portage goes Crack Snap Credul 

        His vision clouded . All he saw was red . All he heard was the screaming sound of his blood pumping through his veins. Running out of his home he could see his mother calling the power of the gods .In the shadowy depths of a twisted forest of red quartz crystals,a cacophony of snarls and roars filled the air as the clash of brutal forces erupted. Cave trolls, hulking and grotesque, lumbered forward, their jagged teeth gleaming in the dim light. Beside them, swarms of goblins darted through the underbrush, their beady eyes glinting with malice as they brandished crude weapons, ready to strike.

At the forefront of this chaotic melee stood a tribe of fierce barbarians, their muscles rippling with raw power, painted in tribal markings that told tales of past victories. They were driven by bloodlust, eyes aflame with the promise of battle. The ground shook beneath their feet as they charged, a wave of primal fury surging from their ranks.

In the midst of this chaos, Crack Snap Crudul, a Tiefling Barbarian, watched in horror as the scene unfolded. His heart raced not only with the thrill of battle but with a deeper, darker pain. He had witnessed this terror before—his mother, a victim of monstrous cruelty. The memory seared into his mind, a haunting echo of despair. Now, as he stood on the precipice of conflict, that pain resurfaced, amplified by the sight of the grotesque trolls and the vile goblins.

The human barbarians, a disciplined force of fifty, advanced with a battle cry that echoed through the stones, their weapons raised high. Clad in leather and steel, they were a whirlwind of fury, intent on reclaiming their land from the monstrous horde. With each swing of their swords and axes, they carved through the goblin ranks, sending bodies flying with brutal efficiency.

As the battle raged, Crack felt a mix of rage and sorrow bubbling within him. He could see the trolls crashing into the human line, their massive fists smashing down, sending warriors sprawling. The ground turned slick with blood, the air thick with the stench of sweat and fear.

Crack’s instincts kicked in, and he lunged forward, fueled by the memories of his mother’s suffering. He charged at a cave troll, baring his fangs as he swung his axe with all his might. The weapon bit into the troll’s thick hide, drawing a roar of pain and anger from the beast. Around him, the battle continued to spiral out of control—barbarians clashed with goblins, and the trolls swung wildly, their sheer size wreaking havoc.Crack single handedly Ripped the head from the cave troll using his teeth and fangs to aid him in gorging the head off. 

But amidst the chaos, Crack felt a shift within himself. He was no longer just a spectator; he was a force of vengeance. With each strike, he channeled his grief and rage into his blows. He fought not only for survival but to ensure that no one else would suffer the way he had.

As the tide of battle ebbed and flowed, the cries of the fallen mingled with the war cries of the living. The forest bore witness to the brutality of war—a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the depths of despair. And for Crack Snap Crudul, the fight was not just against the darkness outside, but the darkness within, as he sought to reclaim his power and protect those who could not defend themselves. He needed to send for a cleric to aid and heal his mother and hoped that Tia’s Aunt Elara would get his message.

The aftermath of the brutal battle lay heavy in the air, the scent of blood mingling with the smoke of dying fires. Crack Snap Crudul stood among the fallen, the weight of tragedy pressing down on him. His mother, Thuaqua, lay mortally wounded, her breaths shallow and labored. The fierce warrior who had protected him in his darkest moments now fought against the encroaching shadows of death.

As he knelt beside her, tears blurred his vision. “Mother, stay with me,” he urged, feeling the world around him begin to crumble. But Thuaqua’s gaze was distant, filled with unspoken fears and regrets. “You must be strong, my son,” she whispered, her voice barely a breath. “There are battles yet to come.”

Just beyond the scene of devastation, Tia Nightwind, the human cleric, had emerged from the chaos, her heart heavy with sorrow for the fallen. She had been saved from a life of torment by the barbarians of Canerak, and in their protection, she had blossomed into a fierce healer and warrior. Yet her heart belonged to Crack, a bond forged in the fires of battle and shared pain.

But the darkness was not yet vanquished. Murngaine Blackhawk, a vile sorcerer who had a nightmare, had set his sights on Tia. He was a puppet of her evil uncle, Markus Nightwind, who sought to reclaim her for his own nefarious purposes. As the battle raged on, Murngaine swooped down from the darkened skies, his presence sending chills through the air.

With a flick of his wrist, he unleashed a wave of shadowy magic, snatching Tia from the battlefield. Crack, consumed by rage and despair, saw her being dragged away into the night, her cries piercing through the cacophony of battle. “No!” he roared, his heart shattering at the sight.

As he turned back to his mother, Thuaqua’s eyes met his, filled with a fierce determination. “You must save her, Crack. She is your light,” she urged. But as she spoke, her strength waned, and the life within her flickered like a dying flame.

“I will not let her be taken!” Crack vowed, his voice a fierce growl. He knew he had to act quickly, for the darkness that had claimed Tia would only grow stronger. With a heavy heart, he rose, leaving his mother in the care of the remaining barbarians, who rallied around her, determined to protect her until the end.

Fueled by love and vengeance, Crack gathered himself . His spirit ignited by the shared goal of rescuing Tia and avenging his mother . As he prepared for the journey into the heart of enemy territory, he felt her presence guiding him, her laughter echoing in his mind.

The path to Murngaine’s lair would be fraught with danger, but Crack was undeterred. He would confront the sorcerer and free Tia from the clutches of her malevolent uncle. With the memory of his mother’s strength and Tia’s love propelling him forward, he steeled himself for the clash that awaited.

As night descended and the stars shone like distant fires, Crack knew that revenge would not only be a quest for justice but a journey to reclaim the light that had been stolen from him. He would not rest until Tia was safe, and the darkness that threatened them all was vanquished.

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Part 3  :    A World in the clouds 

chapter 1

Keeping up with the Corvax’s

 Erithacus Corvax hated going home . Everyone in the royal flock  had feathers that were brightly colored and flashy . He was born all black . He was considered a mutant and was banished from his home and family with no flock to call his own . Erithacus wished his family would look past his color and love him for him . Though he was the only survivor of his hatching , his parents needed to have an heir . Cristatus Pavo . his little sister . He kept a close watch on her over the years . He could hear his mother talking to his sister as the aids prepped Cristatus for all the protocol she would have to deal with . He could hear his mother talking to his little sister “ The Dire owls need fresher mice , the Griffons can't be anywhere near the Dragons ,  Never forget the Dragons want to be around no one except their riders “ as The Royal aids fussed on and his sister pruned in the mirror he could see her expression listening to their mother drone on . Having followed her earlier in the day he knew she had already had a long day of soothing ruffled feathers and bruised egos . Those who called Sliabh Mhathair  Home were all family even if they didn't always agree on every point. Sliabh Mhathair , It means mother mountain .  all the governing bodies had strong bonds of loyalty, friendship and love. Her  mother had asked her to Keep an eye on her newly hatched  cousins . If she had not herself witnessed their hatching she would have sworn they were all part magpie  with all the shiny they kept on them .Not to mention they were notorious for  stealing anything shiny around them that isn't bolted down .  Her mother was hosting all the delegates of each of Slaibh Mhathairs Quarts Peaks . Like Sliabh Athair  , Sliabh Mhathair had a small blue quartz peak that was frozen , A red Volcanic quartz peak , A Black sand desert  Peak , a green Hilly And Rolling peak Covered in trees ,flowers and plants all green , and a pristine white peak . Her mother  did not want the hatchlings to bother any of the delegates of the Griffon Royal Familys  or the Dragon Royal clutch . They were all still learning to fly . They were  bold and fearless little chicks. they would not sit still long and often made the attempt to jump off of things and to reach their hands into pockets that were not there .

    A mile above the continent the Quartz mountain was full and bustling . the whole mountain in the sky . Four waterfalls at the four major points of Slabh Mhathair fed the Scmall Naofa ,  A protective cloud that surrounded the floating mountain above and below. protecting Tallenocia from the heat of the suns , providing rain and shade , while the clouds below provided protection from unwanted peoples . The Mythic beings who called Sliabh Mhathair home learned a long time ago that The bipedal Were cruel and ruthless . That they ravage and destroy the mountain they call home . Taking Sliabh Athair and his protections and gifts for granted .The bipedal communities on the North west continent did not have a connection to their mountain . So next to nothing grew on their mountain . They had war , famine , children crying at their dead mothers breast .The Scmall Naofa provided so much life . Plants of every color grew on the mountain. Trees of every kind , animals in different sizes and shapes everywhere. Even the smallest respecting the great circle . The magical beings that called Tallenocia home had long ago forged a pact with the land . Never to take more than they needed. To protect and preserve all life on the mountain. Slaibh Mhathair was scared of all the people of Tallenocia. Because of their symbiotic relationship the Tallenent ,  The Great Clutch , The Pharlaimint  , and The United Scamall Uachtarain of Tallenocia all receive Abundance from Slabh Mhathair . She gave them a home , food , water , and protected them . She was a good mother and they thanked her for loving them  by protecting her. With their very lives when necessary.

His ship was docked in a secluded Cavern port Of the Tallonent A hidden cove on the main land of Tallencia. Where the great crystal called home enormous and 8 ft tall with a gigantic Purple flowerbud inside . The unique bud was in the shape of a wide hipped , faceless being . Breasts were visible In the same place as humans, the bud had now hands but what could be described as arms encircled the faceless head as if the arms were raised and fingers interlocked though the bud lacked this definition of course .The sun hung low over the Tallonment, casting long shadows across the bustling docks. The air was thick with the scent of salt and sea, mingling with the distant cries of gulls. Shrugs leaned against the weathered railing of The Midnight's Wing, his raven feathers ruffled by a brisk wind. Unlike the vibrant plumage of his royal family, his dark feathers absorbed the light, a constant reminder of the life he had left behind.

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chapter 2 DAYDREAM BELIEVER 

“Hey, Shrugs!” Rolsis called out, his voice bright against the backdrop of the sea. “Ready to set sail?”

Shrugs nodded, a subtle grin breaking through his usual stoicism. He watched as the troupe gathered on deck, their vibrant skin tones reflecting the sunlight. Each one of them was a character straight out of a tale—Demona, the druid with her shifting hues; Mythra, the spirited bard whose laughter danced like music; and the brothers, Crack and Bloodrite, whose fierce loyalty was evident in their playful banter.

“Are we really leaving one continent for another?” Demona asked, her eyes sparkling with excitement. She stood at the bow, her hair flowing like a river of color.

Rolsis flashed a confident grin. “Absolutely! We’ve got a whole world to explore, and we’ll do it together!”

As they began to discuss their journey, Shrugs stepped closer, observing the lively exchange. He felt a warmth spreading through him, but words eluded him.

Mythra, ever enthusiastic, clapped her hands. “And we’re all in this together, right? We’ve got each other’s backs!”

She glanced at Shrugs, and he gave a small nod, feeling the bond forming among them. His heart swelled with an emotion he couldn’t quite name.

“Hey, Shrugs,” Crack said, his voice friendly and open. “You might not know it yet, but you’re part of our family now.”

Shrugs tilted his head slightly, his feathers catching the light. He raised a wing, gesturing toward the open sea, acknowledging the weight of their words.

Bloodrite stepped forward, a smirk on his face. “No need for fancy words. We can tell you’re one of us. Just look at that determined face!”

Shrugs offered a soft smile, his heart racing at the acceptance he felt. He crossed his wings over his chest, a gesture of gratitude and solidarity.

Demona stepped closer, her expression earnest. “We understand if you’ve been through a lot, Shrugs. You’re not alone anymore. We’re here for you.”

He met her gaze, and for a moment, their eyes locked. In silence, he conveyed his appreciation, a deep sense of connection forming between them.

Rolsis grinned wider, a spark of mischief in his eyes. “Ready for some adventure, then? Together, we can take on anything!”

Shrugs raised his wings high, a gesture of readiness and determination. The energy on deck shifted, and the tieflings erupted in cheers, their laughter ringing out across the waves.

As the ship sailed onward, leaving one continent for another, Shrugs began to shed the weight of his past. With each shared smile and every gesture of support, the bond among them deepened. He found himself smiling more, joining in their playful antics and even nudging Rolsis back when he playfully challenged him.

The road ahead was uncertain, but as the ship cut through the waves, Shrugs felt the stirrings of friendship blooming—something he had long thought lost. With his new companions by his side, he looked forward to whatever adventures awaited them, ready to embrace a future filled with possibility.

“Oi, mate! Stop daydreaming and give us a hand!” barked Jarek, the grizzled first mate, his voice cutting through the chatter of the port. Shrugs shook off the remnants of his thoughts and moved quickly to help stow away the last of the cargo. He preferred the company of salty air and the sound of waves to the laughter of a family that had cast him aside.

As he worked, he caught snippets of conversation from the dockworkers. Tales of treasure, rumors of storms brewing far out at sea, and whispers of ships disappearing without a trace. A familiar tug in his chest—a longing for adventure—mingled with a gnawing sense of foreboding.

“Is that all you’ve got, bird?” Jarek teased, noticing Shrugs’s distracted state. He offered a tight smile, his beak a hard line. He simply shrugged, an old habit that spoke louder than words.

After the cargo was loaded, he took a moment to lean against the ship’s mast, his eyes scanning the docks. Merchants shouted prices, and children darted between legs, chasing dreams of distant shores. The vibrant colors of the royal clutch flashed in his mind, a stark contrast to his own somber form. Memories of banishment surged—his mother’s tears, his father’s cold dismissal. They had deemed him unworthy, a harbinger of misfortune.

A ship drew alongside, its sails billowing in the wind. Shrugs watched intently as a figure stepped off—a tall, feathered being clad in the regalia of the court. His heart raced. Could it be?

“Shrugs!” a familiar voice called, shattering his reverie. It was Kaelan, a childhood friend, her bright feathers a beacon amidst the dullness of the dock. She approached cautiously, her expression a mix of concern and resolve.

Kaelan’s eyes flickered with relief as she reached him. “I heard rumors… that you were here.” Her voice dropped to a whisper, as if afraid of being overheard. “I had to see for myself. They’ve been talking about you—what they’ve done.”

He turned away, the knot in his stomach tightening. A silent acknowledgment passed between them; he didn’t need to voice his thoughts.

“It doesn’t matter,” she continued, her voice trembling. “You were banished for a reason that wasn’t your fault. They need to know—”

He raised a wing slightly, a gesture that silenced her. He had long since accepted his fate, and words felt inadequate now.

“Do they? Do any of them care?” Her frustration was palpable, but he remained quiet, staring into the distance.

Kaelan stepped closer, her eyes pleading. “But what if there’s a way to change things? What if you could confront them, show them who you are?”

Shrugs shifted uncomfortably, feeling the weight of her hope. He had chosen this life—one far from the court’s expectations.

“There’s a storm coming, Shrugs. Not just at sea.” She hesitated, gauging his reaction. “And it might change everything.”

He studied her face, the desperation and hope mingling in her eyes. A part of him yearned to respond, to share his thoughts, but the words stayed lodged in his throat.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, Shrugs felt the pull of destiny tugging at him. Perhaps he could use this moment—a chance to reclaim not just his place in the royal clutch, but to uncover the truth behind the darkness that threatened them all.

With a subtle nod, he indicated he was willing to listen. Kaelan’s face brightened with a mixture of surprise and gratitude.

“Thank you,” she whispered, her voice barely audible over the sounds of the dock.

As they stood together, the weight of unspoken words hung in the air, but Shrugs knew this was just the beginning. Whatever lay ahead, he would face it—not as the outcast, but as a shadow ready to reclaim his light.

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chapter 3 

Echoes of the Past

The salty air filled Shrugs's lungs as he stood at the helm of The Midnight's Wing, but his mind was far from the bustling docks of Tallonment. A sudden rush of memory swept over him, pulling him back to the rugged cliffs of Moher Mountain, where he had spent his childhood alone.

The mountain loomed high above, its steep slopes covered in jagged rocks and sparse vegetation. Young Erithicus had often wandered the trails, searching for food and shelter, a raven among the eagles. His parents’ voices echoed in his mind: “You are unworthy, a burden.” The sting of their rejection had driven him away, leaving him to fend for himself in a world that felt unwelcoming.

He remembered huddling in a small cave during storms, the wind howling outside, a constant reminder of his solitude. Days blurred into nights, and the laughter of other children faded into a distant dream. Shrugs had learned to survive on his own—gathering berries, trapping small creatures, and scavenging whatever the mountain offered. But friendship was a luxury he had never known. He often gazed longingly at the flocks of birds that danced in the sky, wishing for companionship, yet each time he spread his wings, he was met with silence.

As the memories flooded back, a voice cut through the haze of the past, bringing him back to the present.

“First mate!” Jarek’s voice boomed, startling Shrugs from his reverie. “Get your head back in the game. We’ve got company.”

Shrugs blinked and turned his attention to the deck. Five tieflings stood there, their vibrant skin tones glowing in the afternoon sun, a striking contrast to the ship’s worn wood. Each one bore unique traits, but their camaraderie was palpable.

At the forefront was Demona, her eyes wide with curiosity. She had dark, vibrant skin and hair that seemed to shift in color, a reflection of her emotions. As she shifted nervously from one foot to the other, Shrugs caught glimpses of the spectrum within her—hues of blue when she focused, green when she was unsure. Her presence was both calming and electric.

Beside her stood her twin sister, Mythra, whose laughter rang out like a melody, instantly lightening the mood. The bard’s bright, flowing attire shimmered in the sunlight, and her playful demeanor contrasted sharply with Demona’s seriousness. Shrugs couldn’t help but feel a flicker of warmth at the sight of their bond.

Then there was Rolsis, the tiefling leader, who exudes an air of confidence. His eyes sparkled with mischief as he surveyed the crew. He flashed a charming grin, and Shrugs felt a twinge of something he hadn’t felt in a long time—belonging.

Next to Rolsis stood Crack and Bloodrite, brothers whose fierce expressions hinted at their strength. Crack’s arms were thick with muscle, a barbarian , and Bloodrite had a glint of mischief in his eyes, a warlock , both ready to take on any challenge . Shrugs nodded, a subtle grin breaking through his usual stoicism. He watched as the troupe gathered on deck, their vibrant skin tones reflecting the sunlight. Each one of them was a character straight out of a tale—Demona, the druid with her shifting hues; Mythra, the spirited bard whose laughter danced like music; and the brothers, Crack and Bloodrite, whose fierce loyalty was evident in their playful banter.

“Are we really leaving one continent for another?” Demona asked, her eyes sparkling with both excitement and uncertainty. She stood at the bow, her hair flowing like a river of color, revealing her emotional spectrum.

“Absolutely!” Rolsis grinned, leaning against the ship’s railing. “We’ve got a whole world to explore, and who better to lead the way than our fearless first mate?” He shot a playful wink at Shrugs.

The mention of “first mate” stirred something within him. It had been a long time since he’d felt any sense of belonging. Here, surrounded by these intriguing tieflings, he sensed a spark of friendship—a feeling that had eluded him for far too long.

“Come on, Shrugs! Show us what you’ve got!” Mythra encouraged her enthusiasm. “We’ll need your help to keep this ship steady.”

With a determined nod, Shrugs stepped into action. He guided them through the ship’s rigging, explaining with gestures  the intricacies of sailing while feeling their eyes on him. There was a curiosity there, an interest that made him stand a little taller.

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CHAPTER 4 A new journey 

 

Her legs were still wet with the afterbirth of her tiefling twin daughters. Michelle Dornseif wept, clutching her husband’s face. “Michael, Michael, my love, run! Run far! Save them—save our girls. Get them as far away as you can. Michael, save them for us!”  

Michelle pleaded with her husband, her hands trembling as she caressed his face. She kissed him one last time, then pressed her forehead to his. “My love, I will always be with you. Our children will always be with you.”  

The sound of hounds echoed in the distance, their baying fresh on the scent. Michelle stood, determined to lead their pursuers away from her children. As the approaching torches closed in, her husband, Michael, fled with their daughters, clutching them tightly as he disappeared into the shadows.  

The magistrate’s voice boomed, loud and clear. “Michelle Dornsyth, you witch, on your feet!”  

Michelle faced her assailants head-on, her eyes blazing with defiance. “You’ll have to drag me, Malachi. I’ll give you no such pleasure as coming along quietly.”  

The men in the magistrate’s party descended upon her. Michelle fought with everything she had—grabbing at loose clothing, hair, anything she could reach. She clawed, bit, and thrashed, refusing to go down without a struggle. But they were too many. Her hands were restrained, her face covered, and she was dragged to the dunking pole.  

Malachi’s voice rang out, cold and unyielding. “Michelle Dornsife, having been found guilty of witchcraft, you shall now be dunked in Lake Maryantis and drowned until dead.”  

As she was bound to the pole, Michelle’s final words echoed across the water, her voice fierce and unbroken.  

“A curse upon you and all your families for shedding innocent lives this day! May you never know peace! May you never know prosperity! May you always know hunger and thirst!”  

The magistrate and the men of the town laughed as they lowered Michelle into the water. The surface of Lake Maryantis appeared calm, but beneath it churned a turbulent current that dragged its victims down with no chance of survival. They knew she would drown instantly, and this knowledge, for some sick reason, brought them comfort.  

As the dunking pole breached the surface, Michelle felt the water’s cold embrace. The current swept around her, pulling her down, down, down. She struggled, her head breaching the surface for a moment. Was there a pocket of air? She was still sinking, but she could breathe. And then, suddenly, she was no longer in the lake.  

She emerged into a cavern of breathtaking beauty. A multicolored crystal stood at its center, glowing with an otherworldly light. Inside the crystal was a plant, its form vaguely humanoid, with arms encircling its faceless head. Surrounding her were majestic beings—a dragon, a griffin, an owlbear, and an aarakocra. They bowed to her, their voices resonating with warmth and reverence.  

“Welcome, human. Welcome to your new home. We call her Sliabh Mhathair, the Mother Mountain. You are now in our sacred sanctuary. Sliabh Athair, the Father Mountain, rejected you—or rather, its people did. But here, you are welcome. This is the Mother’s Mountain, her breast. We will keep you sacred and safe here, as long as you cause no harm.”  

The sinew and afterbirth of her twins had washed away, leaving only the scars of memory and the two pieces of umbilical cord she still clutched in her hand. Michelle vowed then and there that she would avenge her husband and daughters’ deaths with everything she had.