A New Life

As Nythi was leaving Vesta, he heard the sound of footsteps behind him. "If you are here to stop me Arderil you will have no luck." Nythi said immediately knowing who it was. "Ah, but I had not the intention of stopping you, because I have known you since you were a small child and I know that when you want something, nothing gets in your way, dear friend." "Then why may I ask have you come to me?" "My sister would like some words with you, and another question I must ask, how did you know that was me?" "My father trained me in the way of the Ranger, I pay attention to minor details which people miss. Only two people can walk almost as quiet as I can, you and your father." "Yes, of course the training. Where might you be going?" Arderil asked in his melodonic Elven voice, which flowed like the wind. "I will go wherever fate decrees me to go. I know not nor care not where that may be, as long as I get there." "Here comes my sister, she would like to say her good-byes." "Yes, your sister I believe she will be concerned about my departure the most." Secila Tameis was simply too beautiful for words to describe. Her light green eyes were like deep swirling pools of mystery filled with intelligence, independence and innocence all at once. Secila's hair was a shining gold quite like Nythi's own, long and flowing. Nythi had only started noticing how beautiful she truly was recently. He knew that she had strong feelings for him, and he was sure that he had feelings for her also. Nythi just didn't know how to express those feelings, and especially not now. "Nythi you are leaving? You did not even come to say good-bye," she said with a smile Nythi almost blurted how he felt just from seeing that gentle smile. "I need time on my own, to discern what this is all for. That is why I must leave this town to find adventure." "Will you return?" "Once I have found out what my purpose is." Nythi replied Secila gave Nythi a pleading look, because she dearly wanted him to stay, or at least to go with him. "I will be going away also to Belvan. I will be leaving in 2 weeks..." "All you fine young people are leaving our town filled only with the very old." Arderil interrupted with a chuckle. "This is not my place right now." "As it is not mine brother. I go in search for adventure but surely not the same type of adventure desires. I go in search of the Nireth temple there where I may study in the ways of the priestesses." "Dawn is soon approaching, I wanted to leave before the sun rose, so I must be off." "Nythi, Secila the two dearest people in my life are leaving, to return when they have had their fun and glory. I could not be more proud of the both of you." "As I am honoured by your words sir Tameis. What will become of you?" "Yes brother what will you do? Shall you stay here?" Secila asked curiously. "Yes I must attend to business here." "Farewell to the both of you." Nythi gave a kiss to Secila that certainly made her blush. "Farewell Nythi, I will remember you always. Remember if you desire I will be in Belvan." "Arderil, you who have been my closest friend. I will come back with tales of adventure to fill your ears." "And monsters and enemies beware of the legend of Nythi Gillis. The quickest blades in the land. I will hear about you."Arderil replied. "Bye brother, take care of yourself." "You also take care Secila." Then they all went their separate ways; Nythi in no particular direction, Secila off towards the grand city of Belvan and Arderil back to Vesta. Nythi and Secila both too shy to tell the other how they felt about each other. All in time. * * * Nythi wasn't headed in any one direction; one direction was as good as another. First task at hand was to find Nightingale's twin, Brinney. Nythi had no idea where to look, but some force compelled him north, away from the woman that he so obviously loved. Belvan was located south of Vesta. Nightingale urged him towards the north. He was off to find adventure and glory, love and hat, and most of all a purpose in life. * * * Arderil felt alone, two of his dearest friends were gone. His sister was gone to some foreign city and his closest friend was going off to fulfill some quest. He wanted to go with Nythi but he had to stay in Vesta. Or did he? What was stopping him? Nythi already had quite a lead on him, so Arderil quickly got together his things and set off towards the north. In search of his dearest friend. * * * Nythi walked slowly, not having the need to rush. His scimitars by his side and Kilik hanging around his neck he did not fear danger, rather he challenged it. Life had become carefree, nothing to worry about except finding food and escaping boredom. Days and nights were not important, nothing seemed important. He just went along with life day after day. One sunny day after Nythi had just finished his morning sword exercises he returned to his camp with alarms going through his head. Nythi drew his scimitars quick as lightning, and moved slowly into his camp. During that, he called to Kilik. "Kilik, circle around the perimeter and trap our "guest". Kilik strode off obeying his master. Nythi drew his scimitars and entered his camp. Before his eyes laid quite the site. The strangest creature, dressed in the strangest clothes his young eyes had ever seen. Judging by his stature Nythi could tell that the creature was a gnome. His hair was navy blue and was covered with a black beret. His white shirt was very puffy and reminded Nythi of something a pirate might wear. The gnome had an overall charming aura except, the fact that he was trying to rob Nythi. He crept silently further into the camp with the aid of his boots. Luckily the would-be thief had his back turned. "Excuse me sir, would you explain what you are doing with my things?" Nythi asked "Umm....your things? I have but the most humbled apologies sir...?" "Gillis, Nythi Gillis" "Sir Gillis, for you see I am but a lost traveller" "So you decide to steal my things?" "Well, I can explain that if you will just give me a moment" The gnome pulled out a round grey ball and smashed it on the ground. Suddenly clouds of smoke filled the air. Nythi's eyes were blinded as the gnome made his successful escape, well almost successful. Nythi had been blinded but Kilik certainly had not been. The howl broke the chill-morning silence and then a yelp followed by a certain gnome. As the smoke cleared Nythi opened his eyes to see Kilik sitting upon the rather well dressed gnome. "My humble apologies again good sir Gillis." "Would you be so kind as to tell me your name?" "Charn, master thief at your service" "Charn? HA what and odd name." "What kind of name is Nythi?" Just as he finished that sentence, a huge creature jumped from behind some trees. Nythi immediately recognized the brute as a sheba, crosses between ogres and giants. As fast as the eyes could see Nythi drew out his scimitars. "Come evil being, come and taste the steel of my magnificent swords." The sheba was armed with a gigantic club bigger than Nythi, one swat from that would surely kill the fragile, much smaller elf. Kilik jumped off Charn to join his master in battle, Nythi's swords were like extensions of his arms. Nythi rushed in avoiding an overhead swing with his blades, but his arms still went numb under the tremendous strength. Nythi went on the offensive, going into a left-right-right combination. The sheba now had 3 deep cuts along his left arm, right thigh, and right hand. The brute's arms would not allow it to support the massive club and it dropped to the floor. Being unarmed would not stop the sheba though and it charged at Nythi. Only his quick reflexes were the only thing that saved him, as the brute rushed by. Nythi slashed at the giant's tendon as it passed. The giant turned around and dipped his head and charged again and this time Nythi could not avoid it. Nythi was knocked to the ground and could barely draw breath, his eyes unfocused and his head was spinning as the 600-pound giant had banged against his chest. He slowly tried to get up before his eyes would fail him, but he simply could not. The ranger collapsed on the ground as unconsciousness surrounded him. * * * He had just witnessed his master get hit by the giant. Kilik would not allow that creature to live. With a great howl, Kilik lunged for the sheba's neck. The giant, stunned by this sudden appearance of a newer foe was caught completely off guard as the wolf leaped onto its neck. The sheba tried desperately to get it off, but the wolf's jaws would not release. It roared in pain and tried many times to swat the pesky wolf away. The sheba decided enough was enough, as it picked up the wolf and threw it into the group of trees. It went immediately to Nythi's prone form. "Now where was I?" The brute yelled, sounding more like gibberish than any actual language. It raised its gigantic boot to crush the weakling elf and the suddenly was jolted to a stop as the chill of death quickly and silently embraced it. "I believe you were about to die, stupid giant brute." Charn said as he retracted his dagger from the creature's think skull. "Good wolf, stay.... stay..."Charn nervously muttered as Kilik made his way towards him. The wolf looked from Nythi, to the giant and then to Charn. "This is what I get for saving your master's life?" As if in reply Kilik gave Charn a huge lick. "Oh great I would have preferred the first one." Kilik heard and understood Charn's words and licked him again. "Stupid wolf thing, uncivilized I tell you! So what am I to do now?" Charn asked himself "I could just leave him for vulture, but I don't think you would like that, would you?" motioning towards Kilik. Kilik gave Charn another lick. "I saved his life, how stupid can I be?" Nythi awoke later that day, a familiar voice greeted him. "You should be quite thankful that I was still around." Charn said with a smile "I suppose I am in your debt that, sir Charn was it?" "Yes Charn is the name and thievery is the game." "And I am Nythi Gillis, at your service, you do know that thievery is not a good thing to get involved in." "I steal only what I need to survive and only from the greediest merchants. Did you say Gillis? A very famous ranger he was and a friend of mine. His name was Tirou." "You knew my father?" "He was your father, I did not know he sired a son." "I was adopted, he raised me since birth and recently trained me as a ranger." Nythi replied growing more and more interested. "That would explain a lot, tell me Nythi what brings you out into the woods? This is quite a dangerous area." "I am finding adventure sand I may add that I can certainly take care of myself." "To find adventure?" Taking a glance towards the dead giant "More like adventure has found you." Charn said as they both shared a quiet laugh. "Have you seen Kilik, my wolf?" "Oh, yes that creature, it somehow disappeared into smoke a while after you were knocked out. Do tell me, how fares your father?" "Passed away, that is why I left my town. Also to find my scimitar's sister blade." "I regret hearing about your father, I have an idea." "What is it?" "I will go along with you, to repay my life-debt to your father." "You are sure of this? My road maybe very dangerous." "Quite sure actually and besides I grow tired of plundering easy pickings from merchants." "Then it is settled, it would be of much improvement to speak with someone, my wolf companion knows not many words. So we are off, to find whatever fate may bring to us." * * * Far away in the town of Belvan, Secila sat and looked outside her room, staring at the moon. How many nights would it be before she could lay eyes upon Nythi again? How many nights would she not be able to sleep? She had to see him, Secila decided to put off her duties in the temple, because she could not stand being away from him any longer. * * * Across the land sat Arderil around an open fire, quietly resting and saving his energy for the next few days ahead. A chipmunk ventured towards the camp fire seeking the warmth. "Hello my little friend, are you here to share this fine night with me?" The chipmunk chirped a couple of times and took a seat on Arderil's knee. "You haven't happened to see my friend have you?Nythi Gillis, a ranger." said as he pulled some nuts out of a pouch from his belt. The chipmunk ignored the question and went immediately for the food. "Of course, animals are not so unlike humans, do you know that my furry friend? Animals go for food whenever they can. Humans go for money whenever the can...they are quite similar. Once I find my friend again we will venture across the lands, and find adventure and glory"