The first thing you decide to do
is explore Crossroad Village after night. The other mages said it was a village that never slept, and you had to see why such a small place would earn such a reputation.
Your small hut outside of the willow grove was more than comfortable compared to your rooms at the Order, and all of your things fit into the bedroom without cluttering it. Mayor Elwood was warm and welcoming even if the town was not, but he assured you they would come around.
The night air was still and warm, and the full moon in the sky lit the grassy streets of the village. Beyond the willow trees, an eerie glow emanated from the Fae Forest, and strange birds called as if it were sunrise instead of night. The mayor warned you to stay away from the forest, especially after sunset. The Fae didn't much like the mages, and the forest didn't like humans in general. He spoke about the forest as if it were more alive than the Imperial City.
The closer you drew to the village, you saw more and more Fae. You learned in your history books that the Fae glowed in moonlight, but it was one thing to see a drawing and another to see it in person. Few lamps burned in the market square. The place was lit up by the skin of the Fae. Stranger goods carried in stranger carts by strange creatures turned Crossroad Village into a different place.
You wander to a lavender-glowing Fae selling wares from her cart, and she stands up a little straighter when you approach. It may have been dark, but she could still see the mage's emblem on your chest. She turned her cart into a table, and displayed a variety of fabrics, pieces of jewelry, and small ornate daggers.
"This side is for humans," she said, gesturing to the jewelry and daggers. "This side is for Fae." The fabrics looked more appealing to you know.
"What is the fabric made of?" you ask, and look closer. You didn't dare touch it.
"The forest," she answered cryptically, and narrowed her eyes. "What is a mage doing so close to our beloved forest? Surely Mayor Elwood didn't allow you here on his own accord."
"I appealed to him months ago," you said. "I am not a mage yet, technically. I am only an apprentice. My mentors suggested I spend time near nature. They believe my power lies in Earth."
"And they sent you here to grow on us and turn you into a spy?" It was more of a statement than a question. She didn't hide her dislike for mages.
"Quite the opposite," you say, and she cocked her head to the side. "I was asked not to come here and disrupt any progress with your kind."
"Yet you came anyway," she said, with a little smile.
"I am certain this is where I will find my magic," you say, and she nods. Her previous dislike was gone, and her disposition turned friendly.
"My name is Elia," she supplied, and held her glowing hand. "Perhaps I can help you find this magic you seek. I am here two times per fortnight when the moon shines. We do not leave the forest solely under starlight."
The closer you drew to the village, you saw more and more Fae. You learned in your history books that the Fae glowed in moonlight, but it was one thing to see a drawing and another to see it in person. Few lamps burned in the market square. The place was lit up by the skin of the Fae. Stranger goods carried in stranger carts by strange creatures turned Crossroad Village into a different place.
You wander to a lavender-glowing Fae selling wares from her cart, and she stands up a little straighter when you approach. It may have been dark, but she could still see the mage's emblem on your chest. She turned her cart into a table, and displayed a variety of fabrics, pieces of jewelry, and small ornate daggers.
"This side is for humans," she said, gesturing to the jewelry and daggers. "This side is for Fae." The fabrics looked more appealing to you know.
"What is the fabric made of?" you ask, and look closer. You didn't dare touch it.
"The forest," she answered cryptically, and narrowed her eyes. "What is a mage doing so close to our beloved forest? Surely Mayor Elwood didn't allow you here on his own accord."
"I appealed to him months ago," you said. "I am not a mage yet, technically. I am only an apprentice. My mentors suggested I spend time near nature. They believe my power lies in Earth."
"And they sent you here to grow on us and turn you into a spy?" It was more of a statement than a question. She didn't hide her dislike for mages.
"Quite the opposite," you say, and she cocked her head to the side. "I was asked not to come here and disrupt any progress with your kind."
"Yet you came anyway," she said, with a little smile.
"I am certain this is where I will find my magic," you say, and she nods. Her previous dislike was gone, and her disposition turned friendly.
"My name is Elia," she supplied, and held her glowing hand. "Perhaps I can help you find this magic you seek. I am here two times per fortnight when the moon shines. We do not leave the forest solely under starlight."
Hello again!
I have no real excuse for missing my deadline this time, so here we are. Any comments, remarks, suggestions, or criticisms are welcome.
Danika
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