Battlemage

Laila opened her eyes and saw sun shining through a window and onto her coverlet. She smiled to herself. Whenever she saw that sight it was a reminder that all was well. For a long time she had taken it for granted, but no longer. Her experience with Garrick Padfoot and her subsequent conversations with Edmond, getting to know him and know more about his life before coming to the abbey, had changed her perspective.

She had a feeling that this was only the beginning. The abbot had told her that she had learned as much as she could at the abbey, and that it was time for her to be given more responsibility. She was to speak to Marshal McBride today to find out her fate. She felt nervous, excited …. frightened. She had never had a home, but the abbey was all she had never known. It was so sheltered and peaceful here, she had no idea what to expect from the outside. She shivered in fear and anticipation.

A few hours later she stood before Marshal McBride, desperately trying to stay still and not bounce and wiggle from her nervousness.

“Laila,” he said, “You have served well, and your recent adventure with the Defias in Northshire has shown as all that you have mastered the training you have received here. Meanwhile, the Stormwind Army is stretched thin, between the mounting threat of the Defias in our lands, and the Scourge in the north. We are always in need of able volunteers. If you will consent Laila, I will induct you into the Stormwind Army to begin your training as a battle mage.”

Laila’s eyes widened. “A battle mage! But what will happen to me? Where will I go?”

“If you join the army, I will send you to Marshal Dughan in Goldshire. He is very good with new recruits and Goldshire is a good place for you advance to the next level of your training. It is a small village, but bustling. It is relatively secure, so you will be able to learn without fearing too much danger.”

“I … well, yes! I think I would like to go. ” As soon as she said it, she began to tremble a little. She was going to be moving into the unknown, all alone.

As if reading her mind, Marshal McBride spoke again, “Ah, I almost forgot! You will not be going alone. We have spoken and we have determined that it is best if Edmond goes too. He should probably get away from this area, and he can receive better training and education from Brother Wilhelm there.”

“Really?! Thank you, Marshal! I am so happy to have a companion come with me.”

“I thought you might be. Edmond is to become a part of the Brotherhood of Northshire. He will gain education as a cleric and will also train to fight. You will be studying under Zaldimar Wefhelt. He is staying at the Lion’s Pride Inn, which is also where you shall stay while you are in Goldshire. It will be difficult. You must learn how to juggle your time between your studies and your duties with the Army. Do you think you can do that?”

“I will try, sir. I believe I can do it.”

“Very good, then, Laila. I offer you the cloak of a private in the Stormwind Army. Wear it with pride, but remember that when you wear it you are signalling to all of the citizens of this land that they are under your protection. You now have a duty to protect the people of Stormwind from all that harms them, and also to represent the Army well, for this cloak means that whatever you do now reflects back on your kingdom. Good luck Laila, and the Light be with you.”

Laila knelt before the marshal as he carefully fastened the cloak around her neck. “I promise to always do my duty, sir, and to do my kingdom proud.”

“I have no doubt you will Laila. Have a safe journey.” And the grizzled old man saluted her, and she saluted back. And with that, she went from a brazen young mage to a dutiful and honorbound private in the Stormwind Army. She set off bravely to pack her things and to say her goodbyes. Tomorrow she would be a resident of a real village. She would live in an inn and not a cell. She would have duties instead of chores. She would meet so many people and see so many things. Her fear began to turn to excitement and she couldn’t help but run back to her cell.

Justice

The next morning, Laila and Edmond set out. They still hadn’t had much time to talk, and now there seemed nothing to say. From time to time, they each would look at the other and make as if to say something, but each time, there was nothing to be said. Finally, both fell quiet, silently agreeing to talk later and that there truly was much to say.

Even when they split off from the others, all that was needed was a look and a nod. Laila crawled into the hiding space where they first met. It afforded her a view of the tents where Edmond would be going. She watched as he ran into the first tent. Some men soon ran out and headed for the hills. That must be his father. Edmond would want to keep him out of the fighting.

Edmond then ran into a second tent. Laila waited. And waited. She began to get uneasy. What was taking him so long. All that should be needed was a simple warning and then they should be fleeing. Finally, after what seemed like ages, a burly blond masked man burst out of the tent. He was dragging Edmond behind him. Laila felt a chill down her spine. She couldn’t tell if everything was going right or not.

Carefully, she watched where they went, and then began to follow, keeping under cover and moving as silently as she could. As Garrick and Edmond got out of sight, they stopped in the middle of a dark clearing. Laila crept as close as she dared, and tried to see what was happening.

Garrick had thrown Edmond to the ground. “All right, boy, what are you playing at?”

“W-what, sir?”

“You know what I mean. I know you’ve been gone for more than a day, and I know where you went also. Then you come back just in time to warn us of an army, eh? You think I don’t see right through that, boy?”

“But … no! No sir. It’s not like that. You see … I had an argument with my dad, and I wanted to run away, but when I was going, I saw the soldiers, so I came back to warn you!”

“Spare me, boy. I know a sniveling liar when I see one. Well, whatever they promised you, you’re not going to get it. If you think that I could be so easily fooled and taken out, you’re mistaken. I’m going to kill you before you can even think about conking me on the head and collecting your reward.”

Laila froze. This was the worst she could have imagined. There was no way she could go through with the plan now. She had to help Edmond. Garrick had pulled out a long, wicked looking knife, but before he could use it, she let loose a bolt of frost that caught him square in the back. He fell to his knees and dropped the knife in his stunned state. Edmond picked up the knife and held it towards the man, shaking.

Garrick didn’t even notice. He turned to Laila, snarling. “Oh, lass, now you’ve done it. You think you and this boy are a match for me? I’ll have you gone and in your twin graves before your friends even notice you’ve not come back for your supper.” He shoved her into a tree and moved toward her, ready to strangle her with his bare hands. She swung her staff at him, hitting him right in the temple. He stumbled, but didn’t go down.

He pinned her back against the tree, squeezing her throat with his ham hands. She began to lose her breath, but she closed her eyes and concentrated. Suddenly, she clapped her hands to his. Her own small hands were no match for his strength, but at the moment her hands were wreathed in burning heat. He let go of her, bellowing. “You witch!” He backhanded her, and she dropped to her knees, face burning in explosive pain. Then he pulled her up by her hair. “You asked for it, missy. I was going to be quick about your death, but now you’ve earned some playtime before you-GUH.”

He suddenly slumped and fell forward and Laila hurriedly sidestepped out of the way. As Garrick fell to the ground, she saw Edmond standing just behind him, holding Garrick’s bloodied knife, tears streaming down his face. “I’m a coward,” he said.

She ran to him. “Edmond, no. No you are not a coward! You saved my life! You saved many lives just now. No matter what happens, whether you remain a kitchen boy or become a holy paladin of the light, you will always be my hero, at least.”

Edmond blushed and stammered a bit. ‘Shush now,” she said. “Let’s go find the militia and show them what’s happened.”

Defection

Laila was elbow deep in muffin batter when the young acolyte came running in, frantic and out of breath.

“You know, I can just conjure these up. There’s no need to make all these.”

“Ye mages are all the same – lazy as sin! Conjure up muffins! These muffins have ten times the nutrition and the flavor of those tasteless rations you bring into existence. Especially at your level of skill. I’ve been cooking for decades longer than you’ve been conjuring muffins, I think I know the best way to feed everyone.”

Laila sighed. Cook was right, of course, it was just so-

“Laila! (pant) “You’re wanted (pant) in the abbot’s office (pant pant)”

A sinking feeling descended on Laila as she tried to imagine what she could be summoned there for. Her jaunt over to the Osworth place for the grapes had not got her in trouble, but maybe they had rethought it? Cook was looking at her like she was a common criminal and Laila felt herself flushing.

“Never seen someone called into that office so often at the beginning of their career as you,” said Cook. “Better wash up and get your guilty-looking self over there. It won’t do to keep the abbot waiting.”

Laila cleaned herself up as best she could, rushing down the hallway as she wiped the last drops of batter off on her robe. She paused for a quick moment outside of the door, smoothing down her clothes and hair and catching her breath, and then calmly knocked on the door.

The door was opened by Brother Bremen who ushered her in silently where she was faced with the scene of the old abbot looking at her sternly while next to him stood a timid looking young man with big brown eyes that were partially obscured by his floppy hair.

“Ed-Edmond?”

“Ah, so this IS the boy you told us about. Well, Laila, he’s shown up on our doorstep, so before we proceed with our meeting I thought you should be here to hear what he has to say. You’ve begun this and you are adult enough that you can take responsibility for seeing it through.”

Laila said nothing, but bowed deeply and then stood with her hands folded and eyes downcast to wait until she was next addressed.

“Well, boy, why don’t you tell us now why you are here?” Laila knew how scary the abbot could be, but unlike Edmond, she knew that he was kind at heart and had everyone’s best interests in mind. Hopefully Edmond wouldn’t be too afraid to tell the simple truth. She knew he must believe her now about the Defias, that had to be why he was here.

“S-Sir,” he began, “Laila she, she told me the Defias was doing bad stuff. I didn’t believe her. I just thought we was trying to get what we were owed from the people that owed us. I thought she was wrong about what the Defias were doing, but she wasn’t. Garrick Padfoot … I saw him take some men into his tent that had worked in the field before we came. They never came out. I told my dad and he beat me and told me I never saw such a thing and to keep my mouth shut.

I know my dad was trying to protect me from Garrick, but still … I couldn’t stay there. My dad, he always said that once we got our rightful place back he would send me off to be educated. But now I think that no matter what happens, I won’t be going to any school if I stay there, and we won’t be getting our business back.

I thought … I thought if I came here, you might consider taking me in. I really want to go to school and if you’ll let me study here at the abbey, I’ll be anything you need, a stable boy, or a kitchen boy just please don’t make me go back there now.”

The abbot’s face softened as he heard the story. “Of course you can stay here, lad. Cook does need a boy in the kitchen, but I will tell you what. If you and Laila will help us recover the land the Defias stole from us you will have proved that you can train with the militia as well, perhaps even be a paladin someday, like the heroes of this land.”

“I … really? But … I don’t know how much help I can be.”

“You can be of great help if you are brave. Marshal McBride and Deputy Willem have been hatching a plan and you can provide the missing link we need to get our man. We are going to send a force of Stormwind soldiers over there, but as soon as begin their attack, Garrick Padfoot will slip away with his closest allies among the Defias, leaving the more honest men like your dad there to take the hit.

What we would like is for you to go back there, and Laila will follow you and hide somewhere. You will warn the Defias of the army coming and Laila will watch where Garrick goes and follow him. Once she finds where he makes his hideout, she will notify the Northshire forces and they will go get him.”

“No, this plan will get him killed!”

The abbot sighed, “I truly hope that will not happen, Laila. But this is the best way to get Garrick once and for all. He has been harrying the Abbey for years and has killed many peasants and other innocents. It has to stop and we have an opportunity to stop it now.”

Laila took a breath. “It’s okay, I will do it.” It was Edmond. “Both my father and I have helped Garrick, not knowing his true measure as a man. I cannot live with what I might have contributed to unless I help to end it.”

“Spoken like a paladin, boy, I truly hope to see you back here to begin your training.”

Edmond bowed to the floor and Laila followed suit. She realized that the plan was dangerous for her as well, and yet it didn’t seem to matter. Perhaps she should give Edmond the same respect as she had demanded for herself here at the abbey. Marshal McBride took Edmond off to brief for his part, so Laila didn’t even get to talk to him. She couldn’t believe how worried she was for this boy she barely knew, but she felt responsible for him. She had taken him away from his life and if he came to harm, it would be her fault.

Well, the best she could do was prepare to do her part as best she could. The better she did, the safer they both would be. Laila returned to her room and prepared herself to meditate. When a mage knew they would be going into battle, certain meditations could help them prepare. Laila only had a limited ability to do so, but some simple meditation now would help her retain more focus the next day and shore up her defenses. Perhaps it could make the difference for both her and Edmond, and for the Abbey.

Taking a deep breath, she sat down and searched for her focus.

The Note

Laila stomped out of the library, shaking with rage. She knew she had outgrown the age where she should be having fits of temper, but how dare they? How dare they treat her like such a child?

“I’m sorry, Laila,” Brother Bremen called out to her retreating figure. “It’s just too dangerous!”

She said nothing, just stormed into her small cell and slammed the heavy wooden door, flopping down on her cot. Brother Bremen had forbidden her from going back to meet with Edmond at the appointed time. He felt it was too likely to be a trap. She had tried every idea she could think of to get him to change his mind, but he wouldn’t hear of it.

“But I have to help him!” she had pleaded. She had seen in the young man’s face that he wasn’t cut out to be a thief, or a killer. She was certain that once he realized what was truly going on with his people he would not want to be a part of it. Brother Bremen thought she was reading too much into one brief encounter, and he was older and wiser than she. Perhaps he was right, but shouldn’t they be sure? If they could save a soul from that group of bandits, shouldn’t they try?

She moped on her bed for a while in a manner she hadn’t done for several years. Gradually, moping turned to thinking. Brother Bremen had forbidden her to go back to the vineyard on the day of the meeting. For all that she owed the abbey, she could not go on that day. But he had said nothing about going before.

Laila bolted upright and dashed out of her cell and around to the side of the abbey where a sturdy, homespun woman was offloading bags of grain, flour, and root vegetables from a wagon and directing some young novices to take them into storage.

“Milly,” said Laila.

“Well, good day to you, Miss Laila. I hear you’ve been over to the vineyards recently.”

“Yes, I have. I am so very sorry for what’s happened. Now that I’ve given my report to the brothers, I feel I can tell you … I have some news of your grapes.”

Milly gasped. “My grapes! Those bastards have better not have ruined them. Without them … well, I’ll be ruined. My greatest hope is that the Stormwind Army can help retrieve my property before it is utterly ravaged.”

“Well, I think I can help you at least a bit. I can say nothing of the future, but I can offer you a small hope. While I was scouting the situation, I noticed that much of your harvest is still untouched. Right now, they are focused on setting up their shelters and moving in their things and fortifying the area. They have not yet begun to pillage your grapes. I believe I can get some or all back for you, if I and some of the Northshire guards can go over there. Will you have my assistance?”

Milly’s face lit up, but she looked cautious. “I would like nothing more, Miss Laila, but I can’t send you off without the permission of one of the brothers. If you can get one of them to endorse it, I’d be awfully grateful if you can accomplish this.”

“Yes, ma’am, I’ll see what I can do.”

Milly’s insistance on the permission of a brother was rather annoying, but it didn’t take long for Laila to figure out who would be the perfect person to ask. She made her way up to the bell tower, journeying from sunny, solid stone rooms up to where the stairs grew creeky, the way grew narrow and the spaces became dark, wooden, and cobwebbed.

It was here she found Brother Neals, bent over some inventories and looking slightly pale and quivery. Brother Neals had once been a great paladin, according to abbey legend. But years of soldiering for the light and he had seen too much. It had left him grim and broken, and it was said that as much of the wine went in him as went in the stores. He would be interested in the grapes.

Laila pleaded her case, though the greying man looked as if he was only half-paying attention and wanted nothing more than for her to go away. But when the tale she was telling sunk in, his eyes lit up for a moment.

“Rescue the grapes, eh? You’re a good lass. You have my permission so long as you take Deputy Beneth with you. He’s the man I trust the most down there and I won’t fear for you if you take him. Go tell him I sent you and the Light be with you, child.”

Laila went flying down the stairs, but paused at her cell. She pulled on a brownish green cloak and robe so as not to attract attention and grabbed up her staff. She also accomplished her main purpose in all this, which was to jot down a note, which she folded carefully and slipped in her bodice. She found Deputy Beneth waiting for her with a few other men, having been summoned already by brother Neals.

She explained to Beneth where and how the grapes were left, still heaped in their baskets ready to go, where they had been left in mid-harvest when the bandits had arrived. The soldiers made a plan that involved them going into the field and gathering and Laila providing support from the woods. Exactly as she wanted.

The operation went smoothly and no one missed her as she ducked under a bush for a moment and tied the note to a branch. She was flushed with victory as she returned home with the soldiers, and several baskets of grapes. For perhaps the first time in her life, everything had gone perfectly on not just one but two counts. She couldn’t help but feel this was a good omen, and a sign that she was right. And she also couldn’t help feeling a little smug as she strode into the abbey.

**********************************************************************************************************************

Early the next morning, Edmond stumbled into his hiding place, stricken. He had to get away for a while, to think things through. He had seen some things in the last day … he was beginning to suspect that girl might have had a grain of truth to her. His father had always told him that they were owed, and they only pursued their debt and did it fair. But the other night, he had seen Garrett take one of the vineyard laborers that had been captured for hostage in for questioning about the vineyards and the abbey.

The man had never come out of Garrick’s tent, as far as Edmond knew. Edmond closed his eyes and shivered. He had waited and watched … to see what Garrick was up to, and he had heard noises ….

When he opened his eyes again he noticed the note for the first time. Thankful that his father had insisted he learn to read, Edmond drew it from the branch and opened it.

“Edmond – Alas, I am so sorry. I cannot come to meet you as I promised, as I am forbidden from going across the river on the appointed day. I will be back, however. If you find that what I have told you is true, you are not forced to stay in this life. There are other options for you. I do believe the abbey will help you and take you in to return you to the Light. You can have a home here, if that is your desire. You may reply by note if possible, or if not, simply have faith. I will be back.”

Edmond sighed and crumpled the letter in his hand, then slowly ripped it into tiny pieces, letting them drop to the ground, and then burying them until he could no longer see them.

Shadows From the Past

“Are you sure about this?” Laila asked nervously, biting her lip.

“Don’t make me laugh, child,” Priestess Anetta responded. “Are you seriously suggesting you might hurt me? That’s a lot of arrogance in such a small package.”

Laila stared at the cool face for a moment and then looked at the floor, embarassed. “I’m sorry, priestess, I didn’t mean … of course I shouldn’t presume …”

“Just do it, child, before I start to think you are scared.”

That word made her tighten up and hands curled into fists as flames seemed to lick at her cheeks. When she brought up her hand it was to hurl a searing ball of flame only to have the heat immediately sucked from the air as her other hand shot out a freezing bolt of frost. The spells stopped short just in front of Priestess Annetta’s face and dissipated. She didn’t so much as flinch.

Laila kept hurling until she began to feel as if she was drawing the ice and flame out of of her very toes. Finally, she stopped, drenched in a freezing sweat and breathing heavily. She staggered to the water flask hanging on the wall and drank deep. Then she knelt, shamed by her pathetic magics. “I am sorry sister, for the poor showing.”

“Nonsense, you did well. Your spells seemed strong enough to suit your level of training and your endurance was impressive. What you didn’t know was that this was a test. Deputy Willem has something he needs you to do, but we needed to make sure you were strong enough. I know you are strong enough in your training now, all that remains is to see if you are strong enough in your mind.”

“In my … mind?”

“Do you remember what happened when you were a baby? How your parents died?”

“Yes, Priestess, they were killed by bandits.”

“Yes, and not just any bandits. These men are more organized than any we’ve seen before. They call themselves the Defias Brotherhood, and they have been a threat that Stormwind cannot control for over two decades. And now they are here. They are harassing the citizens of Northshire, and threatening their lands. I do not want what happened to your village to be repeated here. The question is … if we send you there to assess the threat, can you handle that? Knowing that these are the same group of people that killed your parents?”

Laila shivered. Could she? Handle it? She had never thought to encounter her parents’ killers or anyone associated with them. But if she could help prevent another child from being orphaned, then she had to handle it. There simply wasn’t another choice. She looked the priestess in the eye. “Yes, priestess, I can handle it.”

“Good. The Light be with you, Laila, and I expect to see you again at supper. Go see Deputy Willem. He will give you a weapon and your instructions.

**********************************************************************************************************************

As quietly as she could, Laila crept through the grass, feeling like a soaked rat. Of course the bridge had been guarded, so to get across the river unseen she had been forced to swim across at a screened area, with no way to dry herself on the other side. But dignity wasn’t a part of this mission, results were. At least it was a rather warm day. The last thing she needed was to catch cold.

What felt like a hundred years later, she painstakingly made her way to vantage point where she could see activity. She could see that there was a camp and she carefully counted the tents, 25 of them. She also counted as many of the men and women as she could and observed what they were doing. If only she could hear what they were saying, she could learn so much more.

She crept forward slowly, making her way to a bush where she could take cover. If she could get far enough forward in the brambles, perhaps she could hear-

She stopped short. The bush was mostly hollow, making a sort of leafy den. And it was occupied. Laila froze, trying to stay calm, while gathering her concentration so that she could be ready with a small but deadly bolt of frost. Before her was a boy, about her age it seemed. He was scrawny, with lanky brown hair that flopped over large brown eyes. He looked as scared as she felt. ‘What are-”

She slapped a hand over his mouth quickly. “Don’t you dare say anything,” she whispered in his ear, “Or I will send a bolt of frost from my hand straight through your mouth and out the back of your head, do you understand?” He nodded.

“Okay, I’m going to let go, but if you do anything, I will kill you. Do you understand?” He nodded again. She let him go, and he just stared.

“Listen, I need you to tell me who these men are and what they are doing here. If you tell me, no one will get hurt.”

“We are the Defias and we are taking what’s rightfully ours!” the boy whispered fiercely.

“Rightfully yours?!” Laila whispered back, just as fiercely, “These lands belong to Milly Osworth, who never stole from anyone!”

“These lands belong to the king and the king stole from us. Until we get our due, we consider all that belongs to Stormwind to be stolen from us.”

“Bollocks!” Laila burst out as quietly as she could. “If the king stole from you, then you take that up with the king! These people have done nothing to you! Do you want to make them as miserable as you? Then maybe they’ll come back around killing and stealing from you, and who gets paid in the end? No one, that’s who!”

“If it weren’t for us, there wouldn’t be a Stormwind. Everyone in the kingdom owes us! Would you rather there were no Stormwind at all?”

“I don’t give a fig for Stormwind. I’ve never even seen it! But if it weren’t for you, I’d still have my parents. I’d let a hundred Stormwinds burn if I could have them back.”

“What … wait, what are you saying?” The boy seemed chastened.

“Your men killed my parents and many others in my village, and I’ll be damned if I let you do it here, too.”

“What … no … we don’t do that. We just want to be paid!”

Laila grabbed the boy by his red bandanna. ‘Well according to the survivors, the men that killed my parents wore these, and they went by the name of Defias. How do you explain that?”

“I don’t … that must be wrong. Let me find the truth for you, please. I will show you that you are wrong. I will give you the information you want now, if you will come back in a week and meet me here. I will give you the truth.”

“Fine. If that’s how you want it, I will agree to that. One week’s time, here, my oath under the Light.”

The boy nodded, it was a strong oath coming from a child of the Abbey. “We are going to take this vineyard for our own. We will use it to run raids on the surrounding farms and merchants until we recover our due. The leader is Garrick Padfoot, the blond man over there. You have to trust me, he knows what he is doing. He doesn’t want to hurt or kill anyone, just to take the land, you will see. We will leave once we have our due.”

Laila was skeptical of that, but she had promised to take him at his word for now and return for the truth. “Fair enough, although stealing is still wrong and if you steal from these people you deserve the punishment for that. Nevertheless you have been fair with me, so I offer you my name as a sign of trust. My name is Laila. May I know yours?”

The boy looked surprised, but he responded. “I am Edmond. I will make you understand, you will see, Laila.”

“We’ll see about that!” Laila said, doubtfully. “One week, then.”

Pest Control

Laila concentrated and let loose her umpteenth fireball, which flew into the empty fireplace and exploded.

“Very good, Laila,” said Brother Bremen, a note of pride in his voice. “You are much improved, which is a good thing because there is a task for you, and your fireballs will be just the thing.”

Laila beamed with pride. So early in her training, she only had one real skill to speak of, one which she practiced repeatedly until she felt she might always walk around with the slight smell of burning trailing after her and the edges of her hair always singed. She had feared it would take months or even years for her to be skilled enough to do anything more than light the abbey fireplaces each evening. She could not believe that only a few short weeks after beginning she was going to be allowed to use her powers outside of the abbey walls.

“Laila! Are you paying attention? You must listen, or I will send someone else to do this!” Brother Bremen snapped and Laila jumped, the smile fading fast from her face and replaced by an expression of serious attentiveness.

“Now then, ” said Brother Bremen, with perhaps the ghost of laughter quickly suppressed, “It seems that now that Eagen has thinned out the wolf population for us, it has emboldened some kobolds. They have moved in not far from the abbey and make camp in the woods just north of here.”

Laila frowned. “And this is a problem, brother?” Normally the abbey lived in peace with its neighbors, and from what she knew, kobolds were humanoid and scared of almost everything. They were not known to attack others, surely the Abbey would let them be.

Brother Bremen sighed. “I know this is not what we have taught you Laila, and normally we would leave the kobolds be, but in this case there is a problem. In their foraging, the kobolds have discovered the Echo Ridge mine and have decided to make it their home, which will mean they will also mine it for its resources.”

“I am afraid we cannot allow this, Laila. The Echo Ridge mine provides resources that are necessary for the abbey. We need the resources we get from the mine in order to maintain the premises, feed our people and perform our charitable works. We have tried every kind of warning we can think of, but the kobolds simply will not leave. However, they are cowardly and they hate any light stronger than their candles. If you go into the mine, a few of your fireballs should be enough to scare them off. They speak common so make sure to let them know that there will be more if they return.”

“Yes, brother,” said Laila. It wasn’t exactly a heroic quest but she saw what a perfect opportunity it was. It was a chance to practice her skills in what was essentially a larger version of the fireplace. She hoped she did not hurt too many of the kobolds, as even though they were little more than talking rats, she had grown up in an abbey, trained by brothers of the Light. She had no wish to hurt any creature of the Light, although she knew also that it was sometimes necessary.

She gathered her staff and put on some sturdy boots and started up the northern path to the mines. At her side was a canteen of fresh water and a pouch with an apple and some cheese. She would be gone through lunch and even if successful, she would be tired when she came out of the mine.

She had barely gotten outside of view of the abbey when she saw the crude canvas tents of the kobolds. They all scattered when they saw her coming, and she left these ones alone. Kobolds had limited intelligence and she wanted to make it clear that it was the mine that was off-limits. She wanted them to associate the mine with the burning and the bright light, more than the girl who would hurl it at them.

When she reached the mine, she could barely see inside. It was dark inside with the blackness swallowing everything more than a few paces into the cavern, except for the tiny dots of light that represented the candles of the kobolds. Well, she would change that in a hurry. She stepped inside the mine, listening to the scurry of tiny feet as the kobolds pressed back into the darkness.

“Listen kobolds,” she addressed them in her loudest voice, “You are not welcome here. This mine belongs to us humans. If you do not leave within the next minute, I am going to burn you with fire. If you ever come back, you will be burned with fire again. Do you hear me kobolds? LEAVE THIS MINE. AND DO NOT COME BACK. I AM GOING TO COUNT TO TEN.”

“10 … 9 … 8 …” All was silent, waiting.

“I mean it! 7 … 6 … 5 …” Still no movement and Laila began to get frustrated.

“Get out of here, blast you! You’re going to get hurt!” 4 … 3 .. 2 ..” Now there was a rush and a flurry as little paws flew past her. She hoped they were all gone. She took a deep breath and focused.

“1!” Roiling balls of flame burst from her finger tips and went whizzing through the mine. The light revealed that it was just a small mine, and it also revealed that not all the kobolds had left. They screamed as the fireballs exploded around or on them and Laila closed her eyes and covered her ears. When it was dark again, and silent, she stepped outside.

She was exhausted. She knew that the kobolds who had stayed inside the mine would never come back out again. She also knew that the kobolds who had exited the mine would never go back in, which meant her task had been completed. She walked back towards the abbey slowly, seeing that the kobolds were hurriedly dismantling their camp and making ready to move on. When she was just in sight of the abbey again, she sat down under a tree and ate her lunch. It was only another minute’s walk back, but she did not want the brothers to see her crying.

The Birthday Present

Laila bubbled with excitement as she exited the abbey. She could almost feel the fire at her fingertips, the icy steel in her flesh. She couldn’t believe that after all these years of hanging about the library, pestering the magic-wielding brothers, she would now be one of them. She was eager to practice her skills, but knew it would be dangerous so near the abbey. Even so ….

Just then her reverie was broken by a friendly voice. “Laila! Laila!” It was Eagen Peltskinner. He had lived in the deep woods village with her parents and with Elric, and he had taken it upon himself to look after her. She thought of him as an uncle and his scruffy beard and timeworn leathers gave her a sense of connection to her home, even though she could barely remember it as home.

“Eagen!” she called excitedly. “It’s your birthday, lass!” he said, picking her up and swinging her around. “It’s probably the last time I’ll get to do that,” he said a bit wistfully, “you’re a woman now and big decisions ahead of you!”

“I’ve already made my biggest decision, Eagen,” she said solemnly. “I’m staying here for now and training with Khelden Bremen as a mage.” She studied his face and to her relief saw nothing but sincere approval. “It suits you, lass. You will make a fine mage.” She breathed a sigh of relief. “So … you think my parents would approve?” she asked nervously.

Eagen grinned a broad grin. “They would be ever so proud of you, child. Your mother always thought that she had the talent to be more than just an herbalist and so did we all, but she was too shy of the cities and she loved her plants too much to leave them behind for books. She and your father would be beaming if they could see you now.”

Laila basked in this moment, feeling once and for all like she had made the right decision, and like this was the happiest day of her life.

“And now lass, I have a present for you .” Laila grinned excitedly and tried to suppress a little bounce. “The timber wolves have been wandering closer to the abbey lately … perhaps looking for an easy meal, perhaps chased out of their home by something rougher. In any case, it’s been my task lately to keep them from coming too close, and as a result the abbey has been blessed with a feast of wolf meat and many pelts and leathers to make use of. I saved out one especially fine fur and had Dermot Johns make these for you. Hopefully they will keep you warm as you venture from the abbey.”

So saying, Eagen brought a pair of soft fur-lined shoes from behind his back.

“Oh, they are handsome!” cried Laila, trying them on. “And they fit so well … and are so soft on my feet!” She did a little dance in her new shoes and then threw her arms around Eagen. “Thank you so much!” she whispered. He laughed to see her happiness. “It’s a gift in itself to see you smile, child. Now go have fun on your birthday!”

Laila skipped off to try out her new boots for a while. As she rounded a corner she stopped for a moment, hidden from view. She had been holding them in, but now she let the tears of joy slide down her face. This was the happiest day of her life so far. Eagen didn’t know it, but what he had told her about her parents, especially her mother was a far more valuable gift than the shoes. She had been worried about losing her link with the past, but this unexpected link with her mother reassured her. She felt sure now that her mother would have wanted this for her, perhaps even would have sent her off herself, had she lived.

Laila closed her eyes and raised her face, letting the afternoon sun dry her tears. Thankful that she had been so fortunate despite her ominous beginnings in life.

Laila

Laila lay awake in the early morning hours, watching her room lighten little by little around her as the minutes passed. She supposed she could get up and start her day, but she wasn’t quite ready yet. She wanted to lie still for a little while longer and savor her last moments of being a girl. Her last moments of being utterly free. Today was her 18th birthday and today she had to choose her life’s path. She could no longer run wild, doing whatever she pleased, and living off the kindness of the abbot. It was time for her to serve in return, to pay them back for taking her in.

Laila was born in a small isolated village deep in the woods. It was just a collection of forest folk that had banded together for safety so they could remain deep in the woods where they felt most comfortable. She was told her mother was an herbalist, and her father was a leatherworker. She had barely known them. When she was still a baby, the Defias Brotherhood had come into the woods. They had discovered the little enclave and decided that the small village would make a convenient housing and training area for their new recruits. They came in and began to slaughter the inhabitants, only to find that woodspeople are made of tougher stuff than the softer residents of more prosperous villages. Laila’s parents were both killed, but she was rescued by a trapper in the village named Elric Greenwalker. He took responsibility for her after that.

After the attack, the woodspeople were forced to leave for their own safety and move to more populated areas. Some moved to Stormwind or up to Lakeshire, and some to Goldshire. Elric took Laila to Northshire Abbey and pleaded with the abbot to take her in. He could not care for her, but he wanted to stay in her life and he feared that in the orphanage in Stormwind he would soon lose her. The kindly abbot agreed and Laila was brought up in the relative peace of the abbey.

True to his word, Elric came to visit her whenever he could and she took his family name for her own, as he was the closest thing she knew to a father. Laila knew that Elric would like her to be a woodsperson like him and like her parents, and in truth she loved the forest and the plants and animals she found there. She felt at home there, but there were few opportunities for her to learn about this at the abbey. The abbey was dedicated to the light and to knowledge and defending the innocent, not to the beasts and plants of the wild.

Even the time that Laila had spent in the woods as she grew was mostly spent with her nose firmly planted in a book. She had grown to love the smell of musty pages and incense that signified home to her and couldn’t remember the smell of earth, fur and flowers that must have once been her most familiar scent. Lying in her bed, Laila let these memories and thoughts flow through her, accepting them and herself. She did not have to be what anyone else wanted or expected her to be. She could be whatever she liked, so long as she took responsibility for her actions, helped those in need and harming no one.

Feeling a new sense of confidence and resolve, Laila stepped out of bed and carefully dressed before the fire in the new purple dress the tailor had created for her birthday. She stopped to admire herself in the mirror. The deep purple highlighted the darkness of her hair and her olive complexion, making her look like someone exotic, a vendor at the Darkmoon Faire, perhaps.

She made her way downstairs, forcing herself to walk at a dignified pace and not hurry or appear bouncy and childish. Instead of going to the kitchens for some breakfast, Laila walked straight to the library. She nodded at Brother Paxton and then looked around until she found Khelden Bremen leafing through a parchment in a dusty old corner.

She knelt before him as he looked at her in surprise. “Brother Bremen,” she said, “I am here to begin my training. I wish to be a mage and dedicate myself to protecting and defending the abbey with my knowledge.”

Brother Bremen smiled indulgently at her. “My child,” he replied, “I do not think your destiny lies here for the entirety of your life. You have many places yet to go and many things yet to do. But while we are lucky enough to have you, I think that Northshire shall be the safer for your arcane defense of its walls. Let us begin your training right here and now.”