A/N: ::avoids random objects being thrown and smiles sheepishly:: Yes, I know, I have been cruel. I haven’t updated in ages. Please forgive me. Sometimes life throws unexpected curveballs and it’s nearly impossible to dodge them. This is a test chapter, one to see if my readers would like to see the rest of this story. I can’t promise anything, but I’m trying to get together another chapter for ‘The Hitokiri’ and I’m working on the last two chapters for ‘Mission For God’. I truly thank you all for your patience, as well as your words of encouragement. May God bless you and please let me know what you think of this.

Dark skies, harsh winds, and the unmistakable stench of fear claimed the winds. The wise old sage inclined his head, looking back the way he had come. The trees bent in the most unnatural manner as the wind ran its angry fingers through the steadily hibernating trees. Fall had arrived several weeks earlier, the leaves just now entering their richest shades. Several days before they had begun to break off from their parent stem and fall to the hardening soil. Now, the harvest season seemed stale and foreboding, bringing nothing but terror on it’s steady descent to winter. A particularly harsh gale caused the man to grip at his hat as it nearly flew from his balding head. Graying robes now smudged with earth and grass hung from his short frame, tangling his limbs as the wind seemed to attempt to rip them from his form. Looking up from under the rim of his hat the sage’s gaze fell upon a sight he had long waited for.

Months before he had left his young apprentice to manage in his place. He had gone on a hike to the northern lands, assuring that events would fall into place correctly. It had been a hasty decision, as said apprentice had a meager two years under their belt yet was expected to fill much larger shoes. Perhaps it had been a mistake on his behalf, but one well worth the risk. Now it was time to set the wheels into motion, to finish what he had started. The village lay before him in a shallow valley, shielded on the East by a small mountain range. To the South ran the river that passed between the mountain crags, flowing through the mills that bordered the back side of valley. To the West lay several rolling hills, rising to the edge of the dense forest of whose edge he now stood. The final side of the valley, the North side, was a beautiful section of land; flat plains and abundantly fertile soil that grew more than its share of crops every passing year.

With a heavy sigh the sage began the walk to the village. Down the well trodden dirt path, past the herbalist’s now decimated garden patch, through the various back paths behind the shops and homes, and finally to his own little cottage. It was due South-east, near where the river exited the mountains. A small hot spring stood several yards behind the shrubbery, hidden behind the crevices of the mountain paths. The cottage was of a larger standard; two stories high with two bedrooms, a bath, a large sitting room, adequate kitchen space. The largest and most elaborate of rooms was his library, which took up two thirds of the main floor. It was divided amongst scrolls, texts, medicinal benches with their assorted arrangements, and study tables.

Stepping up the wooden stairs to the porch that surrounded on the front of the cozy home, he paused one last time to gaze towards the North. The skies were steadily darkening, yet no rain was to come. No, this was not the time for rain. Something much more ominous was heading their way. Grasping the wooden handle of the heavy, oak door, he swung it open to step into his abode. Briefly he noticed that the heavy shutters had been drawn from the outside of the house to protect the delicate glass windows. He made a note to thank his apprentice for guarding his home so carefully. The moment he shut the door he felt his skin become smooth with the warmth within. A fire blazed in the hearth to his right. Stepping forth he removed his cloak and hat, placing them on the rack to his left while removing his shoes as well.

A quick glance assured him that things were as he had left them, if not more tidy. The shelves of books and various items he had lined the sitting room with were now dusted and neatly placed. The extra stacks of books, which he had not been able to find space for in either the library or the various shelves that could be found lining his home, were placed carefully by his sitting chair, along with his pipe which rested on the small table nearby. A small lamp more than efficiently lit the sitting room, yet he was puzzled not to find his apprentice in the room. Normally he would walk in and find them with their head buried in a book or scroll of some sort. Furrowing his white, slightly bushy eyebrows, he turned to walk down the hall to the library.

Upon entering he was quite pleased with the sight before him. As with the sitting room, his scrolls and books had been aligned. Resting his eyes upon one of the shelves, he noted that his apprentice had arranged them alphabetically first by author, then by title. A smile worked its way to his dry lips. Slowly he made his way through the many shelves and tables, knowing where to find the person he sought. Sure enough, as he neared the back of his collection where the study tables sat, he found his apprentice. A mug of tea sat at the corner of the table, long forgotten. A candle sat on the opposite corner, half burned while casting light upon its master. Several scrolls lay upon the surface of the table, while his student sat with parchment, quill and ink before them, jotting down notes.

So deep in thought were they, that they jumped as the sage cleared his throat. Emerald eyes peered up through long, ebony bangs, confusion and bewilderment shining within them. Recognition soon raced into their depths, lighting them with joy. Standing quickly his apprentice ran to him, throwing their arms about his neck as they bent to greet him. Chuckling mirthfully he returned the embrace, glad to know he had been deeply missed by at least one being in his village.

“Oh, Master Vernon! It’s so wonderful to see you again! I was worried you wouldn’t make it home, what with this awful weather.” Taking a step back, Vernon took in the sight of his apprentice, his smile still playing across his lips.

“It is good to see you too Alamora. I was worried that you would have trouble while I was gone. Yet it seems that you have more than managed. I am proud of you.” Alamora blushed under her master’s praise, bowing her head slightly.

“It is nothing, honestly.” Taking her gently by the elbow, he led her back the way in which he had come. Although it was comfortably warm she wore a long sleeved, forest green shirt with a bunched collar, a black skirt and faded tights to warm her. It was often that he forgot about her special needs.

Alamora had managed to grab her mug before leaving the library, and walked patiently by Vernon’s side. For as long as she could remember, the elderly man had been in her life. As a child she had lived with an elderly couple in the village. The day had come when they were too old to care for her, and she had been left to fend for herself. True, the villagers would never leave her to be on her own, yet they were cautious about having her stay with them for lengthy periods of time. Master Vernon had taken pity upon her over six years ago, and taken her into his home. For the first few years she schooled with the other children, before the teachers became too nervous of her presence. So Vernon had given her free range of his collection, knowing that she would gain more knowledge from it than she ever would in a class. When she had reached the age of fourteen, he had allowed her to take an apprenticeship with Mildred. She was the village doctor. It had lasted nearly two years before she had become bored, all the things she was supposedly being ‘taught’ already learned from scrolls.

That was when Master Vernon had taken her under his wing, and begun to share the scrolls he kept in the back shelves. He was amazed at how quickly she absorbed the knowledge. There had even been times, although rare, when she had bested him during their little quizzes every evening. Now, as he led her into the sitting room, he smiled fondly at her. Their time together was growing short, even he knew it. Pretending that the events to come were further away would do little to prolong the inevitable. Taking her cup from her hands, he made his way into the kitchen, despite her feeble protests.

“Master, please, allow me. You have had a long journey.” As she reached for her mug he pulled away, patting her arm gently.

“Tell me, were you enjoying your green tea or Jasmine tonight?” A small smile found it’s way to her lips.

“Green, you know it always is. So tell me master, did you discover what it is you were searching for?” Setting the water to boil on the wood stove, he turned to her. Although his smile was still in place, his eyes held a darkness she had grown to be wary of. Taking a seat on one of the stools placed near the fire, she scooted closer to him as he did the same.

“Alamora, there is much that I need to share with you. Knowledge that I have kept from you for many, many years. The time has come where I can no longer keep it from you, as destiny would have you know either way.” By her puzzled expression, he knew he was being too cryptic. As bright as she was, she was also quite naive; an endearing quality however. Taking her hands in his, he continued.

“The time has come for you to know of your heritage. Of the reason why the villagers are so guarded when it comes to you. Your parents, Ally, were no mere mortals. They were elves.” Pointedly he glanced at her pointed ears, causing her shift nervously. “Not just any elves either, dear. While the status of your father is unknown, your mother was a noblewoman. She was highly respected and very powerful.”

“I don’t understand.” Her delicate brows furrowed in confusion. “Why would they have left me here then, if she was so powerful?” Sighing heavily, Vernon stood to tend to the now boiling water.

“In this village you have been well protected, out of the King’s eye. We are a simple crop village, nothing more. It is because of this that you have been safe. You see Ally, elves have become somewhat of a—,” Here he paused briefly, searching for an appropriate term. “Inconvenience to the King. Elves are superior to mere humans, it is a well-known fact. It was around the time you were brought here that he realized this, and began to kill them.” A soft gasp escaped her lips.

“Why? Master Vernon, I don’t understand why you are telling me all this now. What is so special at this time that you feel the need to share this?” She had noticed he was using her nickname, a term he had often used when she was younger and was trying to explain something difficult to her. Sitting once more he handed over a now steaming mug of tea, gingerly taking a sip of his own.

“I am getting to that point now dear.” Softly he smiled; an aching smile that turned her stomach into knots. “You, dear Alamora, are one of only ten elves that still walk this earth. The King has received word of your existence, and plans on killing you as well.” Tears came to the young girl’s eyes.

“He wants to kill me?” Softly, Vernon nodded. Staring down into her tea she forced back her tears, long ago having learned that crying solved nothing. “Then… what am I to do?” He smiled as she addressed the issue which he had come to.

“My visit to the North was not merely in search of a friend. It was in search of your guardian. You see your mother, being the wise woman she was, knew that this day would come. She had it arranged so that when it did, you would be protected. When I arrived in the northern lands, I traveled to the Dragon Caverns bordering the Forbidden Mountains. It is there that I spoke with the dragon King about your guardian and trainer.” He saw the confusion settle once more into the delicate lines of her face.

“There is a young dragon there who has been appointed your guardian, had been upon his birth nearly two years before your own. Your mother, dear Ally, was our King’s advisor and knew of his plans long before they were laid into action.”

Utterly stunned, Alamora sat back while bringing her mug to her lips. This was too much to process in one moment. She was the daughter of an elfish courtier, one of the last of her race, and now to be guarded by a dragon. There was undoubtedly a price for her head and the thought frightened her. Taking a sip of her tea she allowed the warm liquid to settle in her stomach, its warmth soothing her for the moment. Listening as the tumultuous gale outside raged even further as dusk began to settle, she sighed. It was a heavy, laden sigh; bearing all her thoughts and worries, as well as the questions that were quickly surfacing. She knew without saying that she was to accept this. That her path lay before her and she had no choice but to walk it.

“How much time do I have before they come for me?” The thought of leaving this village, of leaving Vernon, frightened her to no end. She knew no other life. She was expected to pack up and move to wherever this protector wanted her to be without protest. The rebellious streak within her was quickly suppressed as her logic took action.

“Two nights, if that. I was actually quite worried they would have beaten me to you. The wind isn’t so formidable for no reason you know.” A twinkle found its way into his eye.

“You mean to say that this weather is their doing?” Faintly he nodded.

“When the dragons are preparing to take flight, down from the Northern lands, they make it known. The last time they made such a journey was over a hundred years ago, when King Rupert’s great grandfather fought for the throne. That was when the human race was still feeble, and the dragons had come to his aid, preferring a human king to a troll.” Alamora’s head was swimming. True, she had learned much of what he was telling her from books but it seemed so unbelievable knowing she was now playing a part in it all.

“Master Vernon, what will become of you?” Sighing heavily, he took another sip of his tea. As she went to do the same, she realized that while he had been talking she had drunk nearly all of her tea. Pouting slightly she finished the last of it.

“I will remain here, until the time comes when your guardian will summon me. They have much more to tell you, none of which even I know. Your mother was a brilliant woman, and took precautions that most would never even consider.” Standing, he took her mug and placed it in the wash basin, leaving it for the morning. “Come Ally dear, it has grown late. We have many things we must take care of before your guardian arrives.”

Nodding she took the offered hand and stood by his side. Together they walked into the main room before parting. Alamora went to the library to extinguish the lamps and candles, while Master Vernon took care of the ones around the rest of the main floor. Several minutes later they met at the stairs leading to the next floor, and walked up together. The doorway to her master’s room was directly across the hall from her own, so they paused in the hallway. Vernon noticed with a soft smile that she had lit the fires in both hearths. As he was about to say his goodnight’s, the young girl wrapped her arms around him in a desperate embrace. Gently rubbing her back he kissed her temple.

“Everything will be alright Alamora, I have faith in you. I know you will succeed. Now, it’s time for us both to retire. I shall wake you in the morning so you may bathe before we go for supplies.” Nodding faintly she kissed his cheek before turning and entering her room.

It wasn’t until he had settled into his bed, under the warm sheets, that he realized how much his little dear’s heart had broken upon the news of her departure. Even over the roar of the wind he could hear her soft whimpers. She was afraid, and he could understand that. There was so much more to it all than she could fathom at this moment, and it frightened him as well. He knew she could handle it all, but in a way he had grown to consider her his own child. If she couldn’t succeed, if she failed in the task that was soon to be placed before her, the fate of the human race would be doomed.