Very carefully, I fit the ornate metal design onto the wood and wound it around it.
Once I made my final inspection, I dipped the bow into a barrell of cool water from the river nearby.
I grinned, satisfied, and then lifted the instrument from the hissing water.
Perfect in every way.
The body of the bow was made from the fallen branch of a cherry tree and the metal had been wrought from the finest in the mines.
Now, all that's left was the string.
I picked up the taught string from my table. It was metal and silk woven together.
As I fit the string in the notches at either end of the weapon, a red and black hawk swooped into my home and landed on the bedpost.
After I secured the string, I walked over to the bird which sat rather quietly.
I scooped up a dead mouse from a bucket and fed the bird.
Then I noticed the note tied around its leg.
As it feasted, I carefully removed the note and unrolled it.
It read:
Dear Xexilia,
I will not waste your time with pointless messages. It is a simple as this, Atalia is in danger, and we need your help. Please come and assist us in our quest to save Atalia. I will explain everything to you once you arrive.
Sincerely,
Your prince.
This must be about the Kenai.
Good thing I had chosen to be a loner. A village not quite far enough for comfort had been slaughtered the other day. Many elves, who were very difficultto kill, had died in the massacre.
My new bow and arrows would arm me perfectly though.
But still! To be called upon like some random servant girl!
"WHAT NERVE!" I shouted and lashed out at a metal bowl on the table, sending it flying out of the house.
The bird looked at me and said in it's on way, "But haven't you helped before? You're needed."
I glared angrily, "I don't do anything for free. NOTHING! The prince should know that by now..."
The hawk tilted its head, "Maybe he will?"
I plopped down on the floor and sighed, "Perhaps I'll go..but if there's no pay, I'm not doin squat!"
The majestic hawk bowed its head and flew out the window.
I muttered to myself all while I was packing.
"Why can't he get another Elf?!" as I shoved some loaves of bread and a canteen of water into a small pack, laong with a bit of clothes.
Then I went to my wall of assorted weapons and flicked a few knives and daggers of their hooks.
I even strapped a twin-set of leaf swords to my waist and gauntlets on my arms.
My last touch was the newly-made bow and arrows in their black adn silver quiver.
As I went to leave, I spotted an old circlet hanging by the door.
Shrugging, I grabbed it and fit on my head. It was a nice reminder of older days.
Then I leapt out a window and landed nimbly on my feet, at the bottom of the huge tree that was my home. (Well my home was inside of it^^')
I omitted a sweet whistle and a black mare with a white star on her head trotted up.
"We're needed," I told her adn climbed on her back.
It didn't take long to reach the castle gates.
Gracefully, I leapt off the mare and bid her farewell. I would call her if I needed.
I started laughing when I approached and saw two guards, face down in the road with poisoned needles sticking them.
Guards were so useless.
I stepped over them and let myself in the stone fortress.
When I came to the throne room, I took in the wide assortment of characters assembled.
A fairy, a Ninja-Witch, demons, humans, and an Incubus. Oh and the prince of course.
I smirked a little and called to the prince, "You've even invited mortals?"
The humans gave me a glare and the Prince just said, "Welcome!"
I dropped the grin and said, "I don't work for free. For anybody or any cause."
Continue?
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that wuz pretty long^^' sorry!
