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Chapter 4 New Writing

"You perv! Can't you do something that isn't shameful once in your life?!""Oh come on lass, I promise you I wasn't meaning any ill will. Just brushing the spider that was on your skirt.""Spider?""Yes lass, the one there."

Pylas points to the ground spotting a fairly large spider. The young girl turns pale from its size and runs out the inn screaming.

"Oh dear, she forgot her bag. I'm sure I'll see her again."

Pylas places the bag behind the counter and dusts around the inn.

"You sure know how to start the day."

Pylas spots Selene leaning against the doorframe with her arms folded in front of her.

"Ah hello young rogue mage. How fairs the hunts?""As normal as ever. I'm here to deliver your rations as said by my father.""Oh good, the boar's meat will do wonders in tonight's meal."

Selene places the boar meat on the counter and returns to her spot by the door.

"Did you manage to gather a group?""I have, we depart soon."

Pylas loses his smile, frowns and gazes around the inn.

"What's the matter?""Just remembering how you were young lass growing up. I haven't expected you to journey yet. Now you're a fine young warrior with the mind of her mother.""Quite a story Pylas."

Selene and Pylas turn to the unexpected voice and spot the lancer Elek.

"How long have you been here lancer?""I was here when you were attempting to swoon the first lass with the spider."

Selene glances at Pylas who shrugs his shoulders.

"Lancer are you a rogue sub class? Your stealth is that better than that of our archers whom hunt foxes.""No, I'm full lancer. I checked in last night by your employee and woke day break. I've been sitting here enjoying a ration in silent when the young lass appeared. We spoke then you entered. The rest you know.""Oblivious as ever aren't you old man. You never noticed the lancer here without his gear?""It's possible the lass caught my attention but I remain focused when I have resident about."

Elek glances up at the roof and then stands.

"We have company awaiting.""There is no way you can hear Ms. Iris wake? She lass is light footed herself. Almost as if she dances in her walk. Surely you-"

Iris walks down the stairs, yawning as she stretches. After noticing eye were on her she blushes and bows.

"Early sun to you all.""A morning to you lass.""Early sun? Iris, are you elven by chance?"

Iris sighs and removes her hat revealing her long silver hair and ears.

"I am lady Selene. I mean not to fool anyone but his this fact because my race-""Isn't known to travel far. Subtle people in which refuse to ask for help and are rarely seen.""Aye.""Still a lovely lass."

Pylas circles Iris whom covers her chest and follows him.

"Now now lass, I've yet to see your flowing hair but now that your mysteriousness has been lifted your beauty can shine brightly. Will you not keep your cover off and allow your locks to flow?"

Pylas stands in front of Iris whom relaxes her stance and nods.

"Surely your allies know the benefits of elves in the parts. Higher magical damage and keen vision. Surely your hearing is very well, maybe that of the lancer."

Elek glances at Pylas.

"Surely Iris has better hearing of me. Aside from her elven history she-""I as an elf am the lowest of them. My skills are the same as that of a healer."

Elek focuses on Iris.

"A healer? They are known to be wise about their surroundings. Certainly you can-"

Iris enters a battle stance and looks around. Her ears twitch slightly then both return to their normal places.

"Archer?"

Angela walks into the inn smiling.

"Clever girl. I wonder how you were able to hear me approach. The lancer and inn perv were the two whom I thought would catch me.""I knew you were coming lass."

Angela glances at Pylas.

"Curiosity, fill me in timer.""You carry a scent that alerts me. Sweet but a scent surely beasts will pick up."

"Iris.""Y-yes Selene?""Enter your battle stance.""Of course ma'am."

Iris enters her battle stance. Legs shoulder length apart, right hand open but aimed ready to release an attack while her left hand behind her as if carrying a small mace.

"You studied under hand to hand combat. Your stance is that of a cleric or paladin."

Iris stands normally and nods.

"Yes, I was trained in hand to hand but I was unable to act with force. I was replaced with another and trained under defensive combat. The stance was comfortable to me so I kept its stance.""Your defensive skill. What is it?""The skill is called wind wall. I summon winds the circle me at will and can stop certain attacks but there's a catch.""A catch? Like what?""It's probably better to show you outside."

Leaving the inn, Iris stands in an open field and enters her defensive stance. Legs shoulder length apart bent and arms crossed in front of her chest. She inhales, exhales slowly and slightly widens her stance.

"Wind wall!"

A massive force of wind circles Iris blowing a circle around her. Elek reaches out to touch the wind.

"No! Please don't! The strength of the wind alone will rip the skin to the bone. Once the wall is up, there is no getting in or out.""Rips the meat off the bone? That sounds like an attack, a brutal one at that."

Elek grabs his shield and places it on his shoulder. He rams the wall, the wind picks him up and throws him behind her sending the shield into the air. Elek looks at the wind wall shocked, collecting his thoughts then stands up. His shield drops in the ground impailing the dirt sinking half way still spinning.

"Angela, try an arrow.""What? I could hit her in the process.""Not likely, high guards are trained to never let their shields go. She ripped it off his armor like cutting cheese."

Angela notches an arrow and sends it flying towards Iris. The arrow hits the wind wall and begins rotating around within the wall. Iris flickes her finger towards a nearby tree and launches the arrow towards it. The arrow hits and continues flying through the tree and into a mountain.

"No way? That's gotta be the coolest attack I've seen.""Iris you said that there was a catch, what did you mean by that?""I'm unable to move and if the wall is broken I can be harmed. Disrupting the wall while it's in effect forces wind to travel in a path I can't control. It would shred us all if I'm not careful."

Iris exhales and enters a normal stance. The wind lightens then fades away.

"It didn't look like it took a lot of manager to use it. How are you feeling?""I'm alright. I've put countless moons into the skill so I can use it without burning too much energy.""Alright, if needed we have a skill that will defend us. How large a bubble can you make?""I can make one large enough to hold an archers camp. So a dozen but any larger and the winds slow and attacks are possible.""I guess you know this with the late experience?"

Iris lowers her head.

"Y-yes. My fellow archers were slain once I lost the ability to make the wind wall. We held up for a while but once the winds left me I was unable to protect them."

Iris begins to sob. Elek pats her back and shakes her head.

"Don't worry about it. I'm sure we'll do well on our journey.""Alright.""Selene, we're ready to depart.""Alright. Iris, normally I'd say our tank leads the group but you're the only one who knows the way. Please lead us to your village.""Y-yes, thank you everyone for gathering and helping me on my journey back to my village."
“Let's say that once we actually get to the village and find the survivors.”
“Right.”

Iris takes the lead followed by Selene in center, Elek standing back right of Iris and Angela standing back left of her.

“Selene!”
“Father?”

Sinon approaches Selene and holds out a large bag.

“What's this?”
“Present from Altes and I for your journey.”
“F-father I have materials for-”
“Did I ask you for a remark?”

Selene looks at Sinon shocked and then shakes her head.

“No, thank you father.”
“Good, I'm just looking out for my baby girl.”
“D-dad!”
“You'll wanna make sure to keep that fish cold or eat it tonight.”
“Altes?”

Altes hands Elek a large bag containing fish rations.

“This certainly is a package.”
“Should do you guys well for a few days.”
“Days? In a team of women. Beautiful at that but-”
“Shut it Pylas!”
“Thank you father and Mr. Altes. We shall return once we've completed our journey.”

Iris turns away rubbing her arm.

“And I'll bring back Iris as well.”
“Eh?”
“If we can't find anything there then you're more than welcome to stay with us. I'm sure my father won't mind, right father?”
“I won't mind-”

Angela gives Pylas a swift kick to the side.

“Shut it you old perv.”
“We better hurry, we don't need to lose time closing up here.”
“Right, Iris. Where exactly is this village?”
“We're headed to Sabas. Village of the elves. I came here going southwest so we head northeast through Agata Forest.”
“Keep an eye out for bandits. It would be a mess to lose someone there in bandit grounds.”
“Why not go a safer route? Girls like yourself-”

Elek punches Pylas' shoulder.

“I am a guy Pylas. I'm certain they can trust their tank.”

Angela blankly stares at Elek and sighs.

“Well if our meat shield wants to go through the bandit forest, we'll follow that meat shield.”

“Exactly. And if we happen to run into bandits I'm sure Iris can use wind wall and launch a human torpedo at them. I vote Angela.”
“Oh no you don't. I say we-”
“Guys?”

All eyes look at Iris who looks down blushing.

“I-I'd rather not harm my comrades. I can launch attacks in my wind wall but I have to have ammo before the attack goes out.”

Angela's eye sparkles as she gazes at Iris.

“Iris, can we get into formation so I can see how effective your wind wall is?”
“Sure.”

The group enters formation around Iris as she enters her defensive stance.

“Wind wall!”

Wind begins to spin wildly around them. Angela notches a few arrows and launches them into the wind wall.

“Iris, I've launched six arrows into the wall. Can you sense them.”
“Yes, But why would you want me to preform the wind wall and allow you to attack from the inside?”
“Oh to test something. Launch the first at the sign north of is. Try to be precise about the aim if you can. Hit the “P” in Pythes.”
“Alright.”

Iris flicks her wrist and launches an arrow into the letter P.

“Good, not aim the rest around that spot.”

Iris does as told and flicks the arrows around her first shot then drops the wind wall.

“I think we have our large scale crossbow.”
“Was all this just to see if I can launch attacks?”
“No, not only launch, but repel. You're defensive skill will come in really handy later and I wanted to see if I had the right mind to test it. That turned out really better than expected. Anyway, let's move out.”

Iris, Angela, and Elek bow to the village warriors and leave.

“Selene, you be careful you hear me?”
“Yes, father. I shall return soon.”

Selene bows then follows the group.

“Ready leader?”
“Alright. Let's...where is Iris?”

Elek looks around attempting to locate Iris.

“She was just here a minute ago.”

Iris gently lands near the group.

“We have a long way to go before the sun sleeps...why are you looking at me like that?”
“Were you just flying?”
“No, not flying. I changed the air around me so that I could increase my jump and slowed my decent. Isn't that something all mages can do?”

Elek blankly stares at Iris.

“You young mage are very interesting. I've never seen a mage so light on her feet. In comparision to-”

Angela notches an arrow and aims it to Elek's head.

“Use me as an example and I'll give you another pair or eyes.”

Elek coughs into his hand and marches forward.

“Off we go then shall we?”
“Wise choice Elek.”
“Oh dear.”

Entering formation, the group follows the dirt trail to Agata Forest. Wild life scurries around them interested in the scents basking from them. Wild birds circle Iris chirping happily.

“Iris.”
“Y-yes?”
“Just exactly what kind of elf are you? I've never seen one to be in such harmony with the world that birds would fly around them.”
“The birds? Oh, I'm a wind element maiden. I was trained with this element very young. Sadly, I've never known my father or mother growing up so I lived at an orphanage till I was able to walk. It wasn't a bad place but I was almost in trouble on a constant. The people there grew tired of my wind element changing forms and breaking certain items.”
“Wind element? Like a small creature or figure?”“Well, kind of.”

Iris opens her hand as small figure appears.

“This is what I mean. This is my wind element fairy. She was with me while I was young.”

The small fairy flies from Iris' hand and lands on her shoulder.

“She didn't like the place too much so she would act out. And doing so made the people send me to a shrine. There is was trained to control my element and raised as a wind maiden.”
“So I guess there are other maidens out there like fire, water, electric and healing?”
“No, I am the only maiden that I know of. The rest have yet to be trained or died.”
“Oh...I'm sorry to hear that Iris.”

Iris looks at Angela confused.

“Why do you say that dear?”
“Isn't it good to have all elements alive or trained for something important?”
“Not really, element maidens were ones whom attacked villages and were almost unstoppable. If the fire, ice, electric, light and dark maidens were alive it would be utter chaos. But this isn't a game so I guess we got off pretty lucky.”

Iris continues down the dirt path leaving the others in shock.

“She's that dangerous a maiden?”
“I'll remember not to get on her bad side.”
“Hey Iris, can you tell me what gets on your bad side? I wanna tell Elek so you can use your wind to remove his arm.”
“HEY!”
“Hmm? My bad side? I don't really have anything that annoys me really.”
“Well that means we have a pleasant road ahead of us.”
“Certainly, I don't sense-”

The wild birds fly away as Iris collapses on the ground holding her chest panting.

“Iris?! Iris what's wrong?”
“I-I don't know. But-”

Iris enters in her defensive stance listening to her surroundings.

“We're surrounded. Elek these are ranged units. Can you defend me for a while?”
“Alright, no problem. Where's there locations?”
“Seven of them. All are in the following locations from our position. Twelve, four, five, seven and three at eleven. Selene can you spot the ones in the trees?”
“No, I don't even see them?”

Angela notches her arrow and sends it flying into a tree nailing a bandit.

“Target down.”
“Incoming! Wind Wall!”

Arrows sail in the air nearly hitting the team before the wind wall sweeps the arrows away.

“Iris, you are amazing.”
“I...can't hold this too long. Something is sapping my strength.”
“Let's end this fast then. Iris repel the arrows back.”
“Aye.”

Iris sends the arrows back to the bandits. Two of them fall out from their hiding places and run away.

“Iris? You only hit them?”“I'm sorry. I can't kill. It's not in me.”
“Don't worry about it. Bring down your wind wall and try to recover. Angela and I will take care of them.”
“Alright Selene.”

Iris drops her wind wall and collapses attempting to regain her strength. Arrows sail her direction and hits Elek's broad shield.

“Thank you Elek.”
“No worries. No one gets through my defense. Well aside you but no one else.”
“Angela, let's go!”

Selene dashes across the field into the woods while Angela notches her bow and walks into the woods.

“Fool! Die girl!”

Angela releases the arrow, steps aside and watches the body drop to the ground.

“I still don't understand why people choose to yell before-”

In a swift motion Angela pulls out a small knife and slashes at an enemy behind her then sheaths it.

“Attacking their foes.”

“There!”

Selene throws her daggers and nails a bandit to the tree.

“Return!”

The daggers dislodge themselves from the bandit and land back into her hands. The body falls near her as she returns to Iris.

“There is one left. He's running away at the one o'clock.”

Angela notches her arrow and launches it. The sound of a body falling is heard moments later.

“And done. Let's go.”

Iris looks at Angela amazed.

“You nailed a target from thirty meters away in the woods. Your accuracy is astounding.”
“Only thirty meters? Not a record but I'll accept it.”

Regaining her strength, Iris stands up and continues to lead the group.