As a young lad my parents were different in nature. My Father was a human Woodworker. He tended to the home and made an honest living. He would hunt occasionally, thats how he met my mother. She is an elf that protects the woods as a Ranger herself. She left me with my father and never came back. My father had pain in his eyes when he looked at me. I know resentment was there and I would help my father with anything whether it was lumber or hunting. He was man of few words but when he spoke I absorbed all I could whether it was guidance or even small talk.
I knew from the start hunting was my favorite task to do with my father. I loved to scout and track and even keep points with him.(He never knew) Working the lumber with my father helped me build muscle and hunting helped me remember the details and the patience. It would save my life from something I never expected to happen...My mother came back yet when I was excited to meet her, father was defensive as if he saw something I couldn't see. She pulled her blade from her sheath and slashed at me calling me an abomination and a mistake to ever meet my father. My father quickly took his axe and charged my mother. Before I could even process what was happening my pa told me to run. I got to my feet and ran as fast as I could,I ran as hard as I possibly could pushing myself to my limit. I got far and kept running until I bumped into an older man. He stared down at me and asked what I was doing? I said in a panicking voice that my mother was here to kill me and my father saved me from certain demise. I had no idea why I was telling this man, thats til I studied him more to learn he was a half elf like myself. I asked him what he was doing out here. He proclaimed he was looking for an elf woman who attacked him not too long ago. I out the two together and asked what she looked like. My gut sunk as he described my mother. I asked if he could help me get back to my father and possibly end this nightmare. He stared for awhile "If I come with you and your father is dead, will you become my study?" I was confused,angry even for telling me the thought of my dad being dead. "How could you say something so cold? We dont even know what happened when I ran aw-" he cut me off "I didnt ask you how you felt, I asked if thee would study under me because the next ranger who protects the innocent when im too frail." I looked down and said "Yes though it is unlikely my father is dead." With that we ventured back to my home. I asked him what being a ranger meant. He spoke pridefully "It is to be one with nature,to guide fellow people through the beauty and danger that the land holds dear. It is to keep the balance of life and death equal." Those words stuck with me.
We made our way back to my home. My worst fears came true. My father was dismembered, my heart sunk. This pain I felt in my heart, the agony of not being strong enough to help my father. With anger in my heart I shouted curses for my mother the man spoke solemnly "listen boy, this pain you feel now? Its not your burden alone, many kin like us are being hunted my mothers and fathers. You could be the next victim to join their grave, or thee could break the cycle and live up to something beyond thyself. What will you do?"
With years serving under my Master, I was due for my final test as a ranger. I was in peace in a tree watching the forest while he smoked his pipe. We walked around forest grounds reminiscing of past days of learning. We discussed tactics, or even played chess. We picked up the habit of keeping points like my father and I once did. We would spar with blunt arrows or dull blades. What we took from the land we would give back as well. So when sundown came I rested for the final test. When I awoke I could not find my master, He was nowhere to be seen. I panicked at first. I searched the cabin. Looked by the training grounds. Even went to a small town nearby to ask of him. Simply as he never existed. So I wonder if the test all along is to find indepence or go simply wait til he arrives. For now I simply must follow my training and protect kin like myself. Now I arrive here!
I knew from the start hunting was my favorite task to do with my father. I loved to scout and track and even keep points with him.(He never knew) Working the lumber with my father helped me build muscle and hunting helped me remember the details and the patience. It would save my life from something I never expected to happen...My mother came back yet when I was excited to meet her, father was defensive as if he saw something I couldn't see. She pulled her blade from her sheath and slashed at me calling me an abomination and a mistake to ever meet my father. My father quickly took his axe and charged my mother. Before I could even process what was happening my pa told me to run. I got to my feet and ran as fast as I could,I ran as hard as I possibly could pushing myself to my limit. I got far and kept running until I bumped into an older man. He stared down at me and asked what I was doing? I said in a panicking voice that my mother was here to kill me and my father saved me from certain demise. I had no idea why I was telling this man, thats til I studied him more to learn he was a half elf like myself. I asked him what he was doing out here. He proclaimed he was looking for an elf woman who attacked him not too long ago. I out the two together and asked what she looked like. My gut sunk as he described my mother. I asked if he could help me get back to my father and possibly end this nightmare. He stared for awhile "If I come with you and your father is dead, will you become my study?" I was confused,angry even for telling me the thought of my dad being dead. "How could you say something so cold? We dont even know what happened when I ran aw-" he cut me off "I didnt ask you how you felt, I asked if thee would study under me because the next ranger who protects the innocent when im too frail." I looked down and said "Yes though it is unlikely my father is dead." With that we ventured back to my home. I asked him what being a ranger meant. He spoke pridefully "It is to be one with nature,to guide fellow people through the beauty and danger that the land holds dear. It is to keep the balance of life and death equal." Those words stuck with me.
We made our way back to my home. My worst fears came true. My father was dismembered, my heart sunk. This pain I felt in my heart, the agony of not being strong enough to help my father. With anger in my heart I shouted curses for my mother the man spoke solemnly "listen boy, this pain you feel now? Its not your burden alone, many kin like us are being hunted my mothers and fathers. You could be the next victim to join their grave, or thee could break the cycle and live up to something beyond thyself. What will you do?"
With years serving under my Master, I was due for my final test as a ranger. I was in peace in a tree watching the forest while he smoked his pipe. We walked around forest grounds reminiscing of past days of learning. We discussed tactics, or even played chess. We picked up the habit of keeping points like my father and I once did. We would spar with blunt arrows or dull blades. What we took from the land we would give back as well. So when sundown came I rested for the final test. When I awoke I could not find my master, He was nowhere to be seen. I panicked at first. I searched the cabin. Looked by the training grounds. Even went to a small town nearby to ask of him. Simply as he never existed. So I wonder if the test all along is to find indepence or go simply wait til he arrives. For now I simply must follow my training and protect kin like myself. Now I arrive here!