Hey! This is first story, so I apologize if it's a little rough. You'll learn about the characters first, then we'll get into the naughty bits.
I appreciate any comments, questions, or advice!
Thank you!
*****
Her tent was unusually sparse for an elf, but it suited her. It was one room, just like the tents of the other Scavengers in her Clan. However, most other elves had collected things throughout their journeys: pressed flowers, intricate roots, glittering pebbles. They filled their tents with these souvenirs, but not Aria. Her tent housed only her bed, her clothes, and her weapons when she wasn't using them. Nothing else. Aria had always preferred it that way. She blamed this on her nomadic parents. They were always ready to move on to a new location, a new life carrying only the necessities. Aria could never shake the nagging feeling that her current station was temporary, so the minimalism brought her comfort.
This morning was like any other. Aria woke before the sun peaked over the horizon. Straps of leather hung delicately from between Aria's teeth as she braided her hair. When loose, Aria's black, glossy hair hung down and just tickled her shoulder blades. Aria quickly and methodically wove multiple braids from her hairline towards the back of her head and tucked the rest behind her pointed ears.
Aria's clothing and leather armor were worn and almost as old as she was. It was light and flexible, so it allowed her to move quickly and silently while still offering some protection. If it was up to her Clan Chief, Aria would be wearing something more protective, but she preferred it this way. Aria finished her morning routine by strapping her curved daggers in an 'X' across her back and her three throwing knives to her thigh before exiting her tent.
The sky had begun to turn bright blue in the East fading gently to the darker hues in the West. Aria smiled and waved to Feyton, her closest friend in the Clan. He, along with the other younger elves, must have just returned from their night mission. Feyton only returned a smile and a nod, since the shaman was applying a new bandage on his arm. Aria shook her head. It didn't seem like he could complete a mission without injuring himself. She could tell that Feyton was getting scolded by the shaman He looked guilty and ran his uninjured hand through his messy, wet, blonde hair. It was long enough to fall over his ears and into his eyes. *I'll have to cut it for him soon.* Aria thought.
Feyton's broad sword was strapped diagonally across his back, looking impossibly heavy. His choice of weapon was always a heated conversation point between the two of them. Aria always argued that a lighter sword that could be carried with one hand and a shield wielded in the other would protect him more. Feyton argued that his broad sword did far more damage and was more fun. The conversation would always end with him agreeing simply to placate Aria, but she would always see him with the same, enormous sword the next day.
Aria made her way to the Clan Chief for her assignment for the day. "May the Gods walk with you," Aria offered the standard reverent greeting as she approached.
"And may the Gods ensure your success and happiness," The Chief replied "I've been receiving reports of activity in the Northern Woods, which is unusual. Our messenger brings no news of visitors to the surrounding Clans. Spend today scouting that area and report back to me if you find anything. And be careful. We have no idea what this could be."
"Of course," Aria bowed her head and turned to leave. She was often sent on the types of missions that required stealth or a possible confrontation with the unknown. Aria was the most experienced fighter out of the Scavengers in the Clan. She had long since graduated from the hunting and gathering missions that were traditionally left for the younger, less-practiced elves, such as Feyton.
Aria passed him once again on her way to the North Woods from the center of their camp. He was rolling his eyes at something the shaman had said. Aria couldn't help but giggle at his reaction. *He's never been good at taking advice,* Aria thought, amused. She moved past their conversation and located the entrance to the path leading to the North Woods. She moved quickly along it, looking and listening for signs of activity. A few broken twigs, some foot prints here and there, but nothing out of place caught her eye. Aria had spent a few years training in tracking and was quite skilled at it.
She explored the woods along the path for a few hours, until she came upon a clearing. It was noon, so the bright sunlight that illuminated the clearing granted her some invisibility in the shade of the forest. There was a man kneeling, his back to her. She could just make out the point of his ears from her location. *Another elf?* she thought, incredulously. Aria took another hard look. Judging by his clothing, his clan was not local, if he was even a part of one. He wore no armor, and his tunic was red, not the typical greens and browns that would allow one to blend in with the surrounding forest. He was either a city elf, or he wanted to stand out.
After a few moments, Aria decided to approach him. She could report back to the Chief with what she had seen, but the Chief would be disappointed with so little information. Aria stepped delicately from the shadows. Her leather boots made little noise as she took practiced steps toward the kneeling elf. She stepped lightly, slowly, and avoided twigs and leaves that might give away her position. Aria's eyes never left his back; she was searching for movement, something to telegraph that he heard her or indicate what his next move might be. She slowly and silently unsheathed the long, curved daggers from her back. Her fingers flexed on the grips. Her daggers were so familiar, they were practically an extension of her body.
Aria paused when she was mere feet from him. *Now or never.* She dashed towards him. Her decades of experience made it seem as if time slowed. As the hilt of her dagger moved in an arch toward his temple, he ducked and spun at the last possible moment. His hand raised, and he took a lunging step towards her. They both halted inches apart, glaring at each other; the tip of her dagger was pointed at the base of his sternum, and his hand held a ball of fire aimed at her head.
"Mage," Aria spat as her eyes narrowed, never leaving his.
"Rogue," he replied sarcastically, raising an eyebrow.
"Enough!" A deep, booming voice commanded from the edge of the clearing. Aria's eyes flicked quickly over to see an older gentleman, a human, stepping into the light. His hair was silver and cut close to his skull. A scar ran from his left cheekbone to his chin, but it was partially masked by his gray stubble. He wore simple metal armor that was not without dents and scratches. His sword and shield were drawn, but not raised. He was prepared to fight but would not initiate it. "Why don't you both take a step back, and we can talk," His voice was calmer now that he wasn't talking over the two of them.
Aria's eyes moved back to the elf in front of her. She clenched her jaw but took one step back from him, lowering her daggers. Now that there was some distance between them, she could get a better look at him. His hair was dark brown and styled. The sides were cut close and the top held a mess of curls that came to a point at his brow. His face held the youthful characteristics typical of all elves, but Aria could tell that he was older than her. The fire ball in his hand dissipated with a small wisp of smoke. The elf's eyes never left hers, but a smirk played across his face. *Smug ass,* Aria thought.
"What are you doing here?" Aria's voice conveyed a confidence that she didn't really feel. The odds were against her. No matter how skilled she was as a fighter, she was outnumbered by these two men.
