-13th day of the 8th month of 1519

In the capital of Micaellis, there was great rejoice and festivities throughout the kingdom as the third prince of the kingdom was wed to Adrianna, the second daughter of Duke Morgan Dalvair. At the pleasure house of Madam Norialise, the house is bursting at its seams from all of the wealthy clientele. The men laugh and toast the newlywed couple, while enjoying the provide and take advantage of the companionship being provided.

Away from the festivities on the second floor, Zarris finishes packing their two small travel bags. Zarris places the travel bags under the bed to hide in case of an unexpected visitor, while his daughter docilely sits on the bed clutching her pendant in her hands. Zarris gently reaches and takes hold of one of her hands and clutches her small hand tightly in his. They sit in silence, neither daring to break, what may be their final moments together.

The rambunctious voices and laughter drifting from the guests below are in full swing. Wren quivers slightly as she raises her eyes to meet her father's anxious own. Wren trembling says, "It's now or never father. I can do this."

Zarris pulls her into his arms and holds her as tightly as possible as he remembers the small child, who hid in his arms at her first thunder storm. The twitch of a smile appears on his face as he recalls the time when Wren ate an entire week’s supply of sweets by herself and he found her fearfully hiding under the bed. At that time, he had so easily protected her and taken the blame, but now she would be one protecting him, and no child should have to take on such a burden.

Zarris reluctantly releases Wren from his grasp as his voice quivers for a second, "The magical contracts are in the hidden drawer in the wooden desk. Turn the knob of the first drawer, three times to your right. Then turn the second knob on the third drawer, five times to your left. The hidden drawer will be released and quickly search for my magical contract. Once you have found my contract return the contracts back the drawer and return as quickly as possible to me."

Wren repeats the instructions back to her intent father as she planned for the worse or any upsets. "Father, when I open the drawer is there a possibility of a trap being triggered?" She tentatively asked.

Zarris shakes his head. "Madam Norialise has never placed any traps on her drawer, except for those that are for slaves. If I tried to open the drawer, a spell would immediately be triggered disabling me. However, since you are not a slave, there will be no trigger. And as a magical registered contract owner if the Madam's contracts are stolen, she can quickly file a claim with the merchant's association as they are very efficient at finding the thieves and punishing them," he said.

Wren nervously fiddles with her pendant and hesitantly stares at her father and asks, "Father is there a way for them to track us, once I have stolen the contract?" Wren knew if that was the case her father may need to abandon her and later return for her, if necessary. She was just preparing herself for the worst-case scenario.

Zarris considers his answer carefully, before answering, "Once you return with the contract, I will destroy the contract and as long as we make it out of the city gates the merchant association cannot track us. But for as long we remain within the city, the merchant association can use their paper copy of the magical contract to find us." Zarris silently prays that his answer, has not frightened his daughter more than she already is.

Wren nods her head in relieved acceptance and carefully hides her pendent. With her heat pounding Wren rises and stops at the door, "Wait for me father, I will return triumphant." Zarris helplessly sits on the bed as he watches his beloved daughter shut the door behind her. Zarris clenches his hands together and prays for her safe return for if anything ever happened to her, he would never forgive himself.

Wren carefully treads down the hallway as blood rushes to her head and she finds it difficult to swallow. Wren reaches the grand staircase and peeks at the guests down below: some of the guests laugh drunkenly, while others hold ladies and gentlemen in their laps, and some watch the trainee girls and boys dance on a small stage.

Wren pauses for a moment trying to think of a way downstairs without a rising suspicion as there is no easy way for her to pass unnoticed via the stairs. Wren could lie and say she was grabbing a meal from the kitchen but given the day’s festivities any one of the girls concerned for her welfare would certainly accompany her there and back. Wren wrack’s her brain for any idea as she scans below and spots the small hidden space behind a row of potted plants on the other side of the stair veranda.

Wren privately congratulates herself for being a genius or simply insane, before taking a deep encouraging breath as she vaults over the staircase and into the small space behind the potted plants. Wren hears a crack as she lands on her feet and a small pained whimper escaped from her. “Maybe, it wasn’t such a good idea,” Wren thought to herself as she stretches her arms to keep her balance. With her ears pounding, Wren intently scans for any sign of anyone seeing her plunging descent.

Unable to find anyone glancing in her direction, Wren sneaks from plotted plant to plotted plant until she reaches the next hallway. Wren pauses and glances for any approaching individuals, before dashing across to the unlocked parlor and swiftly closing the door behind her. It takes Wren a moment for her eyes to adjust in the dark as rushes towards the desk only to fial to notice the small foot rest on the floor. And with a loud painful crash Wren falls to the floor as she swears a few choice words at the foot rest and a few more that if her father knew would certainly him to smack her bottom.

In pain, Wren clenches her teeth as she raises her head and listens for anyone coming to investigate the noise. After a few suspenseful moments, Wren thankfully does not hear any oncoming footsteps. Slowly sitting up, Wren returns the foot rest back to its upright position, before crawling forward to the desk and making sure not to bump into anything else.

Upon reaching the desk drawer Wren comes to a kneeling halt as she reviews the instructions in her mind, before starting. Confident, Wren delicately turns the knob of the first drawer three times to the right, then the second knob on the third drawer five times to the left. In response, the hidden drawer pops open as Wren makes a small fist in success. Wren carefully reaches in and pulls out the magical contracts as she quickly skims over them searching for her father’s contract. After what seemed like an eternity, Wren finally spots her father’s name on the second to last magical contract. With tender care, Wren carefully folds his contract and places inside her shirt pocket.

Finished, Wren straightens the magical contracts as fast as she can, before returning them to the hidden drawer and slamming the drawer shut. Wren silently makes her way to parlor door and is about to leave when the parlor door flies open. With her heart pounding, Wren holds her breath as she presses herself against the wall hoping that she hadn’t been discovered.

A drunken voice is heard saying, "Hick, is this your room toots?" The drunk guest lets out a loud burp, "Excuse me," he drunkenly said.

A young courtesan wraps her arms around the drunk keeping him steady. "No sugar, this is the Madam's parlor. Come this way, Sugar and I'll treat you to a fine time," the young lady confidently said as she closed the door behind her and drags the drunkard back to the ongoing festivities.

Wren lets out a soft sigh of relief as she waits for the voices to fade away before peeking through the doorway. Wren looks both ways and fails to see anyone approaching, before rushing out and closing the door behind her. Wren prematurely congratulates herself as she darts behind from potted plant to potted plant to reach the staircase. To her dread, Wren finds the staircase being blocked by a group of drunks.

The drunks giggle to each other as they try to make their way upstairs with the aid of the courtesans. Wren bites her lips in frustration trying to figure out how to get past them, when all of a sudden, a familiar voice causes Wren to freeze. "Sweetheart, what are you doing hiding behind there?" The lovely voice drawled.

Wren slowly turns toward the owner of the voice, Lumi, the lovely fairy is staring at her with her hands on her hips. Wren races as she thinks of an excuse and wryly grins in reply. "Father told me not come downstairs today, but I wanted to take a peek," Wren guiltily lied.

Lumi smirks and conspiratorially says, "Heh, what your father doesn't know can't possibly hurt him your secret is safe with me." Wren sighs in relief at Lumi believing her lie. Thankfully the person who found her is Lumi.

Lumi turns to face the drunks and says, "Now, you lout of drunks move out of the way, you're being a nuisance to everyone!" The drunks drunkenly comply with her request and move out of the way.

Wren gratefully smiles at Lumi as Lumi gives her wink, before returning to the party. Wren practically flies up the stairs towards her father's bedroom and slams the door shut behind her causing her father to visibly flinch at the noise as she happily skips forward and hands her father his magic slave contract.

His fervent prayers having been answered with his daughter’s safe return, Zarris picks Wren up and twirls her once throughout the room, before putting her back down. A silly lopsided grin appears on his face as Zarris proudly says, "You did it! I was so worried." However, soon enough the joy fades as he recalled their present situation and hurriedly says “Get the bags ready while I destroy the contract."

Zarris eagerly places the contract on the floor and begins chanting to destroy the contract, while Wren does as she is told. Zarris’s heart pounds as he waits anxiously for the contract to be destroyed until finally the contract disappears in a puff of smoke. Wren excitedly smiles as she watches the contract disappear in a cloud of smoke. Wanting to cough at the smog, Wren tearfully hands her father his bag as the unlocked door creeps open.

"Is something wrong? I smelled smoke and I came to check how everything-," Scarlett stops speaking upon noticing the bags in their hands. Understanding and fear flashes in the depths of her eyes. "Are you trying to escape Zarris? Are you mad? Don't you know what will happen to you?" Scarlet frantically said as fear of the past flashed in her eyes. Once, she had so foolishly believed she could escape and in the end all she got was her mother turning her in for the reward. And now, she wasn’t even a person merely an object of pleasure for others.

Scarlett anxiously says, “And what the Madam will do to Wren is even worse! She may even take her way from you, Zarris and sell her to another pleasure house!"

Zarris slowly approaches Scarlett with his hands in front of him and says, "Scarlett, the Madam, has already asked for Wren. I cannot allow my fate to befall her. Please Scarlett, don't push me."

Zarris glances at his daughter’s face, who eyes are full of distress as she clutches her travel bag to her chest, so tightly that her hands are white. Never in his wildest dream did he consider that he would be capable of hurting Scarlett, who was like a sister to him. But to his great surprise and horror, Zarris grimly found his heart at peace with the bleak thought, because for his child, he would and could commit any horrific sin. And in the nature of things, Zarris’s grim thoughts clearly show on his face as a frosty mist seems to drift from his piercing, icy eyes.

Scarlett hysterically yells, "Stay away! I'll scream!" Zarris halts a short distance away from her as she sighs in relief with tears coming down her face. "I know you think this is for the best Zarris, but I'm sure you can buy your freedom soon. As for Wren, you'll be able to send her far away to a magic institution, she will be safe there," Scarlett loudly said trying to convince herself of her own words. As Scarlett heard herself say those words, she knew there was no turning back. Even if Wren forgave her, she knew that Zarris would never. The sense of hopelessness and bitter loss filled her heart. Things would never be the same between them even if Zarris chose to stay.

Zarris regretfully shakes his head and says, "You know that the Madam will never let me go, I am her highest earner. As for Wren, do you think the Madam will simply allow Wren to leave this place?

Wren is just as fair as I am and there is little doubt in the Madam's mind that once Wren is a woman she will be just as valuable as I am. Even if I send Wren to a magic institution, the Madam has already threatened me with arranging for thieves to kidnap Wren from the magic institution by force!”

Scarlett trembling hesitates and for a moment her conflicted heart considers his words. However, the fear of being abandoned soon clouds her mind. Scarlett shakes her tearful face in denial and says, "You're lying!" With tears of betrayal in her eyes, Scarlett sniffs, "I thought we were friends, but I guess not. Zarris put down your things and I won't scream-." Scarlett stops mid-sentence as she falls over and a figure standing over her steps into the doorway.

Zarris and Wren's eyes widen upon recognition. "Hmph, stupid woman. Well, what are you all waiting for? Carry her to her room," Lumi demanded as she smacks the fan into her hand for emphasis. Annoyed, Lumi wonders if fear has addled their wits.

Zarris mutely hands his bag to Wren and reaches for Scarlett's limp body. Not trusting Lumi, one bit he unwillingly does as he is told. Wren follows closely behind them as Lumi walks in front of Zarris opening Scarlett's bedroom door for Zarris to place Scarlett's limp body.

Lumi smirks and playfully says, "Heh, what would you have done without me?" Lumi expectantly waits for his tearful thanks. She can't allow such a valuable opportunity to pass her by. Of course, once he does, she will mercilessly tease him.

Zarris instinctively places himself between Lumi and Wren. "What is it that you want?" He coldly said.

Lumi's heart trembles for a moment in dread at his words. It quickly fades away as anger sweeps its way into her heart as she angrily thinks, “Who does he think he is!? After I went out of my way to save you the least this ungrateful wretch could do is thank me!”

Luni glares at Zarris and angrily hisses, "I'm trying to help you! No need to be so rude!" Lumi flutters her fan angrily as she struggles to calm herself. “I knew something suspicious was going on when I saw Wren downstairs. That girl never shows herself to company if she can help it. What's more, you would never allow her to sneak out of your room on a day like today's," Lumi haughtily stated.

Unable to comprehend her words, Zarris stares blankly at her for few moments. As he repeats the scene in his mind he slowly understands that Lumi wasn't going to betray them and was trying to help them escape. Wordless thanks and joy fill his face as Zarris gratefully says, "Thank you, Lumi."

Lumi beams in pleasure from his words and grins in superior triumph. "Heh, aren't I your troublesome impish younger sister? Of course, I have to help, my big brother out!" Lumi proudly proclaimed. But just as swiftly Lumi’s smile fades away at her following words, "Hurry and escape, while Scarlett is still unconscious. I presume that the most she will be unconscious for is half a candle’s mark and that is she isn’t check on.”

Zarris quietly pulls Lumi into a hug. "Thank you for everything," Zarris truthfully said with tears in his eyes. For once in his life, a friend had finally not betrayed him.

Wren scurries over and quickly hugs Lumi in relief as well. Her stomach had been in knots and in confusion over Scarlett’s actions, but now the knot was gone. Wren softly promises in her heart to never forget Lumi and return for her one day.

Lumi pushes them away, while wiping away her tears and crossly mutters, "Sniff, as if I need your thanks! It's not as though I am going to miss your intolerable presence. Now hurry up and leave, you, big lug." Lumi quickly schools her features to not show her sadness and loneliness at their departure.

Zarris takes the bag from Wren as Wren nervously asks, "Lumi, won't you be in danger?"

Lumi smirks and says, "Please Scarlett never saw me. All I have to do is to return to the party and none will be the wiser." Lumi turns to leave the room, but stops for a moment, glancing one last time at them. Lumi wordlessly stares at them, before turning on her heels and facing the door. "Don't get caught and allow yourself to return to this place, no matter what happens!" Lumi harshly said, before haughtily striding out of the room.

"Goodbye and thank you, Aunty Lumi," Wren softly called out to Lumi’s vanishing figure.

Zarris blinks the moisture away from his eyes as he calmed himself, before prying open Scarlett's window. Glancing down at the drunk crowd Zarris studies the crowd for a moment, before leaping out of window and performing somersault mid-air to land upright on his feet. Zarris motions to Wren to jump as Wren nervously eyes her father’s outstretched arms, before leaping faithfully into his arms. With ease, Zarris catches Wren, before the two swiftly blend into the crowd never turning back to gaze at the dwelling that had been their home for so many years. Wren tightly grips her father's hand in excitement as they start on their long-awaited journey and her father squeezes her hand in reply.

Zarris and Wren traverse the city on foot as quickly as possible, but due to festivities it would be impossible to hire a coach to make its way through the city. The streets are crammed with ongoing festivals and carousing crowds. Some streets are so congested that it is simply impossible to move through the street. Several times, Wren and Zarris are even forced to backtrack and take another road due to the traffic not to mention the other road blocks such as angry drunks and the legion of pick pockets on the streets, before once more continuing towards the east city gates.

After a candle mark, Wren begins to slow down causing Zarris to worriedly ask, "What is the matter Wren? Are you already tired? We're almost there."

Wren had done her best to not be a burden, but her wane face betrayed her. “I hurt my leg that’s all,” Wren hesitantly stammered.

Zarris pulls Wren to the side of the road and bends down to look at her leg. Gently Zarris removes her boot and sock to reveal Wren’s left foot is violently bruised and swollen. Zarris stares at his daughter in amazement at her bravery in suffering in silence this entire time. Pride and self-loathing filled Zarris gaze as he feels like a useless father. With gentle fingers, Zarris puts her sock and boot back on, before moving his bag to his chest and bending down.

Wren almost cries in frustration at the kneeling figure of her father on the dirty cobblestones. Wren digs her nails into her hands and stubbornly says, "No, father, I can still walk until we make it out of the city."

Zarris gently smiles at Wren and says, "You are more than worth it. Now stop complaining and do as you're told." Zarris sternly glared at Wren to get his point across.

Wren wryly grins at her father's words as she moves her small travel bag to her back and reluctantly climbs onto her father's back. Zarris swiftly straightens up and traverses the crowd as Wren tiredly rest her head on her father’s broad, warm back in comfort. Zarris on the other hand steadfastly moves through the streets as his heart is full of confliction emotions of self-guilt in failing to protect his daughter. A bitter smile appears on his face as he recalls the little girl who would beg for a piggy back ride, but the only thing he can do now is succeed.

Meanwhile, at the pleasure house of Madam Norialise, the festivities are in full swing with nothing amiss. A patron of Scarlett upon noticing her absence inquiries about her missing presence. A servant is sent to check on her whereabouts only to return pale faced with grave news for the Madam.

Despite the urgent situation the Madam calmly excuses herself from the festivities and speedily returned to her parlor room accompanied by the servant. The Madam hastily opens her secret drawer and reviews the Magical Contracts. Within seconds a missing contract is spotted causing the Madam to shriek for her guards. The guards arrive to only find the Madam fuming with rage, “Find them alive! Now!”

The guards rush away towards the merchant association to report the escaped slave as the Madam collapses into a chair in a fuming rage. “How dare that ingrate dare escape after everything I have done for him!? Well no more of that! From now on he will bed males as well and as for his daughter-, she will be immediately be trained!”

Once the Madam composed herself she returned to the festivities with the absolute certainty her slave would be returned. With a smile on her face, the Madam thanks Scarlett’s patron for his keen eye and directs him to Scarlett’s bed chambers in gratitude. With a flicker of her fan, the Madam returns to the festivities to guide the merriment atmosphere.

Upon reaching the east city gates much to the surprise of Wren and worry of Zarris, there are no guests or citizens exiting the city only those late comers still arriving to participate in the grand festivities. Placing Wren onto the ground, Zarris worriedly asks, "Wren, do you think you can walk to the gates and past the guards?"

Wren winces as she moves her foot, but firmly bites her lips and says, “I can.”

Zarris presses a kiss to his daughter’s forehead, before taking her by the hand as his heart moves uneasily in his chest. His hand tightening around Wren’s reveals his anxiety, but Wren does not distract her father with her own worry. They both new that with the ongoing festivities their exit was rather suspicious and especially given that they only carried two small travel bags and no sign of purchases in the city.

Zarris bites his cheek as he studies the two guards at the city gate and hopes all will go well. The two of them stop at the City Guards Tollbooth to the surprise of the guards at the late hour departure. A great burly guard asks, "Where are ye going in such a hurry that you're departing during such a glorious festivity?"

Zarris rapidly thinks of a plausible response and schools his features into that of a pleasant smile. "Why good sirs, my dearest daughter here begged to come see the wedding. And I could not very well bring myself to deny her request. However, before we left home, we promised her mother that we would return home as soon as possible. I must admit that the time got away from me," Zarris sheepishly replied.

The thin faced guard frowns at Zarris reply, unsatisfied at the casual response. Still disbelieving him, the guard asks, "Before ye arrived, I saw thee carrying your daughter from afar. If she is hurt, then why not leave on the morrow?

Zarris lovingly tousles Wren's hair. "This little mite was complaining that her feet hurt, and I decided to carry her a while, isn't that right my little princess?" Zarris said giving Wren a playful wink.

Wren winks back at her father, before shyly smiling from behind her father at the guards. and replies in awe, "Yes, sir. The princess was just as beautiful as I imagined,” Wren said in awe. “But now, I’m tired and would like to go home.”

The guards smile at her response and thusly satisfied nothing is amiss the guards wave them through the checkpoint. Wren and Zarris, thanked the guards for their concern, before calming going on their way. But just as they reach the bridge a loud yell says, “Halt!”

Zarris and Wren stiffen in worry as Zarris prepares to run. The burly guard chases after them and yells again, "Wait, right there." As they wait for the guard to reach them their hearts beat in their mouths. The burly guard finally reaches them and cheerfully hands a small brown bag to Zarris. Zarris tentatively takes and opens the bag to find sweets inside.

The burly guard lightly pats Wren's head and sheepishly says, "I have a wee boy, her age. Children are always hungry. I'm sure such a wee lass will enjoy eating some sweets on the road." The burly guard ruefully grins at them as he scratches the back of his head in embarrassment.

Relieved at the guard’s explanation Zarris and Wren beam at the guard in thanks. "Thank you for your kindness, sir. Not many would have the courage nor the benevolence to do so,” Zarris honestly said. Red-faced in embarrassment, the burly guard beams back at them, before jogging back to his post.

Zarris reaches into the bag and hands Wren a sweet and takes one for himself. Wren happily savors the soft round sweet that tastes of milk and honey. The two share the sweets until they are gone as they make their way across the drawing bridge and out of the view of the guards. Only then, does Zarris once more kneel on the dusty road as Wren climbs onto his back. "Hold on tightly," Zarris gently whispers to Wren, before setting off at a run on the moonlit road.

Several minutes after Zarris and Wren's departure, a large group of fifty adventures arrives from a C-class mission. The two guards inspect the adventurer’s identification tags, before having them pay their toll. While the adventurer party group chats with the guards about the latest news and gossip, a messenger arrives from the merchant's association.

The thin faced guard reads out loud the merchant's association message. "200 Gold pieces for the live capture of a half-elf slave.” Accompanying the message is a portrait of the escaped slave which causes the guards to let out cries of astonishment in recognition of the distinct face.

The thin faced guard excitedly says, "The escaped half-elf just passed through. Are you adventurers interested in a D-ranked mission?" The guard gleefully hopes that the adventures accept his request as he would receive part of the commission if the half-elf was caught. The guard eagerly rubs his hands together as he expectantly waits for their response.

The adventurers swiftly discuss among themselves and immediately agree that it will be an easy mission to complete. The adventurer party leader takes the wanted poster from the thin faced guard as the adventurers mount their steeds. In a cloud of dust, the group sets off down the road all eager to earn easy money.

The burly guard glares at his partner causing the thin faced guard to gaze back in confusion. The burly guard bruskly snarls, "You, greedy git! He had his child with him!"

The thin-faced guard stumbles back at the ferocity of his partner. The thin face guard trembles fearfully in the face of his partner’s anger as his partner is known for harsh temper and lack of patience with fools. The thin-faced guard stammered back a reply, "What does it matter, he’s a slave?"

The burly guard smacks the thin-faced guard on the head, "You ignorant twit, what do you think will happen to the child once he is captured? Will you take responsibility for that child's life?"

The burly guard smacks the thin faced guard again on the head and roars, "It's obvious that his child is not a slave and for the amount being offered for him, he must belong to a wealthy noble house or be an expensive pleasure slave!" The burly guard pauses for a moment before gathering his breath to bellow at full strength, "The only reason a highly valued slave like that would escape is for love or hatred. No doubt he wants to keep his child from repeating his fate and out of the greedy hands of a noble or brothel owner, you scatter-brained twit!"

The burly guard throw his hands fed up in the air at seeing the blank expression on the thin-faced guards face. "We cannot aid and abide an escaped slave, but did ye need to show such cold hardheartedness at their plight? Are ye that hungry for gold that ye are willing to throw away your honor and pride as a man?" The burly guard growled.

The thin-faced guard opens and closes his mouth but is unable to think of reply. The burly guard sneers at the lack of response and crossly turns away from his partner. Ignoring the idiot beside him, the burly guard gazes into night sky and mutters a sincere prayer of protect for the father and child escapees.

The wind runs through Wren’s hair as she enjoys the beautiful moonlit scenery and imagines the new life her and her father would have. With the Thorpe River in sight the sound of hooves can be heard in the distance behind them. Wren’s arms tightened around Zarris neck as she hides her face in his neck and breathes the comforting lemon scent of her father.

Zarris's heart drops as he desperately hopes that his worst fears aren’t coming true and that it is merely a group of travelers in passing. Still, Zarris sprints towards the Thorpe River at full speed in his heart, that it's not his worst fears coming true. Panting, Zarris can only hope for the best as he rushes forward, but from the woods behind them a riding group of adventurers emerges causing Zarris heart to sink.

A soft sound passes over Zarris as wall of earth suddenly rises before him to block his path. Without hesitation, Zarris nimbly darts around the block of earth and continues towards the bridge. With some relief, Zarris reaches the bridge to only see a shadow pass overhead and the figure of a fairy in gleaming chainmail appear at the exit with sword in hand.

Hearing a whizzing sound, Zarris throws himself to the side as fireballs explode onto the bridge causing the bridge to tremble under the fiery barrage. Wren let’s out a soft groan as she tumbles from her father’s back and Zarris instinctively puts himself between his child and the adventurer’s. Without a word, Zarris tosses his travel to Wren as Wren painfully hobbles to her feet. "Stay behind me. It'll be okay,” Zarris whispered to Wren. Wren clenches her teeth in frustration but nods trustingly at his words, her father won't lose to these men.

Hiding his anxiety from his daughter, Zarris composes his face and stretches his arms out in peace. "Excuse me kind sirs, what seems to be the problem? My daughter and I are on our way home,” Zarris calmly asked.

The adventurer’s chortle in laughter with their leader snorting at the ridiculous statement. "We already know you're an escaped slave," the leader cruelly said as he pulls a wanted poster from his side saddle bag and unrolls it to proudly show the face there on, that of Zarris.

Zarris’s heart drops into his stomach at the leader's sneering words but retains his poker face. "You're certainly right, but did you ever wonder why I'm worth so much?" Zarris confidently countered causing the adventurer’s group to gaze at each other in bewilderment.

"I thought so. Well, I'm half-blood elf. Do you know what a blood-elf is capable of?" Zarris mockingly asked, while trying to portray absolute confidence in hopes of bluffing his way out of being captured.

The fairy adventurer turns pale and immediately backs away causing the fairy’s companions to turn their heads towards him in answer. " Out of the elves other than the High Elves, the Blood-elves are the most prideful and bloodthirsty of all the elven races. Much like the High Elves, the Blood Elves rarely breed with other’s races out of their own with the exception being political marriages to the high elves and other elven tribes. However, there are two blood-elf bloodlines that have unique blood magic capabilities. The first bloodline can turn their blood into weapons and the second can cast powerful killing spells with their blood," the fairy trembling said as he forcefully recalled his childhood.

When the fairy adventurer was a small child, his father a wealthy merchant had hired a blood-elf to safe-guard their cavern for the remainder of their trip. The hired blood-elf in question had been banished from his clan, but even still, the hired blood-elf was worth more than entire squad of elite grade mercenaries. Yet his father had not flinched at the extortionist price and had hired the blood-elf.

On the road, time and time again the cavern was attacked by bandits and monsters. Yet each time, the blood-elf effortlessly slaughtered his way through to bath in the blood of his fallen enemies all the while laughing madly at the world. To this very day, the fairy adventurer still had nightmares of the blood-soaked figure laughing madly at him, before ripping his head off.

The fairy adventurer returns to his sense as their leader scoffing says, "It’s only a half-blood elf and the chances of him having any one of those particular blood lines is almost impossible. Come on, we can take him, this is after all a D-ranked mission.” Encouraged by their leader's speech the group of adventurer’s spreads out as the fire and earth mages ready their spells.

Zarris sighs in frustration at the leader’s untimely words. Zarris had almost convinced the adventurers to leave him and his daughter be. Anger appear in Zarris eyes as a dreadful bloodthirsty smile emerges on his face. If they wished for war so be it, let them all come, if they dared.

A brawny swordsman charges toward Zarris and swings the blade down on Zarris, but Zarris easily catches the blade in-between his hands. Zarris sneers at the surprised swordsmen and says, "Did I mention, I'm also half-ogre?"

Zarris seizes the sword from the stunned swordsmen and kicks the swordsmen away and sends him flying right into the chanting group of mages. Without hesitation, Zarris slices his hand open to call upon the blood magic which lain dormant all these years. Zarris’s eyes immediately turn red causing the adventurers to instantly draw back in dread.

Zarris seizing the opportunity darts forward and begins to counterattack. Wren grits her hands in frustration at her weak self and frantically thinks of a way to be of use. Doing all that she can, Wren casts a spell in her mind and waits for the right opportunity to release the charged spell.

Dodging the blade of an adventurer, Zarris sizes the day and moves towards the group leader. A shrill sound is heard as Zarris throws himself to the ground as a clever ranger from the back nimbly fires arrows in a row. Annoyed, Zarris leaps to his feat and flings his blade at full strength. The blade madly whirls through the air and pierces through the ranger’s chest as the ranger falls dead to the ground in disbelief.

A female elf cleric lets out a cry and scurries to check on the fallen ranger. Ruthlessly Zarris sends a blood whip to drain the ranger’s blood not before cleaving the healer’s head from her neck. The more blood Zarris drains from his enemies the more blood whips he has to attack the surrounding warrior party.

The party lets out cries of frustration and seeing an opening Wren casts a simple ice spell on the casting earth and fire mages to destroy their casting efforts by causing them to slip and fall. The mages let out cries of rage and hastily begin to recast anew as Wren once more readies another spell to keep them from casting.

Hastily moving in Zarris twists his blood whips severing the neck arteries of six more warriors. The six warriors fall gurgling to the ground and before they can be healed by the cleric’s Zarris has already drained their blood. The mages finally wizen up and ignore Wren’s antics and begin to assault Zarris causing him to use up his blood with each attack in order to neutralize their attacks. Seeing Zarris to begin to falter the warriors renew their attack causing Zarris to lose ground. Soon sweat drips down his brow as he begins to breath heavily in exhaustion as Zarris tries to hold his ground.

Wren does her best to impede the casting mages, but the clerics are hard at work healing the wounded. Wren dejectedly realizes at the current rate her father will lose. Wren bites her lips in concentration as her mind whirls at great speed trying to think of a plan. And just like that an idea comes to mind as she shouts, “Father, the healers!”

His daughter's voice pierces through the battlefield like a ray of lighting as Zarris dashes forward and focuses all of his attacks onto the temporarily frozen stiff clerics. The warriors don’t even have a chance to react when the clerics are already slaughtered and reabsorbed into Zarris’s blood whips. The nearest warrior the group leader roars forward and attacks Zarris successfully slicing Zarris shoulder open.

Zarris hisses in pain and throws himself back to dodge the leader's next violent attack. The red-faced leader charges once more but is forcefully held back by his comrades. The mages had finally finished preparing their siege spell causing the warriors to swiftly withdraw back.

Zarris eyes widen in understanding as he sees the mages begin to chant. Darting back to Wren, Zarris heart pounds in fear causing him to leap forward and wrap her in his arms. Instantly a blood bubble like shield covers them as a bombardment of earth meteors destroy parts of the bridge and surrounding area into oblivion.

Wren worriedly peers up at her father’s body that is covered in wounds of various lengths. Wren worriedly reaches into the travel bag for the healing potions and holds them out to her father. Zarris tiredly takes them and drinks them down in one gulp.

The healing potions would not have much of an effect in his current state but would be enough to give him some renewed energy and stop the bleeding of the smaller wounds. Sadly enough, Zarris knew his body was weakening and soon he would possible bleed out. This was not a normal occurrence among blood elves, but Zarris was only half. And to make matters worse, his blood magic had only been used once. Had he been able to continuously to use his blood magic his body would have been conditioned to sustain the prolonged abuse.

The siege spells finally exhaust themselves but to the adventurer’s horror the half-elf still lived. The warriors reorganize themselves as they get ready to advance forward once more. But this time, they wouldn’t underestimate their opponent.

Wren frowns at seeing their movement and casts a ready spell. Ice appears under their feet causing the warriors to stumble forward with the unlucky ones falling to the ground. Wren smiles in triumph as the blood bubble disappears from around her and Zarris darts forward. The fallen warriors on the ground are dead meat and swiftly killed, before Zarris retreated.

The group leader roars in maddened fury at the unruly slaughter. Unable to contain his anger any longer, the group leader rushes towards and attacks. Zarris dodges and the pattern continues until the leader slowly to gain his rhythm and begins to gain the upper hand. Zarris is slowly losing ground as he not only faces the group leaders’ concise attacks but the attacks of the rest of the group.

Zarris limbs being to feel heavy and as the nature of things begins to execute sloppy attacks. But as the battle continues, Zarris limbs becomes even more sluggish and the group leader takes full advantage of that to land several small strikes against Zarris. Feeling himself weaken, Zarris deems a mad option worthy as he was running out of time. Zarris turns his head slightly to side as his expression becomes pained at seeing his exhausted daughter in the distance doing her best to aid him against adult mages. Hardening his heart, Zarris purposefully allows a hole in his guard to appear.

The group leader finally seeing the fruit born out of his hard labor speedily launches his blade forward. Not hesitating, Zarris does the same as ducks under and plunges a whip through his neck and instantly drains the leader’s blood. Exhausted and unable to savor his victory, Zarris turns to face the remaining warriors.

At seeing their leader's dead body, the remaining warriors charge at the half-elf. The fairy adventurer who was hovering over the bridge in fear could only watch in horror as the scene of his childhood and nightmares were replayed. Closing his eyes, the fairy adventurer grimly swears to cleanse himself of his fear or die trying. The fairy adventurer bravely unsheathes, his short sword and lets out a brave battle cry. With a steady hand, the fairy adventurer plunges forward and stabs his blade from on high into the blood-elf’s unguarded back. Amazed at his own success, the fairy adventurer plunges his blade further in.

The fairy adventurer eagerly waits for his comrades to finish off the blood-elf. But before they can arrive the back of his hair stands on end as he feels a hot gaze staring daggers into his back. The fairy adventurer’s gaze meets with that of the young female on the bridge. A bloodthirsty gaze fills her eyes as he suddenly finds he is unable to move.

Wren let’s out a cry of disbelief at seeing her father so cruelly attacked from behind. Angry tears creep in her eyes as she launches to ice spells to freeze the fairy’s wings.

The fairy adventurer eyes widen in horror at feeling his wings being encased in ice. Suddenly, the sword is ripped from his hands as the blood-elf dislodges himself. The fairy adventurer falls to the ground to only see a blood whip so cruelly engulf him just like in his dreams, before removing his head. The party which had started with 50 party members, now only had 25 remaining members. The warriors strategically retreat back to take a breath as the mages in fear feverishly attack the half-elf.

Zarris exhaustedly casts a blood barrier to stop the barrage of attacks and somehow manages to drag his weary, torn body back to his daughter. Zarris tiredly leans against the bridge railing breathing heavily as he placidly studies the mages attack his blood barrier with a barrage of spells.

Wren bites her lips at seeing the terrible wounds on her father's body. Wren clenches her fists in anger wishing she could do something more for him and not be a burden at his side. Wren searches for more healing potions and hands them to her father, but this time around, Zarris refuses them. Unwilling, Wren puts them away as she anxiously glares up at him.

Zarris tries to chuckle at the expression on Wren's face, but instead gobs of blood cough out into his hand. Zarris subtlety wipes the blood away onto the back of his palm. At seeing Wren's unconvinced expression, he tenderly tousles her hair. Zarris tiredly bends down and presses his lips to her forehead leaving behind a faint bloody kiss. Feeling the wetness on her forehead, Wren wrinkles her nose up at him as Zarris lovingly says, "You little rascal,” and gently wipes the kiss mark away with his thumb.

"How I wish I could be there to see you grow,” Zarris bitterly said as he imagines his little girl turning into a strong woman. “But I suppose there are some things that aren’t just meant to be,” Zarris quietly said with a bitter sweet smile on his face.

Wren's heart freezes at her father’s words and fervently protests, "No, father! We can still escape; we just need to jump into the river!"

Zarris merely listens as he remembers the time Wren asked for his opinion on a gift and it was hideous beyond belief. Even then, he had been unable to lie her and now was no different. “I’ve used too much of my blood,” Zarris tragically said as he looks away into the distance. “And now I am just too weak.”

Wren stubbornly glares at her father and takes hold of his hands into hers. Yanking him down to her level, Wren glares at her father in the face as her father gapes at her strength. "Why are you giving up on me? You're an Ogre! And Ogre's are tough and never give up in the face of danger!" Wren roared at him.

Zarris stares wordlessly into his daughter’s fiery eyes as he is awe of her courage. "We promised to build the ogre clan together!" Wren stubbornly insisted. "Who do you think you are to tell me that I can't stay with you? As ogres of the Frost Clan, we'd rather die than submit! If that's the case, then we'll die together as well!"

Zarris is simply flabbergasted at his daughters’ fiery words, for even after everything, Wren’s faith in him is unshakable. Zarris heart bursts with love as he feels revitalized once more. However, that won't be enough to save them. And so Zarris carefully memorizes every inch of his precious daughter's face for the last time.

Seeing a lack of response from her father fear creeps into Wren’s eyes. But even so, Wren is more furious at the thought her father will tell her to flee. And if that stupid man did so, she wouldn’t go, because he couldn’t make her budge an inch without him!

Wren impatiently pulls on her father's arms waiting for a reply. A bright smile slowly stretches its way across her father's face as he smiles at her. Wren happily grins back in response as Zarris pulls her into his arms and embraces her as tightly as possible. Wren happily finds herself nestled in her father's wounded arms as her fears dissipate at his hug.

Zarris gently whispers into Wren’s ear, "As the last clan head, you are the last hope of our Frost Clan. You'll need keep our promise, when I'm gone." Wren reacts too late as Zarris easily holds her struggling figure in his arms. With glistening eyes and a broken heart, Zarris peacefully lifts her struggling figure and says, "I will always be with you," and drops Wren into the swirling river down below.

Wren desperately tries reach for her father to no avail as she plummets into the icy river below. Kicking towards the surface, Wren cries out, “Father!” But soon the cold, twisting waters drag her further away as tries to keep afloat. Bobbing on the river through blurry eyes Wren is speedily tossed and pulled away by the river’s current. The last sight in Wren’s eyes as she disappears around the river bend is the sight of her father turning to face their pursers, before being dragged away.