Justice

Eldin ran swiftly through the thick woods. The wood was covered with twisting woody vines and the forest floor was carpeted with dying leaves and twigs. His hooves crunched and snapped the debris beneath his hooves as he increased his speed. Elverion was the only rider confident enough to ride him; his knowledge of the woods gave Eldin a sense of security when with the ranger. His white body blurred in the woods as his rider followed their prey's scent.

They had been on the trail of a corrupt wizard for four days now, and they were closing in. The wizard had killed two men in the town of Gillin, which was far behind them now, for some kind of wand. It was not Elverion's job to hunt down such criminals, but his heart guided him to this path. As a young elf in the woods of Urie, he was taught the ways of righteousness and truth and how it applied to every living thing. He couldn't let this villain get away with what he had done.

Night was falling upon the forest and he needed to rest. The leather clad elven stopped at a small clearing and climbed off his horse. He fed Eldin, apple, placed his weapons down off his back, and then lie down beneath a tree to sleep. He hated this time, when all was silent and the creatures were settled. It was when his mind wandered. To memories, good and bad. He could have spared their lives. They were all so young, he was only 17. He should have known they couldn't have killed those trolls; it was impossible for many older more experienced elves. They were all slaughtered and eaten, their skin torn from their flesh, their blood covering his body. He almost saved the one Leonora, his love. They were almost back to elven halls when her soul left her, dying in his arms. Her last words echoing in his mind, "I love you". It ate at his mind, destroying any chance of love, except for the creatures of the forest. They had comforted him in his time of despair, bringing a close connection with nature already there with his elven decent. He slowly slipped into a light sleep, his tears hiding behind his eyes.

* * * * * * * * * * *

He had gotten away with no one on his trail. He knew he was too quick for those oafs. He may have been a mere mage before this, but now, with this wand at his side, he would be an arch mage. "Sevyloth the arch mage of Athros!" he said to himself. He liked it very much. No one would believe he could become one, being a mere man, but he will show them what he could do. He had been riding his dark black horse, Eglin, hard for these past four days. He did not why he did this, but he just did. When the night came, he stopped in a small clearing and sat down beneath a tree a large oak tree his long dark robe surrounding him as he sat. He pulled out the stolen wand he was carrying at his side. It was about 12" long, and very thin; it was made of a dark mahogany wood. The moonlight gave the wand a mysterious glow to it. As the mage, or arch mage, caressed the wand an evil grin highlighted by the moonlight came across his young face. "The wand of the powerful Bolin. With the power you will give me, I could control all of Athros. It's people falling beneath my awesome power. They would soon do whatever I want just so I would spare their lives. Yes, I could many things with you once I learn to use you correctly." He placed the wand back at his side and fell to sleep, with dreams of murderer and deceit. He arose late in the morning and started back on his way. He would soon come to his tower, and there he would begin training with his newly acquired wand. He left the woods and entered into a large plain. The wizard started getting an eerie feeling, as if someone was following him. He turned around and looked back into the woods, no one.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Eldin burst from within the woods to the wide-open plains, quickly gaining on the wizard. Elverion had his bow and an arrow in hand ready for fire. He released his fingers and let the arrow fly. The arrow hit the horse's hind leg and the black steed stumbled, falling to the ground, along with Sevyloth. The wizard arose and looked to the elf that had just fired upon him. His face became engulfed with flames of rage. He quickly pulled out his wand and fired some kind of blast at Elverion. The ranger tried to get out of the way, but his horse was hit and he went flying off. Elverion rose back to his feet and looked to the wizard that was now 5 feet away from him. His eyes narrowed on the young mage as he pulled his sword from his side. He started to run towards the wizard with his sword, but Sevyloth just waved the stolen wand and created a barrier around him. "Seems I will need to train little to use you." Elverion chopped at the barrier, his sword sending off sparks every time.