*he leaned against a tree, Quill poised over the few bits of parchment in his lap* "how does one begin his story?" *he asks himself, tapping the Quill to his chin in thought* "From the beginning I would suppose" *he dipped his Quill in the ink sack of the octopus he killed and ate earlier......* Well let us start with my parentage since all know I am a half-elf. My Father of course was the human in the whole affair, born to a family with a long line in the knighthood, and well my mother, who was a Bowyer, warrior and an angel all in one slender elven body. *takes a deep breath and re inks his Quill* My parents met during times of war, the garrison my father was station at responded to the elves call in dealing with the Orcs, who were once again invading their forest, well to make a long story shorter, they fell in love and i was the result. My mother, with my father's blessing took me to live with her clan till I was of age in human terms, which would be about 18 human years....*takes knife to Quill tip, sharpens and re-inks* My mother convinced me to stay past 18 and I continued to learn her craft. *chuckles* and let us shorten this once more.......I was soon found out by the clan elders to be of half blood, only when I began to show facial hair, and quickly exiled. My mother told how to find my father and said I should seek him out. *smiles* well I did intend to seek him out but having never left my clan home, lets just say I got into alot of trouble that was difficult to work my way out of.....*chuckles at the fond memories* but thats for another story not this one. It was my father who ended up arresting me for small bits of thievery in the town he was ordered to protect. It was not a happy reunion to say the least. He did recognize me from descriptions my mother wrote him. He took me into his garrison and made me a squire, which i wouldn't subject even my worst enemy too, I learned the art of fencing through the knight I was squired too, much to the admiration of my father, and was knighted 5 years later.


*pulls away the now filled sheet and sets it to the side and continues on the next* Now for adulthood, such a fun time that was *grimaces* patrol, patrol. march, march, march and train. Wear heavy full plate armour and carry a shield. Can you tell the knighthood wasn't for this half blood? I thought as much *chuckles* I left quietly in the night a short but sweet note thanking my father for all he did for me, and off I went. I earned my living and travel expenses as a sell sword, or mercenary for hire for those of you who dont know the term, more years past in the blink of an eye. I had gotten word of my father's demise and returned to the garrison to claim my birthright and pay my respects to an honorable man and father. Having no family left I turn towards the first ship out of those lands and headed to Sosaria. My ship docked in the town known mearly as Buc's Den, a great town for drinking and corousing I might add. I took to exploring the town taverns for sometime before I got the alcohol out of my system enough to explore the surrounding lands. I traveled extensively using the many moongates that dotted the lands, even encountered the murderous types who quickly took to beating the snot out of my country bumpkin hide *laughs* That showed me I needed yet more training to survive this new land. I came across the town of Luna where the local knights or palidines as they called themselves were more then happy to apprentice me. I traveled further and through more moongates till I came to Zento, where I came across a lively bunch of elves who took me into thier ranks. Well its short but to the point. I hope my fellow guildmates enjoy the reading. anymore you want to know can be directed to me personally." I thank you all for taking the time to read this, and especially to the one I hold dear to my heart " *he signs his name quickly to the bottom of the parchment and sends it by falcon to the guild tavern to be posted for reading*


Marzanalthanthalus Shandrance The III
Half-elven fencer

(small footnote- that is my true name given by my mother and the second name is my father's birth name, "the III" I add as my own)

Skatha was stealthing nearby, hoping to improve her ability to move unnoticed among others, she glanced at the half-elf, hoping he would not by that look, sense her nearness.

Moving slowly, assuring that her bare feet did not disturb a twig, she knew all too well when she moved hastily, she was immediately in clear view of all.

Her curiousity aroused, she watched as his pen scratched across the parchmet, adding a word here, lining out another, and making notes in the margins. Moving so close she could hear his every breath, she recognized him, having been introduced to him a few days earlier........ Their encounter had been brief, and a bit formal. He had gone off to fight some fearsome thing, and she had been dealing with a craftsperson at the time.

She longed to place her hand on his arm, hoping to lightly touch into the essence of him, but thought better of it. She decided to risk her honour, and stood on her tiptoes, trying to read over his shoulder. Knowing this would bring disfavour upon hersellf, reading private writings, she could not stop, and was mesmerized by his tale. Aye, she thought, he will be a good addition to our ranks.

She managed to read the final sentences just as he rolled the parchment and placed it in the small pouch about the falcon.....

Her heart fluttered, she tried to control it, fearing he would become aware of her presence when she felt so vulnerable...... fortunately, he stowed his supplies in his tunic, and strode away, whistling as he went.

"the one i hold dear to my heart"..... "could it be? nay," she thought. She had been alone for such a time, she dared not hope... Still she could not shake the thought from her mind.....

"if only.. " these words rose silent yet intense all around her, the sentence remained unfinish.

*his ear perked at the sound of a leaf gently brush along the forest floor, brow arched slightly but he continued his writing thinking he still had his privacy out here in the wilds* hmmmmm......* the feathered quil tapped his bearded chin as he put the finishing touches on the parchment, hand stopped its writing suddenly* Someone there? *he called to the forest......no answer....perhaps his mind playing tricks on him in this new land* * he returned to his writings when he caught a feminine scent he recognized imediately, slight florish of his hand as he put the final sentence of his story to the parchment, signiture and wrapped tightly before too much was seen by hidden eyes*

Fly well dear friend *soft words spoken as he watched the falcon take to the skies, supplies quitely packed away, while whistling a merry tune, he grabbed his eqiupment and strode off intot he forest, hoping she didnt suspect he knew she was there* You are good, but I am a seasoned warrior, not much escapes me, but I will give you your moment and say not a word when next we meet *words spoken softly to himself as he quickly disappeared with only "Sanctum Viatas" heard aloud*