This story begins with the feeling of hunger. The hunger for flesh and blood.
On a cold and rainy night, a cloaked man on a horse rode along the muddy trail. Up ahead he saw what looked like a small glimmer of light. Climbing off his horse, the man wished to investigate further on foot. As he moved closer, he realized the light came from a lantern, lying on it's side. The glass that which contained the flame was cracked slightly, as if it had been dropped. As his eyes moved further up, he would notice why: two human corpses, fresh, were lying in a small clearing, a pack of dire wolves, not yet fully grown it seems, feasting upon them. The two traveler's belongings lied strewn along the ground, a torn sack started at the beginning of the mess. As one of the beasts moved to sniff at a large bundle, it's head jerked as an arrow shot threw it's head. It's brethren glanced up from their meal, spotting the man brandishing a long bow, now outside of his hiding spot.
The wolves soon turned to him, snarling at the one that murdered their companion. They rushed him, fresh blood dripping from their snouts. He drops his bow, ducking past one just as it slashes with it's large claws. He turned, drawing his rapier and stabbing the beast, then turning and kicking another one away. He leaped upwards as two more came, smashing into one another. As he came back down, his sword met with the back of another wolf. The last wolf remaining growled at him, then turned and ran off into the night. He sighed, pulling his hood back to reveal he was not a human, but an elf. His pointed ears extended from his black hair, his skin soft and elegant. "No hard feelings...", he said as he moved to one of the wolf corpses, picking it up by the scruff of it's neck. "Just happened to show up as I was looking for dinner." He began to head off after picking up his bow, his ears twitching slightly as he heard a very slight ruffling sound. He quickly turned, reaching for his sword again, until he heard the wailing of a baby. His gaze turned to the bundle the first wolf had been sniffing earlier, realizing something wrapped inside of it. He dropped the wolf, drawing closer and reaching out, pulling the blanket back. Inside was a baby, bawling for whatever reason babies cried about, sporting a small patch of orange-red hair. He cradled the child in his arms, looking at it, as if he hadn't seen anything like it before. The elf's eyes then moved to those of the fallen humans. "Hmmmm... so... you're alone as well?" He smiled to it, stroking it's chin with one finger. Upon feeling this, the baby's eyes fluttered open, looking up at her savior. She then began to giggle. "Hmmmm... what to do with you? Can't leave you out here in case something else comes by... any suggestions, little one?" The baby ignored his question (not that she could answer it), taking hold of his gloved hand and began to nom on his finger. He sighed, shaking his head. "Muriel will kill me for bringing you home, but what else can I do?" With that, he cradled the babe in one arm, grabbing the wolf yet again and dragging it to his village.
Seventeen years later...
"ROSALYN!" a female's voice yelled from the bottom floor of the stairway. "Get up already! I won't call you again and I most certainly will not let you keep Grandus waiting! Again!" Upon hearing the bellowing voice of the motherly elf, the human girl sat up. She yawned, running a hand through her short orange-red hair, then finally climbed out of bed. She changed from her night gown to that of a more elegant white cloth shirt and a matching set of a green long shirt and pants underneath the long white shirt. He smiled, turning her body and examining it in the mirror, chuckling at how quickly her bust had grown. Some of the other girls her age, and even some adults, envied her, which made her all the more proud. "Rosalyn, come on already!" Rosalyn sighed, poking her head out the door way. "I'm coming, just gimme a sec!" She grabbed her two swords, rushing down the stairs past the other woman. " Aren't you going to eat something?", she inquired as she rested her hands on her hips. She was a very beautiful woman, sporting long brown hair that framed her ears quite nicely. Rosalyn simply grabbed a fresh apple from out of the basket of fresh fruit that was picked. "This'll do, Muriel! Later!" She rushed outside and into the streets of the large elven village called Ramoria, the place she had called home all her life. She spotted Grandus, who was her mentor, her surrogate father, and her savior all in one. She smiled, rushing to the elven ranger, her swords now strapped to the belt on her hips. "So! What's on the agenda for today? Anything special, considering what today is?" She grinned up at him, standing up on her tip toes. Grandus simply gave her a confused look. "What's so special about today?" He blinked a couple times, the look of confusion on his face gave Rosalyn the idea he had forgotten something. "Oh, you know... it's a day." She looked up at him, still not getting an answer. "Comes once a year?" He shrugged. Rosalyn growled slightly, becoming frustrated. " Of all the- Don't tell me you forgot about-!" She stopped upon seeing the grin creeping up on his face, the same stupid grin he always had whenever he messed with her mind. He sighed and smiled. "You ass...", she said, which triggered his laughter.
The two walked to their usual training ground, a small meadow beside a lake, talking about whatever came to mind. Grandus slowed his pace abit. "Rosalyn... you're eighteen years old today... have you given any thought to the future lately?" He glanced to the human woman, who was glancing up at the sky deep in thought. "Hmmmm... well, now that you mention it, there is something I would like to do." "Oh?", Grandus said with a smile. "And what would that be?" Rosalyn stopped for a moment, glancing down at the ground. Grandus stopped as well, turning to her. "Rosalyn? What's the matter?" "I want to leave." Grandus was shocked. "Leave? You mean leave the village?" Rosalyn looked up at him and nodded. "Yeah... I do." "But... but why?: She bit her bottom lip, then sighed, looking him straight in the eyes. "I want to leave and see the world. MY world." "Rosalyn..." Grandus reached out to put a hand on her shoulder. "It's dangerous out in the world. You don't know what to expect out there..." "I don't care!" She brushed his hand off her shoulder defiantly. "I'm eighteen! I'm an adult now!" Grandus gave her a stern look. "And you're saying this gives you the right to do as you please?" Rosalyn swallowed nervously upon seeing his gaze. "I-I, I mean, no sir, it's just..." "Then no more of this. Training starts now. I'll give you time to prep yourself." With that, he walked off towards the lake, leaving her be. She sighed, glancing down, feeling defeated.
Night came. Rosalyn stood in her room, fastening her swords to her belt. She had made up her mind. She would leave whether Grandus liked it or not. She needed to see the world. She had heard stories from travelers that stopped by through the years. She imagined a world filled with dragon men, vicious monsters, and the greatest of free spirits- the pirates. How she had dreamed to have her own ship, sailing the world and embarking on amazing journeys. Now was the time for her, she felt. Nothing would stop her. She slowly snuck out of the house, heading to the tall wooden gates that lead to the outside world. She sighed, managing to climb over the fence despite the chainmail armor she wore under her clothes. As she landed, her eyes shot up to see the wooden gate opening. She slowly stood, seeing the form of Grandus standing on the other side. She swallowed hard as he gave her that piercing gaze yet again. "G-Grandus... I..." As she spoke, he began walking towards her. She trembled abit, then clenched her fists. "I'm leaving and... and there's nothing you can do about it! So there!" He stood in front of her now, looking down at her. His arms suddenly moved around her, pulling her in for a hug. Rosalyn was confused at first, until he finally spoke. "Take care. And know that you are always welcome here." Rosalyn's eyes began to tear up upon hearing his words, her lip trembling. He returned the embrace, sobbing opening into his shoulder. Grandus pried her off him, wiping a tear away. "Now now, you're an adult now, remember? Dry your tears and get going. The best place to start is a place called the City of No Names." Rosalyn managed a smile, nodding abit. "Thank you..." she said silently, before turning and running, not wanting to waste any more time in beginning her journy. Muriel wandered up beside Grandus, who was wiping his own eyes. "Are you sure it was a good idea to let her go?", she asked, wrapping her arms around one of his and resting her head on his shoulder. Grandus smiled as he looked up towards the distance, the sun rising up now and spreading it's light over the horizon. "She's eighteen. She's an adult now. And I feel she'll be just fine..."
This story ends here with the feeling of hunger. The hunger... for adventure.