At some point, everyone wants a fresh start, have a clean slate, a clear conscience. Everyone has things they regret, things they want to do differently, relationships that need to be fixed. That is why people leave everything behind for a chance to fix their mistakes but one thing they don’t leave behind are the memories. You have to remember what you want to fix the actually fix it, but if you can't remember then what's the point?
Zephyr was extremely winded but he still ran, after all, he was being chased. He actually forgot what he was running from but he wasn't going to stop. Trees zoomed past as he ran, he stared up at the opening of sunlight in the trees but as he did he failed to notice a tree root sticking up from the ground. He tripped and tumbled into another tree. He sat against the tree holding his hurt arm and in the distance saw what was chasing him. His back straightened as it got closer and once it was close enough… it started throwing acorns at him?
Zephyr sat against the tree annoyed as a little squirrel threw acorns at him until it was satisfied. Once it left his pet, Emilia, crawled onto his shoulder from the tree he leaned against. Little Emilia, a pine marten, resembled a ferret, the two animals are both classified as weasels but pine martens are found to be more wild and aggressive. Emilia just sat on Zephyr’s shoulder and sniffed his face. Zephyr smiled slightly, ”Thanks for the help Emi, damn weasel.” Emilia nipped at Zephyr’s ear when he called her a weasel since she didn't like it.
Zephyr stood up and wiped the dirt off his already dirty clothes, he claimed himself to be lucky since he didn't have any cuts or scrapes. ”So what do we do now Emi? We have no money and we're kinda lost.” Emilia crawled on top of Zephyr’s head and began sniffing the air, her head stopped as it faced left and she tapped Zephyr’s head four times with her paw. ”Aye, captain Emilia, due west it is.” Zephyr started walking the way she pointed and she just curled around his neck and napped. How does Emi always know which way is north, south, east, and west? One tap for north, two for east, three for south, and four for west. I have the cutest navigation device.
The sounds of birds chirping and water flowing filled Zephyr’s ears. He was strangely attracted to nature and he didn't know why since he had no memory. His earliest memory was waking up in the forests of Nirelyr with Emilia pawing at his face, the only thing he could remember was his name. Zephyr, it means wind. My memory was carried away by the wind leaving me with nothing. Now he just wanders, hoping to find who he is and where he came from.
The sun was starting to set, the sky was painted with burnt oranges and navy blues. If there's one thing that Zephyr knows then it's that every forest is dangerous at night. He suddenly stopped in his path to smell the air. It smelled smokey, like smoked meat sitting above a fire. He looked around to see a faint light in the distance. His mouth watered as he sniffed the air more and his feet began to move on their own towards the smell and the light. I might be leading myself to death but it'll be so worth it plus I'm starving. Upon getting closer he noticed that the smell was coming from a building.
He stood in front of the building just staring. ”Hm, The Yaevic-Tirugin Border Inn. What do you think Emi? There's a fifty-fifty chance that we could live or die if we walk in.” Emi mewled loud into Zephyr's ear. ”Okay okay! I understand you're hungry, I am too.” Zephyr debated in his head what he should do then his stomach growled loud and echoed through the forest. If that doesn't sound like a monster that eats peoples faces then I don't know what does. ”Screw it, I'm hungry.”
He opened the door to the inn and came face to face with a large burly man. Hm, death by a burly bear-man, not how I imagined I would die. The man stared at Zephyr up and down with a stoic expression on his face, Zephyr lazily looked at him, he was too hungry to care. The man's eyes spotted Emilia around Zephyr's neck and his facial expression immediately changed. ”Oh my goodness! A sweet little child and his adorable pet!” Zephyr stared at the man, his faced confused. “What’s a sweet boy like you doing in these woods at night? Don’t you know it’s dangerous.”
Zephyr’s face was expressionless. How interesting…. “Um, well I have no family, money, or memory. I only have my pet and her name is Emilia. The last time I ate was three days ago and it was a dried up fish so…” Zephyr’s body suddenly became engulfed in the arms of the large bear-like man who was crying. “Oh, you poor boy! Don't worry my child, I will happily provide you a room, food, money, a horse, clothes, and a map, whatever you need I'll give it to you.” Zephyr smiled awkwardly and out of breath. I was right, death by burly bear-man.
The man finally let go letting Zephyr finally breathe. Once he regains his breath he looks up at the man. ”Thank you very much sir but I don't need a map.” Zephyr smiles and points to Emilia. ”You see my Emilia here is a pine marten and she is my very own compass. She knows north, south, east, and west just by sniffing the air.” Zephyr stood proudly while Emilia mewled, and the man stared amazed. ”Did you say pine marten?” The man asked amazed while staring at Zephyr. Zephyr’s face was confused again as he nodded. ”Why do you ask?” The man gave a knowing smile, ”Well I thought they were all extinct since their common fairy pets and the whole war that wiped out the faeries in the war.”
Extinct? War? Faeries? What is this man talking about? Is he crazy? ”Um, sir, what war are you talking about? The man stared at Zephyr stunned. ”Oh my! You've never heard about the War?” Zephyr shook his head confused and slightly skeptic. ”Well let me give you the gist of it. Around three and a half years ago, the Faerie Kingdom of Nirelyr raged war against the rest of the land. Nirelyr conquered kingdoms but they lost at the hands of the Kingdoms of Tirugin and Tearsyr. All faeries are said to be wiped out and the pine martens died with them, that’s about all I know.”
Nirelyr, that’s where I woke up around three years ago. “I’m actually from Nirelyr.” Upon saying that the man squinted suspiciously, “Only fae can survive there, how do I know that you’re not a faerie? I’m going to need you to take off your shirt boy.” Big burly man, with a fairly high voice, telling me to take off my shirt? What's next, is he going to ask me to bend over? His expression softens, ”Usually fae children develop wings as early as three and late as eleven, you seem older so I just need to check.” Zephyr decides not to argue with the man that could squash him like a bug, he turns around and pulls up the back of his shirt.
The room is silent until the man’s laugh booms through the room. ”You’re all good boy. Oh! I forgot to ask your name.” Zephyr pulls his shirt down and looks at the man uncomfortable. ”It’s Zephyr.” The man slaps Zephyr’s back making him wince in pain, ”Call me Phen, let me show you to your room now.” Zephyr followed the man up some stairs and down a small narrow hallway. The man unlocked a door and opened it for Zephyr, it was simple and small and mostly consisted of beiges and creams but it was like a dream to Zephyr since he's been sleeping in a forest for years. ”I will bring your food in a bit, enjoy your stay.”
Zephyr turned towards Phen as he exited. ”Wait! Do you know where I can find more history about Nirelyr, faeries, and the war?” Phen looked at him happily, ” You're just in luck since we’re on the border of Tirugin which happens to have the best libraries and education. You can easily enroll in a school or find a library, whichever one you run into first.” After saying that, Phen left. Hm, Tirugin, it might help me figure out who I am. ”I’ve decided Emi, I'm gonna travel to Tirugin to find out who I am.” In return, Emilia just squeaked lazily. Damn weasel.
In a matter of minutes, Phen came back with a large platter of food. He gave a gentle smile then left again. The platter had smoked meat, fruits, cheeses, crackers, and a glass of a sweet and tangy juice. Zephyr savored every flavor as he shared with Emilia. Once he was done Phen came back in to get the empty platter before he left he set a little pouch on the nightstand next to the bed then left for the rest of the night. He quickly changed into clothes he found in the dresser that were actually clean compared to his previous clothes before examining the pouch.
The navy blue velvet pouch contained many silver and gold coins. He smiled sleepily and turned off the lantern the other nightstand. Emilia crawled off of Zephyr and curled up on the pillow next to his. He yawned and got under the covers. The softness if the sheets and pillow made him doze off faster into an even deeper sleep.
”Half breed fools are never kingssss~” the strange voice hissed. ”Who...who are you?” Zephyr waited, the hairs on his neck sticking up. ”Out with the weak, in with the power. Nirvana lives and all will perish!” Before Zephyr could react, the ground broke beneath him and all he could do was fall…
Zephyr jolted wake in a cold sweat, his usually fluffy hair was drenched in his own sweat. His breaths were ragged and uneven, his eyes darted from side to side. Sunlight shone in through the window illuminated the room he was in. Emilia nibbled his hand to get his attention, he turned his head and smiled sadly at her. She licked his hand and crawled on top of his head to kiss his forehead. Zephyr chuckled, ”Thank you Emi, you're the best.”
Zephyr got up and cleaned himself off in the bathroom then changed into traveling clothes. Emilia sat on top of Zephyr's head as he walked downstairs to greet Phen. ”Mornin’ Phen.” he had a pep in his step as he walked. Phen smiled and set a tray down for Zephyr. ”Good morning dear Zephyr, it seems like you had a good sleep. Here's your breakfast and a horse is ready for you in the stables with traveling supplies.” Zephyr smiled and ate quickly but still savored the flavors of his food.
Zephyr walked out of the inn to the stables, he spotted a spiny black mare with long black mane and tail. Zephyr steps were slow and quiet so he wouldn't startle the large beautiful creature. He stood in front of the mare and slowly extended a hand for her to sniff. The mare’s large nose rubbed against his hand as she sniffed it. Her tongue slowly began to come out as she licked Zephyr’s hand making him chuckle.
”I've never seen her so friendly.” The sudden voice made Zephyr jump but he recognized that it was just Phen. ”Bellion isn't the nicest girl but she's strong and fast, she seems to like you though. Who would've thought?” Zephyr smiled and pet the mare’s snout. Bellion, what a beautiful name. Almost like she heard what Zephyr said in his head, she whinnied happily. ”Hm, since she likes you so much, you can keep her.” Zephyr turned to thank Phen but he already had walked away.
Zephyr led Bellion out of the stables, he noticed the extra food, clothing, and money in a bag that was strapped around her waist. He stared at the large mare for a while pondering. How am I going to get on, I've never even ridden a horse before. On command, Bellion laid down and waited for Zephyr to get on. Once he was on Bellion stood up. ”Good girl, now let’s take this nice and slow. Which way to Tirugin Emi?” Emilia sniffed the air and pointed her body to a dirt path, she tapped his head three times and the fourth tap she did was with both her paws. ”Alright, due Northeast is.”
Bellion began trotting at a low pace perfect for Zephyr to get used to. Once he was comfortable they started to go faster and soon enough Bellion was running. Hopefully, in Tirugin I will find who I am, where I come from, and who my family is. I entrust myself to the wind, may it guide me to what I seek.
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