~Chapter 1~

"But mother! I am now eight-teen years old! Every girl my age is setting off!" The young girl said.

"Young lady, for the last time I said no!"

"But mother!-"

"Elenora! I said no and that is final!" The woman walked away in frustration, leaving the young girl alone in the kitchen.

Elenora sulked and walked out of the house, going to her swing on the willow tree outside. Sitting on the swing, Elenora swung back and forth, getting more and more angry with each swing.

"Every girl in our village is setting out on their own adventure, why can't I?" The young girl said and lightly touched her elf ears. Just because she was different doesn't mean she couldn't do what the others could. She was a strong young woman with strong abilities that the others did not possess. Why should she have to be cooped up while the others lived their life?

Looking back on this memory now, Elenora saw what her mother was so scared about. The world was a dangerous and evil place, filled with even more evil people. Now 25, Elenora walked down the path to the unknown as she has been for the past seven years. The path was small and narrow, filled with plants of all kinds. She could see Rosemary and Mint growing around shrubs of all kinds. Evergreen and Maples towered over her, blocking out the scorching sun.

As she walked, Elenora stopped on a small hill. She could see a small village below her with people running around.

"This seems like a nice place to stop for now," she said to no one in particular.

After making her mind up, she started to walk down the hill. Once she got to the outskirts of the small town, she was met with a sign that read; 'Aerilon'. Looking past the sign, she was met with the sight of some kids playing. She started to walk, passing the kids. The children stopped and stared, most likely because she was an elf. Then Elenora saw it, the one thing that reminded her of her own life. A little boy off to the side, but something about him was different. He was a Jackal. His ears facing forward with his attention, his tail lightly swinging back and forth.

Elenora saw this boy and saw herself in him. Different, yet astoundingly beautiful. She found herself walking to him. The boy's ears went back and Elenora took this as a sign to stop walking. She lowered herself to the ground and reached out her hand. "Hello little one. I am Elenora, what is your name?" The boy, coming out of hiding, walked to her slowly. His eyes filled with curiosity and fear.

When he finally reached her, he looked at her hand and back up to her eyes. Then, something caught his eye; Elenora's ears. He visibly calmed and reached out to her hand, grabbing it softly.

"My… name is Liam." The young boy said softly. Elenora smiled and shook his hand lightly.

"Nice to meet you Liam! Are you hungry?" She said as she reached into her bag and pulled out a half a loaf of bread.

"Here you go!" She laid the bread in the boy's hands and walked away, waving at him. The boy watched till she was out of view and looked at the bread and smiled.

Elenora was sitting on the bed in her room at the local inn when she grew tired from her long trip. She laid under the covers and fell into a deep slumber.

As the sun rays came through the windows, Elenora stirred from her restful slumber and sat up, stretching. She looked out the window and saw the forest in which she came. She has traveled far, but wished to never return home. The world may be bad, but it was still filled with many good things. She loved seeing the world, loved seeing the many creatures and people that inhabited it.

As she got ready for the day, there came a knock to her door.

"Come in!" Elenora yelled softly.

When the door opened, Elenora was greeted by the little boy from yesterday; Liam. Liam stood there, looking down with a bag in his hands. Elenora looked from the bag to the boy's eyes. Liam walked to the woman and held out the bag, still looking down.

"I wanted to repay you for the bread you gave me yesterday. I figured you were going to leave today on your journey so-" He was cut off by Elenora hugging him. Frozen, he slowly thawed and hugged back.

Being satisfied, Elenora pulled away and sat on her knees in front of the small boy. She smiled and he smiled back. This was the moments that made leaving her village worth it. Liam held out the bag and and looked her in the eyes. His eyes was shining with pride and kindness. She giggled softly and grabbed the bag, curious to see what was inside.

"Since you were so kind to give me the bread, me and my momma made you some food to take with you on your trip." Elenora opened the bag and saw a bounty of food ranging from pumpkin bread to sliced fruit. She held back tears as she hugged Liam again. This act of selflessness was so warming to feel.

As she was standing at the edge of the village, Elenora looked back to see Liam standing there, watching with a sad tint in his eyes. She smiled softly and got down on one knee and motioned the boy to come closer. He ran to her and stood in front of her.

"I know you are sad Liam, but I promise, one day we will see each other! On my honor, I will come back here."

Liam looked her in the eyes, nodded and threw her in an embrace. She hugged him back, smiling. This boy was so innocent and sweet, not yet knowing of the dangers and evil in the world. She would make sure that one day, she would return and teach him how to live in this wretched world.

She turned around to see that Liam was gone from the edge of the village. She turned again and started walking to her next voyage across the land. Knowing that leaving him would be one of the hardest parts of her journey, she clung to the hope of seeing him once more to share what knowledge she gains as she continues her travels.