<span style="font-size: 10px">In a small village on the outskirts of Byr, the sun was slowly setting. Silently villagers wandered home from work as another pleasant day had come to an end. Many wandered into the local tavern to toast the day’s success while others returned to happy families and settled down for a well-deserved meal. However, not all of the homes that lined the streets of the village were quite as peaceful.<br/>
 “Damn it father, I need to go! My job is at stake here!” Katya cried, her hands balling into fists as she watched her father shake his head. Long wisps of silver white hair slowly fell over his creased brow, the elder’s youthful looks seeming to age with worry as he watched his daughter pace angrily around the room. Alec Icestrike was an old elf, but a handsome one, his noble features were almost flawless despite his age and the stress he often felt while caring for his one remaining family member. Strong arms crossed over his broad chest and an annoyed sigh escaped him “No Katya, I won’t allow it. It’s too dangerous, if the other elves spot you we… We… Well we might as well be dead! They will not rest until they slaughter the last of our family! They think we are traitors! I won’t let them take you!” Alec argued then turned away. A pained expression crossed his face, he pressed a hand to his brow and shook his head “No, I won’t allow it, they’ll catch you!” An aggravated growl sounded from the younger elf, her hands running through her hair in a vain attempt to calm herself down. <br/>
“They won’t catch me! They won’t even see me! I’ll wear my hood and stick to the shadows. You know how good I am and I can handle it!” Katya pleaded, her hands pressed together as she begged. Her father remained silent, sitting down at the dining table he looked away as Katya dropped to her knees beside him, resting her head on his leg she silently brooded.<br/>
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Her father was protective of her, she understood why, but he never let her leave his side or the safety of their home alone. She never got to do anything on her own and it annoyed her, he made her feel like a youngling all over again. A warm hand came to rest on the back of her head and Katya closed her eyes. It had always been like this, ever since they had fled from the forests of Kithenica, from the other elves. They were traitors, thrown into exile and from that Alec had become over protective, fearful that they would be discovered and killed. “I’m sorry, Katya, I can’t risk it. You are all I have in this world and I don’t want to lose you” Alec smiled softly, his hand moving from the back of her head he gently gripped her chin between his thumb and forefinger and tilted her head up to look at him. Closing her eyes Katya nodded “I know father, but it will only be for a few days, a week at most. Mr. Thatcher is depending on me, I could lose my job and we’d be far worse off than we are now. I will blend in and be out of the city before anyone can pick me out from the crowd, I’ll come back, I promise” Katya began to plead again, her teeth grazing over her bottom lip as she waited for his response. Alec grimaced and ran a hand over his face, he knew she was strong, knew she was fast and above all capable, but as a father he couldn’t help but worry. A sigh sounded from him and Katya shot up into the air, he had given in and she couldn’t contain her joy. “Alright! That’s enough Katya!” Her father growled as he watched her with an amused, but annoyed glare, baffled by how quickly she had thrown her things together and was ready to go. “Stick to the shadows, kill anyone who asks questions and above all…” The elder stood up and pulled the young girl into his arms, holding her tight as he whispered into her ear “Come home”.<br/>
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Alec’s words echoed through her mind as she walked along the cobble path through the city of Nerys. Her hood drawn over her head, the young elf made sure to stick to the shadows as promised, but her excitement to be out on her own quickly got the better of her. Looking up at the tall buildings and structures, she stood out like a sore thumb, her mouth open as she gasped in wonder. A sweet smile pulled at her lips and Katya quickly hurried on her way, clutching the package close to her chest she almost skipped along, narrowly avoiding other pedestrians and travellers. The city was magnificent, she had never seen anything like it since their old home in Aesic, but that was so long ago, it would barely compare to Nerys now. Not since Derileth gained control and it became part of the Wastelands. Quickly the young elf withdrew a piece of crumpled parchment from the inside of her cloak and read the address, her eyes squinting to see any sign of her destination, but it was hopeless. Katya was officially lost.</span>