Vency's Solace

    In a land and time unknown, lived several civilizations that prospered and coexisted. However, the many beings that inhabited these civilizations were not mere human, elves, or dwarves. These beings were elemental creatures that occupied the lands that they saw harmonious to their own physical qualities.  Some of these beings were able to withstand the heat from the lavas deep within the earth having qualities resembling fire and some lived on the freezing edges of the earth, the ice creatures. They were peaceful creatures and were considered servants to the land. These creatures however neutral in their ways have always favored one kind of being over men. They were the beast creatures. For the Beast creatures valued the land as a sacred entity and lived peacefully. Their kinds were many in variety. They were beings that ruled the lands that took shape in half man half beast. These creatures have always been in conflict with the men of this world, for they saw that men are greedy and easily persuaded. Amongst the Beast creatures were the Harpies, they took the shape of half human half bird. They lived high along the mountaintops in isolation until the arrival of men. They’re existence was misunderstood and feared by man. The harpy people stood tall with long powerful talons that can crush stones. They could fly and move faster then the winds can blow. They’re wings were not just tools for flying but were enchanted with magic. One feather from a harpy will grant flight to anyone who hones it. However, should a harpy lose a single feather, they themselves shall begin to wither away with each fallen feather. Thus the feathers of their wings heavily determine their existence. They hated the humans most of all, for the humans disregarded and hurt the land around them, unworthy of existence to the eyes of the harpy people, they detested everything about man. The feelings of detest echoed within all the other beast civilizations as well. In the conflict with the harpy people, humans and their greed sought after the harpy’s feathers causing conflict and war between the two races, further perpetuating the distrust to the humans. Many generations have now past, and both sides have sworn a great oath to the Mystic Council. The Humans were to never seek the feathers ever again, and the Harpy people were to remain high among the mountains, never to come down, to keep peace between the two.  The leaders of both sides agreed to this. Until one day, when a young harpy girl known as Vency sought to be free from the confines of the mountaintops.

    The air was cool with an early morning mist of snow and the sun was just to about to break the horizon. Vency waved at the scouts below as she soared across the sky with her wings tucked tightly. She was sneaking her way down into the human kingdom of Grinzart once again. Although it is written that Harpies were to never enter where humans reside, she was calm and focused. Visiting the human town had become routine to her. Sneaking out of her kingdom, Windguard was easy. Her sister, Cherylet would tell her father she would be out for a flight that day and all was sound. It was normal for her kind to go out and practice flying early in the morning.  Her Father was a gallant knight of the kingdom and was also an imperial flight instructor andVencym, a 200-year-old harpy girl, which is relatively young for her kind, was able to master some of the most difficult of skills the school had to offer. And so it wasn’t out of the ordinary, especially Vency to be out practicing. It was her ambition that moved her along so quickly. Always yearning for more, she read plenty and found ancient texts that told of the human’s existence below. Of the many civilizations and creatures of the land, humans seemed to intrigue her the most. Who are these so-called destroyers of land, she wondered. Not satisfied with the stories she so diligently read, she secretly explored the nearest kingdom Grinzart, to find out for herself.

Vency continued across the sky, through thick blankets of fog that kept her hidden from view. Vency knew that the great Grinzart was near, the hills were becoming a dark earthly green. They danced across the land with beautiful curves with intricate decoration from nature such as ruins and abandoned villages. “Oh, there you are Chestnut,” Vency said with a sign of relief.  Chestnut, a Windmill left after the 2^nd Frost era. Many of these are scattered across the land. Wizards and sorcerers found there retreat in these sturdy structures and practiced their spells in them.  Vency discovered the room of magical spell books hidden in the top most level of the windmill. There was a small circular window, conveniently located on the roof that allowed her to come and go as she pleased. In this room she discovered many spell books that only beings of magic can read.  “I wonder what Simon would think if I wore crimson…”Vency said as she flipped her way through the Book of Cloaks.  It was a book filled with spells on disguise. Vency has mastered the spell of Human cloaking. With her thumb firmly pressed into center of the page, and with her other hand, she place her palm in her chest and began chanting, “Ah Mi Negeh Iatian au Ni ah Oo, Niaitai, Hengen Ima!” With a bright flash that filled the room, she instantly transformed into a girl with a red lacey blouse and white dress. “Pefect,” she said while admiring herself in the mirror. It was times like this that made her wish she could just remain in this form forever. Then, the sound of a galloping horse clapped outside the window.

    “Hello Vency?  Have you arrived yet? ”hollered a voice from outside. It was strong, and tenor-like, One that could be used for theaters and plays. Vency had to descend immediately, however she was not in any shape or form that could help her exit this mammoth windmill tower from the window. “Dammit Chestnut!” She exclaimed. Simon had arrived on time for their date, yet she was unable use the stairs, as it would reveal her secret room. “Well? I guess I’m leaving then,” Simon said with his horse tapping its front hooves playfully. With his back turned toward the building, came a voice from behind the tower, “WAIT!” It was Vency, she miraculously scaled her way down the window with long some fabric that was long enough to dress a giant.

    “Hey Vency, how did you end up back there, I’ve been calling you.” Simon said while scratching his temple.

    “Um, not very long, I just…”She muttered with her eyebrows pinched together. Her mind was with the pile of cloth laying behind the tower. “Hopefully he won’t go around,” She thought anxiously.

    “Hey, what the hell is that?!” Simon shouted with his fingers pointing at the draped fabric. “Those dam wizards always up to no good. Using their spells, leaving their mess behind! I should inform the royal guards later, we’ll find the bastards!, If the king were around, he’d have them in jail for they’re sins. In any case we’d better get going!”

    “Okay!” Vency said as she climbed the back of the horse. Hearing his irrational thoughts relieved her of her worries. “Yeah, I was trying to see where all of that stuff came from, what it could have been used for. They’re  so weird.” She had a very innocent way of bending the truth.

     Simon, a young man from town who has been meeting with Vency for the past year is a member of the imperial Calvary. He was born into a high-class aristocratic family with the highest regard to the king. Unlike many young men from his class, he was very eager to join the Calvary and serve the king. Simon met Vency during his town watch in the market several months ago, and has been arranging meetings at the windmill ever since.

    They’re riding speed began to reduce slowly as they entered the town. Vency was sensitive to all the sights and sounds as the people the buzzed with cheer and excitement. She was able to see all the humanly activities that she studied in her ancient books here in Grinzart. Bakeries, flower shops, poets, merchants and the sort filled her heart with joy as they rode by. People had a different outlook on life. Theyre lives were fragile, giving them a greater sense of life. They were taught to enjoy their lives while it lasted. She wished to be free from exile, free like the humans.

    “When can I meet your family?” Simon said looking back over his shoulder.

    “My father doesn’t allow me to meet men. He thinks I’m too young. And especially since you’re a solider, he probably would disagree even more.

    “Why’s that, does he not trust the king?” Simon said with his chin jerking forward.

    “NO, he loves the king, he just doesn’t believe in a man leaving his wife and children for war and destruction.”

    “Oh well, tell him he can just forget about the house he’s living in then, cause if it wasn’t for the sacrifices our men make, we wouldn’t have a place to sleep.” Simon was always quick to defend the kingdom whether there was an attack directed at the king or not.” That reminds me, I have a secret. Something I’ve been meaning to tell you.” He said with his eyes directed towards the road. Vency leaned in closer with her ear pressing against his back as she anticipated his next words. “Would you like to fly?” Simon asked as he gestured a wave to a fellow soldier comrade passing by.

    “WHAT?” Vency abruptly withdrew her head from Simon’s back.

    “You know exactly what I’m talking about! Why so shocked, im sure you’ve heard the rumors.” Vency felt her heart beating rapidly, and was at a loss for words. “oh no, did find me out” Vency thought to herself.

    “So, would you like to fly or not. Sure you want to fly, who doesn’t. Look how cute you’re dressed. You look like an angel ready to wisp through the clouds.

    “What?” Vency was baffled at what he was talking about, yet at the same time relieved that it had nothing to do with her secret.

    “Yeah, don’t let your friends in on the secret. But the king told us of a great legend about the harpy people living in the mountains and their feathers that lets you FUHLIE! He says we will someday storm the place and gather our feathers, so we can fly like the birds in the sky!”

    “Oh Simon you can not be serious!” With her grip loosening from Simon’s waist, Vency realized his intentions were worse then she could ever imagine.

    Of course im serious, wouldn’t it be the greatest thing if we could fly. We could do whatever we please, we’ll have a better advantage against our enemies, maybe conquer an elf village for the first time in history, and you and I could even dance the sky together. Its like a fairytale come true.” The thought of it sickened her to the stomach. She felt his sincerity and it struck her like a spear to the heart.

    “I can’t believe your saying this simon”

    “Its True,”

    “No Simon, ITS NOT, we cant just take what we want, when we want it and Especially if it means the suffering of others.